For breakfast, sharing the joy, unity and strength of PSRPs

The AFT's paraprofessionals and school-related personnel bring joy and inspiration to our nation's schools and colleges every day, and this week they're bringing it to convention.

PSRP program and policy council co-chairs Sarah Wofford, president of the Oregon School Employees Association, and Carl Williams, president of the Lawndale (Calif.) Federation of Classified Employees, welcomed delegates to their divisional breakfast on July 17.

Members cheered AFT Secretary-Treasurer Emeritus Lorretta Johnson, past PPC Chair Shelvy Abrams, and PPC stalwart Kathy Chavez of AFT New Mexico. They were joined by AFT Secretary-Treasurer Fedrick Ingram, who lavished love on the PSRPs, calling them public education's lifesavers, vanguard and unsung heroes. "We need to stand shoulder to shoulder," he said. "We are fighting for a better life for all. You all give me hope."

AFT Executive Vice President Evelyn DeJesus, who started her career as a paraprofessional, said, "Everyone knows: Once a PSRP," then she paused for the whole room to join in, "always a PSRP."

Appreciating that "we do our jobs with joy and with hope," DeJesus said she knew her work was important because parents trusted her with their children. "Let's love on each other, and let's appreciate one another," she concluded.

Stories of inspiration

Williams introduced a documentary, Paraprofessionals: Unionizing for Equality, a short film by documentarian Alex Hinton that delves into the history of AFT PSRP. The film tells the story of paraprofessionals who organized for dignity, fair wages and recognition, helping to transform their professions and public education. Centered on the leadership of past United Federation of Teachers Paraprofessional Chair Velma Hill, a para trainee who started at $50 a week with no vacation or benefits. The film traces the historic unionization of paraprofessionals within the AFT.

After the screening, several members featured in the film were acknowledged. "That's living proof that our work matters," Williams said.

Members at the breakfast enjoyed musical selections from the AFT's very own "Motown Diva" Lynn Marie Smith, who thanked the PSRP leaders. With the words, "We're union, hallelujah!" she launched into union versions of hit songs.

Members also shared stories of organizing and collective bargaining in Round Rock, Texas, and winning a vote from the New York City Council for a $10,000 bonus for paraprofessionals in the United Federation of Teachers. "We mobilized and we showed up, and we're going to make it," said UFT Paraprofessional Chair Priscilla Castro. "We're not going to stop."

[Annette Licitra/Photo credit: AFT]