MTA Today - Winter 2016

Obituaries
Mary E. Anderson, 76, of
Warren, Ohio, formerly of Brockton.

Taught fourth grade for 32 years in the Brockton Public Schools before retiring in 1998. Nov. 18.

Stephen M. Clark, 66, of Jamaica Plain. Served as a project manager in the Department of Professional and Continuing Education at Massachusetts College of Art and Design and coordinated partner relationships with cooperating institutions. Aug. 2.

Gerald E. Dlouhy, 84, of Dartmouth. Was a history and economics teacher at New Bedford High School for several years and then served as Southeastern regional manager for the MTA. Nov. 13.

Carmella P. Farina, 95, of Braintree. Was an elementary school teacher for the Braintree Public Schools for 40 years. Oct. 29.

Morrison G. Ferrier, 79, of
Ludlow. Taught for four years at South
Hadley High School and then taught
at Longmeadow High School for 31
years. Nov. 21.

Sheila F. Johnson, 74, of West Boylston. Taught in the Worcester Public Schools for many years.

Oct. 27.

James F. Rice, 74, of Worcester.

Was professor emeritus of English
at Quinsigamond Community
College, retiring in 2013 after 44
years. Was active in a number of
organizations including the MTA,
NEA, Massachusetts Community
College Council and National Council
for Higher Education. Served as
president of the MCCC and NCHE.

Dec. 16.

Michael Williamson, 71, of Hall County, Georgia, formerly of Brockton. Was a teacher and counselor for the North Middlesex Regional School District in Townsend until his retirement in 2001. Nov. 2.

“quality education and support
for all — teachers and students,
prekindergarten through age 21.”
At another table, the discussion
turned to the types of actions that get a
community’s attention.

Norene Gachignard, who teaches nursing at North Shore Community College, noted that her neighbors and students had let her know they supported Massachusetts Community College Council members struggling to win a fair contract. Their consciousness was raised when MCCC members decided to stand along the side of Route 1 holding signs on chilly November days, she said.

Deborah Gesualdo of the Malden Education Association said that due to a budget crisis, her district almost lost a music program. When students became aware that their teachers were making picket signs, they were moved to advocacy. The program was saved largely because of the students’ involvement, Gesualdo said.

Lisa Donovan, a member of the Melrose Education Association, agreed that combined efforts are crucial. “If you get the students involved, ultimately the parents get involved,” she said. The first priority at Donovan’s table was economic inequality. Members discussed health care, funding for public education and pensions for public-sector workers.

Donovan said the participants
agreed that “you need to make the
message more personal.”
“We also need to teach colleagues
about labor history,” she said. “That
knowledge will help them to be more
engaged.”