PORTLAND, Oregon — Hundreds of Portland Public Schools teachers and supporters held a candlelight vigil at Pioneer Courthouse Square Friday night. Their focus was on advocating for more qualified mental health professionals to help students, while keeping their ongoing teachers strike in the public eye.
Students like McDaniel High School senior Meredith Gifford joined them, saying student mental health is a critical issue that needs more attention.
“I care about the people I go to school with and I care about my teachers, and they shouldn't have to be therapists for their students,” Gifford said. “It takes time away from everyone because they want to help us, and so they do, but then to have that burden on them just isn't fair.”
Marla Baber is a math teacher at Franklin High School. She said one of her algebra classes has 32 students in it. She believes that larger class sizes put students’ ability to learn, and their mental health in jeopardy.
“The idea of keeping class sizes small is not just for us to be able to teach the stuff but also for us to be doing the social emotional learning pieces,” said Baber. “Being able to get with kids and connect with them.”
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Despite those strong feelings, the Portland Association of Teachers union on Friday removed language from its proposals that called for capping class sizes. For Cleveland High School journalism teacher, Andy Sorensen, the concession stings, but it moves teachers one step closer to reaching an agreement.
“It eats away at you as an educator,” Sorensen said, “so I hope we can solve this as soon as possible and get back there and do what we do best.”
In the meantime, many students like Gifford said they'll continue holding the line alongside their teachers, hoping that when they return things will be different, especially with mental health.
“I know that there's been a lot of worry that the strike will impact that as well and increase that,” said Gifford. “But I think that it's important that we get students the supports they need so we can actually attend school.”