MTA Today - Summer 2018

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.