WHITE PLAINS — Jaynean Austin has more than 20 years’ experience as a teaching assistant under her belt, but an opportunity through our union to earn her associate degree has helped take her skills to a higher level.
Austin, a CSEA White Plains School District Unit member in Westchester County, earned her degree in early childhood education from Eastern Gateway Community College (EGCC) through the AFSCME Free College Benefit, which allows CSEA members and their eligible family members to earn a college degree and certifications at no cost to the member.
With previous college credits factored in and the flexibility of the online program at EGCC, Austin was able to complete her degree in just three semesters while working full time and maintaining a part-time second job.
“For CSEA members looking to enhance their lives and further their careers, this is the perfect opportunity,” said Austin. “I encourage other members to take advantage of what is offered to us through our union, so you don’t become stagnant and stay in one place. You don’t have to stop working to continue your education. I did both and was able to do it in a timely manner.”
Not only was the opportunity to earn a degree at no cost a draw for Austin, she also appreciated the fact that online learning at EGCC allowed to her to continue classes even when real-life hurdles arose.
“It really was a lot more flexible than being in the classroom,” said Austin. “My mother wound up in the hospital with some procedures that needed to be done. She didn’t want me to miss class and I wasn’t going to not be there for her. While she was in the operating room, I was in the waiting room taking an exam. If I’d been doing traditional in-person learning, I would have had to miss classes and wouldn’t have passed.”
Austin complimented the staff at EGCC, saying the college’s academic advisors helped ensure her prior college credits were applied toward her degree, and that professors were always available and responsive when she had questions.
While Austin completed her degree before the COVID-19 pandemic, she said what she learned in her classes has maximized her effectiveness as a teaching assistant working in a hybrid learning environment.
“With this program helping me to better understand certain things, especially the latest educational lingo, I am able to more effectively carry out the teachers’ lesson plans,” said Austin. “I know how to push the kids forward. I know how to break things up, so if a student isn’t understanding something, I know how to simplify it. I can also communicate more effectively with the teachers about the students’ needs.”
Those skills are especially important as students adjust to online learning. While teachers carry out lesson plans, Austin will often go into a separate video conference “breakout room” with students needing extra help reinforcing certain skills.
Seeing the results in her own career, Austin said the AFSCME Free College Benefit is a great option for anyone wanting to start or finish a degree program.
“It always seemed like every time I was enrolled in in-person classes, something happened with my family and I had to stop,” Austin said. “This time, things were happening, but it was a matter of taking my iPad along with me.”
— Jessica Ladlee
