Western Wayne Today

Michigan teachers rallied at the on Capitol Aug. 6, asking for the school year to begin online and not in-person.

The teachers attending the rally chanted, “Online saves lives,” a release issued by The Center Square said.

One teacher, Jennifer Ormond, is afraid of returning to in-person teaching because she and her daughter are at a higher risk of dying from COVID-19 due to a health condition. “I’m sick of people saying we need to do our job,” Ormond told The Center Square. “I can educate from anywhere.”

Amy Watkins, a Belleville English teacher doesn't want teachers and students to unnecessarily put themselves at risk when remote learning is an option. “I support nurses and doctors and medical professionals and the work that they’ve done and are still doing,” Watkins told The Center Square. “Just because I’m scared to go back to the classroom, it doesn’t mean that I don’t value the work you do or the risks you’ve taken. I just don’t think we should take more unnecessary risks.”

Some parents fear their children will fall behind if remote learning continues. But Watkins told The Center Square, “Perpetuating these myths is not worth risking my life or theirs."

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer plans to have each school district make the decision on in-person or online school for themselves, but the state House of Representatives wants to have kindergarten through fifth-grade students learn in person.

While online education isn't ideal, it is the safest option to begin the school year, Pontiac teacher and Michigan Caucus of Rank-and-File Educators co-founder Paul Sandy told The Center Square. “We freely acknowledge [online education] isn’t ideal for teachers and students. But it’s better than no school, and it’s better than family members dying.”