Western Oregon Journal

I am a concerned student. There have been articles and rumors going around school about a possible strike at the beginning of Spring Term. I sit here and think that this is the seventh week, and I just made it through my midterms, and now I am starting end-of-the-term papers, but then my mind goes to about what will happen if the teachers do go on strike.

I am worried what will happen to the quality of my education and the teachers who will come to teach it. That leads me to the thought of "Who should come first?"

In my thoughts, it should be the students. We pay a lot of money to get a good education from great teachers. I can see how it's unfair to the teachers to have to always give while other receive. If there are no teachers to teach, and we have to get new ones to come in, it will disturb the flow of things. Like a class that is going all year will have a whole new system to learn and get used to.

We deserve the best, and the teachers that we have are the best in my opinion.

In order to make the students come first, the teachers needs must be met or an agreement come to. I look at what the administrative positions make and wonder what do the teachers make compared to those numbers. Why can't the administration make a few changes or cuts to help the teacher's wages?

Now, do not get me wrong, I understand how we do need these higher-up positions, but the ones out in the field give the students their education. Every person needs to come together and figure out what is the best situation for the students. That is what college is for: To educate students for the future, and that cannot be done if the right teachers are not in the classroom teaching.

This is just one person's thoughts and opinions. You may agree or disagree with me, but that is your given right. So think of the students and teachers given right please.

-Crystal Bartelsky

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