MTA Today Spring 2020

Nothing about this is normal." So said Easthampton High School math teacher Nellie Taylor, talking about public education in the coronavirus era. Since

Life under the coronavirus has brought out the very best in our members and our neighbors while laying bare the structural racism and inequities in our society and our education systems that have been caused by decades of deliberate disinvestment in the public good.

Public education colleagues and fellow unionists were on hand in early March to congratulate Sonia Fortin, an academic tutor at the Ephraim Curtis Middle School in Sudbury, as Fortin was named the 2020 MTA Education Support Professional of the Year.

Every member has insights to offer about education in the COVID-19 era. Here are just a few of the stories that educators shared with MTA Today as remote learning was beginning to roll out.

Two weeks before the coronavirus pandemic reached the point at which campuses were effectively shut down, hundreds of students, faculty members and staff

As a result of several hundred calls and several thousand emails from educators, students and parents to legislators and Education Commissioner Jeffrey

My message is: Resistance is not futile — resistance is powerful." So said Diane Ravitch, education historian, author and activist, during a recent Citizens for Public Schools event.

The COVID-19 pandemic has forced the cancellation of large gatherings that had been planned around the 50th anniversary of Earth Day to address climate change and promote environmental activism.

The year was 1845. James Polk was sworn in as the 11th president of the United States. Texas became the country’s 28th state. A potato blight led to the Great Famine in Ireland, setting off a wave of Irish immigration to the U.S. And on November 24, 85 educators — all men — met in Worcester at Brinley Hall to establish the Massachusetts Teachers’ Association, as it was then called.

How do you stay connected to your students in the time of COVID-19? That’s the question educators have been struggling with since public schools closed abruptly in March.

The Medical Air Services Association, established in 1974, is a pioneer in the prepaid medical transportation industry. With 18 locations around the globe, the MASA continues to set the standard, providing protection for more than one million members dealing with medical emergencies or injuries at home, at work or while traveling the world.

Luckily for us, the winter was a mild one — and as the warmer air becomes more prevalent, outdoor activities are sure to follow. MTAB’s Benefits & Discount Directory and our nationwide discount partner, Access, are great resources for savings on outdoor fun.

MTA Retired Members Committee Chair Jacqueline Gorrie reached out to MTA retirees and asked them to share their thoughts and stories about life amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Join us on the beautiful campus of UMass Amherst! The Summer Conference offers a unique opportunity to engage in professional development, learn union leadership skills, network and have fun!

MTA members have been sharing their stories about working during the COVID-19 pandemic. Swan Gates is an adjunct professor at Cape Cod Community College who happened to be taking a course on how to teach online when her school closed the campus in March and moved all of the courses online.

The MTA provides individual retirement consultations throughout the state to assist members. Proof of membership must be submitted when requesting retirement services.

In addition to the election of the MTA President and Vice President, the 2020 Annual Meeting of Delegates will feature contests for seats on the Executive Committee and the Board of Directors.

The 2020 MTA Annual Meeting of Delegates will be held on Saturday, May 2 — and it will be presented as a virtual meeting for the first time.

The last two years mark another milestone in our movement of growing the collective power and unity of educators to win the schools, colleges, unions and communities that we all deserve.

MTA committees are vital to the work and mission of our association. Serving on an MTA committee is an ideal way to get involved with your union at the state level. If you are interested in volunteering to serve, we would like to hear from you!

Two years ago, I was elected as your Vice President, along with Merrie Najimy as your President, to lead the MTA in reclaiming professional respect for educators, building stronger locals and joining with allies to win victories for our schools and our Commonwealth. We promised to center economic and racial justice in this work.

Four vacancies for two-year terms commencing July 1

BOARD OF DIRECTORS DISTRICT 1A Judith Fairweather, North Adams Judith Fairweather, grade seven ELA teacher at Drury High School, North Adams, has served as a PAL (2017-present) and secretary of the North Adams Teachers Association (2019-present).

JUNE 19 – DoubleTree Hilton Westborough ONLINE REGISTRATION www.massteacher.org/hcr Award nomination deadline is April 30. Event registration deadline is Friday, June 12.

The following motion on special rules for the 2020 Annual Meeting regarding nominations for MTA President and Vice President was adopted by the Board of Directors on April 7...

Your commitment to public education doesn’t end when you retire. Joining MTA/NEA Retired not only keeps you connected to your colleagues across Massachusetts and the nation, it builds the strength of our union as we advocate for fair pensions, health care and the public schools, colleges and universities we all deserve.

TEACHERS! Put your spare bedroom to work this summer by hosting a homestay student for two to three weeks. English language lessons and your friendly hosting will make great memories!

While students have largely taken the lead in calling for more sensible gun control laws, educators are now pushing for an end to "active shooter" and lockdown drills that simulate violent situations.

The MTA Advantage is a publication of MTA Benefits, a subsidiary of the Massachusetts Teachers Association Educators are lifelong learners, but how does one pay for additional coursework — a master’s degree and beyond — on relatively modest pay?

Open enrollment refers to a period during which eligible participants may freely enroll in or change their selections for a benefit program. It is usually subject to limitations.

Student loan debt is a hot topic right now — and while the subject might seem daunting, getting an accurate assessment of your loans is crucial.

When school’s out (but you still need to work), you can count on KinderCare to provide your children with a safe and supportive environment focused on fun.