Educators Electrify Everything is an MTA Climate Action Task Force project that supports school staff who want to take practical steps to decarbonize their homes. The program is designed to save educators time by connecting them with clear information about home weatherization, heat pumps, solar energy, electric vehicles, electric appliances, rebates, financing and resources. Because every home and living situation is different, there is no one-size-fits-all path through the process. EEE energy coaches meet with educators and school and campus staff to learn about their specific needs, answer questions and help create a customized plan.
Meg Rafter, an educator and member of the Beverly Teachers Association, found working with EEE both useful and effective. “During the first information session, the coach was very helpful,” Rafter said. “I received information about getting home insulation at an extreme discount. They also provided me with information on converting to a heat pump system. They were encouraging and recommended I check in regularly to see what changes to the program have occurred.”
The program not only helps people stop using fossil fuels in their homes; it also helps them find energy savings, whether through lower utility bills, rebates on major purchases, or support for home improvements. Ashley Griggs, a teacher with the Somerville Educators Union, said the coaching process helped her make changes that improved both her home and her budget.
“The coaches at EEE helped me add comfort to my home and save money along the way,” Griggs said. “Throughout my coaching journey, I have taken advantage of rebates that I never knew existed and made many simple modifications to my home that have paid for themselves by way of a lower monthly electric bill.”
EEE energy coaches meet MTA educators and staff where they are, often right in their schools. Staff and coaches host open meetings, such as early morning coffee conversations, where school employees can ask questions, share contact information, and begin the process of planning more in-depth conversations about their homes.
Educators Electrify Everything gives school staff practical support as they take meaningful climate action at home. By making their own homes more efficient, comfortable, and affordable to maintain, educators also can help spark broader conversations about clean energy in their communities.
Are you interested in participating in the program? If so, contact Tom Ehbrecht, EEE program director, at [email protected]. For more information on the program, visit capeannclimatecoalition.org/educators-electrify-everything.
Susan Hoague, a retired member of the MTA, is a former school psychologist and a member of the MTA Climate Action Task Force.
