UNION SOLIDARITY: AN UNBEATABLE FORCE - MEMBER ACTION WINS HEALTH CARE REVERSAL - Massachusetts Teachers Association
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MEMBER ACTION WINS HEALTH CARE REVERSAL
A publication of the Massachusetts Teachers Association
Volume 48, No. 3 / Winter 2018
UNION SOLIDARITY:
AN UNBEATABLE FORCE
“HONOR OUR OWN”
AWARD NOMINATIONS
IS THERE AN MTA NOW IS THE TIME TO RECOGNIZE FOR FURTHER INFORMATION,
MEMBER WHO: HIS OR HER CONTRIBUTION. E-MAIL OR WRITE:
■ E ncouraged you professionally or Bob Whalen, MTA
Nomination forms for the
personally? 2 Heritage Drive, 8th Floor | Quincy, MA 02171-2119
“Honor Our Own” Award
■ Fostered your involvement in the MTA? rwhalen@massteacher.org
are available at:
■ Mentored you as a beginning teacher? Completed nomination forms must be
massteacher.org/honorourown received by the MTA no later than June 1
■ Helped you as a student?
ON THE COVER
MTA’S MISSION STATEMENT Union solidarity is at the
The Massachusetts Teachers center of the MTA’s All In
IN THIS ISSUE Association is a member-driven membership effort. Members
of the Educational Association
organization, governed by democratic
of Worcester’s Instructional
GIC reverses course on carriers after uproar 3 principles, that accepts and supports
Assistants Negotiating Team used
Editorial: There are no certainties in this struggle 4 the interdependence of professionalism
key elements of the campaign
Baker’s budget proposal shortchanges public education 4 and unionism. The MTA promotes
during their long and ultimately
LOOK Act provides needed flexibility 5
the use of its members’ collective successful
power to advance their professional contract fight.
All In campaign empowers members 6
and economic interests. The MTA is Pictured from
‘Backpack Full of Cash’ screenings expose privatization effort 7
committed to human and civil rights and left to right are
EMAC Conference focuses on building trust and breaking through fear 8
advocates for quality public education in Teresa Kirdulis,
Diverse books are at heart of reading celebration 9 an environment in which lifelong learning Cindy Brownell,
MTA calls on DESE to monitor building health and safety issues 10 and innovation flourish. Chris Pescheta,
ESP Conference is a great opportunity to learn and network 11 Kathy Lucey
ESP Leadership Weekends: Strong leaders, strong locals 11 (standing in
Higher education advocacy day is set for March 5 12 MTA President back), Jackie
Barbara Madeloni Hackett (standing in front), Saul
Regional retirement consultations available 12
MTA Vice President Ramos, Theresa LaPriore and
MTA’s winter conference builds skills and bonds 13
Erik J. Champy Deborah Young. Team member
Statements by candidates for NEA Director seats 14-15
Lorraine Gibbs is not pictured.
A visiting student finds a warm welcome in Worcester 16 Executive Director-Treasurer
Coverage of the All In campaign
Ann Clarke
MTA Benefits: Umbrella insurance offers peace of mind 18 begins on Page 6. In another
Preconvention meetings to be held in April 19 Publisher recent victory, public-sector union
Riley chosen to serve as education commissioner 21 Ann Clarke members won reversal of the
MTA Chorus to perform at Annual Meeting of Delegates 23 Communications Director/Editor Group Insurance Commission’s
James Sacks decision to eliminate health care
Obituaries 25
options. Please see Page 3 for a
Classifieds 26 Staff Assistant
story on the GIC situation, which
Raise Up Massachusetts initiatives advance 28 Janice Morrissey
will call for continued action in
Graphic Designer the days ahead.
This edition also includes the Winter issue Joshua Degregorio
Cover photos by Chris Christo and Sarah Nathan
of The MTA Advantage Cover design by Joshua Degregorio
MTA TODAY, ISSN 08982481, is published
Quote-Unquote
quarterly by the Massachusetts Teachers
Association. Subscription: $2.79 of MTA
members’ dues is designated for MTA Today.
The Massachusetts Teachers Association
2 Heritage Drive, 8th Floor Periodicals postage rates paid at Boston, MA,
and at additional offices. POSTMASTER: Send
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Quincy, MA 02171-2119
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Drive, 8th Floor, Quincy, MA 02171-2119.
expectation of millions of public-sector employees
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www.massteacher.org Copyright ©2018 by the Massachusetts Teachers
that they can obtain the basic economic
Association. All material in this periodical may
be reproduced by educators for distribution to
opportunities provided by union representation.”
students or by affiliate associations for their
own publications. Unless expressly stated, — Emily Martin, general counsel and vice president
acceptance of advertising does not necessarily for education and workplace justice
imply endorsement of the product by MTA or
MTA Benefits. at the National Women’s Law Center
2 Winter 2018
GIC reverses course after uproar
Action by members leads to health care victory — but the fight continues
By Scott McLennan
I
ntense pressure applied by members of the
MTA and other public-sector unions has forced
the Group Insurance Commission to reverse its
recent decision to eliminate most of the insurance
carriers currently available to active and retired
employees.
The GIC voted on Feb. 1 to retain three carriers
that it had voted to eliminate for active employees:
Harvard Pilgrim Health Care, Fallon Health and
Tufts Health Plan.
“This is what union power is all about,”
said MTA President Barbara Madeloni. “We still
have work to do to make the GIC’s process more
democratic and transparent. And we still must
prevent harmful cost-shifting to members as the
GIC works on plan designs and rates. But because
so many members attended hearings and our rally or
made calls to elected officials, we were able to undo Above, hundreds of union members
a terrible decision that would have compromised the packed into the Boston Teachers
health care of hundreds of thousands of people.” Union Hall on Jan. 30 for a rally
Some retirees will still need to shift carriers against the Group Insurance
under the GIC’s revised scenario if their existing Commission’s plan to eliminate
health care carriers. At left, Roxbury
carrier did not bid to cover the particular insurance
Community College professor
pool to which they belong or failed to meet the
Kimberly Stieglitz was one of those
parameters of the bid. who energized the crowd. “This is
On Jan. 18, the GIC, which includes several what we need to do in 2018 — fight
members appointed by Governor Charlie Baker, for our rights,” she said. Outraged
voted 8-5 to eliminate more than half of the members also flooded both the
insurance carriers used by the 440,000 active and governor’s office and the GIC with
retired public employees who receive health care calls and e-mails. Union power
benefits through the commission and to shift the bulk prevailed, and the GIC voted on Feb.
of the business to Indiana-based UniCare. The five 1 to undo its initial decision.
labor representatives on the commission all voted Photos by Sarah Nathan and Laura Barrett
against the plan. They voiced anger over the fact that
they had received packets of information only hours face if forced to change insurance carriers — or, reversed course. In her remarks at the rally and in
before the vote and did not have sufficient time to worse, lose their doctors and access to the places testimony at a Senate oversight hearing held on Jan.
study the impact of such a drastic change. where they now receive care. 31, she criticized the lack of labor representation
Public-sector unions immediately assailed the “The GIC’s decision can affect people in a on the GIC and the agency’s existing process of
decision. Both active and retired employees flooded number of ways, none of them positive,” said Bonnie holding separate votes to determine carriers, plans
Baker’s office and the GIC with phone calls and Player, a member of the Framingham Teachers and rates.
e-mails calling out the attack on working families. Association who is undergoing cancer treatments. “This is absolutely outrageous,” she said. “Why
The GIC attempted to explain the decimation Andrew Baker, president of the Lexington do we have to fight for quality health care that we
of benefit options at a series of public hearings, but Education Association, described the plight of can afford?”
outrage grew as participating members learned that his best friend, a fellow educator whose daughter The MTA supports passage of legislation that
those hearings were often being held when most requires intensive ongoing care. would increase the number of labor seats on the
people were working — and that the hearings were “The history of the GIC is one of broken commission to balance the say of gubernatorial
taking place at venues that quickly filled to capacity, promises,” Baker said, noting that his friend is appointees.
leaving hundreds locked out. considering a move from Lexington to a school Timothy Sullivan, the MTA’s representative
The MTA and other public-sector unions held an district that does not use the GIC to provide insurance on the commission, forcefully made the point at
emergency rally on Jan. 30 at the Boston Teachers to its educators. “If this downward trend continues, the Feb. 1 GIC meeting that the commission must
Union Hall, where hundreds of members demanded municipalities will be the losers in the end.” change its process to allow for greater public input
J
action. More than a dozen elected officials attended and a sensible decision-making process.
the coalition event, and the message to them was ulia Monteiro Johnson, a member of the MTA Upcoming decisions by the GIC to set plan
clear: The process by which public employee health Retired Members Committee, said that retirees designs and rates are of immediate concern. The
care benefits are set is deeply flawed and must be simply no longer trust the GIC. “We are fighting commission was scheduled to take up those issues
changed. mad, and we are fighting back,” she said. within days as MTA Today went to press.
MTA members shared their health care stories at Madeloni framed the boundaries of that fight “This is no time to let up the pressure,”
the rally, describing the negative impact they would through the actions that took place before the GIC Madeloni said.
Winter 2018 3
Editorial
There are no certainties in this struggle
“The labor movement was the principal force that Our fierce urgency today includes continuing
turned misery and despair into hope and progress.” assaults on workers’ rights to organize, racism When we organize, we have
— The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. embedded in our institutions, economic injustice, the
tremendous power. When
I
exploitation of working people, and attacks on the
am writing this on Martin Luther King Jr. Day. public good — on public education in particular. We we act in coalitions, that
Across the country, schools are closed and live in a time of unjust government action against
memorial services are being held to honor Dr. immigrants and the imposition of tax policy designed
power grows exponentially.
King and his legacy. to make the rich richer and the poor poorer.
Yet even as I write, President Trump continues So how will we respond? Justice is not achieved with smiles and
his racist policies and rants. Schools are more Dr. King teaches me that these attacks are pleasantries but through demands and conviction.
segregated, and students in black, brown and poor connected and that our response must grow from our When we feel and use our power, the people who are
communities are faced with underfunding and interrelatedness. Our struggles are the struggles of used to holding power — superintendents, principals,
narrow curriculums that are based on high-stakes our communities — and their struggles are ours. governors and corporate bosses — will get angry,
standardized tests. Public higher education becomes That is why the MTA is a member of coalitions push back, and accuse us of being disruptive and
more expensive and such as Raise Up Massachusetts, working to win impolite.
further out of reach by the a $15 minimum wage, paid family and medical That is to be expected and is a sign of our
day, and the gap between leave and the Fair Share Amendment, which will effectiveness. We cannot be dissuaded from our
the richest and the rest enshrine funding for public education in our state values because they make people accustomed to
grows wider. Constitution. It is also why unions and parent holding power uncomfortable.
I find myself and student groups are working together in the We must remember that Dr. King was murdered
thinking: “What does it Massachusetts Education Justice Alliance to win the while supporting public-sector union members.
mean to honor Dr. King schools our communities deserve. It is why the MTA The people and institutions in power, including
and his work? What does supports groups such as Jobs With Justice and the the FBI, were afraid of Dr. King precisely because
he teach us about our Public Higher Education Network of Massachusetts he understood labor power, coalitions and the
identity as unionists?” — because they bring together broad coalitions intersection of racial and economic injustice — and
Dr. King was organizing for the world we want to win. because he was bringing groups together in shared
Barbara Madeloni assassinated in Memphis, Dr. King teaches me that we must be ready to struggle. That same fear of labor and community
MTA President
where he was supporting act collectively and take risks to secure justice. The power is behind the assault on unions that is the
striking sanitation movement is not about individuals accessing power Janus case. It underlies the fierce attempts to
workers. His analysis of the struggle for freedom — it is about groups acting together. privatize the public sector.
included naming the “giant triplets of racism, Dr. King reminds me that there are no certainties The MTA is the largest labor union in
extreme materialism and militarism.” in this struggle. There is no perfect timing. There is Massachusetts. When we organize, we have
He condemned those who kept silent in the preparation and there is the building of solidarity and tremendous power. When we act in coalitions, that
face of oppression, holding a special outrage for the trust, all directed toward taking action. power grows exponentially.
“white moderate” — “who prefers a negative peace In your local, this can mean escalating contract We have it within our grasp to build a better
which is the absence of tension to a positive peace campaigns, organizing for professional autonomy world. We are doing it local by local, community
which is the presence of justice.” or working with parents to end the abuses of by community, and across the state. That is why the
His was a call to know and act from “the high-stakes testing. It can mean allying with the right wing is coming after us — and why we must
fierce urgency of now.” He warned against the community to support and protect immigrants fully participate in the All In campaign, deepen our
“tranquilizing drug of gradualism.” Dr. King or holding forums to develop a vision of public coalitions, and fight to win.
was emphatic about “the interrelatedness of all education.
communities and states” and the need to prepare for Dr. King teaches me that we have to be willing Solidarity,
and take direct action. to be unsettled and to unsettle. Barbara
Baker’s budget proposal shortchanges public education
By Laura Barrett shouldering more of the costs of college while the Chapter 70 funding would be increased by $103.6
D
state is doing less. million, or 2.2 percent — about the rate of inflation.
espite a strong economy and healthy Baker’s budget would do nothing to reverse This is inadequate in light of the Foundation Budget
anticipated revenues, Governor Charlie that trend. It includes a 0.5 percent average increase Please turn to MTA/Page 19
Baker’s fiscal 2019 budget proposal for higher education operating budgets over FY18.
shortchanges public schools and public higher Community college funding would be cut by 0.1 Letters policy
education. percent, or $275,000; spending for the University
Public higher education was especially of Massachusetts and state universities would be M TA Today welcomes letters to the editor from MTA
members. Letters should be no longer than 200 words.
Each letter submitted for publication must address a topic
shortchanged in the proposal, which was released on increased about 1 percent. covered in MTA Today, must be signed and must include
the writer’s telephone number for confirmation purposes.
Jan. 24. Public schools fared only a little better. Baker’s Opinions must be clearly identified as belonging to the
A new analysis by the MTA shows that state plan keeps all districts at foundation budget levels letter-writer. We reserve the right to edit for length, clarity
and style. To submit a letter, mail it to MTA Today, 2 Heritage
spending on higher education is down 40 percent but does not provide them with the increases needed Drive, 8th floor, Quincy, MA 02171-2119, or e-mail it to
from its peak in 2001, taking inflation and changes to develop innovative programs and comprehensive mtatodayletters@massteacher.org. For additional information,
in enrollment into consideration. Students are services for all students. please refer to the guidelines posted on www.massteacher.org.
4 Winter 2018
LOOK Act provides needed flexibility
By Laura Barrett more teachers had English learners
A
in their classes. The number of EL
15-year-old law governing students in the state has doubled since
how English learners are 2002; EL students now make up 9.5
taught in Massachusetts percent of the student population.
schools was repealed last November Vula Roumis, a bilingual
and replaced with a measure that gives education department head in
school districts more flexibility to Brockton, said she has seen benefits
create programs that meet the needs from the RETELL program.
of their students and provides parents “I’ve seen there is a common
with more power to ask for alternative language between ESL teachers and
language acquisition programs. content-area teachers,” said Roumis,
The MTA strongly supported who is president of MATSOL, an
the new law — called the Language association of educators of English
Opportunity for Our Kids Act — which learners. “They can understand
was sponsored by Sen. Sal DiDomenico foundational things going on and
(D-Everett). Approved nearly why teaching content should include
unanimously by both the House and additional strategies.”
Senate, it opens the door for changes in She and Kellie Jones, director of
how more than 90,000 English learners Above, Maria Quiñones bilingual education in Brockton, believe
in Massachusetts are educated. Peralta is taught in that more needs to be done. Teachers
“Passage of the LOOK Act will Spanish for half of the who were not required to take the
not only create new opportunities day and in English for the course — such as specialists, counselors
for our students; it also honors the other half. More programs and librarians — also need to know
like the dual language
contributions of our immigrant strategies for communicating with and
program at the George
communities,” said MTA President educating EL students, they said.
School in Brockton may be
Barbara Madeloni. “It recognizes there developed under the new
But better SEI instruction isn’t
is great value to all students becoming LOOK Act. At left, Brockton the only solution. Jones, Roumis and
bilingual and bicultural.” bilingual education K-8 bilingual educators across the state
The LOOK Act does not require department head Vula made the case to the Legislature that
districts to change their instructional Roumis talks to Anthony districts need more flexibility to design
strategies. Rather, it allows them to do Xique-Najera and Aileen programs that meet the needs of their
so without having to jump through the Dominquez, fourth-graders students.
hoops required under the old law. It in the program. The Rappaport study gave
also creates a new Seal of Biliteracy to Photos by Laura Barrett
that argument a boost. The authors
recognize high school graduates who concluded, “Overall, there is likely no
speak, read and write in two languages. ballot initiative summary, “This In 2010, the Rappaport Institute one-size-fits-all approach that serves
The former Sheltered English proposed law would replace the current at Harvard’s Kennedy School of all [limited-English-proficient] students
Immersion law was controversial state law providing for transitional Government released a report equally well. What works in one
from the start. It was brought to bilingual education in public schools commissioned by the state that district, school, or classroom may not
Massachusetts by Ron Unz, a with a law requiring that, with limited attempted to answer the question of necessarily be effective in another.”
I
millionaire software developer who exceptions, all public school children whether the SEI law was improving
had run unsuccessfully for governor of must be taught English by being taught student outcomes. The study found that n the end, the case for change
California in 1994. all subjects in English and being placed achievement gaps were just as wide won the day. Districts that have
Unz strongly objected to in English language classrooms.” under the law as they had been before, only implemented SEI programs
transitional bilingual education, the After the law was passed, and in some cases they were wider. may now want to look to places like
default program at the time, under some districts created separate SEI One year later, the U.S. Brockton and Framingham, which took
which EL students were taught using classrooms. Others assigned English Department of Justice notified advantage of the waiver opportunities
a mix of their native language and learners to regular classrooms while Massachusetts education officials that in the SEI law to develop alternatives.
English, with increasing amounts providing them with additional teachers were inadequately trained Brockton has more than 4,100 EL
of English over time. Unz and his English as a Second Language in how to educate English learners students who speak languages ranging
supporters claimed that this form of instruction. The programs varied, but under the SEI model. In response, the from Creole to Yoruba. The district has
education was holding EL students the mandate was clear: Languages state created the RETELL program — a variety of programs for students and
back and that they would benefit from other than English were to be used Rethinking Equity and Teaching for staff who meet with parents to discuss
being immersed in English right away, sparingly for purposes of clarification, English Language Learners — which options after a student’s language skills
regardless of their age, education level not for instruction. required teachers in core academic and needs are assessed.
or background. Many ESL and bilingual subjects to take a graduate-level course Among other services, there is a
Unz successfully promoted an education teachers, as well as regular provided by the state in SEI instruction. transitional bilingual education program
English-only initiative in California in classroom teachers, had expressed The RETELL course itself at the middle and high schools and
1998 and then won passage of laws in concerns for years that the restrictive received mixed reviews from an academy for EL students whose
Arizona in 2000 and Massachusetts in English-only model didn’t serve all educators, but it became clear that education was interrupted.
2002. As described in the Massachusetts students well. something had to change as more and Please turn to New/ Page 17
Winter 2018 5
All In campaign builds solidarity
By Scott McLennan
T
he recent upheaval in state political circles
generated by public employees outraged
over a plan to drastically alter their health
care coverage served as a shining example of union
power at work.
Governor Charlie Baker’s Group Insurance
Commission was forced to backpedal on a decision
to take away insurance carriers from public
employees — including many active and retired
educators — and the reversal generated headlines for
days.
But just as important as such big wins are the
countless daily victories that educators can chalk up
to having a well-organized union.
Building power for both the large challenges and
the ones that occur from day to day is the intent of
the MTA’s All In campaign.
One key goal of the effort, which is off to
a strong start across the state, is to get members MTA Field Representative Beth
thinking about playing offense when it comes to Kaake, at left in the photo above,
fighting for their vision of public education. stood with members of the EAW
“Our union and others are under constant Instructional Assistants Negotiating
assault because our opponents don’t want power in Team. From left, they are Teresa
Kirdulis, Co-Chairs Cindy Brownell
the hands of the people doing the work,” said MTA
and Chris Pescheta, Kathy Lucey,
President Barbara Madeloni. “That means we need to
Jackie Hackett, Saul Ramos, Theresa
do far more than just play defense. We need to seize LaPriore and Deborah Young. Team
the moment and act collectively and decisively to member Lorraine Gibbs is not
achieve our goals.” pictured. UMass Lowell professor Sue
Within months, the U.S. Supreme Court is Kim, pictured at far left, says that
expected to rule against public-sector unions in a case at her previous job in Alabama, the
known as Janus v. AFSCME. The decision is viewed faculty had no real power. Pembroke
as certain to make it illegal to collect fair-share fees Teachers Association Treasurer Sara
— also known as agency fees — from bargaining McNulty, immediate left, says she saw
unit members who choose not to join unions but unequal treatment of colleagues when
nonetheless benefit from the contracts negotiated on she worked at a charter school.
their behalf.
The All In campaign is a way to get out ahead of But because teachers only had “agreements” to a different job. Educators also could not address
the attacks that will follow the decision. But that is for employment, as opposed to a contract, they were the poor wages they were receiving.
far from its only impact. afraid to speak out against such treatment. McNulty “The lowest dean was making five times what the
Across the state, MTA members are already said that before coming to Pembroke, she “had no average associate professor was making,” Kim said.
using All In tools and resources in struggles ranging idea there was a difference.” After arriving, Kim became active in her local,
from the action against the GIC decision to contract “Then I realized how much more of a voice the Massachusetts Society of Professors Lowell.
efforts, overrides and other crucial fights for schools, teachers could have in their work,” she said, citing With collective bargaining, faculty members have
colleges and communities. They are taking collective issues such as ensuring prep-time periods. been able to ensure that salary review and workload
action, holding one-to-one conversations, and McNulty went on to take a leadership role in her monitoring are ongoing processes. And faculty
building strong communication systems within their local, saying it is her way to have a “piece of power” members have far more control over the curriculum.
districts and on their campuses. in determining not only what goes on in her school “People don’t understand what a difference it
The power of collective bargaining agreements but also in her country. makes across the board to have a say in salaries,
cannot be overemphasized, noted Sara McNulty, a The power of a union is part of what drew Sue benefits and policies,” Kim said. “Without a union,
fifth-grade teacher who serves as treasurer of the Kim from the University of Alabama in Birmingham there is no mechanism for addressing any concerns
Pembroke Teachers Association. to a professorship at UMass Lowell, where she is in those areas.”
Prior to working in the Pembroke Public now chair of the English Department and co-director But members need to recognize that they power
Schools, McNulty taught at a charter school in of the Center for Asian American Studies. the union — not the other way around.
Boston for five years. She regularly saw unequal In Alabama, campus governance gave faculty no Officials representing the Worcester Public
treatment of her colleagues at the charter — and a real power. Schools learned that lesson when they tried to resist
lack of any mechanism for educators to address their “I was on the Faculty Senate, but without offering a fair contract to the district’s instructional
concerns. A low point came when the superintendent collective bargaining, it was toothless,” Kim said. assistants.
called a meeting where he displayed MCAS scores Faculty could not challenge decisions about “They went up against the wrong people,” said
and berated the teachers whose students did not meet curriculum changes made by administrators, who Cindy Brownell, co-chair of the bargaining team
his expectations. would implement disruptive plans and then move on Continued on next page
6 Winter 2018
Screenings expose privatization effort
By Scott McLennan and Laura Barrett Furnace Brook Middle
T
School science
he film “Backpack Full of Cash” has teacher Edward
become a featured attraction at events Boudreau was
across Massachusetts that are engaging among the South
Shore educators
union members and raising public awareness
who attended a
about the threat of privatizing public education.
screening of the film
Before the movie was put into wide release, “Backpack Full of
MTA members attending the 2017 Summer Cash” in Marshfield.
Conference were among the earliest viewers of During the event,
the documentary — a cautionary tale about how participants filled
privatization is undermining public education. a backpack with
Back then, “Backpack” helped frame the enlarged “dollar bills”
issues connected to the No on 2 campaign to keep listing ideas for what
the cap on charter schools. public schools could
Now locals are pairing the film, narrated by do with increased
actor Matt Damon, with forums that help educate funding.
community members about the assault on public Photo by Scott McLennan
education and unions.
In Marshfield, more than 70 educators from decimation of workers’ rights in that state in 2011 high-quality public schools where teachers — rather
about a dozen South Shore locals met in the high sparked further conversation. than standardized tests — set the classroom agenda.
school cafeteria two days before Thanksgiving Hull Teachers Association President Deborah The South Shore educators concluded their
for a pre-screening discussion about why unions McCarthy pointed out that collective action by forum by creating their own “backpack full
are essential to high-quality schools. A short unionized educators is essential to fighting for of cash.” They wrote on oversized “dollar bills”
video made by Wisconsin educators about the funding and policies that give students access to Please turn to ‘Backpack’/Page 12
‘The more people we have involved, the better it is’
Continued from previous page In the fall, educators learned that budget
that negotiated the contract ratified in January by projections showed the district cutting 11 teaching
the assistants, who are members of the Educational positions and eliminating foreign language instruction
Association of Worcester. at the middle school. “That kicked people into high
When the IAs began contract negotiations in gear,” said Eric Goldstein, president of the Reading
2016, they were determined to improve their pay and Teachers Association.
working conditions. But those goals could not be met Up to that point, Goldstein and leaders in the
until the bargaining unit better organized itself. local were working with members to become key
It achieved that in part by using its ability to dig communicators in their respective buildings. The
into school finances and show that concessions the project was moving at a slow pace. Then news of
IAs had made on health insurance could fund pay the cuts arrived and inspired action: The local aimed
raises the city was claiming it could not afford. The at having one member become responsible for
information helped motivate members into action — getting news to about 10 colleagues via face-to-face
and in September, the local formed a contract action conversations.
team, or CAT, to support the work of the negotiators. “When I was just using e-mail to communicate
Photo by Dena Fleno
The team drew nearly 50 people, with every school with members, I would maybe get a 50 percent open
Nearly 100 educators attended a meeting of
building represented. rate,” Goldstein said.
the Reading Board of Selectmen on Jan. 30
“About 30 of them I hadn’t seen before,” But with a network set up to deliver news in
to support an override that would restore
Brownell said. “These were people who were new funding for the community’s public schools. person, bolstered by a new Facebook group for
to union work.” members, the association was able to turn out more
The CAT and negotiators organized member contract, they set up several meetings for members to than 100 educators to a School Committee meeting
appearances at School Committee meetings where learn about the new agreement’s terms. and nearly that many to a meeting of the Board of
IAs bravely shared personal stories about the These meetings became recruiting opportunities Selectmen. That helped pave the way for the elected
struggles they face while doing a job they love and for the EAW as members stepped forward to become officials to include an override question on the
trying to live on low pay. delegates on the local’s governing board and to join town’s spring ballot to save the teaching jobs.
“I think the public and the School Committee committees. Winning the override remains a challenge. But
found the stories eye-opening,” Brownell said. “The more people we have involved, the better it the local’s organizing is already showing results.
“When they heard about a member living in his car, is,” Brownell said. “We never would have seen 100 people come
people realized that shouldn’t be happening.” Educators in Reading have also strengthened to anything over the last couple of years,” Goldstein
The IAs eventually negotiated a tentative their lines of communication to build union power. said.
agreement that increased their pay and improved But in their case, it was political action rather
working conditions in various ways. But the CAT and than a contract crisis that provided the catalyst for For more information on the All In campaign,
negotiators were not done. Before ratification of the organizing. please visit massteacher.org/allin.
Winter 2018 7
‘Being silent just isn’t an option ...’
EMAC Conference focuses on building trust and breaking through fear
By Jean Conley
B
uilding relationships of trust, breaking
through fear in order to bring about change
and actively resisting attempts to turn back
the clock on immigrants’ rights were themes that ran
through the 2017 Ethnic Minority Affairs Committee
Conference.
The two-day event, titled “Getting Real About
Race,” was held Dec. 1 and 2 in Framingham. It
featured speeches, discussion and workshops on
helping students and their families cope during a
time of open racism and hostility toward ethnic
minorities and other groups.
EMAC Chair Yan Yii opened the conference
with a charge to stand up to racism. “Being silent just
isn’t an option anymore, so I
implore each and every one
of you here to get involved,
get talking and get woke,” she
said.
Yii told the crowd that Above, Massachusetts
workshops and discussion Community College
topics were chosen by the Council member
committee to “help us all get Sharmese Gunn
real about race, diversity and made a point during
a “world café”
public education.”
Yan Yii discussion centering
“We hope that this will
on the impact of
inspire you to bring these conversations back to your white privilege on
communities,” she added. the classroom and
As MTA President Barbara Madeloni welcomed the community. At
participants to a dinner on Friday night, she recalled left, members of
that during the 2016 EMAC Conference, many in the Boston-based
attendance were in a state of shock about the recent cultural arts group
national election. One year later, she said, many of OrigiNation entertained
the fears expressed had come true. participants during
“We are in a dangerous moment — a moment in dinner on Dec. 1.
which the racism and violence that people of color Photos by Jean Conley
in this country have experienced for hundreds of
years are now not only out there for all of us to see and identifying ethnic minority members for her work and at the same time focused on social and
every day, but are being promoted and fed by our leadership positions within the MTA,” Champy said. economic justice.
president,” Madeloni said. “I am confident that we will embrace these Though the workshops were very different in
She congratulated the committee, the presenters efforts and the many incredible individuals who approach, they shared a common theme: “investing
and the participants for being willing to speak make our community so rich,” he added. in children and learning who they are — and not
bluntly about racial issues. The six workshops at the conference and a stereotyping,” she said.
“Use the time this weekend to ready yourself for “world café” discussion centered on matters of “Having that mind and heart, to take the time to
the work we need to do — and to build relationships equity and racial and social justice. invest in the kids instead of prejudging them — that
of trust that are going to carry us through these hard Sharron Burrowes, who works at the Galvin was powerful,” Burrowes added.
times,” she urged those in the crowd. Middle School in Canton, said this year’s intriguing Rocío Inclán, director of the National Education
Noting that the 2017 conference marked EMAC’s workshop titles persuaded her to attend her first Association’s Center for Social Justice, presented
38th year, MTA Vice President Erik J. Champy EMAC Conference. Burrowes, who is African one of two keynote addresses.
recalled the names of many of the ethnic minority American, said she has worked in special education As a child, Inclán would get up at 3 a.m. and
pioneers in the association, including longtime activist for about 15 years and is currently an applied- wait for more than two hours each day with her
Louise Gaskins, who was in attendance. behavioral analysis tutor. mother and siblings to cross the border from Mexico
“I believe that our commitment to ethnic She attended two workshops — “Culturally so the children could attend school in Arizona. Inclán
minority affairs is commendable,” Champy said. Relevant Pedagogy: Should It Be Part of the said the hard work her family did to make a life in
But challenges persist, he noted. “We still have Curriculum in Urban Schools?” and “Creating the United States was built on her mother’s dream
so much more work to do: increasing resources, Diversity Change Agents through Community-Based of providing all of her children with a great public
improving curricula to build greater understanding Learning and the Arts” — and said she appreciated education.
of ethnic minority history and issues, and organizing being able to go to sessions that were germane to Continued on next page
8 Winter 2018
Diverse books are at heart of reading celebration
By Jean Conley selections of diverse young adult literature this
E
year. Because the town’s schools are part of the
ducators throughout the country are at the area’s library network, the three educators — all
forefront of a growing call for more diverse members of the East Bridgewater Education
books for children and young adults. Association — were able to get books on their list
Not long ago, the National Education from nearby libraries. They let the students choose
Association kicked off the 20th year of its Read from among almost 80 books celebrating diversity
Across America program by highlighting the based on race, economic or religious background,
opportunity to celebrate “a nation of diverse sexual orientation, geography and abilities.
readers.” The NEA has produced a calendar and The students are now incorporating the books
resource materials that provide educators with Photo by Bob Duffy they chose into the curriculum in their English
information about numerous books and authors East Bridgewater Junior-Senior High School classes, Tucker said.
reflecting the nation’s diversity of culture, history librarian Carrie Tucker looked over books East Bridgewater is not unusual, she added.
and experience. with English teacher Greg Shea. “Many school districts are doing this,” she
MTA member Carrie Tucker, the librarian at said. “There is always room for the classics, but
East Bridgewater Junior-Senior High School, said currently serving as president of the Massachusetts we’re doing our students a disservice if we don’t
that Read Across America Day — set for March 2 School Library Association. “So any opportunity to get out of our comfort zone and explore some of
— is a perfect time for educators to introduce their broaden horizons is welcome and benefits the kids.” this excellent new literature with our students.
students to more diverse literature. Tucker worked with two of her MTA Especially for the older students, this opens up a
“We have a fairly homogenous population colleagues, eighth-grade English teachers Greg wider world.”
here in East Bridgewater,” said Tucker, who is Shea and Amy Ronayne, to come up with Please turn to Diverse/Page 23
‘As educators, we represent the first line of defense’
Continued from previous page
Inclán’s own dream was to “lift up others” by
becoming an educator. She also saw teaching as a
way to right some of the wrongs she had experienced
at a time when immigrant students were routinely
told to speak only English in school.
She said her childhood prepared her for
“especially hard” political times.
“We didn’t create these times,” she told the
audience. “We didn’t create a time when racism
is the champion in many places. But we are the
solution. We educators — education support
professionals, teachers, counselors — together
we are here because we are needed. We are the
resistance.”
She also asked for educators’ assistance in the
fight to pass the DREAM Act. “Every day, 122 kids
are losing their DACA status,” she said, referring to
the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program.
Her message was reiterated on Saturday by Kent
Wong, who offered the second keynote address. Photo by Jean Conley
Wong has been the director of the UCLA Labor Kent Wong, director of the UCLA Labor Center, spoke about the DACA program and the fight to
Center for the past 25 years. He is a longtime labor “make sure all can live with dignity and justice — and without fear.”
leader and an author. millions of people throughout this country,” Wong continued. “That’s what happened during the civil
“When we wake up every day amid the barrage said. “And to this day, millions of people think about rights era, and that same trajectory is happening
of hate speech,” he said, “this is the time we need it every time they see table grapes.” as we speak with immigrant youth, who are now
to appreciate the power of ourselves, resistance, and He said that a centerpiece of President Donald proclaiming that they are undocumented and
the necessity of gathering at conferences like this Trump’s agenda has been bashing immigrants. “So unafraid. This is a sign of resistance, a sign of
one — to plan our work to build the resistance and it is no accident that we are witnessing a huge attack courage and a sign that they have been able to break
to advance the broader fight for social and economic on the rights of immigrants as we speak, and in through the fear.”
justice.” particular the rights of immigrant students,” Wong He offered personal stories about young
Wong got his start in the labor movement as a said. “As educators, we represent the first line of immigrants who have stepped up to become heroes
boycott organizer for the United Farm Workers of defense. We need to tell our immigrant students that of the movement. Educators and “everyone with a
America under Cesar Chavez. they are not alone in this.” conscience” must stand with them, he concluded.
“I saw firsthand how this movement of poor He said the hard part for educators and students “We must stand with students and their families to
undocumented immigrant workers in the fields of is often “breaking through the fear.” But “that’s make sure all can live with dignity and justice — and
California captured the warmth and enthusiasm of what finally happened with the farm workers,” he without fear.”
Winter 2018 9
MTA calls on DESE to monitor building safety
T
he MTA has called on the Department of To meet that goal, the association called on the n Officials in the Worcester Public Schools are
Elementary and Secondary Education to DESE to assess each school and determine whether closely monitoring the presence of PCBs in schools
carefully monitor health and safety conditions there are health and safety concerns related, among built during a time when construction materials
in all buildings used to educate children in the other areas, to: contained that carcinogen.
Commonwealth — and to keep the public informed u Quality of drinking water, including lead content n The state Department of Environmental
about issues that are found. u Quality of air in classrooms and other locations Protection found unsafe levels of lead in drinking
“Any building that is used to educate children u Presence of asbestos water in over half of the 1,000-plus schools tested.
needs to be free of health and safety hazards, but u Presence of PCBs and other known carcinogens n Kindergarten students in Douglas fell ill
many public schools in our Commonwealth are u Presence of mold and were taken to a nearby hospital because of
filled with significant risks to students and educators u Presence of radon undetected carbon monoxide exposure when a
— including unsafe drinking water and poor air u Presence of infestation by rodents or other pests furnace failed in the municipal building that housed
quality,” MTA President Barbara Madeloni and Vice u Presence of devices to monitor carbon monoxide their classroom.
President Erik J. Champy wrote in a Jan. 25 letter to u Use of approved cleaning materials and protocols “The 110,000 members of the Massachusetts
Teachers Association believe that there are no
M
Jeff Wulfson, acting commissioner of the DESE.
“Rather than waiting for a student or an educator adeloni and Champy wrote that once the compromises or shortcuts when it comes to
to become ill or injured due to the condition of a assessment is completed, the DESE addressing environmental hazards in school
building,” they added, “the Department of Elementary should compile a list accessible to the buildings,” Madeloni and Champy wrote. “No one
and Secondary Education needs to actively monitor public that clearly specifies health and safety attending a public school or working in one should
the quality of our public schools. Where issues are conditions. have to worry about becoming ill or injured because
found, they must be resolved on an urgent basis.” Writing that educators, parents and other of unhealthy or unsafe conditions.”
At the 2017 MTA Annual Meeting of Delegates, residents have regularly shared their concerns They concluded, “Preparing a comprehensive
educators overwhelmingly approved a new business with the MTA’s Health and Safety Committee, list should be a first step toward urgent action on
item directing the organization to demand from the they pointed out a number of examples of school the DESE’s part to ensure that every Massachusetts
DESE a list of all buildings used to educate students buildings posing significant health risks, including student has a healthy and safe place to learn. We call
and the conditions that prevail in each one. the following: on you to take that step without delay.”
Start exploring the world today!
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Collette’s diverse travel collection features inclusive land tours, river
cruises, rail journeys, small-group tours, family vacations and more.
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10 Winter 2018A great opportunity to learn and network
By Jean Conley On Saturday, a breakfast buffet
H
will be followed by two sessions of
undreds of Education Support workshops and a luncheon for all
Professionals will converge participants before the conference
on Cape Cod early this spring concludes at about 3 p.m.
for a weekend of learning, inspiration
and networking. ESPs
at the he
A full listing of workshops
The annual MTA ESP Conference
April 6-7 of
art and other activities can be found
will be held on April 6 and 7 at the Sea at massteacher.org/esp. Early bird
Crest Beach Hotel in Falmouth. Sea Crest Beach Hotel EVERY SC registration ends on Friday, March
Leslie Marsland, chair of the HOOL! 2. Discounted hotel room rates are
ESP Committee, said the committee
Falmouth available until March 7, and the final
has invited speakers and presenters date to register for the conference is
who will inspire participants and Workshops were still being The award honors an ESP at the March 23. If your school district or
offer workshops that will empower planned as MTA Today went to press, state level who has been nominated local association does not pay
ESPs from across the state — all in a but topics to be covered include by his or her local association as one or reimburse your conference costs,
beautiful oceanfront setting. building technology skills, contract who stands up for workers’ rights and you may be eligible to apply for
“ESPs are critically important to bargaining, the legal rights of ESPs, stands out for making a difference in a grant. For more information on
the school community,” Marsland said. health and wellness, and recognizing the lives of students. costs, hotel charges and registration,
“This conference provides a wonderful unconscious bias. MTA President Barbara please visit massteacher.org/esp.
opportunity for them to enhance Another highly anticipated Madeloni, Vice President Erik J. Other questions can be e-mailed to
their leadership skills, become more feature — presentation of the annual Champy and the winner of the Jessica Parlon in the MTA Division of
active, and get the tools they need to MTA ESP of the Year award — will 2018 MTA ESP of the Year award Training and Professional Learning at
effectively advocate for colleagues and take place during dinner on Friday will address the crowd during the jparlon@massteacher.org. Her phone
public education.” evening. conference. number is 617.878.8153.
ESP Leadership Weekends: Strong leaders, strong locals
By Jean Conley
M
TA’s 2018 ESP Leadership Weekends
launched on Jan. 19 with the message that
building strong ESP leaders helps build
strong students, locals and communities.
The course teaches leadership strategies and
helps participants strengthen interpersonal skills and
build resilience as attacks on unions intensify.
Participants dug in right away, delving
into topics such as embracing change, building
confidence in their ability to lead, overcoming fear
and developing assertiveness.
Roylene Hunte, a classroom paraeducator at the
Photo by Jean Conley
Pierce School in Brookline, said that attending her
Shannon Smith, third from left, made a point during a workshop at the first ESP Leadership
first MTA ESP Conference last year opened her eyes.
Weekend. With Smith are participants Susan Markievitz, far left, and Elsa Trinidad, right. ESP
“I was just so inspired,” she said. “It made me
Committee member Shaleah Rather, second from left, served as a facilitator.
want to take on a leadership role at my school.”
The leadership program, which runs through said she looked forward to building camaraderie program because she wanted “to find out more, get
April 7, requires a three-weekend commitment. with her fellow ESPs and spreading the message that my foot in the door — and do my best to help out.”
But participants said the prospect of learning how membership is a means of building power. Shannon Smith, a special education paraeducator
to become leaders at such a crucial time for unions “Being an ESP is absolutely a career,” she said. at the Gates Lane School in Worcester, said that as he
— while forging strong bonds with their fellow “We need to share our stories.” has become more involved in his union, he has looked
ESPs — was a strong motivator. Susan Markievitz, a paraeducator at Haverhill for more opportunities to build his comfort level so
Janice McKeown, a special education High School, is new to MTA union activism. She that he could “step in and rectify situations” at his
paraeducator at the Runkle School in Brookline, said she was drawn to sign up for the leadership school.
JOBS AT THE
The Massachusetts Teachers Association is hiring. To view available job opportunities, please visit massteacher.org/jobs.
The MTA is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We value our diverse workforce and welcome applications from minorities, women and persons with disabilities.
Winter 2018 11‘Backpack’ screenings expose
Higher ed advocacy day set for March 5
campaign to privatize education
M
TA members, students, parents and other community members
Continued from Page 7 Belmont organized the Jan. 8 event will gather at the State House for Public Higher Education
what they would like to see in their and worked with the Massachusetts Advocacy Day on Monday, March 5.
own public schools — if they had Education Justice Alliance and First The event will begin in the Great Hall at 9:30 a.m. with a speaking
sufficient funding. Their wishes Parish Unitarian Universalist of program and preparation for visits to legislators. Participants will
included more field trips, experience- Arlington to promote the screening and advocate for increased funding, better pay and working conditions for
based learning, upgraded technology, discussion. faculty and staff, and a high-quality, debt-free public higher education
after-school programs, and better pay As was the case in Marshfield, the system that serves students and working families.
for paraeducators. conversation turned toward the impact The advocacy day is being organized by the Public Higher
Participants then marched together of having too little to spend on the Education Network of Massachusetts. PHENOM Executive Director Zac
into the high school auditorium and needs of students and educators. Bears said that no lobbying experience is required. Participants will be
joined approximately 50 residents Lisa Guisbond, executive director trained in effective advocacy using their own stories.
of area communities to watch of Citizens for Public Schools, A lunch and debriefing session will be held in the Great Hall after
“Backpack.” encouraged school committees, late-morning visits to legislators’ offices, and the event is expected to
“We made a strong union educators and community activists wrap up at about 2 p.m.
presence when we walked in, and to make the need for more funding MTA President Barbara Madeloni urged as many MTA members as
after the movie, there was a lot of known. possible to attend.
discussion about why unions matter,” She offered a scenario that “State spending on public higher education is down 40 percent
said Marshfield Education Association educators had previously used for since 2001,” Madeloni said. “Much of the cost of a college education
Co-President Chris Galvin. “There union organizing and community has shifted to students and their families, so many people simply cannot
were a few politicians and their building. afford to pursue a degree.”
representatives there as well, taking “The resolutions against charter She added that many students who are able to graduate “are hobbled
notes.” school expansion that school by loan payments just as they are trying to work their way into society.”
In Arlington, educators flipped the committees passed during the No on “We owe our young people more,” she said. “And we owe more to
script, first showing “Backpack” and 2 campaign were very influential,” those doing the work of educating our college students.”
then holding a community forum. Guisbond said. “We need to do it again
Members from MTA locals in for school funding. It’s worth fighting To learn more and register, please visit phenomonline.org.
Arlington, Burlington, Lexington and for.”
Paid Advertisement
REGIONAL RETIREMENT CONSULTATIONS AVAILABLE
Ready to further The MTA provides individual retirement consultations throughout the
your education? state to assist members. Proof of membership must be submitted when
requesting retirement services. This schedule is in effect from September
to June except at MTA’s Quincy headquarters, which is staffed during the
summer and school vacations.
PLEASE NOTE:
All consultations are now by appointment only during the hours listed.
AUBURN — Edward Nelson: first Saturday of Bobala Road, Suite 3, Holyoke; 413.537.2335, or at
each month, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., MTA Central Office, home, 413.893.9173.
48 Sword St., Auburn; 508.791.2121, or at home,
774.239.7823. LYNNFIELD — Mary Parry: third Saturday of each
month, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., MTA Northeast Office, 50
QUINCY — Harold Crowley: Tuesdays, Wednesdays Salem St., Building B, Lynnfield; call 978.372.2031.
and Thursdays, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., MTA, 2 Heritage Barbara Callaghan: fourth Saturday of each month,
Drive, 9th Floor, Quincy; 617.878.8240 or 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., MTA Northeast Office, 50 Salem St.,
800.392.6175, ext. 8240. Building B, Lynnfield; call 978.456.9997.
CAPE COD — Lawrence Abbruzzi: second Saturday PITTSFIELD — Ward F. Johnson: second Saturday
of each month, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Barnstable Teachers of each month, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., MTA Berkshire
Graduate Programs for Educators Early Childhood • Elementary • Association (BTA), 100 West Main St., Suite #7, Office, 188 East St., Pittsfield; 413.499.0257, or at
Middle School • Arts Education • Occupational Education • Science Education • School Counseling • Hyannis; 508.775.8625, or at home, 508.824.9194. home, 413.443.1722.
Educational Leadership & Management • Curriculum and Teaching • MAT in English • MA in History
FITCHBURG — Karen Melanson: second Saturday RAYNHAM — Raymond Thompson: third Saturday
SPECIAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS Moderate Disabilities • Severe Disabilities • of each month, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Fitchburg Teachers of each month, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., MTA Southeast
Guided Studies • Reading Specialist • Behavior Analyst • Dyslexia Specialist Association office, 245 River St., Fitchburg; Call Office, 756 Orchard Street, third floor, Raynham;
978.355.6963. Call Thompson at 617.347.4425.
Information Session HOLYOKE — Ron Lech: third Saturday of each
month, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., MTA Western Office, 55
HIGHER EDUCATION AT-LARGE — Edward McCourt,
781.325.2553.
April 11 / 5 – 6:30 p.m.
REGISTER AT: fitchburgstate.edu/gce/infosession Note: If your association would like to schedule a retirement workshop at your school, your
local president should call Harold Crowley at 800.392.6175, ext. 8240. Please be aware that
the MTA consultants do not have records of your service, so members are advised to bring
fitchburgstate.edu/gce/education that information along to meetings.
978.665.3182 • gce@fitchburgstate.edu
12 Winter 2018You can also read
