High school students and teachers went about their normal school day and held two classes outside the Capitol during the Oklahoma teacher walkout April 2.

Edmond Memorial High School students and teachers arrived at the Capitol between 6 a.m. and 7:30 a.m. and were ready to have class at 9 a.m. The idea to have class outside the Capitol came from a student.

“A student kind of flippantly said, ‘Well, let’s just have class at the Capitol,’ and there was that moment in the classroom when things got quiet and everyone went ‘Yeah,’” said Bullock.

The Advanced Placement English literature and AP English language classes of about 78 students total were taught by teachers Brook Bullock and Regan Killackey in 30 minute sessions.

Students said it was important for them to be at the walkout today to have their voices heard and support their teachers.

“It’s just time for a change, and the students are here and ready to stand up for our teachers,” said Gracie Stell, a senior at Edmond Memorial High School.

Class at the Capitol was not much different than class at school the students said. Large class sizes have been an issue for the school, and students said it is hard to learn in overcrowded classrooms.

“We decided to come out here and have class just to illustrate to our legislatures what the issue is,” said Bennett Brinkman, an Edmond Memorial High School senior.

Despite large crowds, cold weather and morning mist, the class continued as scheduled in the abnormal setting.

“Oh it was wild, but also eerily similar to what class is like in the classroom – overcrowded, cold, not enough supplies,” said Gabrielle Davis, senior at Edmond Memorial.

The Edmond Public Schools district has been deciding on a daily basis whether to close schools, but nearly 80 percent of teachers have indicated they will stay out “as long as it takes.”