Florida’s kids deserve the best, and educators across our state are committed to seeing that they get it. Fueled by the success of the “Take on Tallahassee” rally in January, local union leaders in Central Florida joined together to build on the momentum with a rally in February.
Hundreds of teachers, education staff professionals, community members and parents poured into Orlando’s Lake Eola Park on Saturday, Feb. 15, and rallied in support of more funding for public schools and better learning conditions for our students. It was a family- and community-oriented event with a purpose.
Additional Coverage:
Teachers, activists flock to Lake Eola to rally for improved public education funding, Orlando Sentinel, Feb. 15Teachers Rally in Orlando for Higher Pay, More Funding for Public Schools, WMFE, Feb. 15
Teachers rally in Orlando for better wages, more school funding, WOFL Fox 35, Feb. 15
Central Florida educators bring Tally rally to Lake Eola Park this weekend, Orlando Weekly, Feb. 13
Fifteen unions worked together to sponsor the event:
- Brevard Federation of Teachers
- Hillsborough Classroom Teachers Association
- Indian River County Education Association
- Lake County Education Association
- Orange County Classroom Teachers Association
- Orange Education Staff Professional Association
- Osceola County Education Association
- Polk Education Association
- Seminole County Bus Drivers Association
- Seminole Education Association
- Seminole Educational Clerical Association
- Non-Instructional Personnel of Seminole County
- United Faculty of Florida at UCF
- Student FEA – UCF
- Volusia United Educators
Speakers included: FEA President Fedrick Ingram and Vice President Andrew Spar; parent Denise Diaz; student Suhan Roario; state Reps. Ana Eskamani, Joy Goff-Marcil, Amy Mercado and Carlos Guillermo Smith; Stephanie Yocum, president of the Polk Education Association; Bill Townsend of the Polk County School Board; and Karen Castor Dentel of the Orange County School Board.
