The Paraeducator Dilemna- on Making a Living Wage
One of the most popular posts on our site is a discussion started by a para from Sioux City, Iowa asking what paraeducators make in different states. The 100 replies to that question show that there is a lot of interest in that area. If you enjoyed that discussion you will likely also appreciate a recent article titled The Paraeducator Dilemma about paraeducators in Yakima, Washington fighting for a living wage.
The entire article provides a great overview of the work that paraeducators do and some of the struggles that they face. Here are a few quotes to whet your appetite:
From Heidi Mann:
"At MLK, the teachers treat us like equals," Mann says. "We're not saying we are equal to them. But I'd say we're at least worth half of what they make."
One of the most popular posts on our site is a discussion started by a para from Sioux City, Iowa asking what paraeducators make in different states. The 100 replies to that question show that there is a lot of interest in that area. If you enjoyed that discussion you will likely also appreciate a recent article titled The Paraeducator Dilemma about paraeducators in Yakima, Washington fighting for a living wage.
The entire article provides a great overview of the work that paraeducators do and some of the struggles that they face. Here are a few quotes to whet your appetite:
From Heidi Mann:
"At MLK, the teachers treat us like equals," Mann says. "We're not saying we are equal to them. But I'd say we're at least worth half of what they make."
On working for a living wage:
While they're taking care of other people's children on the playground and in the school cafeteria, many paraeducators struggle to provide for their own children. Many of their children qualify to receive free or reduced lunch in the district for which they work.
"As far as we understand, we are the lowest-paid unit in the district, and we are the ones who are teaching in the classrooms," (Buffy) Phillips says. "We're not asking to be paid like the teachers are paid. We just need enough to live on."
On the work that paras do:
Paraeducators supervise children on the playground, in the lunchroom and classroom, and before and after school. They tutor students in math. They help children learn to read. They lead small groups. And while they don't craft lesson plans, paraeducators do help teach the lessons.
"I just really could not do my job without them," says Joan Kirk, a special education teacher at Gilbert Elementary School. "We're a team."
Does anything in the article sound familiar to you?
The Paraeducator Dilemma from the Yakima Herald
Comments
what paraeducators make in different states
I have been a paraeducator for 15 years now and it has taken ths long to finally have my district make a distinction in pay between those of us who have continuing education (associates degree +) and those of us with high school diplomas. Someone entering the district in the recent past would be making the same amount starting out as I am making with 15 years experience. Mind you, the wage is barely livable in my state, New Jersey, but because I absolutely love my job, I'll take what I can get. At the moment the top of the scale is $17.00/hr as opposed to the $14.25 I was getting.
What Paraeducators made in different states
I sure would like to know what the cost of living is for New Jersey because in Georgia we dont make that much
Teresa Thomason
Go Center/CIT/ESS Paraprofessional
Southeast Whitfield High School
Dalton, Ga
706-876-7150
what is a living wage?
I truly love my job as well. I work as a one to one Para Professional in Parsippany, NJ. I don't know how much longer I will be able to contune to stay here. $18,077 is not a living wage in Morris County. I have lived here for 30 years. My husband is now unemployed. I have worked in the district for 22 years with no health benefits. Paraprofessional here work 8:30 to 3:30. I don't mind working hard and doing whatever is needed to make learning easier for our students,We are expected to be highly quilfied. We took the required Praxas exam and passed. We contune to take courses when something is available. ( on or own time and our own money.) and maybe a couple of times a year the District will provide some training. There is no compentation for our experence and contuned education. I know I am good at what I do. I make things happen.
We are the only group in the district with no health benefits and are the lowest paid. Taxes on my home are almost $11,000 a year. How do we get the compensation we have earned.
Para Wages
I work in a small school district, Sigourney, Iowa. After years of bargaining we Paras now make $.25 more per hour than an associate. I have worked in the school district for 16 years. I make $12.30 per hour, have single coverage insurance,15 sick days per year that can carry over up to 100 days, 3 personal days per year, and receive IPERS. I am interested to know how we measure up to other schools. I hope to hear some updated information from a lot of paras.
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