Nancy G. Rodriguez, a history teacher at Mission High School, took time during her lunch period to share details about the recent SFUSD district-wide educator strike.
What was your experience with the strike?
Rodriguez:
“It was scary at first, to be honest, because I wasn’t sure how long we would be out. That meant teachers wouldn’t be receiving pay, so my first thought was survival—how am I going to pay the bills? The previous strike lasted seven weeks, which made this even more concerning. But I also understood that it was for a bigger cause and a better future for educators.”
Rodriguez said she found confidence through her colleagues and the shared purpose behind the strike.
“I’ve always felt that educators are undervalued—we’re treated almost like step-siblings, as if our profession isn’t truly a profession,” she explained. “I learned so much from the teachers who were leading—Ms. Castillo, Ms. A, Mr. Bradley, Ms. Perales, and Ms. Penrose. They are amazing. What they were able to do to bring us together inspired and motivated me to work toward more just conditions.”
What will you take away from the strike?
Rodriguez:
“There is power in numbers. I remember learning about Chico Mendes, an advocate for the Amazon, who said that one branch can be easily broken, but a bundle is much harder to break. That metaphor came to mind as I watched what we were doing—not just as a school, but as an entire district.”
“Together, we can accomplish a lot,” she added.
What motivated you to go on strike?
Rodriguez:
“Education is such a beautiful profession, but it’s also really hard to live in San Francisco—or anywhere—on an educator’s salary. My goal is to make sure we can keep the amazing educators we already have. How do we prevent them from leaving for other industries?”
She also emphasized the need for better support for paraeducators.
“I’m always astounded by how much they do, and I don’t think they receive the recognition or salary they deserve.”
Rodriguez said her decision to strike was driven by her commitment to her colleagues and her passion for education.
Why do you educate?
Rodriguez:
“When I was younger, I felt like there weren’t many people who understood me. But I had a few teachers—especially in high school—who made me feel seen. They told me, ‘I see you. I understand you.’”
Over the course of four days, Rodriguez experienced something she says she will never forget—an effort rooted in solidarity and a commitment to supporting “all students.”
Edited by Camille Ng
