Recently a Newton teacher who “wants to give to her students all of the love and everything she received as a Newton student” tried to live here — to be in her students’ town of Newton. The rents she found were from $ 3,000 to $3,700. Impossible for her to afford, she began to wonder if she was more like the hired help than part of a network — or a team — of partners that parents rely on to support the raising of their children. And is she a member of the community?
Our teachers, social workers, pastors and so many of the helpers for our Newton children have Not been provided the opportunity to obtain housing they need and can afford. The stories of teachers and other renters in Newton came to life at The Monologue Project production. (Sponsored by Newton Theater and UCHAN) The housing shortage in Newton impacts each of us.
Why did she want to live in Newton? Because of the possibility of seeing her student at an event, the chance to run into a parent for a quick check in, and other wonderful reasons that extend teacher impact on our children.
Affordable housing in Newton: We have work to do. We need more homes so people like our teachers and pastors, and others we are relying on, may have a chance to live here, too.
Nancy Zollers
