Tulsa Lawmaker Goes Back To School As Substitute Teacher

NewsOn6.com

TULSA, OK -- A state lawmaker returned to the classroom Friday to get a hands-on lesson in what Oklahoma teachers are facing.

Representative Eric Proctor, (D) Tulsa, spent the day as a substitute teacher at Rogers High School. The lawmaker was a high school history and government teacher before he was elected.

Proctor says being in the classroom is a good reminder for when he and his colleagues are debating the state budget.

"Don't just look at it as a number," he said. "These are real people. These are real kids who are trying to have a good start in life, and we need to approach it from that rather than just going at the budget with a hacksaw."

Three more lawmakers have agreed to be substitute teachers at Tulsa schools and several more have been invited, but haven't committed.

A state lawmaker returned to the classroom Friday to get a hands-on lesson in what Oklahoma teachers are facing.

Representative Eric Proctor, D-Tulsa, spent the day as a substitute teacher at Rogers High School. The lawmaker was a high school history and government teacher before he was elected.

Proctor says being in the classroom is a good reminder for when he and his colleagues are debating the state budget.

"Don't just look at it as a number," he said. "These are real people. These are real kids who are trying to have a good start in life, and we need to approach it from that rather than just going at the budget with a hacksaw."

Three more lawmakers have agreed to be substitute teachers at Tulsa schools and several more have been invited, but haven't committed.