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First Start

MAAC Staff

October 2002
by Richard Bermack

Marvin Valverde,
Bus Driver and Chapter President

Marvin Valverde drives kids to and from Head Start and takes them on field trips and to special programs. He also teaches the kids about bus safety and what to do in case of an accident. He teaches them how to behave on the bus and to treat each other with respect.

Valverde has worked for Head Start for six years and is the MAAC Chapter president. Last year was a rough year for the agency, but the union was able to make a difference. “Last year we had a lot of empty positions. It was really crazy. The starting pay for teachers was so low that people would come to interviews, and when they found out what they would earn, they wouldn’t take the position,” Valverde explains. “We negotiated better pay and benefits, and now we are fully staffed and have openings only when people move. We are doing pretty good so far because of what we negotiated.”

Another important gain was split shift pay differential for bus drivers. There were drivers who would pick up their bus at 6:30 a.m., work their morning shifts, and have to wait several hours until their next shift, and then finally drive the kids home. They might not drop off their last kid until 5:45 p.m. The union negotiated an extra $100 differential if there are more than nine-and-a-half hours between the starting and ending times.

Julia Alfaro, Site Director, San Marcos Center

“I used to be a teacher, but with the benefit of the union contract, I was able to go back to school, take supervising and child development classes, and get my master teaching center permit.

“I have two children of my own who went to Head Start. My youngest has Down syndrome, and after going to Head Start he began walking and imitating sounds. We are bilingual and speak Spanish at home. He was able to get the language and primary language. Now he is very social and we are very thankful.

“Our other son is doing great also. He had asthma and was very shy, but at school the teachers were very patient and made sure he took his medication. He learned to be social and is now more independent and outgoing. He is in the eighth grade and is now a B student. Our middle son never went to Head Start and now he is struggling. We have seen what a difference attending the program makes.”

Aurora Aguilar, Head Start Co-Teacher

“I enjoy sharing the kids’ experiences and helping them to grow up. On the playground we teach them to share the ball and cooperate with each other. My sister-in-law’s nephew went to Head Start and he developed social skills. He used to fight a lot with his sister, and now when she tries to fight with him he talks with her and appeals to her to solve the problem. He also learned good manners.”

Aguilar’s parents were field workers in Mexico before they moved to the United States. Her father now works in a machine factory. “I feel really blessed to be in a country where parents can give a better life to their children, and children have opportunities,” Aguilar says. “It is rewarding when you come from another country and succeed and are able to contribute something back. I’m very grateful.”