Assistants undervalued

Jeff McCullough, who works as an instructional assistant, wrote the letter (June 3) I’ve been intending to write, but there is more to say.

I, too, work as an instructional assistant. I have been bitten, kicked, pinched, had my hair pulled and been given a black eye. I’ve dealt with every bodily fluid at close range. I, too, have a college degree, partial master’s degree and several years of experience. I have come to work ill because nobody wants the job, and there are frequently no subs to cover for us.

We work in a foxhole, and we do it for each other and for these precious kids. We can’t be doing it for the money. I work for the second-largest school district in Washington. Out of 294 districts, my pay level is eighth from the bottom. Am I valued?

A large part of our population has autism, which includes sensory issues. One child crumbles, and the rest fall like dominoes. There is no possibility for learning under those conditions. No possibility of mainstreaming. The long-term cost is enormous. Are our students valued? I guess not.

Renee Haynes

Spokane Valley