School secretaries "do" for the entire school community. They are the glue that holds everything together. How can our union make sure that schools properly appreciate what secretaries do and recognize their contributions?

Fair and equitable pay and benefits should be given to the professionals that hold the title of secretary and/or administrative assistant. No matter how you put it, these individuals "do it all." It is through their hard work that they ALSO teach our youth.
Patti Seibel, Southwest Suburban Federation of Teachers, IL

Obtaining a higher education will allow the secretaries to give back to the schools and in turn give back to the children. Tuition reimbursement will cut down on some of the costs for secretaries.
Jacqueline Brown, AFT Local 604, IL

Our school secretaries and admin. assistants ROCK! Not only are they hard working and efficient; they are kind and thoughtful! Best of all, our secretaries have an incredible work ethic and a fabulous sense of humor! We, the teachers at ARMS in Greece, NY love them, respect them, and appreciate them.
Elizabeth Simpson, Greece Teachers Association, NY

School secretaries are ambassadors for public education. They are frequently our first liasion with the community and our first contact with parents, angry or happy. Secretaries are usually underpaid so they need a strong Union voice to make sure that they are heard in the collective bargaining process.
Anthony McCann, Shenendehowa Teachers Association, NY

"School secretaries," what an antiquated title! We do for the entire school and carry the load of our administrators. I think we would be more respected and appreciated if we were called "administrative assistants." Only the union can change our antiquated "title," not the principal!
Lissette Nieves, United Federation of Teachers, New York City

It has long been my observation that any school is basically only as good as its secretaries. They need to be treated as a very important part of the educational team, given the respect and support they so richly deserve, and recognized professionally.
Mary Margaret Sweeten, Detroit Federation of Teachers, MI

That's easy: RESPECT! We are there, just like the teachers, but we are the forgotten ones when it comes to recognition. That's why I am thrilled to be a member of associations that promote professional growth opportunities, a shared vision, recognition of achievements, and fellowship.
Cathy Eberle, United Federation of Teachers, New York City

Our secretaries actually do the jobs of the assistant principals. They do the paperwork for student discipline, school maintenance and repair requests, budgets, curriculum, assigning and keeping up with keys, coordinating substitute teachers, etc. We've even had them chase chickens that someone left in the stairwells. Their pay is atrociously inadequate for what they do.
Ann Harper, Fort Bend Employees Federation, TX

There is a nationally recognized secretaries day, but it would be nice if the AFT could have an entire week honoring our secretaries.
Steve Wilson, Rudyard Federation of Teachers, MI

So much of what secretaries do goes unnoticed. Much is taken for granted. Usually, all that they do is not recognized or realized until one day when they are not there. Thinking of others takes a lot of energy and care. Give that wonderful secretary a big thank you. Not just once but many times take notice of the many little things that are done to help the team/school succeed.
Helene Byington, AFT-Granite, UT