Educators are rallying on picket lines across Los Angeles Unified School District schools, including guidance counselors who support students. 

Crenshaw High School counselor Tracey Coleman Booker is one of those counselors. She says she is fighting for smaller class sizes since she’s responsible for placing kids in each class. 

“Students need certain classes to graduate,” Coleman Booker said. 

“At every grade level there are certain classes they have to take. So in order to put them in those classes, we may face large class sizes or classes being full. And unfortunately not having as many class offerings to support those students.”

Searching for classes for her students at Crenshaw High School has become harder in recent years. Plus, her students complain about large class sizes.

“They’ve complained that it’s a lot of students in the class and it’s noisy or too much commotion and so they can’t study,” Coleman Booker said.

She’s been on strike since Monday. She’s not worried financially because her husband is able to help support, but she does worry about her students.

“I’m not sure who will be there to assist the students,” Coleman Booker admitted.

“So students may not get their classes, they may not be properly scheduled. If new students come in, who is going to schedule them in the proper classes? So there is some concern.”

But she strongly believes the long-term goal of getting more support for students is worth the concern.

“I do see the need to get the public’s attention, to get the district’s attention and to let them know that this is a serious matter and they need to pay attention.”