Defending Public Schools Starts Now
Defending Public Schools Starts Now
Greetings, MTA members,
NEA members and allies rallied this afternoon in Washington, DC against the appointment of yet another unqualified, scandal-ridden nominee to the Cabinet, Linda McMahon as U.S. Secretary of Education.
I was proud to stand with U.S. Sen. Ed Markey Monday at the 1806 African Meeting House on Beacon Hill, where he declared he would vote NO on her nomination because McMahon has refused to answer simple questions such as: ‘Will you support the dissolution of the Department of Education? ‘Will you gut funding for students with disabilities?’ ‘Will you destroy Title I funds to support low-income students?’ ‘Will you eliminate civil rights protections for our most marginalized students?’ ‘Will you privatize student loans to allow companies to profiteer off our young people trying to get a college education?’ These are answers any person who believes in public education could answer easily with a resounding ‘No!’ She refused.
Please see the following links to resources, as well as upcoming training sessions, so we can respond to the unfolding travesties – and determine the way we will fight back to defend our public schools and colleges.
MTA Actions, Opportunities and Events
MCAS Local Requirement Victory
Frontier Regional educators and community members were successful in preventing the MCAS being imposed as a local high school graduation requirement, a strategy by those seeking to undermine our Question 2 victory. Please keep us informed about any such efforts in your area.
Immigration Issues in Higher Education
Where: Virtual
When: Thursday, Feb. 13, 6 p.m.
The NEA will host a webinar Thursday on immigration issues in higher education. The webinar is intended for NEA members and union staff, and tailored specifically for colleges and universities, providing critical guidance on navigating immigration issues unique to higher education settings. Gain insights on how to mitigate the negative impacts of recent executive orders and policy changes that pose risks to educators and students alike. Register here. In addition, new guidance provided by the NEA on immigration issues specific to higher ed is posted on our resources page.
Know Your Rights for K-12 Schools & Educators
Where: Virtual
When: Friday, Feb. 14, 9:30 a.m.
This training by Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition is intended for those working in Massachusetts K-12 schools, including teachers, counselors and administrators. It will cover basic Know Your Rights information, rights in interactions with immigration enforcement – including when immigration comes to your home or stops you while driving – family preparedness, public charge and where to get legal help.
The training will also review recent guidance to K-12 schools issued by the Massachusetts Attorney General’s office and review best practices with regard to data sharing, responding to ICE presence or requests for information, and navigating conversations with immigrant students and their families. Register here.
Summer Conference 2025 - Propose a Workshop
Where: UMass Amherst
When: July 27-30
The theme of this year’s Summer Conference is Now More Than Ever. The Training & Professional Learning Division invites you to propose a 90-minute, three-hour, or 12-plus hour workshop at MTA’s largest annual gathering devoted to member education. Topics include anti-oppression education, professional and career development, union skills and leadership and community schools. Learn more and apply.
Revolutionizing Education – A Journal of Education Policy & Practice
The MTA has launched an open-access, peer-reviewed journal! Revolutionizing Education seeks to promote high-quality research that amplifies voices that are often marginalized in mainstream discourse. The journal is currently looking for members to submit articles and become peer reviewers. Learn more.
Winning the New Climate War
Where: UMass Amherst, Campus Center, Amherst Room
When: Friday, Feb. 21, 12 p.m.
Michael Mann, Ph.D., director of the Penn Center for Science, Sustainability and the Media at the University of Pennsylvania, will present a lecture on human-caused climate change and what people can do if they act now and boldly. The lecture is presented by the MTA and Massachusetts Society of Professors. Register here.
MTA Benefits Webinar on Retirement Planning
Where: Virtual
When: Tuesday, Feb. 25, 4:30 p.m.
Retirement planning at any age: It’s never too early – or too late – to start saving for retirement. Take control of your future and learn how to start saving in a way that makes sense for you, with simple strategies to make retirement planning more manageable. Register now.
ESP Conference - Apply for Scholarships
Where: Southbridge
When: April 5 and 6
Registration for the conference will open in mid-February, but members can nominate themselves or others for scholarships to cover the cost of the hotel room. Preference will be given to first-time participants.
Licensure Basics for ESPs (part of the Licensure Workshop Series)
Where: Virtual
When: Feb. 26, 7 - 8:30 p.m.
Are you looking to get your first MA educator license? We will review the general requirements for teacher licenses and how to start the application process. You don't need to hold a bachelor’s degree yet to start working on the requirements for a teaching license. This workshop will include how to search for educator preparation programs, testing requirements, working with ELAR and tips for transferring your professional experience as an ESP toward license requirements.
Early Career Educators Conference/Higher Education Conference
Where: Worcester
When: Saturday, March 1
Registration is now open. PreK-12 members in their first five years are invited to join the MTA New Members Committee for the Early Career Educators Conference. Filled with workshops to meet the needs of newer educators, ECEC is a great opportunity to gather together and learn.
Higher Ed members won’t want to miss the biannual Higher Education Conference. The day will start with a riveting panel, followed by workshops, planning time, a book club and all-new poster sessions.
RetirementPlus Lobby Day
Where: State House, Room 428
When: Tuesday, Feb. 18, 10:30 a.m.
Please come to support legislation that would provide teachers hired before July 1, 2001, with a new opportunity to join the RetirementPlus retirement system. Please click here to email your legislators to ask them to co-sponsor our bills which would provide a fair and clear pathway for teachers to have a new opportunity to join RetirementPlus. More information about this issue can be found here.
Political Education
We must use the courts at every turn because the Republican Party seems all too willing to give up its role as a check and balance, and is allowing President Trump to run rampant over the Constitution on almost a daily basis.
But we cannot expect the courts to save us, especially as they have been so undermined by the last Trump administration. Only the labor movement is powerful enough, especially if we find common cause with a wide range of groups, even those with whom we have not always seen eye to eye.
But it starts with our own unions. Here’s an important read.
In solidarity,
Max and Deb