Bartlesville Teachers Gear Up For Monday

We are just two days away from the teacher walkout and educators in Bartlesville aren't wasting any time preparing for their trip to the capitol.

They know exactly what they want to say to lawmakers and the changes they want to see in their classrooms. 

A normal Saturday for a teacher might involve grading papers, even spending time in the classroom, but this one was spent getting ready for Monday's walkout.

These are the messages Bartlesville teachers are taking to the capitol:

"It's time to fund our schools."

"The leaders of tomorrow are in the classrooms today."

"I can help you with the math."

It's not the first time Wayside Elementary Counselor Rachel Gurule has made a trip to the capitol to fight for education.

She remembers walking with her parents, who were both educators when she was 14 in 1990.  

"I'll be there Monday with my daughter. It's come full circle in a sad way," said Gurule. 

"The feeling in here is not fear and scared, it's 'We've got this'," said Bartlesville Education Association President and first-grade teacher Heather Boyle. 

Boyle said teachers are ready. 

"Teachers are ready to do a couple things. One: to say thank you, because we know that there was a great show of bipartisan work on behalf of our students," Boyle said. 

She said they're determined to send a clear message that teachers aren't going to settle when it comes to funding their classrooms. 

"Really fight for a little more, for our kids, for our kids. Not for ourselves," said Boyle. 

"That's what’s so important. I go into classrooms and I see teachers sharing textbooks," said Bartlesville Schools Administrator Dianne Martinez.  

While teachers know what they want, Rachel said she's not going to the capitol with any expectations. 

"I'm trying to go with an open mind and a positive attitude and I am grateful that something went through. I just know that we need the funding, and it needs to be sustainable," said Gurule.