Submitted by Jackie Zeidman, LICSW
My name is Jackie Zeidman and I am writing in support of the Bedford Public School Teachers and the Bedford Education Association. I am a resident, parent, educator, and social worker. I have lived in Bedford for nearly six years with one child at Davis Elementary, and one who will be entering Kindergarten.
I have learned that Bedford is a community that has a tremendous amount of pride and support for others. At the center of our community are the public schools and at the heart of every school are the teachers who work tirelessly and go above and beyond for our children.
Today’s teachers not only educate our children, but they are also our children’s nurses, behavioral specialists, life coaches, social/emotional/mental health supports, case managers, protectors, guidance counselors, and extensions of caregivers.
I implore you to spend one day inside a classroom and you will learn the true worth of our teachers. While I am not a teacher, I’ve had to substitute in classrooms and it reminds me of becoming a parent in that if you haven’t experienced it, you just don’t really “get it” until you’re in it. So please take some time to see what these teachers experience, think about doing that challenging work every day, and then not getting paid enough to be able to afford a home.
Teachers have one of the most stressful and least appreciated professions in the country. How can it be that teachers have to earn a Master’s Degree and yet their starting salaries are not even close to a liveable wage here in Massachusetts?
Massachusetts is now the third most expensive state to live in. It isn’t reasonable to expect to retain high-quality, experienced educators and attract quality newcomers without a significant pay increase. Bedford public teachers also deserve our continuous support in advocating for them, even if the situation worsens and tensions rise.
In closing, I will share that I currently work for Woburn Public Schools which was one of the many districts that went on strike to fight for a fair contract. No one wants to go through that, especially in Bedford where there is a family-like sense of community.
Now is the time for our voices to be heard so I am urging you to show your respect and support for the Bedford Public School Teachers as they continue to advocate for a reasonable wage.
The opinions expressed in Letters to the Editor are those of the writer, not The Bedford Citizen.
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