There’s something for everyone at MTA’s virtual Summer Conference

There’s something for everyone at MTA’s virtual Summer Conference


The MTA Summer Conference is off to a great start, with hundreds of participants already signed up for union skills and leadership sessions, professional development courses and special events that will be held over the next several weeks.

There’s something for everyone — and it’s all free! Because this year’s Summer Conference is being held virtually as a result of the coronavirus crisis, registration is a la carte. There’s no need to sign up for a full multiday conference or pay an associated fee.

“Educating our young people in ways that address racism is incredibly important, as is pushing back against a narrative of austerity at a time when full funding and proper staffing are absolutely vital.”

MTA President Merrie Najimy

You can choose just the single-session workshops that are most intriguing to you — or sign up for a track with several meeting dates! Please check back frequently for updates!

MTA President Merrie Najimy is encouraging all members to attend as many Summer Conference sessions as they can.

“This year’s Summer Conference will help our members connect the dots between what is happening nationally and what they care most about,” Najimy said. “Educating our young people in ways that address racism is incredibly important, as is pushing back against a narrative of austerity at a time when full funding and proper staffing are absolutely vital.”

In addition to signing up for professional development workshops and union leadership tracks, “come to a listening circle, hear a speaker, attend a movie night,” she added.

“Nothing could be more relevant,” Najimy said. “Well-informed members build powerful unions.”

Here are just a few Summer Conference highlights:

Join a Listening Circle! “Affinity Circle for White People: How to Become an Anti-Racist” will be held on Thursday, July 9, from 10 to 11:30 a.m. “Affinity Circle for People of Color” will be held on Tuesday, July 14, from 10 to 11:30 a.m.

Learn about “Health and Safety Issues during COVID-19” with the MTA Environmental Health and Safety Committee on Wednesday, July 15, from 6:30 to 8 p.m.

Challenge yourself with “Courageous Conversations: Pilot Project in Racial Justice and Critical Pedagogy,” a series of three sessions starting on Friday, July 31.

Movie Nights:

  • 13th, Thursday, July 16, from 6 to 8:30 p.m. This documentary explores the intersection of race, justice and mass incarceration in the United States. Filmmaker Ava DuVernay examines the prison-industrial complex and the emerging detention-industrial complex, discussing how much money is being made by corporations in the “incarceration industry.”
  • Pushout, Thursday, Aug. 13, from 6 to 8:30 p.m. This feature-length documentary takes a deep dive into the lives of Black girls and the practices, cultural beliefs and policies that disrupt one of the most important factors in girls’ lives. This event is hosted by ALANA Educators and co-sponsored by the Task Force on Race and the MTA Training and Professional Learning Committee. A discussion will follow.

Remember to visit massteacher.org/summer to see the many other programs and workshops are available to MTA members and sign up.