I would not be enjoying my second year as a school secretary at the District 20 Pre-K Center in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn without the opportunities the UFT’s career-ladder program opened up for me.
Like so many others who cannot afford the high cost of college, I took advantage of the low-cost, accessible and accredited undergraduate courses the union has designed for members. Over the years, I earned 52 credits.
I was an at-home mom raising two young children until I was widowed in 2003. I found work as a part-time school aide, got hooked and became a full-time aide in 2005. Eight years later, I became a paraprofessional.
During the wonderful and rewarding four years I spent as a paraprofessional working with special needs students, I learned about the UFT’s Career Training Program that offers undergraduate courses designed specifically for paraprofessionals. I took advantage of the opportunity to advance my education and, even at my age, to go to college.
As a mom raising teenagers and working full-time, it was essential for me to prioritize my time, especially when I added academic studies to the mix. So I was pleased to discover that not only were the courses affordable but they were offered in multiple locations, which made it easy for me to choose a site close to home.
I’m grateful for all the personal and professional growth and opportunities that those hours in the classroom have given me.
While I miss working with children, I like the challenge of my job as a school secretary and the chance to try my hand at something new. I think of myself as still working with children, but now I’m behind the scenes getting everything ready for staff and students each day. It’s very gratifying work.
Victoria Arcaro is a school secretary at the District 20 Pre-K Center.
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