A recent viral video from a South Dakota hockey game gave a bleak look at what it takes to fund education in our country.
The Sioux Falls Stampede Hockey Club hosted a new fundraiser. The inaugural "Dash for Cash" event had 10 local teachers scrambling against each other to collect $5,000 in $1 bills off of a carpeted area set up in the middle of the rink. Fans cheered them on as they collected the money, which was for use funding supplies needed in their classrooms.
The visual of teachers, who are easily some of the greatest heroes of the pandemic, scrambling against one another for little bits of cash didn't sit right with a lot of people. The video unexpectedly went viral after being shared by a local reporter, prompting a larger conversation.
When local reporter Annie Todd first posted videos from the "Dash for Cash" event, she had no idea they'd go viral. But the content meant to show the dedication of teachers to their students seemed to bum out those who watched and realized this is what it takes to get education funding for teachers in the United States.
It's no secret that teachers around the country are underpaid for the work they do. In addition, they often find themselves spending their own money to make certain learning opportunities possible for their students, knowing they won't get that money back.
Many people pointed out how degrading and dehumanizing this supposedly fun-filled fundraiser was. One person noted that it's a true testament to what teachers are willing to sacrifice for their students.
People also discussed the idea of fake charity, in that stunts like these are big tax write-offs for corporations. It costs them next to nothing to put these things together so in the end, they do ultimately profit from it.
Some people also questioned why some areas of government are so easily funded while others that need our attention just as much, if not more, fall to the wayside. Investing in the future is what any smart society does, and the education of our kids is a major component in building our future.
Those who have educators in their family were horrified to imagine them in the same position. Yet at the same time, they could also see them doing whatever it takes to get the kids they teach the materials they need to learn.
After the way the past year and a half has impacted teachers, it's easy to question why this method of fundraising seemed appropriate. The organizers of the Dash for Cash have apologized for the event. They also announced their intention to provide an additional $15,500 to area teachers, so each of the 10 participating teachers who were chosen at random get $500. The other applicants, an additional 21 teachers, will also be given $500.
