In response to Mayor Eric Adams’ off-hand remark on March 18 that educators should be included in a cellphone ban: 

As an itinerant educator, my phone is necessary because we don’t have an office number. Working with students who are deaf and hard of hearing, my phone is used for work. I have used it to provide closed captioning for students, parents and co-workers. I use it to simulate background noise when testing the functioning of an FM unit. I’ve also downloaded the apps to adjust the volume on a couple of students’ hearing aids. Cellphones aren’t just used for personal use. In fact, I don’t even get compensated for using my phone when the DOE should provide itinerants with phones.

Melanie Marcial, teacher, District 75
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