Adjuncts deserve justice
Thank you for the story, "Testing, unfair teacher evals, plight of adjuncts, 'con con' threat." (NYSUT United, May 2017 issue) Having taught in Pennsylvania, New York and Florida, I've lived the life of an adjunct and the issue of pay equity is critical. The abuse and overuse of adjuncts has been an invisible and neglected issue for more than 30 years. The sweatshop labor conditions include no benefits and no office, although I was given a mailbox. It was difficult to forge relationships with any full-time faculty. In fact, I felt invisible. I never knew if I would be teaching the next semester or the next year. After spending nine years to get a Ph.D., it was a reality check to be treated so badly in adjunct positions. Having a husband who made a living wage allowed me to be an adjunct for so long.
No full-time job ever materialized as a result of being at these institutions where they could see me teaching. At one college where a full-time position became available, I applied and I wasn't even interviewed although I was an adjunct in the department! That was more than 15 years ago and as a senior citizen I have decided that my talents deserve a living wage. For all of these reasons, it is critical that NYSUT continue the fight to get justice for adjuncts.
— Mary Jane Capozzoli-Ingui, Ph.D.
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Dear teacher ...
Thank you
From the child you taught to read
From the battered child
you held close
From the one you taught
to act on stage
So she could be herself
From the one who couldn't count
Until you convinced him he did
From the one who stuttered
And you waited
From the friendless one
You shared lunch with
From the heavy one
You taught to dance
From the immigrant
You welcomed
From the one they teased
And you told I'm with you
From the one who acted tough
But you weren't fooled
From the one whose writing was an angry shout
That you read and corrected
From the one whose life was closed
And you opened a door
From the one who said no
And you said yes
From all the kids you taught were OK
And can be better
Thank You.
— Jerry McGovern SUNY Plattsburgh