Living Up to Our New Tagline
Living Up to Our New Tagline
Greetings,
I won’t bury the lede: Please register right now for our all-member webinar at 7:30 p.m., Thursday, April 10. We will discuss the latest attacks on public education, educators and our students, and lay out a plan of action for building the fight back and the fight forward for the rest of April and leading up to May Day (May 1), International Workers’ Day, when we take action in concert with unions and progressive organizations across the country.
Join us by registering now. It's so important, Deb and I made a video urging you to attend!
As dire as this moment is – there is no sugarcoating the wave of attacks on public education – this past weekend was packed with uplifting, even joyful, moments of solidarity. So many of you attended the April 5 Hands Off march in Boston and in Worcester, Pittsfield, and a dozen other cities and towns across the Commonwealth. And we then headed out to Southbridge for a day and a half of learning and power-building with our ESP members at the ESP Conference. The fight for living wages and a full voice in our public schools and colleges continues, building on the successes over the past several years. ESPs have been changing the MTA.
We are becoming, I am proud to say, “a diverse union of education workers,” as our new tagline states.
MTA Events, Opportunities, and Solidarity Actions
Speak out at Graduation Council’s Public Hearing
When: Thursday, April 10, 5-7 p.m.
Where: Taunton High School, 50 Williams St., Taunton
Governor Healey’s graduation council is tasked with exploring what Massachusetts students should know and be able to do before they graduate, and it’s crucial that educators, students and parents share their opinions. Council members need to hear directly from you – the experts. Please come prepared to speak at these events. Register for the first forum at 5 p.m., this Thursday, April 10, in Taunton.
Additional forums are scheduled in May and June in Worcester, Somerville, Holyoke, Barnstable and online. Visit the MTA’s testing page to get the full list and sign up to attend.
Community Forum on What’s Next Following Question 2
When: Wednesday, April 30, 6 p.m.
Where: Cambridge Rindge and Latin School, 459 Broadway Ct., Cambridge
Citizens for Public Schools, in cooperation with other education organizations, is organizing a series of public forums where parents, teachers, students and others can come together to discuss what’s next following the end of the MCAS graduation requirement. The first session is at Cambridge Rindge and Latin School. Learn more.
"Shift Happens" Book Discussion with Author J. Albert Mann
When: Wednesday, April 9, 4-5:30 p.m.
Where: Virtual
Join us for a virtual book club featuring a charming young adult book perfect for learning and teaching U.S. labor history. The author will lead the discussion and share resources for educators, including an NCSS outline to accompany the book. Borrow your free copy of "Shift Happens" in ebook or audiobook format (free to MTA members on the MTA library in Libby using your MTA member number to log in). Learn more and register.
Have you ever wanted to present at an MTA Conference or event? Training & Professional Learning is always looking to feature the work of our members at our events. The easiest way to find out when there are speaking opportunities is to add yourself to the MTA Facilitator Database. We are looking for presenters in any and all subject areas for educators in preK-12 and Higher Ed.
Civic Engagement Summit
When: Tuesday, April 15, 5-7 p.m.
Where: Carney Family Auditorium, UMass Amherst College of Education
How should Massachusetts public schools prepare the next generation for civic engagement and responsibility? Sign up to attend a Civic Summit at the UMass Amherst Center for Education Policy, led by MTA member Jack Schneider.
National Library Week
It’s National Library Week and Monday was – but every day should be – Right to Read Day. Check out these resources and support your school, college and public libraries.
Political Education
This past weekend was our annual ESP Conference, where we honored our ESP of the Year, Katie Monteiro from Weymouth, and engaged in dialogue with one of our members, UMass Boston professor Nick Juravich, who spoke about his important new book, “Para Power: How Paraprofessional Labor Changed Education.” The book details how ESPs first organized in the 1970s. A book group, led by the ESP Committee, will start on May 1 and run every Thursday until June 12. To join, please email MTAESP@massteacher.org.
In Solidarity,
Max and Deb