NORTH CAROLINA -- Thousands of educators gathered in Raleigh on Wednesday to list demands for state lawmakers at this year's teacher rally downtown.
Though many think they're just asking for more pay, here is a set number of things they rallied for:
- An increase of student support for things like school psychologists and counselors
- In increase in living wage for non-certified staff to $15/hr
- To restore retirement benefits that were stripped away in 2015
- To bring back advanced degree pay
- To expand Medicaid
MORE: What Does Wednesday's Day of Action Mean?, Traffic Flow for Teacher Rally
Though the forecast was a lot hotter for this year's rally, with highs in the 80s, that didn't stop the thousands of educators and school staff members from showing up and making their voices heard. Many expressed their thoughts through creative signs.
"This year, we're coming back with more of a goal of changing some specific policies in North Carolina," Amanda Thompson with the Charlotte Association of Educators said.
There is also a proposal circulating the legislature that would make it illegal to cancel classes for any sort of event in the future like the teacher rally; however, participants say they are not threatened.
"I think we're being pushed to the breaking point. We're going to get the changes that we're after one way or another," Thompson said.
MORE: Wednesday's Day of Action: What Does It Mean?
The Wake County Republican Party released a statement on Wednesday calling on the NC Association of Educators, Wake County School Board, and the GA to have discussions about teacher pay and resources. However, they cautioned against the teacher rally, saying it hurts the poorest families of the state by forcing working families to find child care, and it takes away lunch from a kid who may need it.
We have crews from across the state covering the events. Follow along with their updates below: