“I am not sure how I will be able to retire. It scares me. I may have to take an 8th course in the fall to put more money aside. It is a shame that our work isn’t respected enough to make a living wage. ”
My name is Rebecca Benya-Soderbom and this fall is my 25th year teaching at Bristol Community College. I started as a part time Adjunct Professor, but in 2011 I became full time. I am now an Associate Professor of History at Bristol Community College. I’ve spent my career helping students overcome obstacles, especially their lack of confidence in their own abilities. My most rewarding moment was when an 83-year-old World War II veteran was debating with another student about whether the atomic bomb should have been dropped. They were both very passionate about their perspectives but argued in a way that showed courtesy to the others. Respectful discourse is a skill that is much needed today, and I feel that I am doing this work.
I am about 12 years to retirement, and I am not going to be able to live on my retirement wage, as it is now. Fair compensation allows me to avoid destitution in my golden years. I am really worried about this. I don’t mean to sound dramatic, but I already teach seven courses, just to pay my bills now. If I was in the private sector, I would make much more money. But I love my job, and the students need passionate, connected teachers that encourage and believe in them. I do this, and I see it being done by my colleagues every day. We are truly on the “front lines” with these students, every day. We know them!
My wage level has impacted our (my husband and my) decision not to buy a second car, when ours was hit and totaled. We are running on one car, for the first time in my life. It has been quite an adjustment! I was raised solidly in the middle class, and my education and expertise reflect that. Unfortunately, my income does not.
Community Colleges serve everyone: adult learners, dual enrollment, Honors students, etc. Faculty always go above and beyond what is written on our college service every semester. I know I take on committees and other work (for free) because it’s important. The instruction is quality, in terms of education. The cost is minimal (or free now, depending on a student’s situation). And, yet our wages are stagnant. High schools and four-year colleges have had significant increases (as they should), but we are constantly left behind. We do the work because it is necessary, but burnout is high.
Every semester, I teach what amounts to a part-time job in adjunct classes, and that’s only because I have enough seniority to get the courses. It’s exhausting, and it means my time with my family is impacted. I am resentful of having to “defend” what I do every day. After 25 years of a successful and fulfilling career, I want to be SEEN. Community
College faculty support students at every level. I work constantly to ensure student success.
In terms of my own well-being, there isn’t much time to reflect on that. I take walks to de-stress and I sometimes hike on the weekend, when the weather is nice. Being in nature helps. To clarify: students can be challenging, but generally working with them is really engaging. But, having to work extra courses to make ends meet, that is my biggest challenge. All the extra grading and time that goes into doing it well…that is hard.
I have two sons, who are 20 and 23 years old and I am unable to help pay for books for my youngest, who is taking courses at Bristol.
I am not sure how I will be able to retire. It scares me. I may have to take an 8th course in the fall to put more money aside. It is a shame that our work isn’t respected enough to make a living wage.
MassEducate has increased our student population significantly. Every single course I teach (all 7) are full. That means I read 300 essays every time my students take a test. I am totally bogged down with grading and emails. Since Covid, we are expected to have our assignments online but teach face to face now and/or have multiple modalities (I am teaching two modalities now). That means much more grading and no extra compensation, because even hybrid and face to face courses have an online aspect. We are trying to figure out what adult students want, but the truth is that every population is diverse. That is why we need so many different modalities: asynchronous, synchronous, hybrid, face to face courses. I grade late into the evening at least 3 days a week (sometimes 10 pm if I have meetings during the day). I do this to ensure that students get their work back in a timely manner. I make comments on every post, for example, so they can learn where there are gaps and modify their assignments. But, there may come a time when I just can’t respond to every post. There is only so much time in a day. And, frankly, I am trying to have a better work-life balance. Work tends to take over my life.
If we really care about MassEducate and student success, I feel it’s important to recognize that Community College educators have been invisible. We do important work. And we are the backbone of MassEducate. It could not happen without us. And, it is a crucial time, with so many teachers leaving the profession.
For me, I take on extra work (at least in part) because I work with amazing colleagues that I want to help. And, if they ask…I will usually say YES! I’m not unusual in this respect. But staff workloads have increased, and students can’t always reach someone to answer their questions. Some adjunct faculty can’t hold office hours, because they have to run to the next school or campus (Bristol has four campuses) to teach. That means full-time faculty are trying to help students make contact with other areas of the college more often. Bristol has a Women’s Center, a Veterans Center, an Honors Program, mental health services, just to name a few… I personally have a holistic view: a hungry student (or homeless student) can’t learn. We meet our students where they are.
Lastly, I believe the work I do matters, and that I have made a positive impact on students’ lives for 25 years. I am proud of my students. Community Colleges have been misunderstood for a long time. The stereotypes are lessening but not gone. And MassEducate shows that.
I appreciate that you’ve read this letter and I hope my love for learning is apparent. Thank you!