“I’m leaving my job this year because educational aides in Nova Scotia are underpaid and I have to think about my family,” Hickey said of her previous job as an educational aide at Riverside Education Center in Lands, NS. “It’s hard to make ends meet on $15 an hour.” Hickey worked at Chinekto’s Central Regional Training Center. Educational assistants make hourly wages ranging from $16.10 to $22.24 based on their qualifications. According to federal labor bank data released last November, the national median hourly wage for teaching assistants is $22.86. Casual and long-term teaching assistants are often paid significantly less than permanent teaching assistants. Teaching assistants support teachers in keeping lessons running. They often ensure that students with behavioral problems or disabilities receive education tailored to their needs. “I loved my job. On our good days we sing, dance and see them achieve something,” Hickey said. “But on our bad days we come home with bruises, bumps, broken glasses and cut hair. We are physically, emotionally and mentally exhausted.”
Hard to get permanent positions
There are seven English regional education centers and one French school board in the province which set the salaries for teaching assistants. The eight school boards offer different salaries depending on their position and qualifications. Hickey said in order to get a permanent, higher-paying job with benefits at the Chigecto Central School Board, she would have to complete a year-long course that cost thousands of dollars. He believes years of experience should be more of a factor in teaching assistant salaries. “It wouldn’t be possible to support my family while doing the program. I’d have to go through funding and scholarships, I’ve looked into it, and I’d 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 on the job for 15+ years and won’t get a permanent position because the years of experience are invalid. “It’s a slap in the face from the government and school boards not recognizing us for the work we do.” Chinecto Central Regional Training Center said wage adjustments and other wage determinations will follow collective bargaining.
Ongoing negotiations amid staff leaving the industry
There are three unions in the province representing teaching assistants. Representatives from the NSGEU, SEIU and CUPE are negotiating with regional education centers to raise the salaries of teaching assistants. Sandra Mullen outside the NSGEU building in Dartmouth. NSGEU represents educational assistants in the Annapolis Valley, Chigecto Central. (Robert Guertin/CBC) Sandra Mullen, NSGEU president, said the union had been negotiating for many years. “We felt they were underpaid for what they do. They are a very important part of the education system and the lowest paid members of our education system,” Mullen said. “We’re working to raise that minimum rate to a living wage.” Mullen said low salaries for teaching assistants amid inflation are leading to further staff shortages. Courtnee Peddle depends on the support of an educational aide to ensure her 11-year-old son stays safe at school. He has autism and wears a tracking bracelet because of his fears of running away. “He wouldn’t go to school if there weren’t EAs there and I couldn’t work,” Peddle said. “I work part-time during his school hours because I can’t take care of his child because his needs are so severe.” Courtney Peddle, right, with her son Hunter, left, and his support dog. (Submitted by Courtnee Peddle) Peddle has offered to supplement the teaching assistants’ salaries out of her own pocket to ensure her son gets the care he needs. Her son is non-verbal, so he depends on teaching assistants to hear about his day. “They go above and beyond to maintain 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 build our little people into great adults.”
