I am writing to Cambridge Public Schools families to share thoughts about ongoing contract negotiations between the school district and the Cambridge Education Association, particularly in light of a recent message from the superintendent to those families.
For the past four and a half years, I have served as the the association’s vice president of professional practice, a responsibility I take very seriously. As a union officer and member of the bargaining team, I have been directly involved in negotiations underway since January. We have been working tirelessly to advocate for improvements that I believe are essential not only for educators but for the quality of education our students get. Among our priorities are securing a living wage for paraprofessionals and ensuring that every elementary classroom has a paraprofessional. These are issues that directly affect my own classroom, my students and the learning environment we strive to create every day.
Recently, the superintendent sent an email to district families stating:
“Given the significant financial divide between the parties and because of emerging concerns about threats of potential job actions that would detract from student learning, I have asked the Massachusetts Department of Labor Relations to assign us a state mediator in the hope of reaching a resolution in a timely manner.”
I was deeply disappointed and hurt by the suggestion that educators were threatening to take actions that could somehow harm students’ learning. To my knowledge, this was never discussed, proposed or even contemplated by members of my union. As an educator, I find the implication particularly troubling because our commitment to students is precisely what motivates much of the work we are doing at the bargaining table.
Statements such as this risk creating unnecessary divisions between families and educators rather than helping clarify the issues at hand. I cannot speak to the intention behind the superintendent’s wording, but the way it came across to me was as though families were being positioned on one side and educators on the other. That perception was painful, especially because one of the things I am proudest of in my career is the genuine relationships and trust I have built with the families I have had the privilege of working with.
A recent example of that bond is the incredibly kind invitation I received from our fifth-grade families to co-lead the upcoming trip to the Azores. I was especially touched that families even adjusted trip dates to make it possible for me to participate. To me, this gesture represents something much bigger than a travel opportunity: It reflects the relationships, mutual respect and sense of community that make our school special. These are the connections I value deeply and would never want to see undermined.
To be clear, my involvement in union negotiations does not diminish my commitment to my students or my partnership with you. Quite the opposite. I believe that advocating for fair compensation, adequate classroom support and better working conditions is also advocating for our children. When paraprofessionals are fairly compensated and every elementary classroom has the support it needs, students benefit directly.
I am sharing my perspective because I value transparency and, above all, the trust we have built together. I hope you will feel comfortable reaching out to me if you have questions, concerns or simply want to learn more about my perspective on the negotiations. I welcome those conversations.
Thank you for your continued trust, partnership and support. It is a privilege to be part of this community, and I remain deeply committed to our children and their education.
