Protecting Public Education & Retirement Security
Protecting Public Education & Retirement Security
Greetings, MTA members,
As we move forward in this very difficult time, we will be fighting against the terrible actions coming from Washington D.C., while also fighting for what our schools and colleges need.
On Tuesday at the State House, about a hundred members from MTA, AFT and BTU gathered to make the case for finally allowing thousands of teachers hired before July 1, 2001 to join the RetirementPlus program. Through no fault of their own, our members, including many who were on maternity leave, did not get enrolled in RetirementPlus and are now having to work years beyond when they would have had a chance to retire. At the end of December we came close to winning – the bill had passed the House and was waiting for a vote in the Senate. We need to push for this to move to passage quickly in the new year. For updates, visit massteacher.org/retirementplus.
And yesterday, MTA higher ed members joined other unions as part of the Higher Education Labor United’s National Day of Action. This is a new coalition that includes virtually all the major unions, with members on higher education campuses throughout the country. We have to oppose the federal research funding cuts, the attacks on DEI and threats to free speech. Yesterday was about refusing to obey in advance to illegal and destructive actions by the Trump administration.
Look out for more messages about upcoming actions and ways to fight back.
On Feb. 10, Lexington social studies teacher Jessica Antoline and I spoke to the state’s Special Commission on Combatting Antisemitism. The commission hearing unfortunately turned into a prosecution of MTA members, leaders and staff regarding our union’s efforts to provide resources for members to better understand the conflict in the Middle East. The hearing led to a week of misinformation and political grandstanding by some legislators. I addressed these concerns in a letter to legislators sent this week, and reiterated actions that MTA is taking to monitor resources about the crisis in the Middle East.We will not let this become a distraction from the important work we need to accomplish as public education comes under ever-increasing attacks.
MTA Events and Additional Information
Passing of State Rep. Carol Doherty
Over the weekend, we learned of the passing of state Rep. Carol Doherty, a dedicated unionist and a lifelong champion for public education. Carol began her career as an elementary school teacher and guidance counselor. In 1980, MTA educators elected Carol as president, where she served two terms. Please read our full statement here on Carol’s legacy and unwavering commitment to public education and the working class. Per Carol’s office, funeral arrangements will be on Friday, Feb. 28, from 1-7 p.m. at the Crapo-Hathaway Funeral Home in Taunton.
Actions Taken at the February MTA Board of Directors Meeting
To help members be more fully engaged with the work of the Board of Directors and the Executive Committee, we are posting an “Actions” document summarizing actions taken by the Board or Executive Committee at the most recent meeting. Actions taken by the MTA Board of Directors at the meeting on February 7-8 can be found here.
Fiscal Crisis Action Teams: February Kickoff
When: Monday, Feb. 24, at 5 p.m.
Where: Virtual
Join MTA members, parents, students, community activists and municipal leaders from across the Commonwealth as we take strategic action to win legislative and budgetary fixes to the growing fiscal crisis impacting public schools and colleges. Register here.
MTA Benefits Webinar: Retirement Planning
When: Tuesday, Feb. 25, 4:30 p.m.
Where: Virtual
Learn why it’s never too early – or too late – to begin saving for retirement, and how you can get started right away. Register now.
MTA Benefits Webinar: Credit Scores and Common Mistakes
When: Thursday, March 6, 4:30 p.m.
Where: Virtual
Discover how to effectively manage your credit debt and learn about some common credit mistakes. Register now.
Support Immigrant Families
When: Saturday, February 22 at 12:00 p.m.
Where: Howland-Green Library, New Bedford
Our partners at New Bedford Coalition to Save Our Schools are hosting a community meeting to support and safeguard immigrant students and their families. Topics will include organizing to hold school districts, local government, and state agencies accountable. Attendees will break into working groups to organize around several key initiatives. If possible, please bring a laptop or tablet. Learn more here and RSVP by emailing nbcsos2018@gmail.com.
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.
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 Climate Action Task Force and Massachusetts Society of Professors. Register here.
ESP Conference
Where: Wellsworth Hotel, Southbridge
When: April 5 and 6
Registration for the Education Support Professionals Conference is now open! This year’s conference has an all-new location and schedule. Join fellow ESPs for a plenary with Nick Juravich, MTA member and author of “Para Power: How Paraprofessional Labor Changed Education.” Enjoy great workshops and join us for a special dinner as we honor MTA’s ESP of the Year. Learn more and register.
Licensure Basics for ESPs (part of the Licensure Workshop Series)
Where: Virtual
When: Wednesday, Feb. 26, 7 - 8:30 p.m.
Looking to get your first Massachusetts 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 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 experiences as an ESP toward the requirements. Learn more and register.
Early Career Educators Conference/Higher Education Conference
Where: DCU Center, Worcester
When: Saturday, March 1
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. Registration for both conferences is now open.
2025 HCR Award Nominations
The MTA Human Relations Committee is soliciting nominations for the 2025 MTA Human and Civil Rights Awards, which honor individuals and groups for showing extraordinary dedication to civil rights and human relations. The awards will be presented at a celebration on Sunday, July 27. To access the nomination form, please visit massteacher.org/hcr. The deadline to submit nominations is April 21. If you have any questions, please email Jennifer Freeling, director of the Division of Governance and Administration, or Olivia Osiecki, executive assistant to the President, VP and EDT, at MTAGovernance@massteacher.org.
Political Education
Senator Ed Markey joined higher ed members yesterday to talk about the fightback against Trump’s attacks on public education. He noted what we need to make clear to everyone: The funding cuts across all of the federal government are designed to justify a trillion-dollar tax cut for rich people. That’s the “plot,” as Senator Markey told our members.
Tax cuts for rich individuals and corporations will undermine our schools and colleges, and bring misery to millions, as the Economic Policy Institute describes in this report.
In solidarity,
Max and Deb