You reported on April 22 that in the process of continuing contract discussions, Middletown teachers have decided to go ahead with a possible strike. This is important and relevant because it speaks to a larger, continuing dilemma in education, where dedicated, hardworking educators are frequently pushed to accomplish more with less and frequently go unappreciated. Something has seriously gone wrong when educators believe they have no other option than to go on strike.

I have personally witnessed the impacts of this while I was growing up in Lake County and now as a UC Berkeley student. In the Konocti Unified School District, where I went to school, I saw a concerning pattern of instructors arriving and disappearing. It always seemed that a brilliant instructor would quit because they were worn out, underpaid, or just couldn't afford to continue, just as a student would connect with them and succeed under their guidance. In retrospect, I strongly think that a similar collective movement at the time may have had better results, possibly even preventing some of those amazing educators from leaving the community.

What people don't realize is that when a teacher decides to leave, it has an impact on not only one classroom but also the school's overall atmosphere, student achievement, and the general well-being of the community. Teachers are essential to the future prosperity of the public, mental health support, and young development. We really cannot afford to lose them, or have them battle for recognition.

One thing that would genuinely make a difference is having a significant commitment to investing in teachers, not only financially but also through legislative reforms that emphasize education as the fundamental public benefit that it is. Before things become worse, Middletown teachers deserve to be valued, heard, and supported through more fair contracts for teachers.

Nishta Waland lives in Berkeley, Calif.