Eli Konsker and Jessamyn Reichmann, both seniors at Nathan Hale High, stand in support of their teachers. This is our strike, this is our time, Reichmann said.
Jessamyn Reichmann and Eli Konsker, both seniors, stand in support of their teachers. "This is our strike, this is our time," Reichmann said. Mary Seton

School's out until teachers can negotiate a fair deal with the school district, but, instead of getting high and playing video games (as I would have done), a group of students from more than 10 Seattle-area high schools gathered together in UW's Red Square to read.

Eli Konsker said he organized the event in solidarity with the teachers' strike because teachers have supported him during his three years at Nathan Hale High School. But he also wanted to offer students a chance to be productive even though they weren't in school. "I invited people to work on college essays, finish up summer reading, anything educational," he said.

Another organizer, Jessamyn Reichmann of Roosevelt High School, told me that she volunteers at a local food bank, where she sees her teachers and counselors shopping for their families. "The fact that they're working so hard, and yet they don't have enough money to simply put food on the table—that's an issue for me," she said. She loves the fact that teachers are striking not only for more pay, but also for less testing and more equity in the schools. "I believe that justice delayed is justice denied," she said, before adding, "If mamma bear isn't happy, then nobody's happy. So if the teachers aren't happy, the students aren't going to be happy."

Reichmann knows first-hand what an underfunded school looks like. "The classroom sizes, especially at Roosevelt, are so over-packed," she said. "The learning environment isn't as productive as I'd want to see it. It's hard for one teacher to focus on 30 different students who have 30 different learning patterns. We can see that."

She claimed that the northern schools do okay because of their fundraising efforts, but her family and friends who attend schools in the south—like Franklin and Garfield—tell her that those places are "falling apart."

Reichmann said she was reading Paul Rogat Loeb's The Impossible Will Take a Little While: A Citizen's Guide to Hope in a Time of Fear because, she said, "It inspires me to go out there and change the world, to be really proactive about things no matter how young you are." She wants to go to NYU or Columbia to focus on social justice and journalism. They'd be lucky to have her.

A little less than 100 students had shown up at 10:30 this morning, when the read-in began, though more were trickling in at a steady pace.
A little less than 100 students had shown up at 10:30 this morning, when the read-in began, though more were trickling in at a steady pace. Mary Seton

Students were reading for school and for fun. Lots seemed to be checking out Malcolm Gladwells Blink, but I saw a little Jodi Picoult in there, too. Some were even listening to audio books. Many were chatting, excited to be part of a civic action.
Students were reading for school and for fun. Lots seemed to be checking out Malcolm Gladwell's Blink, but I saw a little Jodi Picoult in there, too. Some were even listening to audio books. Many were chatting, excited to be part of a civic action. Mary Carmichael

This is McKenzie. I asked her why she was reading Ayn Rand. She said, I dont know. I told her that was the right answer. Later, she said she found the book on a list of books that college students need to read.
This is McKenzie. I asked her why she was reading Ayn Rand. She said, "I don't know." I told her that was the right answer. Later, she said she found the book on a list of books that college students need to read. Mary Seton

Thats Alex Gray on the left and Emma Padgett on the right. When I saw Alex reading Joan Didions The White Album I squealed and told him to get over here. He confessed that Emma had recently loaned him the book. His fav line so far: We look for the sermon in the suicide, for the social or moral lesson in the murder of five.
That's Alex Gray on the left and Emma Padgett on the right. When I saw Alex reading Joan Didion's The White Album I squealed and asked to take his photo. He confessed that Emma had recently loaned him the book. His fav line so far: "We look for the sermon in the suicide, for the social or moral lesson in the murder of five." Mary Carmichael