Her daughter thrives in special education. That’s why mom supports striking staff

Ariel, left, plants a kiss on the head of her mother, Sophia Foster. Photo by David Pierini

By David Pierini, Editor

Sophia Foster usually goes to work each day knowing her daughter Ariel, 16, will be loved and cared for by the dedicated special education staff at North High School.

But the ongoing educators’ strike has forced the single mom to bring her daughter to work and take on a frantic juggling act to meet the demands of the workplace and the needs of a daughter with severe developmental disabilities.

Who could blame Foster for being upset with teachers walking out? But Foster wants people to know she supports the strike despite the struggle it has created for her. 

“It’s rough, it really is, but by the grace of God, I’m making it happen,” said Foster, who asked North News not to identify her occupation. “I am proud of the teachers. I’m glad they’re sticking to their guns. I can’t imagine being at home trying to teach her and taking care of her and I’m her parent. They do it every day for her. 

“I’m willing to do whatever because they deserve everything they are asking for.”

All special education services, including homebound programs, were canceled when teachers walked off the job on March 8. A school’s special education staff tends to students with a variety of emotional, cognitive and physical disabilities that require staff to help with schoolwork, communication and relationship skills and a variety of physical needs. 

North High has 20 students in programs for Development Cognitive Disabilities and Autism Spectrum Disorder. There are three teachers and 10 educational support professionals who serve those students.

Pay increases are at the top of the striking workers’ demands. ESPs, considered invaluable by the teachers they assist, are paid less than teachers and are seeking a more livable wage. 

“We do not have the finances to expand the cost of our contract proposal,” said MPS Board Treasurer Kimberly Caprini. “We’ve been thinking about creative ways we can compromise, but we have reached our financial limitations.”

Foster’s daughter has severe cerebral palsy, autism and epilepsy. She wears diapers and is in need of frequent changes. Ariel sometimes hits herself and can be aggressive when she is frustrated, but teachers have worked to reduce the frequency, says her mother.

The staff has worked to improve her speech and was teaching her sign language before the strike.  Foster said her daughter thrives at North.

When she first enrolled her daughter, the staff asked Foster to come to a class to go over Ariel’s unique needs and demonstrate how best to help her daughter move and be properly changed.

“They were willing to learn everything,” Foster said. “All the patience and dedication they put into trying to teach our children so that they can grow up. It’s a lot they have to endure every day. And they do it proudly.”

With all of Ariel’s challenges, the people entering her orbit are treated to a sunny greeting. She blows kisses with a loud smack.

Foster can’t keep track of all the times in a day her daughter says “I love you, mom.” 

“God gave me a beautiful daughter,” she said.