Instructional assistants (IAs) in Greenfield Public Schools work with the most vulnerable of our students. That means they work with students who have physical challenges, emotional challenges, including some who are potentially harmful to themselves or others, students who have experienced trauma, students who have severe learning challenges, cognitive challenges, second language learners and others. They build trusting relationships with children who desperately need that stability, love, and attention. Instructional assistants make it possible for the students they work with to find success. If they were not present the difficult role of classroom teachers would be nearly impossible.
I would think our IAs would be honored, and appropriately rewarded for their crucial work. Instead, they are too often treated as an afterthought, as the current contract situation makes clear. Our IAs currently make less than many of those working in fast food establishments, who are underpaid themselves. Is this how we value those who work with our most vulnerable children?
The instructional assistants bargained in good faith with the district, came to an agreement, which they ratified, and are still waiting for the School Committee and city to meet their obligations, months later.
Educators around the country have begun to wake up to the fact that they are labor and must act accordingly. We have seen teacher strikes produce living wages and improved learning environments for children and educators. I am not necessarily advocating for an educator strike in Greenfield, but I am strongly advocating that we pay our instructional assistants (and all educators) a salary (with benefits) that reflects the value of the work they do with our children, and support them in doing whatever it takes to get what they deserve. We say we care about our children. It’s time our actions aligned with our words.
Doug Selwyn
Greenfield