Good Morning. My name is Rafael Sanchez III. I’m a Degree Track Teaching Assistant at Bell Senior High School. I’ve been with the District for 10 years.
For as long as I can remember, I’ve wanted to be a teacher. Currently, I’m a student at Cal State L.A. majoring in history for my secondary credential.
Even without the credential, I’ve truly felt that working in a school is one of the few places where I know I’m making a difference.
I remember worked with one student during her freshman year who came to thank me four years later as she graduated and headed off to college to study journalism. I had helped her pay attention in English class and provided one-to-one support to help complete her assignments. I was so touched that she specifically went out of her way to tell me she appreciated the work I did with her.
The recession, the furloughs, and stagnant wages have interfered with my dream. It’s been really difficult to finish my studies. Currently, I earn $10.74 an hour. I’ve frequently had to choose between taking a full-time course load or paying my bills. Living expenses and college prices have gone up while my salary has not. I picked up odd jobs when I as able, but I ended up having to move back home with my parents because I couldn’t keep up with my rent, insurance premiums, car loan, and food.
When I was still trying to pay rent, I had to decide which bills to pay each month. I tried to juggle them, but instead ended up maxing out my credit cards trying to keep up and then catch up.
If I made $15 an hour, that would mean the world to me. It’s almost indescribable. Even living at home, I still have a lot of stress about money. I pay my parents for their hospitality to me and I’m working on paying off the mountain of debt. If I earned $15, I wouldn’t feel so stressed at the end of every month. With $15 an hour, I could refocus on my midterms and finals and begin to lower my debt.
I am here to represent all of the dedicated SEIU Local 99 members who live in the communities where they work and whose children attend LAUSD schools. I urge you to ensure that this budget includes funds to pay a $15 living wage to those like me who earn less than $15 an hour and a 15% wage increase over three years for the rest of my co-workers who struggle to pay their mortgages, provide for their families, save for their children’s college education, and put decent food on the table…even at the end of the month.
Thank you.
