Teachers rally at Capitol again

HARTFORD, Conn. (WTNH) -- Thousands of teachers were back at the steps of the State Capitol for the second straight day, rallying against key elements of Governor Malloy's education reform bill.

On Wednesday, a group of teachers from Hamden made the 45 minute trip to Hartford in a school bus, and News 8's Bob Wilson went along for the ride.

They were fired up as they took to the road. Teachers from Hamden and New Haven, to Madison, to Amity all made the trek to the Capitol to rally against the Governor's new plan.

"I would like to see the Governor take a step back and go slower," said Sharon Drumm, of Hamden, "listen to what we have to say."

The 100 teachers piled off the bus to join thousands that were already at the Capitol Wednesday, letting the Governor know where they stand.

It had been a long day in the classroom, but they came to be heard.

"I think this is our responsibility to stand up for our kids and profession," said Shelby Irwin, of Hamden, "not just when the day is done, but all day every day."

"Teacher power. Teacher power," the crowd chanted.

"The Governor's proposal suggests that we are the problem," said Dennis Guillqume, of Hamden, "that we are the problem in the schools and that is insulting."

"We stand together," the crowd said.

"This affects everybody who has kids. Parents, teachers, students in the whole state and our future," said Angela Burkholz, of Hamden.

They say they are fighting for your child and the hundreds of thousands across the state. The teachers agree with the Governor: education needs to be overhauled. They just ask that they be allowed to sit at the table and be a part of the conversation.

"I think the real problem is that a lot of the conversation is starting at the state level and not with the teachers working their way up," Irwin said.