WASHINGTON – On Monday, substitute teachers in the district protested for higher wages, benefits and professional development outside of Mayor Bowser’s office.
“Mayor Bowser, you’ve been really disrespecting the substitute teachers. You have a large surplus in your coffers right now. It’s time to make it right.”
Bowser announced a $2 wage increase from $15.20 to $17 in mid-January following protests from substitute teachers. She later announced another raise of $20 an hour for short-term substitutes and $25 for long-term substitutes.
“It’s more than a pay raise,” said Myrtle Washington, President of Washington Substitute Teachers United, a DC substitute teachers union. “We deserve better. We deserve respect.”
Immigration and demographics reporter Jenny Huh also contributed to this report.
Watch the video report here:
