Paraprofessionals are the backbone of our classrooms, yet our reality is being overlooked.
In the Horizon program, we are responsible for up to eight autistic students at a time—students who require constant attention, emotional support, behavioral guidance, and individualized educational care. From the moment they arrive at school until they are safely returned to their families, we are their support system. This is not occasional assistance—this is continuous, demanding, and deeply impactful work.
And yet, our compensation does not reflect this responsibility.
There is a clear and undeniable difference between supporting one student and being responsible for eight. The workload, the emotional demand, and the level of accountability increase significantly, but our wages do not. That imbalance is not sustainable, and it is not fair.
We are not asking for recognition—we are demanding fairness.
We have reached a point where conversations among ourselves are no longer enough. If real change is going to happen, our voices must be heard collectively and clearly. We must stand together, advocate for appropriate compensation, and ensure that the value of our work is acknowledged.
Because when paraprofessionals are supported, students are supported. And right now, both are being undervalued.
Thanks so much María for sharing. Paraprofessionals do tremendous work, in both quality and quantity. Our school system simply does not work without paraprofessionals. It goes unrecognized and uncompensated by NYCPS, and our union does very little to organize UFT membership to collectively do something about it. It falls on us to bridge the gap and make our union leaders feel the heat.
Thanks for bringing this issue into full view. Sunlight is an excellent disinfectant. Now the issue is how to get results. Wait for another Union election? Pressure/embarass UFT leadership into action? How?
Elections are important, and there is a UFT Paraprofessional Chapter election next school year. We should continue to engage with UFT leadership at every level possible. Although it will be very difficult without access to the resources of the UFT, and with UFT leadership most likely working against us, we should also begin undertaking the organizing work detailed above.
The para non pensionable money is not new. Back in 2014 Unity and de Blasio decided to put middle school after school programs under the Department of Health so it wasn't pensionable for teachers. It was a loss for everyone in MS who used to work after school. I contacted Rich Mantell at the time. He said he'd look into it but I never heard a thing. The requirements for working in Manhattan Youth, which was the organization put into place at my school, were restrictive and wouldn't work for me so the competitive math team I coached with another teacher under the old regime went to hell. It has never been the same and Manhattan Youth is still in charge. DeBlasio could have put the money into the DoE but then he would have made it pensionable. Shame on Unity. Nothing will be done.
That is terrible, thank you for sharing your story. Non-pensionable "bonuses" don't help us in the long-run, and set a dangerous precedent for more non-pensionable pay.
Absolutely true. These one off payments that aren’t pensionable are not what any of us need. Across the board salary raises, especially for paras who work so hard for not a fraction of what they are worth. Just like the springtime retention checks we get aren’t pensionable and not real solutions to our inflation woes. I call these “hush money payments” as in “hush and take your check and don’t ask questions to unity leaders.”
You're right. Non-pensionable payments like the spring bonus and contract ratification checks are sweeteners to coerce UFT members to vote for contracts that are not in their long-term best interest. We must demand more, and dare we say, a better contract!
As I am a colleague who was illegally removed from my job for declining a Covid shot--a so-called "new condition of employment" used to mass fire DOE educators with the acquiescence of our conspiratorial union "leaders"--I remain stupefied that any members are surprised that the union is now selling out our Paraprofessional colleagues for political and financial gain. When it threw your unvaxxed colleagues under the bus, did you really think it was for the public health? Come on now.
It is disappointing but not surprising. Mulgrew and Unity leadership have no moral compass. They do what they think will benefit Mulgrew and Unity, and usually change course only when they feel their control of our union is threatened.
Unity - Mulgrew & Crew gots to go. Just hot air getting rich.
Fully agreed, Mea. For what we're paying Mulgrew, we certainly are not getting our money's worth.
Paraprofessionals are the backbone of our classrooms, yet our reality is being overlooked.
In the Horizon program, we are responsible for up to eight autistic students at a time—students who require constant attention, emotional support, behavioral guidance, and individualized educational care. From the moment they arrive at school until they are safely returned to their families, we are their support system. This is not occasional assistance—this is continuous, demanding, and deeply impactful work.
And yet, our compensation does not reflect this responsibility.
There is a clear and undeniable difference between supporting one student and being responsible for eight. The workload, the emotional demand, and the level of accountability increase significantly, but our wages do not. That imbalance is not sustainable, and it is not fair.
We are not asking for recognition—we are demanding fairness.
We have reached a point where conversations among ourselves are no longer enough. If real change is going to happen, our voices must be heard collectively and clearly. We must stand together, advocate for appropriate compensation, and ensure that the value of our work is acknowledged.
Because when paraprofessionals are supported, students are supported. And right now, both are being undervalued.
Thanks so much María for sharing. Paraprofessionals do tremendous work, in both quality and quantity. Our school system simply does not work without paraprofessionals. It goes unrecognized and uncompensated by NYCPS, and our union does very little to organize UFT membership to collectively do something about it. It falls on us to bridge the gap and make our union leaders feel the heat.
Well analyzed. To do? Support for Paras is support for all.
Absolutely! Mulgrew and Unity leaders have disrespected and disregarded paraprofessionals for far too long.
Thanks for bringing this issue into full view. Sunlight is an excellent disinfectant. Now the issue is how to get results. Wait for another Union election? Pressure/embarass UFT leadership into action? How?
Elections are important, and there is a UFT Paraprofessional Chapter election next school year. We should continue to engage with UFT leadership at every level possible. Although it will be very difficult without access to the resources of the UFT, and with UFT leadership most likely working against us, we should also begin undertaking the organizing work detailed above.
The para non pensionable money is not new. Back in 2014 Unity and de Blasio decided to put middle school after school programs under the Department of Health so it wasn't pensionable for teachers. It was a loss for everyone in MS who used to work after school. I contacted Rich Mantell at the time. He said he'd look into it but I never heard a thing. The requirements for working in Manhattan Youth, which was the organization put into place at my school, were restrictive and wouldn't work for me so the competitive math team I coached with another teacher under the old regime went to hell. It has never been the same and Manhattan Youth is still in charge. DeBlasio could have put the money into the DoE but then he would have made it pensionable. Shame on Unity. Nothing will be done.
That is terrible, thank you for sharing your story. Non-pensionable "bonuses" don't help us in the long-run, and set a dangerous precedent for more non-pensionable pay.
Absolutely true. These one off payments that aren’t pensionable are not what any of us need. Across the board salary raises, especially for paras who work so hard for not a fraction of what they are worth. Just like the springtime retention checks we get aren’t pensionable and not real solutions to our inflation woes. I call these “hush money payments” as in “hush and take your check and don’t ask questions to unity leaders.”
You're right. Non-pensionable payments like the spring bonus and contract ratification checks are sweeteners to coerce UFT members to vote for contracts that are not in their long-term best interest. We must demand more, and dare we say, a better contract!
Unity - Mulgrew & Crew gots to go. Just hot air getting rich.
Unity SUCKS!
Unity SUCKS!
As I am a colleague who was illegally removed from my job for declining a Covid shot--a so-called "new condition of employment" used to mass fire DOE educators with the acquiescence of our conspiratorial union "leaders"--I remain stupefied that any members are surprised that the union is now selling out our Paraprofessional colleagues for political and financial gain. When it threw your unvaxxed colleagues under the bus, did you really think it was for the public health? Come on now.
It is disappointing but not surprising. Mulgrew and Unity leadership have no moral compass. They do what they think will benefit Mulgrew and Unity, and usually change course only when they feel their control of our union is threatened.