ABC Queens Teacher: ‘When we fight, we win!’
Queens teacher and influencer, Shapel Laborde, shares why she’s voting for A Better Contract.
StoryTime: I'm no stranger to injustice. And being targeted for using my voice to call it out. While many times, I have been dismissed, criticized and scrutinized, I come from a place and history that knows systemic and structural covert violence.
And more importantly I come from a BIG God.
And I just couldn't take being misused and abused while a pandemic was going on.
I smiled and winched through turmoil that only a few knew and it had a toll on my mental and emotional states. I had to be very intentional with my healing because so many people dismissed, gaslit, and just simply accepted tyranny.
I had to be here now for everyone but my health.
And while taking care of an elderly woman and an infant at that. It was too much and enough was enough.
I did what Grandma Babe said: Speak up and let God handle the rest.
Amy Arundell came to our building and authentically came to hear the stories of all the teachers and I will never forget how she showed up for us as a collective and in both good faith and being justice driven. Things/ values needed in spades for learning for both students and educators.
I'm not being paid to do this or asked. This is heart work and I strongly believe in this platform!
As an educator, scholar, and advocate, I know firsthand that respect isn't just given-it's fought for.
Our work shapes generations, yet we're expected to accept stagnant wages, crumbling benefits, and decisions made without us. That ends now.
I stand with A Better Contract (ABC) because we deserve a union that is member-led, member-centered, and committed to real change.
We need contracts that reflect our labor, protect our dignity, and ensure real raises, healthcare, paid parental leave, and job security — not just empty promises.
This life is challenging enough!
For every teacher, para, and school worker giving their all to this system, it's time to take our power back. Let's organize, mobilize, and demand the contract we actually deserve.
Because when we fight, we win. —
Shapel Laborde, Teacher
#ABetterContract #UnionPower #BetterPay
This post was originally posted on Shapel’s Instagram:
