Ms. Shannon Lawson, Department Chair for Visual and Performing Arts at Mission High School and teacher of Art 1 and AP Studio Art, stood alongside the Mission High community in a protest for greater stability and fair working conditions. She joined the strike to highlight the financial challenges many educators face, explaining that numerous teachers are forced to work multiple jobs because their primary teaching positions do not provide enough income to meet the city’s high cost of living.
Lawson reflected on the overwhelming support shown during the strike.
“I was amazed and appreciative of how many people in the community came out to stand up and support teachers. It brought unity to the Mission community,” she said.
For Lawson, the solidarity among teachers, paraprofessionals, and custodians was especially meaningful.
“In that unity of people coming together—that’s where the power sat. Coming together in community is power,” Lawson said.
