Jassmine Bradley
Massachusetts is a highly regarded academic hub, with excellent public colleges and universities playing an important role in that reputation. I am proud to be among those dedicated to shaping future leaders of our Commonwealth and opening doors to opportunities many thought were inaccessible to them. But what I have come to learn is that for those of us working at community colleges, our love of teaching is being unjustly exploited. As a full-time faculty member for the Respiratory Care Program at North Shore Community College, I find myself at the crossroads of this reality every day, torn between my passion for educating and the pressing financial challenges that come with it. No professional deserves to be treated this way, and more consideration for the public good we provide at community colleges must be taken into account by the state legislature and Gov. Maura Healey.
Not too long ago, I was a frontline worker as a respiratory therapist during the harrowing times of the COVID-19 pandemic. The inevitable burnout led me to seek a career change, one that promised both mental well-being and the joy of molding future health-care champions. Transitioning to academia presented its challenges, the most pronounced being a substantial decrease in my yearly earnings. This raises the question: Why accept a position that offers an annual salary of only $48,784? Answer: the allure of teaching and being able to see students have their moments of realization and knowing I’m crafting the next generation of healthcare professionals. These are rewards that money can’t buy. But, as much as I cherish these moments, they don’t pay the bills!
To make ends meet, I’ve been pulled back to the hospital halls, working additional hours and once again facing the unrealistic demand rhythms I had sought to leave behind. The increasing hours at the hospital mean less time with my family, and the work-life balance I yearned for seems like a distant dream. It’s a stark choice: Should I stay in a role I deeply love or return full-time to the hospital to ensure financial stability for my family? I’m not alone in this quandary; many educators in our state are grappling with similar dilemmas. While Massachusetts shines brightly on the academic map, the compensation for those driving this excellence doesn’t match up. This rings especially true for those of us who work in community colleges, where pay is lowest within the public higher-education sectors, and the state’s high living costs only exacerbate the situation. In 2021 and 2022, community-college educators were met with a promise: a 2.5% raise for the former year and a 2% raise for the latter. Yet, despite official ratification, this commitment remains unfulfilled in actual paychecks. The last genuine pay increase materialized in 2020, rendering recent promises more symbolic than substantial. When measured against historic inflation rates, these increments seem almost negligible. Such miniscule increases don’t come close to compensating for the rising cost of living. Beyond this immediate concern, it’s crucial to note that these superficial increments fail to address the underlying systemic issues at hand.
This narrative isn’t about seeking pity, but about spotlighting a systemic challenge that needs addressing. The undeniable fact is this: Community-college faculty and staff are among the most underpaid educators in Massachusetts’ public pre-K to 16 system of education. This isn’t merely an oversight; it’s a disservice to the very core of our community. Proper compensation isn’t just about salaries but a testament to our collective commitment to a promising future. By adequately valuing those who are shaping our next generation, we unlock the myriad benefits that come with having greater numbers of passionate educators who are able to stay working at our community colleges rather than departing to higher paying jobs; well-prepared students who benefit from fully staffed campuses; and a learning community that resonates with mutual respect and collaborative growth, yielding the aforementioned opportunities that become available to students. The crux of the matter is that education in Massachusetts isn’t just another job — it’s an integral and revered part of our societal fabric. For policymakers and stakeholders, understanding this isn’t enough; action is needed. Beyond the cold hard numbers lie human stories, hopes, and ambitions. The path ahead is clear: prioritize our educators, pay them fairly, and in doing so, invest in the brighter future of our state.
Jassmine Bradley is a respiratory therapist and full-time faculty at North Shore Community College.
