Local union leaders discussed the challenges around teaching today, and how the state and federal government can help, including with the nationwide teacher and support staff shortage. “We have a washer, four mechanics out driving [buses],” said Vin Nesci, president of the New Hartford Employees Union. “We don’t have enough drivers.”

“I don’t think we should be surprised there is a teacher and educator shortage, given the attacks that we have seen on public education,” said Mannion.

AFT President Randi Weingarten agreed. “We need people that deeply understand what people here are saying. Without that, we just get the culture wars and these issues don’t get heard.”

“I didn’t get into teaching to make a lot of money,” said John King, president of the Clinton Teachers Association. “I got into it because I love doing what I do. We’re in it because we want to teach.”

Local leaders also highlighted the challenges posed by the Tier 6 retirement system when it comes to recruiting, and retaining, new teachers. “My daughter wanted to be a kindergarten teacher,” said Scott Rogowski, president of the Utica Teachers Association. “But she’d hear the new teachers talking about how they couldn’t afford their bills and she went into the medical field instead. We need to encourage people to go into this field and it’s just not happening.”

Onerous standardized testing was another sticking point, as educators lamented the loss of individualized instruction for students. “You’re not teaching to the whole child, you’re teaching towards one thing,” said Kate Wilson, vice president of the Camden Teachers Association. “Trust your teachers, trust your educators. We’re being told to meet students where they are at, and you’re not letting us meet them where they are at.”

But educators do see hope on the horizon. Experiential and CTE learning is making a comeback along the “I-90 corridor” from Syracuse to Utica with a partnership with Micron. That’s leading to new and exciting opportunities for students and educators. “One of the things we’re trying to do in our school is develop the engineering mindset,” said Dave Chizzonite, president of the Chittenango Teachers Association. “Bringing kids into classrooms and giving them experiences where it is not the traditional classroom experience. Where they can make mistakes, where they can test things out and have the process of, “this was good, but it can be better,” and constantly reevaluating and redesigning and it’s great.”

Weingarten said conversations like the ones had around the bus were one of the reasons to send John Mannion to Congress. “If you’re in the room when they’re having these discussions, if you’re in the hearing room, and explaining to them what teachers really do and what they really go through, that’s what John can bring to Congress.”

Person said she was optimistic heading into Election Day. “I really do believe this theme of Common Ground Over Chaos will lead our country forward.”