Executive Committee
At-Large ESP member
Susan Soares
Arlington Education Assn.
I am a dedicated leader and ESP advocate, committed to professional respect, fair wages, strong benefits, safe workplaces and meaningful voices in decision-making. In 2018, I led the unionization of Arlington paraprofessionals, securing a transformative contract. In 2021, I was honored as ESP of the Year. I proudly serve on Arlington’s Board and co-lead the Rainbow Alliance. I have chaired action networks, a bargaining council and recently spoke at the State House to fight for ESP compensation. I will continue elevating ESP leadership, respect, strengthening our collective power and continue to work hard to fight for what our members deserve.
Camille Godbout-Chouinard
University Staff Assn.
In locals across the state, ESPs have secured big wins when they raised expectations and organized for power. As a Higher Ed ESP, I helped build a grassroots movement in my local centered around transparency, accountability and empowering our rank-and-file. During bargaining, we resisted management's attempts to increase workplace surveillance by educating and organizing members, which strengthened our collective power. I bring these experiences and progressive values to the MTA ESP Committee and will bring them to the Executive Committee. ESPs are vital education workers; we deserve fair pay, dignity and safe working conditions.
Executive Committee
At-Large Ethnic Minority member
Elizabeth Tyrell
Andover Education Assn.
As an Alaska Native 8th-grade math teacher who just overcame breast cancer, I know the challenges ethnic minority educators face — extra management scrutiny, exclusive team dynamics, and cultural and linguistic bias. I also know the power of a union that rejects those dynamics and believes we’re stronger through inclusion. I’m committed to bringing the positive experiences I’ve had in Andover to the MTA and insisting every educator in the Commonwealth is treated with dignity and respect. We achieve that together through our union — fighting for our shared interests. I ask for your vote so I can help improve the MTA.
Rosa Lopez-Whitehill
Pembroke Teachers Assn.
I’m seeking your vote for the At-Large Ethnic Minority Executive Committee seat. I’m a high school Spanish teacher in Pembroke whose journey in the U.S. education system started as an ELL student. Currently, I serve on the MTA Board of Directors and EMAC Committee, and was recently elected Treasurer for the NEA Hispanic Caucus. I’m committed to removing the very obstacles I faced as a student so many years ago, while inspiring members to fulfill their leadership goals and gain agency within the union and beyond. Working together, we can create a future where diversity thrives and is celebrated.
Executive Committee
Region A member
Giselle Richards-Genece
Springfield Education Assn.
I welcome the opportunity to contribute a pragmatic and informed perspective to strengthen Region A’s voice on the Executive Committee. As a leading member of the Springfield Education Association, I have served as building representative, a bargaining team member securing a recent hard-won contract victory, a current executive board member, and on Springfield’s Diversity, Inclusion and Racial Equity team. I actively engage in MTA and NEA convenings, including annual meetings, the annual NEA Representative Assembly and EMAC. I am prepared to provide governance and strategic leadership, ensure adherence to association policies, promote fiscal responsibility and represent regional and statewide interests.
Declan Kennon
Springfield Education Assn.
I’m a proud Multilingual Learners teacher at Springfield Central High School. I’m a building rep, an elected member of the SEA Executive Board and co-chair of the SEA Member Organizing Committee. My commitments are to transparency, accountability, and above all, rank-and-file power. The capability of the MTA to meet this political moment rests solely in members like you. As your candidate to the EC, I would help educators organize to win in their workplace, towns and at the state level. I’m running on the EDU slate to ensure this vision is enacted through rigorous, democratic accountability to fellow committed organizers.
Executive Committee
Region C member
Katuska (Katie) Lecaro
Education Assn. of Plymouth and Carver
I am seeking re-election for the MTA Executive Board. I am deeply committed to exceptional public education for all, encompassing PreK through higher education; including the critical initiative of universal, free public child care. I believe it is essential for the MTA to endorse pro-education, pro-union candidates and hold them accountable. Furthermore, I strongly support workplace dignity, which emphasizes:
- Livable wages
- Affordable health care and housing
- Safety
- Respect for all educators
My goal is to continue to foster unity and effective collaboration to build a strong school system and community, ensuring a better future for the next generation.
Craig Beaulieu
Stoughton Teachers Assn.
Many members feel the MTA has drifted from its core purpose: supporting local unions and improving the immediate working conditions of educators. Members have also expressed that the union does not always represent the perspectives of all members and that greater fiscal responsibility is needed. I share in these concerns, hence the reason I am running for Region C Executive Committee. I believe our union must refocus on transparency, accountability and member representation. As your representative, I will work to strengthen Region C voices, help refocus the union on the needs of all its members, and advocate continued fiscal responsibility.
Executive Committee
Statewide Retired member
Amy Graff
Retired
Hello, my name is Amy Graff and I would appreciate your vote for the position of Statewide Retired Executive Committee. Before retiring I was very active in the Framingham Teachers Association. I held a variety of positions during my involvement with the FTA. I attended many MTA Annual Meetings, as well as many NEA RAs. I will be a great listener to your issues and work hard for retirees for COLAs and health care issues. I will bring some new ideas and work for all members, retired and soon to be retired. Thank you for your consideration.
Ruth Allen
Retired
I am running for the Executive Committee because I believe retirees and the MTA can build a better, mutually beneficial relationship. There is indeed a great amount of collective wisdom among MTA Retired members, but I believe we are using a very small piece of it. Too many retirees feel unheard and would love to have in-person meetings, whether social gatherings or informational meetings or a combination of both. A once-a-year celebration of our own is simply not enough. Let’s come together and share our collective wisdom, while continuing the great work that has been done for retirees.
Barbara Madeloni
Retired
In 2014, members voted for a new direction for the MTA. Since then, we have transformed into a fighting union; garnering wins at the state and local levels for members and our communities. At this critical moment for public education, unions and democracy, MTA must deepen and expand its organizing. Retired members have a particular obligation in this moment. As your representative, I commit to the ongoing organizing of retired members to support and guide the new generation of leaders, while also marshalling our forces to win a just and dignified retirement for ourselves and those who follow us.
Joni (Joan) L. Cederholm
Retired
I bring extensive leadership experience with a strong commitment to collaboration, transparency and responsible stewardship. Throughout my career, I have built bridges between educators, strengthening our voices while mentoring colleagues. Leading with integrity, conviction and dedication to achieve measurable results.
After many years as a proud union member, I am seeking the opportunity to serve as your Statewide Retired Executive Committee Member. I will continue work to keep retirees informed, protect hard-earned benefits, encourage active participation, and continue advocating at the state and national level to support retirees, educators and public education. Our voices must remain strong in retirement.
Board of Directors
At-Large Director for ESP
Janelle Quarles
Classified Staff Union
CSU member at UMass Boston. MTA EMAC BOD for six years and a local President for eight years. While on the ESP Committee, I helped launch our statewide rESPect campaign, which led to gains in our ongoing fight for living wages. I ask for your vote for MTA’s ESP At-Large!
Holly Currier
Andover Education Assn.
I have been on the front line of transforming the MTA into a fighting union and empowering educators, especially ESPs, to dream big and organize to win. I commit to continuing to grow the movement so every local is organized and powerful enough to surpass what we’ve won in Andover.
Board of Directors
District Director 18G
Alison A. Lobron
Newton Teachers Assn.
I am a passionate leader who has rallied support for Newton educators during Covid, the teacher strike and five rounds of budget cuts. My goal is to bring forth actual issues that are important to educators in MA. I will work to ensure every MTA member has a voice.
Gillian Van Delft
Newton Teachers Assn.
Through service on EMAC, Joint Labor Committee on Mental Health, as delegate and school social worker, I’ve seen how policy, budgets and new business shape our union. Drawing on lived experience while advocating for all, I’m running to amplify underrepresented voices — absence from the table should never mean absence of representation.
Jamie Rinaldi
Newton Teachers Assn.
The present moment demands that we imagine new possibilities for member activism. We must continue to build power across the state. As the struggle to defend public education, union rights and professional autonomy intensifies, we must seek new ways to stand up in solidarity to confront these challenges.
