Wearing red and waving signs, Ogden teachers were joined by state lawmakers and educators from several other districts.

"I put in 20 years in this district, taught thousands of kids, made it my life, given all that I've had to make them better, and I got kicked in the face for it," Ogden Education Association President Doug Stephens told the men, women and children gathered.

The district and teacher's union couldn't come to a collective bargaining agreement for the 2010-11 school year, so teachers went to work without a contract while the OEA and board tried to work things out. After multiple mediation processes, negotiations dissolved and the board decided to move forward without the union in drafting the 2011-12 contract.

"What they have done is a violation of professional ethics and an attempt to break your spirit," said Donald Thomas, former superintendent of the Salt Lake School District.

The board sent out its own contract for teachers to sign on an individual basis at the end of June.

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