Teachers across the country are fighting for classroom resources, affordable housing and restrictions on Charter schools. Over the past two years, educators in unlikely places have found their voice, coming out in 2018 in red States like West Virginia, Oklahoma and Arizona, drawing on broad public support.

In January, teachers in Los Angeles, the nation’s second-largest school system, went on strike amid a battle with district leaders over overcrowded classrooms, depleted staff and the very future of city schools. West Virginia teachers left their classrooms again this year, defeating a measure that would have allowed Charter schools that are publicly funded but privately run.

Several teachers successfully ran for public office last year, taking key positions in state legislatures with a promise to restore school funding.

Chicago teachers, represented by a powerful Union in the predominantly democratic city, last went on strike in 2012. Thursday’s strike idled about 25,000 teachers and 300,000 students.

You see a common thread from West Virginia to Los Angeles to Chicago, said Randy Weingarten, President of the American Federation of teachers, the nation’s second-largest teachers Union. Its about making a sacrifice to help create a welcoming and safe environment for our children rather than taking no for an answer.

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The Chicago teachers Union and mayor Laurie Lightfoot, who faces her first major test as the city’s leader, stalled, forcing Lightfoot to cancel classes Thursday. Teachers were joined at pickets by special education assistants, bus assistants, school security guards and other employees represented by Service Employees International Union Local 73, contract negotiations with the city also stalled.

Lightfoot said the city cannot afford the teacher requirements, which include a restorative justice coordinator for each school. She told reporters Thursday morning that schools would remain closed until teachers agreed to return to class.

Leslie Russell, an English teacher at Walterpane College preparatory high school who joined the mass rally, says she sees a sharp disparity between city schools and campuses in wealthier suburbs. At her school, the nurse only works one day a week.

Teachers aren’t in it for the money, Russell said. We are the catalyst for great things kids can do when in optimized environments.

Chicago teachers say they will learn. They require affordable housing for students.

Some of those who joined teachers on the picket line said they were fighting to get Lightfoot to snap her campaign platform, which emphasized fairness in education.

The mayor ran on a platform of racial and social justice, 35th ward Alderman Carlos Ramirez-Rosa said teachers and community members gathered outside Avondale-Logandale elementary on Chicago’s Northwest side. She forgot her campaign promises. You ask her questions.

About 60 people stood outside the school Thursday morning waving signs that read Teachers and students sacrifice too much, and 35 is the speed limit, not the class size. Passing motorists honked in support.

In addition to bread-and-butter issues, teachers hope to force the city to commit to alleviating the housing crisis that has driven many of the city’s black residents. More than 16,000 students were declared homeless in 2018. This means that teachers, in addition to teaching students, often have to ensure that their basic needs are met.

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Lightfoot, which won a landslide victory in April, said at a news conference on Wednesday it was alarmed by the unions ‘ work action.

I was disappointed with CTUs ‘ decision to start a work stoppage and force the cancellation of classes, Lightfoot said. I feel like we have rolled up our sleeves and negotiated in good faith for a long period of time.

We confirmed that our proposal is rooted in our admiration for the work that educators and school staff do every day, ” the mayor said.

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Adesuwa Obazee, a preschool teacher at Avondale-Logandale elementary, says a lack of resources and staff force teachers to wear a few hats: they have to comfort students so they feel safe and sometimes serve as social workers and nurses. The school nurse attends school only once a week.

We do it all, said Obasi.

In 2012, teachers battled then-mayor Rahm Emanuel, pushing back on his efforts to introduce merit fees, tie teacher evaluations to standardized test scores, and expand Charter schools. This made the city a focal point in the debate over education policies that favored Charter schools and teacher evaluation through standardized testing, and strained relations between Emanuel and the Union. Teachers nearly went on strike in 2016, narrowly preventing work with a last-minute compromise.

Katherine Dalber, a preschool teacher at Lawndale elementary community Academy on Chicago’s West Side, says educators face poverty and stress in their classrooms.

Every day we go to work stress levels sky high. Children are not ready to learn, they suffer a lot of injuries, they are hungry and tired, Dalber said.

I cant do every job.

Kim Bellware contributed to the preparation of this report. Balingit and Bellware reported from Washington.