2nd Congressional District House Representative accepts invitation to spend morning with public school paraeducators and the children they serve
HARTFORD—On Thursday, Connecticut 2nd District Representative Joe Courtney will "walk a day in the shoes" of CSEA/SEIU Local 2001 members as part of the union's effort to ensure elected officials and political candidates experience firsthand what life is like for working people. Courtney will be joined by public school paraeducators for hands-on experience in a life skills classroom, as well as a 7th and 8th grade resource room. He will also observe instructional assistants whose job duties range from clerical to information technology to guidance counseling.
CSEA/SEIU Local 2001 members will host Congressman Courtney at Mansfield Middle School Thursday, March 20 beginning at 9:00 a.m. A press conference is scheduled at 10:55 a.m. in the school's library, where both the congressman and members of the union will make brief statements and will be available to the media for comment.
"We are pleased to have Congressman Courtney visit our district to 'Walk A Day in Our 'Para' Shoes'" said Janette Smith, an instructional assistant at Mansfield Middle School with sixteen years experience in public education. "If our elected officials are expected to make responsible decisions about our future, we are partially responsible for providing them with information they need to make informed decisions" Smith, the President of the union's chapter representing paraprofessionals in the district, observed of the purpose of the event.
By offering political leaders and candidates the opportunity to "Walk A Day in Our Shoes," CSEA/SEIU members can start to educate them on the complexities and challenges of their jobs. By providing the experience of participating alongside paraeducators with students in the classroom, members expect political leaders will be better able to explore and implement policies that will enable them to deliver quality public education services.
"Paraeducators play a critical role in closing the achievement gap for students in our schools" said Sharon Hagans, who also works as an instructional assistant at the middle school. "Yet, for far too long, we have remained 'invisible' to our legislators when lobbying for resources to increase wages and benefits, and to provide much needed professional development and training." Hagans, the chapter's vice-president continued.
CSEA/SEIU Local 2001 represents 25,000 active and retired public sector workers serving in state, municipal, and town agencies, as well as local school boards across Connecticut. The union’s membership also includes workers with non-profit organizations and private companies contracted to provide public services through state, and local government agencies. Visit www.seiu2001.org online for more information about the membership's efforts to improve public education for our children, our families, and our communities.