Maddie Hickey has loved being an educational assistant for the past three and a half years, but she says she’s stepping down from the job this fall because of the low wages.
“I’m leaving this year because educational assistants in Nova Scotia are underpaid and I have to think about my family,” Hickey said of her previous job as an educational assistant at Riverside Education Center in Lantz, North Carolina.
“It’s hard to make ends meet making $15 an hour.”
Hickey worked at the Central Regional Education Center in Chinekto. Educational assistants earn hourly wages ranging from $16.10 to $22.24 based on their qualifications.
According to federal job bank data released last November, the national average hourly wage for educational assistants is $22.86. Casual and temporary educational assistants are often paid significantly less than permanent educational assistants.
Educational assistants help teachers maintain classrooms. They often ensure that students with behavioral problems or disabilities receive an education tailored to their needs.
“I loved my job. On our good days, we get to sing and dance and see them achieve something,” Hickey said.
“But on our bad days, we come home with bruises, bumps, broken glasses and pulled hair. We are physically, emotionally and mentally exhausted.”
It is difficult to get permanent positions
There are seven English regional education centers and one French provincial school board that set the salaries of educational assistants. The eight school boards offer different salaries depending on their position and qualifications.
Hickey said in order to get a higher-paying, permanent job with benefits at the Chignecto Central School Board, she would have to complete a one-year course that costs thousands of dollars. She believes that years of experience should be more of a determining factor in educational assistant salaries.
“It would not be possible for me to support my family while doing the program. I would have to go through funding and scholarships, I looked into it, and I would still have to pay $7,000 or $8,000,” Hickey said.
“It’s disappointing that we’re already doing the work. There are some EAs who have been working for more than 15 years and will not get a permanent position because the years of experience are negligible.
“It’s a slap in the face by the government and school boards that they don’t recognize us for the work we do.”
The Central Regional Education Center in Chignecto said wage adjustments and other wage determinations will follow collective bargaining.
Bargaining continues amid the sector’s exit
There are three unions in the province that represent educational assistants. Representatives of NSGEU, SEIU and TSUPO are negotiating with the regional centers of education to increase the salaries of educators.
Sandra Mullen outside the NSGEU building in Dartmouth. NSGEU represents educational assistants in Annapolis Valley, Chignecto Central. (Robert Guertin/CBC)
Sandra Mullen, NSGEU president, said the union had been bargaining for many years.
“We thought they were underpaid for what they were doing. They are a very important part of the education system and the lowest paid members of our education system,” Mullen said. “We are working to increase that lowest rate to a living wage.”
Mullen said the low salaries of educational assistants amid inflation are leading to further staffing shortages.
Courtney Peddle depends on the support of an educational assistant to ensure her 11-year-old son stays safe at school. He is autistic and wears a tracking bracelet for fear he will run away.
“He wouldn’t be in school if EA wasn’t there and I wouldn’t be able to work,” Peddle said. “I work part-time around his school hours because I can’t find care for him because his needs are so severe.”
Courtney Peddle, right, with her son Hunter, left, and his assistance dog. (Submitted by Courtnee Peddle)
Peddle has offered to supplement the education assistants’ salaries out of her own pocket to ensure her son gets the care he needs. Her son is non-verbal, so she depends on educational assistants to hear about his day.
“They do more than anything to keep that routine and that connection between us so we can try to create a better future for him,” Peddle said. “They deserve respect and support so they can continue to shape our little people into great adults.”
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