16. Did this March change your thought, positions or feelings about the American Public School system?
I smile and say no. The March change your thought, positions or feelings about the American Public School system could not have changed what for me has lived too large since childhood. In my youngest years and throughout my education, I struggled with test anxiety, evaluations that never gave a hint of what I learned, and pedagogical agendas that preached learning modalities while ignoring these.
As an adult and Educator I came to understand the conventions, controls placed on curriculums. I saw as I felt, children respond not well to what kills a spirit. The hunger for creativity, curiosity, and critical thought is not lessened only lost and sought elsewhere.
My thoughts, positions, and feelings about the American Public Schools System are, as these were. I see reason for hope, glimpses of light, and lots of darkness. The latter, I believe is self-inflicted by a population beaten down over many decades.
17. From what you can tell, who was at the forefront of this March, or who was leading this March?
Physically, I was. I was at the front of the procession. In essence, I think even those who think of themselves as Leaders are not and were not on this occasion. No one is moved to March because someone else said he or she "should," "must," or "needs to."
Leadership is myth. This concept denies people their own power.
Perhaps, as a society, were we to understand and accept that change, learning, walking, talking cannot be controlled by an outside force . . . that these are choices, people, at every age, make, then we would stop force-feeding children, their Teachers, School Administrators and even Moms and Dads policies and practices.
I smile as I realize Advertisers and Philanthropists acknowledge this veracity. That is why these persons spend billions on marketing their message. "Privatize and standardize education;" that is the mantra the America people have been sold.
Those who led the March are one for all. We each listened to and responded to "me, myself, and I." The way we individually feel about issues that affect our family, our friends, and all that is familiar to us promoted us to travel and trek! No one could have told me to walk or stay at home. I wonder if all those present would not say the same.
I think of the words Rita Solnet, Co-Founder of Parents Across America, an organization more than twelve-thousand strong, articulated from the stage. Anyone of us might have been the first to say as Marchers later chanted, "Our Children." "Our Schools." "Our Voices." Each of us uttered the phrases from a heart that belongs only to us, as unique individuals. No one can lead another to love and work to better the lives of those important to him or her.
18. In your opinion, how many people attended the March? (If you heard an estimate from the news media, please indicate the source.)
My opinion as it relates to the numbers there changed as I read various sources. I first read 3500, then 4000. More recently 8,000 is the total. Thus, I know not with certainty, not that I did before.
I share sources . . .
The Save Our Schools March - The Answer Sheet - The Washington Post
I don't know how members of the audience (UPDATE Aug.9: a Park Service employee on the day of the march told me that as many as 8,000 attended; however, it's worth noting the Park Service itself does not provide crowd estimates) withstood the heat but they did, and then they marched to the White House, in hopes that someone would let President Obama know about their disappointment in his education policies.
Dora Goes to Washington: The Save Our Schools Rally and March
The number of participants continued to grow during the rally. The Park Services estimated early on that there were approximately 8,000 people in attendance including a contingent of Parents Across America members representing North Carolina, New York, New Jersey, California, Iowa, Colorado, Louisiana as well as our fair state and others.
Education Week: Education Policy Critics March on White House Organizers estimated the size of the crowd at 5,000, but a rough count by Education Week put it closer to 3,000. Before the event, organizers had said they were expecting 5,000 to 10,000 people.
An Urban Teacher's Education: SOS March in DC
Although there were a few more events scheduled after the march, participants all but disappeared after the march was over. Anthony Cody estimated about 5,000 people turned up and hoped for 50,000 next year. Education Week suggested the turnout was closer to 3,000.
More than 100 Wisconsin teachers attend education rally in D.C. JSOnline
The Save Our Schools March & National Call to Action in D.C. on Saturday had around 3,000 participants, according to Education Week. The grassroots protest movement featured well-known speakers on education as well as actor Matt Damon.
19. Based on your vantage point, what was the composition of the March (ethnicity, gender, age, ideological position, etc.)?
From what I saw at the Save Our Schools March the crowd was overwhelmingly White. Many, if characterized by the formal Education acquired were bright. Indeed, those with far less time in a classroom were truly learned. [I think of the Piece By Peace and ReThink persons! I loved these persons!!! After their performance I spoke with many of them.]
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