My Turn
Harford County Media Technician Beth Kowalchek
Meet Beth Kowalchek, a media technician at Havre de Grace and Meadowvale elementary schools in Harford County. She’s a skilled paraeducator and media technician and an avid reader. She’s a member of her union, the Harford County Education Association, and is currently a year-round organizer for MSEA’s ESP Bill of Rights.
After several years of volunteering at my children’s elementary school, the principal suggested that given my frequent presence I should consider working there. I followed his advice, and after a year of substituting, I began my first of what would be eight years and two paraeducator positions in the kindergarten classroom. That was over 30 years ago.
Throughout my career, I took time off to further my education and attend to family responsibilities but always found my way back to Harford County Public Schools. I spent seven years working with at-risk students—the most challenging and rewarding phase of my career. Whenever I had a free moment, I assisted in the school library, which led me to my current position. For the last 12 years, I have shared my passion for reading as an elementary school media technician.
There is nothing more fulfilling than helping a student find the “just right” book or fostering a love for reading. As a student, I had the opportunity to assist in my school libraries, so in many ways I feel that I have come full circle.
The same can be said for my involvement in the union. Initially, my support was a bit complacent. But in 2018, a significant event changed my perspective. Our board of education cut media technician positions, requiring those remaining to serve two schools—doubling the responsibilities without additional compensation. This reignited the activist in me. I came to realize that the work of support staff was easily overlooked or misunderstood and that our value to the system was not fully recognized.
This prompted me to return to our union and it was only a matter of time before I became a building representative. I attended MSEA’s Summer Leadership Conference and realized the impact of our union. That inspired me to take on a greater role promoting the principles of MSEA’s ESP Bill of Rights as a year-round organizer (YRO).
As a YRO, my goal is to raise awareness of the ESP Bill of Rights, gain endorsements, increase membership, and ensure that ESPs feel seen and heard. I consistently hear that under the broad scope of flexible responsibilities and additional duties as assigned, we increasingly feel disrespected and dehumanized. I responded by launching the ESP of the Week program at one of my two schools. Each week, a different ESP is featured on a lobby billboard and in morning announcements and receives a daily token of appreciation and a framed certificate. The response has been overwhelmingly positive.
Ultimately, ESPs are the backbone of the school system. We are the individuals who assist with student instruction, tend to their health, ensure they are nourished, transport them to school, and maintain clean, safe buildings. Just like the ESP Bill of Rights states, that one job should be enough.