I thought I'd share with you my husband's story. My husband’s name is Bill Metz. Eighteen years ago, when we had our first child, we came to the conclusion that one of us would give up our job and stay home to take care of our son. We ultimately decided that my husband would be the one to stay home.
Over the years, as our two kids got older and started to attend school, Bill went to work at our school district – Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake -- and became certified as a teachers assistant. Due to school budget cuts, his position was done away with and he was told the only other available position was that of playground monitor. Playground monitors make very little money and the hours are spread out throughout the day. Frankly, I came to the conclusion it wasn't worth his effort, but Bill decided to try it anyway.
I am now so glad he did. The first-through fifth-graders at Stevens Elementary School - LOVE him. Just in the last few months, he assisted several little kids who were choking; helped get assistance for another little girl who passed out on the playground; and has given the school nurse/counselor a "heads up" for several other kids who shared stories with him that may need further attention.
At every holiday and at the end of the school year, he receives the cutest thank-you notes from the kids. They sometimes see him in the grocery store or at a community event and they make it a point to yell out “Hey - Mr. Metz!” I guess I just wanted to share my husband's story because, while it isn’t the most important job in the school district, he has made a difference in a lot of kid’s lives and I'm proud of him for it.
-- Lynette Metz
(Bill Metz is a member of CSEA’s local of school-related professionals at the Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake School District in Saratoga County. His wife, Lynette, is NYSUT’s director of Member Benefits.)