About 200 Washoe County School District teachers gathered in the cold and wind today at the downtown City Plaza to advocate for increased resources for Nevada education.
About a half-dozen speakers cited low funding, low rankings, high costs of living and large class sizes — each of which, they said, contribute to burnout, low morale and being less effective in their jobs.
Amy Bentel said teachers are so passionate about their jobs that it can have an impact on their health.
“We are overly stressed with all of the expectations we are required to meet,” she said. “It isn’t shocking that teachers struggle with their personal well-being. We would be healthier and happier if we were paid fairly for all of the overtime we put into our jobs.”
The event was organized by a non-union group of teachers, called Empower Nevada Teachers, that is advocating for more education funding and awareness about the realities of public education.
Although invited, the superintendent and members of the board of trustees did not attend the rally.
Watch the video below to hear more from those who spoke at the event.
