Rep. Joe Courtney spent a morning at Mansfield Middle School to "Walk A Day in My 'Para' Shoes" and experienced firsthand the work of public school paraeducators. We are pleased the congressman chose to participate in our union's effort to ensure elected officials and political candidates live life among working people, even if just for a day.
The goal was to focus on public school paraeducators because our role has changed dramatically since the days when we were called "teachers' aides." Over 2,100 paraeducators working in 35 districts across Connecticut are united in CSEA/SEIU Local 2001, and we have a significant impact on the educational experience of students we serve.
Our responsibilities cover a wide range of duties, including one-on-one support for special-needs children and support for teachers. We work in areas as diverse as clerical, guidance, library media centers, audio-visual, and computer technology.
Because of economic realities, paraeducators are no longer working for extra spending cash, but are working to provide health benefits and needed income for their families. A General Assembly study found that Connecticut paraeducators earn an average of less $13 an hour, far below a livable wage.
Paraeducators enrolled in our state colleges and universities often do so without educational reimbursements from their school districts. In many districts where health-care coverage is offered to paraeducators, some are contributing as much as half the cost of monthly premiums.
At a time when staffing and retention of public school employees are becoming critical concerns, not all local school boards have the resources to raise income standards or improve access to affordable health care for paraeducators.
For these reasons, paraeducators believe it is important to have our voices heard in Hartford and in Washington, D.C. If our elected officials are expected to make responsible decisions about our future, we have an obligation to provide them with the information they need to enact legislation that will have a positive impact on the lives of paraeducators and, ultimately, the children of Connecticut.
Raising standards for paraeducators must be a state initiative, just as it was for teachers with the Education Enhancement Act in 1986. State and federal legislators must commit the financial resources needed for local districts to raise incomes, provide affordable health care, and increase training standards for paraeducators.
When our local congressman accepted our invitation to "Walk A Day In My 'Para' Shoes," we all moved forward in maintaining Connecticut's leadership position on public education.
Janette Smith and Sharon Hagans
Smith is Chapter 1112 president, CSEA/SEIU Local 2001. Hagans is an executive board member of CSEA/SEIU Local 2001. Both are instructional assistants at Mansfield Middle School.