School teachers now will be able to receive the COVID-19 vaccine during phase 2 of the vaccine distribution plan, Gov. Stitt said in a press conferenc Thursday.
“I’m pleased to announce teachers and support staf who interact with students will be moved up to phase 2 of our vaccine distribution plan. Our teachers are so important to me we know this more now than ever before. I commend the moms and dads who have helped teach their kids through distance learning. We are going to get through this and we’re going to get our kids back to school safely,” Gov. Stitt said.
As a teacher himself, Secretary of Education Ryan Walters said he knows teachers across the state want to be in their classrooms.
“I miss seeing my students in person every single day,” Secretary Walters said. “In Oklahoma we have amazing teachers who are genuinely missing their students. We need to get them back in their classrooms as soon as possible and getting them the vaccine as soon as possible will help make that a reality in January.”
Professional Oklahoma Educator Ginger Tinney released a statement after the press conference.
“We appreciate Gov. Stitt for listening to the serious concerns of Oklahoma educators regarding the vaccine distribution plan,” Ginger Tinney, executive director of Professional Oklahoma Educators said.
“In the face of great adversity, Oklahoma teachers have continued to diligently care for and educate their students. We are thankful for their service. We are hopeful that Gov. Stitt’s decision to move them up in priority on the distribution list will help protect many Oklahoma teachers as they continue to overcome the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic,” Tinney said.
The Oklahoma Education Association released information regarding vaccines for educators.
“OEA commends the governor for placing teachers in the phase 2 category for receiving the COVID-19 vaccine. We are also happy the governor agrees that the best learning for children happens inside public school buildings. Every school district in Oklahoma has attempted in-school learning. However, local school boards have been forced to move to blended or remote learning because state leaders have not taken strong enough steps to stem community spread of COVID-19. The CDC announced this week that Oklahoma is now No. 1 in the nation for infection rate.That calls for distance learning. This school year has been hard on students, families, and educators. Working through this pandemic is going to take all of us. It’s going to take leaders who will unite everyone — not pick fights. Today’s announcement is good news. But nothing changes until those vaccines are administered, and that’s still weeks away. Opening schools is just a soundbite until our leaders do whatever it takes to limit community spread. What our students need are lasting solutions,” Oklahoma Education Association President Alicia Priest said.
State Superintendent of Public Instruction Joy Hofmeister gave her thoughts after the press conference regarding the governor’s decision.
“Teachers are the heart and soul of our school community, and we cannot have school without them,” Hofmeister said. “Allowing teachers to be among the top priority to get the COVID-19 vaccine is a tremendous move toward protecting the health of our hardworking teachers. I am grateful to Gov. Stitt for his decision to elevate K-12 teachers in the vaccine distribution plan.” Hofmeister said.