Parents and advocates say Philadelphia’s teachers deserve better

This article was originally published in The Notebook. In August 2020, The Notebook became Chalkbeat Philadelphia.

Parents and public school advocates announced their solidarity with Philadelphia teachers Wednesday and denounced the School Reform Commission’s decision last week to cancel the teachers’ contract.

As they stood on the steps of the District’s headquarters in the rain, their message was clear: Philadelphia teachers deserve better, and their students’ parents are willing to fight for them.

“We stand out here today in solidarity with our teachers,” said parent Terry King to the small crowd of about 30 parents and members of the advocacy groups Philadelphia Coalition Advocating for Public Schools, ACTION United, Parents United for Public Education, Masterman Advocates for Public Schools, and the Poor People’s Economic Human Rights Campaign.

“We stand for our principals, we stand for our mentors, we stand for our counselors, we stand for our nurses,” said King, who is a member of ACTION United.

Ron Whitehorne, a retired teacher and coordinator for PCAPS, said that after recent student strikes and teacher responses, he felt it was important to organize a parent response to the SRC’s action.

“Our sense is that parents are clear on what a divisive and destructive action this was.”

Jenni Desnouee, of Kearny Elementary’s Home and School Association, said that she sees the relationship between home and school as a sacred bond.

“Our teachers at Kearny Elementary are not just showing up, they’re showing up with passion and dedication. … They’re the only thing that’s working,” she said. “For the SRC to try to defend their actions with phrases like It’s the teacher’s turn to step up is unforgivable and offensive to me as a parent.”

Many of the parents who spoke said they were frustrated to hear how teachers were buying supplies and even uniforms for students in need, but not getting the compensation they deserved. Many expressed their need for great teachers, who they said were moving out of state due to pay freezes and, now, having health care benefits cut.

“If it’s about funding our schools out of the pockets of the school workers, that’s not fair,” said Kendra Brooks, a mother with children at Steel Elementary and High School of the Future. “Attacking teachers and putting children at risk, with the lack of teachers and counselors, that’s not fair.”

The message from Gerald Wright of Parents United was that the SRC is out of order.

“Every year our students, our parents, and our citizens are disrupted as we try to raise and educate our students,” said Wright. “How can you expect the frontline people to stay on the job when every time you turn around you take resources from them? “

Cheri Honkala, a Masterman parent and anti-poverty advocate who was recently arrested for attempting to make a citizen’s arrest of Gov. Corbett, was the last speaker to address the crowd.

“Some people wonder why I walk around like I have a chip on my shoulder. [It’s] because I have more than a chip on my shoulder. I have boulders on my shoulders,” said Honkala.

Shannon Nolan is an intern at the Notebook.