Our Paraprofessional Council
Building a Union for Connecticut's Paraeducators
US Representative Chris Murphy Observed Barbara Andruk and Her Student She Works with as a "One-on-One" Aide in Danbury Public Schools in April 2009
In February of 2008, CSEA/SEIU Local 2001's Executive Council voted to approve the Paraprofessional Council By-Laws that our Organizing Committee proposed and presidents of Municipal Division Chapters representing paras previously ratified. Members then came from all over Connecticut to our "Kick-Off" at our union hall and elected the leaders from among the Council's thirty-five chapters to provide guidance for the first two years.
Our Council represents the range of job classifications school districts across the state have given to their paraeducators -- instructional assistants, classroom aides, tutors, ed trainers, and "one-on-ones," are but a few. But regardless of the different names we are given, we share a common objective to raise the profile of all paras across the state.
As we look forward to improving the classroom experience for the children our members instruct and educate, it is clear that we need to build power for paraeducators. The simple fact is that Boards of Education and school administrators do not truly appreciate or value the work of paras, which has resulted in limiting our voices on the job.
May 22 Para Council Meeting & Elections
January 2010 Para Council Delegates Meeting minutes
November 2009 Para Council Delegates Meeting minutes
September 2009 Para Council Delegates Meeting minutes
Blog entry on May 2009 Para Council Meeting and Training
Blog entry with report-back on May 2008 "Kick-Off" Meeting
Blog entry announcing our new Council
Approved draft of Paraprofessional Council By-Laws
Paraprofessional Council recruiting brochure
