Group of Oklahoma teachers marching 110 miles to state Capitol

by Rebecca Savransky - 04/04/18 4:33 PM ET

A group of teachers and supporters in Oklahoma are marching 110 miles from Tulsa to the state Capitol to demand more funding for schools.

The group of more than 100 teachers, parents and supporters started their march Wednesday, CNN reported.

Kicked off the #MarchForEd in Tulsa, OK this morning. What an awesome group of educators, parents, and community members! @okea @tulsacta #okwalk4kids #walkthetalk pic.twitter.com/kj1HA8OSBH

— Nick Niles (@nickbniles) April 4, 2018

{mosads}The march comes as thousands of teachers across the state are striking and rallying at the Capitol. Teachers are pushing for a $10,000 pay increase over three years and a $5,000 increase for support staff.

Schools across the state have been shut down due to staff shortages.

Heather Cody, a third-grade teacher at a school in Tulsa, said she is working to organize meals and sleeping arrangements for those taking part in the 110-mile march.

“This whole thing is for our kids, our students. If we’re willing to walk this long and this far, what is the Oklahoma legislation (sic) willing to do for our kids?” she told CNN.

“We’re willing to [do] this for our kids and we want them to step up to the plate, too.”

The group plans to reach Oklahoma City on April 10, according to CNN.

Oklahoma teachers receive an average salary of $42,460 a year, less than teachers in nearly every other state, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Gov. Mary Fallin (R) last week signed a bill for a $6,100 pay increase for teachers, described as the “largest teacher pay raise in the history of the state.”

On Tuesday, teachers and other school staff seized every floor of the state Capitol as they pushed for the Republican-controlled legislature to pass more funding for school resources.

Tags Oklahoma Teachers' strike