Good morning. My name is Emily Reyes. I am a fifth-grade teacher at Laurel Cinematic Arts & Creative Technologies Magnet School.

I went into teaching later in my life in 2013-2014 because I had a young child who I wanted to be able to pick up from school and actively participate in her daily activities. This was a chosen without hesitation because my own mom worked three jobs to put a roof over my head and food on the table. I chose to focus on raising my child, Zoe. I made a sacrifice and chose not to work on earning my 98 salary points.

However, during the pandemic, the relationship between her father and I fractured, and I had to leave that relationship. I ended up having to work some extra side jobs to afford to pay rent because, as many of my colleagues recognize, the rent is too damn high. 

Again, my salary points went by the wayside because of survival mode.

I know the sacrifices I made while my daughter was young were the right thing to do. Zoe is currently a senior at Hamilton High School, working on straight A’s, and will be graduating this June. I attribute her successes and excellence to the time I dedicated to her, providing a solid foundation, knowing she could count on me to be there for her. 

Her independence would appear to offer me a reprieve. Maybe now I can work on those 98 salary points? This is my 11th year and I’m at 51 points. Finally, I can climb that mountain of 98 points!

No. My mother was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease six years ago. Alzheimer’s is cruel illness, not just for the afflicted person, but also the caretaker. We watch our loved one slip away, sometimes even experiencing verbal and physical abuse by them. I know my mom needs me now more than ever, so her caretaker I will be. Those 98 points will not be attainable for me any time soon.

Women are disproportionally kept from rising on the salary scale if they choose to be caregivers to their children and family members. The sacrifices I have made for my child and my mother now wouldn’t ever be changed. We must do something different so those so disproportionally impacted don’t continue to lose out on much needed and deserved salary increases.