Oklahoma teachers rally for people to vote as Election Day approaches

OKLAHOMA CITY (KOKH) — Teachers across the state are hoping to carry the momentum of April's walkout to the polls.

"We have been door knocking, phone banking, driving people around, helping people with signs, anything we can do to promote awareness and be proactive," said Amber Ball, a teacher for Putnam City Schools.

For nine days in April, teachers and their supporters showed up at the Capitol in record numbers. Their experiences with state lawmakers inspired many to not just walk out of their classrooms, but to also run for office. According to the Oklahoma Education Association, 60 Oklahoma educators are on the Nov. 6th ballot.

"It’s the highest number of educators in the nation," said Alicia Priest, president of OEA. " So every state has an educator caucus that’s running, but ours is the largest."

Teachers have been volunteering for pro-education candidates on both sides of the aisle.

"I hope that we can elect enough people who believe that education is a priority that we can actually fix the situation we’re in," said Madeline Scott, an OKCPS teacher.

Because even though the walkout ended, the work is far from finished.

"We started turning the ship to fill in the billions of dollars that’s been cut over 10 years, but it’s going to take time and effort to continue to fund education," Priest said.

Several school districts close or let out early on Nov. 6th so teachers can get to the polls.