The Massachusetts Teachers Association
2 Heritage Drive, 8th Floor
Quincy, MA 02171-2119
800.392.6175 or 617.878.8000
FAX: 617.742.7046
www.massteacher.org
A talk with the MTA’s new leaders 3
Editorial: Taking back our schools and colleges 4
Members are honored for teaching excellence 4
Summer Conference serves as a call to action 5
Members go all out for All In initiative 6
Unions stay strong after Janus ruling 7
Human and civil rights leaders are honored 8
Commentary: Reconnecting with the ‘human element of teaching’ 9
Funding is still top priority after decision on Fair Share Amendment 10
ESPs inspire growth of school gardens 11
Regional retirement consultations available 11
EMAC Conference is set for December 7-8 13
Early Career Educators Conference to be held on November 17 15
Classifieds;17
MTA Retired Gathering is scheduled for September 24-25 19
Members get complimentary life insurance 21
Watch for gift card giveaways 21
MTA;Benefits;makes;travel;easy;21
Benefits;&;Discount;Directory;is;full;of;deals;for;members;21
Family membership category expands 21
Obituaries 22
Activism by members produces settlements for some higher ed units 24
IN THIS ISSUE
M TA TODAY, ISSN 08982481, is published
quarterly by the Massachusetts Teachers
Association. Subscription: $2.67 of MTA
members’ dues is designated for MTA Today.
Periodicals postage rates paid at Boston, MA,
and at additional offices. POSTMASTER: Send
address changes to: MTA Today, 2 Heritage
Drive, 8th Floor, Quincy, MA 02171-2119.
Copyright ©2018 by the Massachusetts Teachers
Association. All material in this periodical may
be reproduced by educators for distribution to
students or by affiliate associations for their
own publications. Unless expressly stated,
acceptance of advertising does not necessarily
imply endorsement of the product by MTA or
M TA Benefits.
MTA’S MISSION STATEMENT
The Massachusetts Teachers
Association is a member-driven
organization, governed by democratic
principles, that accepts and supports
the interdependence of professionalism
and unionism. The MTA promotes
the use of its members’ collective
power to advance their professional
and economic interests. The MTA is
committed to human and civil rights and
advocates for quality public education in
an environment in which lifelong learning
and innovation flourish.
MTA President
Merrie Najimy
MTA Vice President
Max Page
Executive Director-Treasurer
Ann Clarke
Publisher
Ann Clarke
Communications Director/Editor
James Sacks
Staff Assistant
Janice Morrissey
Graphic Designer
Joshua Degregorio
Quote-Unquote
“I don’t want to get separated from
my daughter. She’s everything that I have,
and I’m everything that she has.”
— Patricia Carvajal, an immigrant from Honduras,
speaking to WBUR during a rally
in Boston protesting family separation
ON THE COVER
Theresa Pietrzykowski, a
paraeducator in the Holyoke
Public Schools, left, talked to
Sumayya Ghalaini, center, a
paraeducator in West Springfield,
and Amy Herring, a teacher in
Palmer, about
the importance
of sticking with
the union. The
conversation
was among
thousands that
took place in
recent weeks as
MTA summer organizers fanned
out to speak with members and
nonmembers about the need
to be All In following the U.S.
Supreme Court’s anti-union
Janus v. AFSCME decision. You’ll
find articles about organizing in
the post-Janus era throughout
this edition of MTA Today. In
an interview featured on Page
3, the MTA’s new leaders,
President Merrie Najimy and Vice
President Max Page, discuss their
backgrounds and their vision for
the future.
Cover photos by Chris Christo and Laura Barrett
Cover design by Joshua Degregorio
This edition also includes the MTA’s 2018 Primary
Election Guide. The primary is set for Sept. 4.
Do you know an Education Support Professional who is creative and innovative,
a tireless worker who stands up for union rights? If so, consider nominating him
or her for the 2019 MTA ESP Award. The award will be presented at the MTA
ESP Conference, which will be held April 5-6 in North Falmouth.
NOMINATIONS ARE DUE NOVEMBER 16
To fill out or download the nomination form, visit:
2019