The Editor,
I have worked as an Educational Assistant (EA) in the Southeast Cornerstone District for the past 14 years and love my job. EA’s are a proven necessity within schools and add value to all children’s education. We are reminded on a regular basis that our peers, students, and their families appreciate what we do, yet, to my dismay, I do not feel as though the required support we provide is respected in the way it should be.
EA’s make a positive difference, and are especially needed right now. The reality is that more and more children are diagnosed with developmental and intellectual disabilities each year. The number of children with autism has increased dramatically. For example, in 2007, one in 150 children were identified as autistic; by 2014, that number had risen to one in 68. At the same time, education support staff have been undervalued and cut– yet they are the exact support that is needed for children who require special attention. For those of us who are left, we are getting pushed and pulled in every direction at work.
Working conditions have worsened and our pay does not match our responsibilities and the average cost of living – why are we creating an environment that makes job retention problematic?
I work in education because I want all children to have their educational needs addressed, but an environment that does not respect support services hurts us all. Many of my colleagues live paycheque-to-paycheque – I wish I could say that was the exception. My daughter loves gymnastics and is taking lessons, but the only reason I can afford them is because I assist in coaching. Education workers should be recognized for the important work they do; they deserve a living wage. I call on our Education Board and the community to support their children’s support.
Carol Tessier,
Bienfait
