In so-called "normal times," new educators face countless challenges. This school year — with COVID-19 upending teaching practices at every level and concerted efforts being made across the country to address the impact of systemic racism — educators just embarking on their careers have even more on their plates.
The MTA Early Career Educators Conference, held virtually on Saturday, Nov. 14, provided space for those who have been on the job for five years or less to air their concerns and receive guidance — both from their peers and from colleagues who have spent more time in the field.
Organized by the MTA New Member Committee, the ECEC drew more than 100 participants, from prekindergarten through higher education. Via Zoom, they attended workshops and panel discussions on topics ranging from student trauma caused by racism to burnout on the job.
MTA President Merrie Najimy and Vice President Max Page welcomed the group and acknowledged how difficult serving as an educator has become — especially now.
Educators have a variety of viewpoints on the best ways to meet their students’ needs when it comes to remote and in-person learning models, Najimy said, adding that there are no simple solutions.
"The risk assessment is a personal decision. Not everyone faces the same circumstances," she said. "Now is the time to turn to each other and not turn on each other. Let’s build back empathy for each other and for families struggling to make the right choices."
Najimy, Page and conference keynote speaker Zena Link, an English language arts teacher and Newton Teachers Association member, pointed to the pressures caused by factors such as the state’s failure to equitably and fully fund public education and uniformly provide racial justice training.
"Educators are historically asked to go into classrooms unprepared to deal with all of the issues that we are asked to deal with," said Link, who formerly served on the New Member Committee.
Link, who is now a member of the NEA Board of Directors, has been a leader in speaking out on the need for equitable funding for public schools, colleges and universities, as well as for racial justice.
During her ECEC presentation, she referenced a series of surveys and noted that few educators are given meaningful training on ending racial inequities in public education as part of the teacher certification process. She urged the audience to recognize that belonging to a union opens up pathways to advocate for change and provides a forum to work with colleagues in assessing the needs of educators, students and communities.
Link ended her address with the proverb, "None of us is as smart as all of us."
"The us here is the union," she said.
Following two workshop sessions, educators gathered for panel discussions according to levels taught, from prekindergarten through grade 5 through the college level. Educators from the New Member Committee were panelists and moderators, feeding the conversation on a broad array of topics.
The high school panel featured a discussion on remote learning.
"I want to do all of these things but can only do some of what I want, given what we can do with remote learning. I’m learning to be really flexible," said Agawam teacher Kathryn Procter.
The preK-5 discussion turned to the practical challenges of lesson preparation, with Stoughton teacher Jessica Kumar describing how she has had to rework her planning process to accommodate the demands of hybrid learning.
The middle school panel broke down the differences between middle school and junior high school models. Though many participants expressed a preference for middle schools’ signature team approach to teaching, they acknowledged that the realities of scheduling to keep students safe during the coronavirus pandemic have "messed up" the practices that educators have been used to.
The higher education panel focused heavily on union participation. Bridgewater State University professor Jenna Mendell explained how she became more active in her Massachusetts State College Association chapter after she was able to challenge an unjust performance review that was ultimately rescinded.
"I came to understand the value of the union," she said, noting that she is now her local’s grievance chair. "I wanted to pay it forward."
"Let’s build back empathy for each other and for families struggling to make the right choices," said MTA President Merrie Najimy.
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