Teachers Deserve More and so do Our Students

Teachers Deserve More and so do Our Students

Natalie Winslow, M.A.
5 years at MCC
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My name is Natalie Winslow, and I am an adjunct.  I obtained my master’s degree in 1992 with the certainty that I would receive a full-time position in my field.  As it proved not to be quite as easy as I thought, I joined the Peace Corps and served for two years to get some experience.  Upon my return I found myself in a nightmarish situation of working for three or four different academic institutions, private institutions, businesses and tutoring.  From semester to semester, I never knew which classes would “go” and which would be cancelled. I, therefore, accepted more than I could handle. The result was that students’ education suffered.  I was working up to 70 hours a week to make – at the most- $40,000 a year. I had to pay for my own benefits and return money to my employer if I was sick.

I’ve been doing this for a long time now.  I can no longer work for multiple colleges as I am completely enervated.  I now dedicate my time to Macomb. It is not a living wage, and my son and I qualify for Medicaid and other subsidies.  

Honestly, I ask you.  Is this how teachers should be treated?  

I still put 110% into every lesson because I am a professional.  I give my students what they deserve, so why doesn’t Macomb Community College give their adjunct teachers what they deserve?