LOS ANGELES, CA — Mayor Eric Garcetti is mediating negotiations between Los Angeles Unified School District officials and the teacher’s union, according to sources from both sides of the bargaining table.

Both sides met inside City Hall Thursday for the first time since nearly 33,000 teachers walked off the job in an historic strike.

The talks gave new hope to teachers protesting during the fourth day of windy, rainy conditions.

“I’m excited and hopeful that we can find a resolution,” said special education teacher Stefanie Wetzel from Palms Middle School. “I’m looking forward to getting back to my class. I miss my kids.”

Now that the state of Los Angeles classrooms, where some high school teachers report having as many as 50 children in their classes, has become national news, teachers are hopeful more politicians are getting involved.

“It’s a great PR opportunity,” said music technology teacher Bob Bruming.

Bruming hoped Superintendent Austin Beutner would focus on meeting teacher demand for smaller classes and then worry about how to pay for it.

“Then we can move on and come out of being 43rd in the nation … in per pupil funding,” Bruming said.

“As a special-ed teacher, we work really hard to give our kids the chance when they’re ready to get into the general-ed environment again, but (with) the large class sizes, we don’t stand a chance,” Wetzel said.

There are plenty of places Wetzel would rather spend her time than standing on the side of the road, getting soaked for the fourth day in a row. But she was willing to stand strong, holding her umbrella until there’s a break in the stalemate or a break in the clouds.