Written by: Morgan Humphrey
Have you ever noticed teachers wearing red on Wednesdays at Salem Schools and wondered why? The red stands for Red for Ed, an education movement hoping to bring to light some of the challenges public schools face in Indiana.
“Red for Ed is a way for educators to join together to raise awareness about the need for better funding for our schools and teachers,” said Salem High School English teacher Kimberly Brewer. “Students deserve the best opportunities and resources and increasing funding would help supply those.”
Bradie Shrum Elementary teacher Nicole Motsinger is co-president of the Salem Classroom Teacher Association (SCTA). She said teachers are participating because wearing red is a symbol of solidarity that they support public education.
“To me ‘Red for Ed’ is a movement where public educators are advocating for public schools to have better funding for students and staff from our state and federal governments,” said Amy Jones, SHS math teacher and co-president of SCTA.
Motsinger said teachers intentionally wear red on Wednesdays to show support for funding.
“At SCS, we have been doing this since 2019,” she said. “If you work in a public school, you know the struggles we face daily. From funding challenges to crazy legislation, things can be tough!”
Salem teachers are hoping to accomplish major goals and that people will come up and ask them “what does Red for Ed mean?” SCS teachers want to have open conversations about what is happening around the state.
“I close every email to SCTA with ‘Stronger together,’” said Motsinger. “I wholeheartedly believe that coming together to show a united front works – whether it is Red for Ed, a flash mob, or even the wave in a crowd of people at a sporting event! People coming together for a common goal is a beautiful thing. It makes a point!”
SCS isn’t the only school in the county that is contributing to this movement. In 2019, several teachers from SCTA chartered a bus and several other educators from Salem, East and West Washington schools went up to the statehouse in Indianapolis and voiced their concerns to lawmakers.
“We raised our voices with fellow educators from around the state,” said Motsinger. “Rep. Steve Davisson met us that day outside the chambers to talk. Davisson called our ISTA Uniserv director asking to meet with our group, once he learned teachers were there from his district.”
The Red for Ed movement has a lot of key goals. The movement is to support public schools while pointing out issues. Motsinger said a lot of the funding public schools receive is now going to private schools, charter schools, voucher programs and testing regulations. In 2011 the state stripped many rights that teachers had. Teachers’ bargaining rights have been restricted and some of these rights are prohibited. This includes teacher salaries, teaching methods, hours and curriculum development. Motsinger said SCS has been open over the years to listening and having conversations with SCTA.
“These are rights to fight for,” said Motsinger. Currently the association (union) meets with administrators and creates a contract every two years, which includes teacher salaries and benefits. Motsinger said several lawmakers across the state have indicated they want to do away with this process. House Bill 1500 is the bill that could potentially affect bargaining efforts.
The turnout of teachers who were at the state capital in 2019 made a difference and lawmakers were feeling the pressure. Governor Holcomb passed a law to require schools to move to a minimum $40,000 salary for teachers. However, there is still a waiver to not raise salaries if funding is low in a particular district. Salem was able to raise minimum salaries, as well as increase other teacher salaries by the same amount.
Newly-elected Governor Mike Braun is calling for higher minimum salary for teachers, similar to the legislation passed a few years ago that called on schools to raise the minimum salary. Current proposals for budgets and property tax cuts do not show schools will be funded adequately to raise salaries.
Red for Ed is making an impact and highlighting significant issues public schools and teachers are facing. The passion and the determination these teachers have is extraordinary. They want what is best for the students they teach in the past and future. So next time you see a teacher wearing Red for Ed, you will know they are supporting a career they are passionate about!
“Our schools are the heart of our community,” said Superintendent Jill Mires. “They strengthen our families, our local businesses and our whole community. Each Wednesday we wear red to show our support for our teachers, our students, and the value of public education. We invite everyone to join us...Students, Parents, Local Businesses.
“When we stand together, we are stronger together. And this is so important, now more than ever, as potential legislation and funding will directly impact our schools.”