Arizona teachers charge ahead with statewide Red For Ed movement

PHOENIX — The Red For Ed movement is mobilizing its supporters.

Noah Karvelis, a teacher at a Tolleson elementary school, said Monday the organization was putting together organizing toolkits for teachers, community members and anyone else who supported the movement.

“(It) features a guide to fostering staff solidarity, checklists for ensuring that every single school in every single county in Arizona is organized and has the ability to be mobilized in statewide action.”

Karvelis said the movement was also planning “issue briefings, tools for developing community readiness and several other options that – basically – anybody across the state can use to get organized and prepare for action.”

The 23-year-old Tolleson teacher said no one is striking any time soon – although it was being discussed.

In the meantime, Karvelis said, there will be “walk-ins” at various schools within the next couple of weeks.

“During these events, educators, parents, bus drivers, everybody who’s involved in this, will link arm-in-arm and walk through the halls of the school.”

Karvelis came to Arizona from Illinois, where he earned his teaching degree.

He said he chose Arizona because he wanted adventure – and he felt he could make the most difference here.

Karvelis said there was more than plenty of teachers in Arizona, as well as people getting teaching degrees every year. The issue is keeping them here.

“If we’re going to keep teachers in the state, (our pay has) gotta be on par with not just whoever’s second to last, but the rest of the region and the rest of the nation.”

Follow @ClineKathleen