Oklahoma elementary school teacher Teresa Danks has been standing out in the sun panhandling for money. She has a master’s degree and has been teaching for over ten years. ABC 13 interviewed Ms. Danks.
Making $35,000 a year, Danks said she has to dig into her own pocket for school supplies, spending around $2,000 to $3,000 a year.
"And I'm not alone. I mean, we are all doing it. I am just one voice of many," Danks said.
According to the report, she made $55 in the first few minutes—more than she makes as a teacher.
Danks says she was overwhelmed by the response, and she became emotional talking about it.
She says her unusual fundraising style not just about the money, but she says she is setting out to bring awareness to the budget cut crisis and how it affects Oklahoma’s education system.
There are too many things wrong with this. The fact that Ms. Danks is making less than can be panhandled is another perfect example of the lie some “educators” have been selling Americans for years. The success they’ve had by messaging a need to privatize education is exactly the same story they’re trying to sell Americans now on getting rid of our healthcare.
The budget crisis facing Oklahoma isn’t that much different than budget concerns being faced in many states around the country. However, Oklahoma is much further along in the failing Republican economy these days as falling oil prices has really done a number on their economy. But when you are in a state with the recent history of trying to end public education, coupled with Republican congressmen telling their constituents that they aren’t beholden to their constituents wants and needs, you’re in for a lot of punishment against humans.
The good news is that as conservative as Oklahoma is, there may be a change afoot.