work. >> reporter: former oklahoma teacher carrie hicks also decided to give up on teaching, but she didn't give up on education. >> i was meeting with senators who were serving on the education committee. i said i'm a fourth grade math and science teacher at deer creek elementary, and this year i have 28 students. and he put his hand up and told me i was lying.aid w the av s size i oklaha is . i sa don't know where you're getting your numbers, but i've been in oklahoma for seven years and i've never had a class size less than 23. >> reporter: so what did you decide in that moment? >> that if they were unwilling to do the job, then i could do it better. >> we haven't done enough to end our teacher shortage or tackle overcrowded classrooms. >> reporter: hicks decided to run for the state senate in oklahoma, one of dozens of teachers who ran for political office all across the country last year. >> the thing i miss the most -- >> reporter: the results were mixed, but hicks defeated...