Tiffini Flynn Forslund, a mother of three from Minneapolis, watched year after year as her children went through the public school system – yearning for a sense of community that she felt in her schools as a child. When her middle child entered 5th grade, Tiffini saw her education improve because of the powerful impact of one great teacher. This teacher was incredibly engaging: he challenged her daughter to succeed, and collaborated with parents like Tiffini to support students inside and outside of the classroom.

Tiffini was stunned to find out that this teacher was laid off due to “last-in, first-out” (LIFO) dismissal policies, which prioritize seniority over teacher quality when a school district conducts budgetary layoffs. To think that her youngest daughter would not have the chance to learn from this terrific teacher drove her to write letters to the local newspapers, the school board, and government officials. She was told, “this is just how it works.”

Tiffini believes that every child in Minnesota deserves to have great teachers. Tiffini’s youngest daughter was deprived of an excellent teacher because of LIFO policies. Her hope is that this lawsuit will allow for change to Minnesota’s LIFO laws and other teacher employment laws so that schools may prioritize effective teaching when making employment decisions.

Bonnie Dominguez is a mother of three from Duluth. Her daughter thrived in a specialized learning program until her 5th grade year, when she began to struggle academically and socially. Conversations with her daughter’s teachers did not lead to productive solutions and, as a result, Bonnie’s daughter lost significant ground.

When her daughter entered 6th grade, Bonnie, with the help of her daughter’s 6th grade teacher, discovered that her daughter’s specialized education program was not properly implemented during her 5th grade year, prompting the struggles she experienced. By taking an active interest, her 6th grade teacher helped Bonnie’s daughter get back on track.

When Bonnie learned that her daughter’s specialized education program wasn’t implemented in 5th grade, she initially felt helpless. But when she learned that other families experienced similar problems, and that there was a community of parents in search of a solution, she realized she couldn’t keep quiet – that she needed to be the voice for her child and others to make sure no child loses a year of their education. She believes all Minnesota children deserve a great teacher, no matter their socioeconomic status or background.

Justina Person, a mother of two from Little Canada, suffered for years in the Minnesota public school system until a teacher recognized her dyslexia when she was a junior in high school. Justina credits that teacher for having turned her world around – because of one great teacher’s involvement, she was able to go to college.

Now as a mother, Justina finds herself watching her son face the same struggles – waiting for a teacher to come along like the one who inspired her. In 5th grade, Justina’s son was having so much difficultly understanding a teacher’s lectures that he came up with reasons to leave the classroom every day. His teacher allowed this to happen, standing by for months, instead of working with Justina and her son to find a solution.

Justina was shocked to learn that her son was assigned to the same teacher the following school year. When she voiced her concerns, Justina was told that the school wouldn’t and couldn’t make a change. Feeling dejected and powerless, Justina transferred her son to a school in a different district where teachers have made it a priority to keep him engaged and make sure he is learning. Justina’s son now remains in class, excelling in areas where he struggled before. Since beginning at his new school, he has consistently made the honor roll.

Justina Person hopes that her children will have the opportunity to grow up to be whatever they want to be and never feel limited because they didn’t have access to the education they deserved. Her dream is that they will graduate high school and enter college ready and prepared for the journey ahead.

Roxanne Draughn is a mother of two from St. Paul. After a great pre-K experience, her son entered kindergarten eager to learn. However, after Roxanne lost her job and she and her son moved to a shelter, it became more difficult for him to find reliable transportation to school and to complete his schoolwork on time. Roxanne’s son’s teacher was aware of his difficult circumstances, but was unwilling to make accommodations, subjecting him to increasingly harsh disciplinary measures. The constant reprimands wore down Roxanne’s son, made him reluctant to go to school, and even gave him nightmares. When Roxanne asked whether changes could be made, she was told that her son’s teacher was protected by Minnesota’s tenure laws. This was the first time Roxanne heard about such protections.

Roxanne has since moved her child to a new school, but still worries that her son will be placed with another teacher that discourages his love for learning. She hopes that when her youngest son, who is only 17-months old, is ready for pre-K, he’ll enter a different kind of school, one filled with teachers who inspire and motivate students to succeed – quality teachers for all kids.