Recently as I was driving in Greenfield, I could not stop mulling over the recent Tire Warehouse sign with the quote, “Teachers don’t teach for income, but for outcome.” I thought to myself — why does it have to be one or the other? The constant prod to those of us in the profession of education implies we are fine working for less because we gain so much from the success of our students. This is an outdated narrative that needs to change.
Recently contract negotiations made in good faith with the Greenfield Education Association Unit C members successfully concluded and an agreement was reached. Yet funding has not been made available. The City Council and the mayor need to follow through on their promises to the instructors and ultimately to the students. Many wonderful and dedicated IAs in our district deserve the raise they were promised as they cannot pay bills with student outcomes.
We are losing devoted staff to surrounding school systems because we are not providing them well-deserved compensation. Let’s show our support for them!
Judy Bennett
Greenfield