AFT early childhood educators today took advantage of one of the biggest audiences in morning television—the "Today" show—to let the public know that they deserve better pay, benefits and respect. On May 1—Worthy Wage Day—the AFT members were interviewed in the "Today" plaza in Manhattan by Al Roker.

Childcare provider Lourdes Lebron from New York City, who is part of an effort by the United Federation of Teachers to organize thousands of home providers in the city, spoke for the group. A provider with 25-years of experience, she told Roker they were part of the AFT and were there for Worthy Wage Day. They also gave an AFT hat to musical guest Michael Bublé, who said his mother is a teacher.

The AFT group brought several quilts with them—featuring the names of thousands of early childhood educators who share their commitment to providing high-quality early education to young children—to illustrate this year's theme, "We're Hanging by a Thread." Worthy Wage Day is intended to remind policymakers, legislators, other educators and parents that early childhood educators are important and deserve more than the minimal pay and benefits that lead many to leave the field. The day also provides an opportunity to highlight the value of high-quality early education for young children, to make sure they all enter kindergarten prepared with the basic skills they need to succeed.

To mark Worthy Wage Day, a bipartisan resolution in support of the day also was introduced in both houses of Congress.

First Class Teachers, the AFT's early childhood education program, has information about Worthy Wage Day and the issues that early childhood educators will face long after May 1. [Dan Gursky, Leslie Getzinger]

May 1, 2007