A publication of the Massachusetts Teachers Association Volume 44, No. 3/Winter 2014

GRASSROOTS EFFORTS TAKE CENTER STAGE

MTA HONOR INSPIRED MANDELA ‘BEYOND WORDS’ Looking to Honor One of Our Own Is there an MTA Now is the time For further information, member who: to recognize his or e-mail or write:  Encouraged you professionally or personally? her contribution. Steve Day, MTA 20 Ashburton Place | Boston, MA 02108  Fostered your involvement in MTA? Nomination forms for the [email protected]  Mentored you as a beginning teacher? “Honor Our Own” Award are available at: Completed nomination forms must be  Helped you as a student? www.massteacher.org/retired received by MTA no later than June 2.

MTA’s Mission Statement On the cover In this issue The Massachusetts Teachers Members of the Berkshire Educator Action Network have been on a listening MTA honor inspired Mandela ‘beyond words’ 3 Association is a member-driven organization, governed by democratic tour throughout Berkshire County to Editorial 4 find out what educators like about their New Bedford educators oppose plan but ratify contract 5 principles, that accepts and supports the interdependence of professionalism jobs and which policies and practices Grassroots efforts take center stage in ‘listening tour’ 6 they believe should be changed to help Educators focus on opportunities and challenges 7 and unionism. The MTA promotes the use of its members’ collective their students Involvement is theme of EMAC Conference 8 succeed. Early childhood educators lobby for improvements 9 power to advance their professional and economic interests. The MTA is Joshua Hall, a Commission calls for increase in reimbursement rates 9 social studies/ New teachers gather to learn and network 10 committed to human and civil rights and advocates for quality public education history teacher Common Core and PARCC rollouts continue in Massachusetts 11 at Lee Middle MTA higher education conference set for April 11-12 11 in an environment in which lifelong learning and innovation flourish. and High Governor’s budget proposal increases education spending 12 School, is Students and educators ‘Stand Up’ to bullying 13 shown during Retirees make special delivery to Savoy school 14 MTA President a discussion Exciting workshops and a warm welcome await ESPs 15 Paul Toner with Ginger ‘Difficult bargaining’ leads to first-time agreement in Brockton 16 MTA Vice President Armstrong, Higher education lobby day is set for March 5 17 Tim Sullivan president of the Lee Education Lee teachers donate AP bonuses to school 18 Association and a member of the MTA MAAP promotes achievement and collaboration 18 Executive Director-Treasurer Ann Clarke Board of Directors, center, and chemistry Regional retirement consultations available 19 teacher Rakhee Patel. Coverage of the Communications Director/Editor The many challenges of winter driving 20 listening tour begins on Page 6. On James Sacks Two NEA directors are re-elected 21 Page 3, readers will find a story about Brousseau is recommended for re-election to PRIM Board 23 Staff Assistant a heartfelt letter that human rights icon MSP seeks union recognition for CPE instructors 25 Janice Morrissey Nelson Mandela sent to the MTA in 1986 Obituaries 25 Graphic Arts Assistant after the association honored him for his Classifieds 26 Alison Donato “commitment and persevering efforts in Gearing up for a celebration of the joys of reading 28 Publisher the interest of justice.” Roberts is honored as ‘a hero among us’ 28 Ann Clarke Cover photo by Christine Peterson This issue of MTA Today also includes the Cover design by Alison Donato winter edition of the MTA Advantage

MTA TODAY, ISSN 08982481, is published quarterly by the Massachusetts Teachers Association. Subscription: $2.80 of MTA Quote-Unquote members’ dues is designated for MTA Today.

The Massachusetts Teachers Association Periodicals postage rates paid at Boston, MA, 20 Ashburton Place, Boston, MA 02108 and at additional offices. POSTMASTER: Send “I am very, very proud of the progress we have made over the 800.392.6175 or 617.878.8000 address changes to: MTA Today, 20 Ashburton past seven years and confident that with these investments, FAX: 617.742.7046 Place, Boston, MA 02108. www.massteacher.org Copyright ©2014 by the Massachusetts Teachers the future of the Commonwealth looks bright.” Association. All material in this periodical may be reproduced by educators for distribution to students or by affiliate associations for their own — Comment by Governor Deval Patrick when he released publications. Unless expressly stated, acceptance of advertising does not necessarily imply his proposed budget for the coming fiscal year endorsement of the product by MTA or MTA Benefits.

2 Winter 2014 Honor inspired Mandela ‘beyond words’

By Scott McLennan

declaration of solidarity and support from the Massachusetts Teachers Association A provided a bit of solace and fortitude to future South African President Nelson Mandela years ago as he sat in prison facing a life sentence. At its 1986 Human and Civil Rights Conference, the MTA honored Mandela’s “commitment and persevering efforts in the interest of justice” and his “unwavering example of strength and integrity.” The words come from a scroll presented to Mandela’s daughter, Makaziwe Mandela, then a graduate student at the University of Massachusetts in Amherst, who attended the event to accept the award. Word of the honor reached her father, who was deeply touched. At the time, Mandela was in South Africa’s Pollsmoor Maximum Security Prison. Nonetheless, Graphic by Alison Donato he wrote to thank the MTA, saying that its At its 1986 Human and Civil Rights Conference, the MTA honored Nelson Mandela’s “commitment recognition “has inspired me beyond words, and the and persevering efforts in the interest of justice” and his “unwavering example of strength and scroll now constitutes one of the family’s priceless integrity.” When word of the declaration of solidarity and support reached Mandela, he was deeply possessions.” touched and wrote a letter of appreciation that the association has carefully preserved. To read a Mandela’s letter is dated April 4, 1986, and is transcription, please visit www.massteacher.org/mandela. handwritten. Framed and carefully preserved, it has graced a wall at MTA headquarters in Boston in the “Many of us did not know the story of his life intervening years. up to that point,” said Louise Gaskins, who was chair Mandela, who died on Dec. 5 at age 95, became “Many of us did not know of the MTA Human and Civil Rights Council at the the international face of the opposition to South the story of his life up to time. “And his daughter brought it to the fore for us.” Africa’s racist system of apartheid. Imprisoned by that point,” said Louise Gaskins said the moment when the audience the country’s segregationist government, he spent 27 broke into singing “We Shall Overcome” was years behind bars before international and internal Gaskins, who was chair of memorable and emotional. pressures forced his release in 1990. the MTA Human and Civil An MTA Today story on the conference, which In 1993, Mandela and then-South African Rights Council at the time. was held in Westborough, paints the following President F.W. de Klerk shared the Nobel Peace picture: “Makaziwe Mandela raised her fist, Prize for negotiating an end to apartheid. In 1994, “And his daughter brought intoned the Zulu word for ‘power,’ and brought 180 Mandela was elected president of South Africa. it to the fore for us.” educators to their feet to cheer, to sing, and even to As the world marked his death, he was weep.” remembered as a towering figure in the struggle for Gaskins called Nelson Mandela’s life story a justice. were doing right here fighting against inequality in powerful message. “Nelson Mandela was a model of courage, this country.” “To think that that man could stay in prison compassion and reconciliation,” said MTA President Mandela wrote to the MTA via the office of for that long and come out without acting out of Paul Toner. “He has made a lasting contribution not UMass Chancellor Joseph Duffey, who assisted bitterness and anger, but had matured to the point only to his country, but to the entire world. Makaziwe Mandela in coming to the United States that he realized that in order to accomplish his goals, “I am proud that during Mandela’s lifetime, for graduate school. Duffey, who now lives in he was going to have to work like we witnessed,” even while he was wrongly imprisoned, the MTA Washington, D.C., said that he and the Mandela she reflected. recognized his work for justice, human rights and family maintained ties over the years via written equality for all,” Toner continued. “As we mourn his correspondence and an eventual visit to South Africa. athleen Skinner, who was then a teacher in passing, we also celebrate his legacy of greatness and “This is very much in the spirit of his character,” Somerville and now serves as the director his service to people everywhere.” Duffey said of the letter Mandela wrote to the MTA. K of the MTA’s Center for Education Policy “He kept his life together throughout that ordeal. and Practice, noted that the time between the ancy Finkelstein, who was president of Keep in mind that famous image of Mandela shaking conference and Mandela’s death was roughly the same the MTA at the time the association gave hands with his jailer upon his release from prison. He amount of time that Mandela had spent behind bars. N Mandela the award, said that educators was just a remarkable figure.” “I vividly remember that day,” Skinner said, were deeply involved in political actions opposing Finkelstein said that the MTA would never have looking back to the conference. “The room was apartheid and Mandela’s imprisonment. known about the letter if Duffey had not passed it overwhelmingly emotional as this daughter spoke for “We picketed the South African Embassy along. her father. in Washington,” she recalled. “His struggle was Educators who were present at the ceremony “It was as though this man whom all of us so symbolic of what was happening right here in this remember being moved and thrilled when the honor admired was in the room with us,” she said. “It’s country with people of color. We saw inequality right was presented to Makaziwe Mandela on behalf of very emotional, 27 years later, thinking back to that here. Supporting him went along with the work we her father. event.”

Winter 2014 3 Editorial How we will remain strong and relevant

ill Raabe, director of the NEA’s Center to members to learn how well those policies are for Great Public Schools, recently spoke working. B to the MTA staff about some of the We must be advocates — If more time is needed for implementation, challenges facing teachers’ unions that are playing and strong ones — for early we need to hear that and advocate accordingly. If out in courtrooms and legislatures across the mid-course corrections are required, we need to country. childhood education, better say so. Our opponents are trying to pass initiatives technology in schools, What we can’t do is reflexively say “no” making it harder for unions to survive and thrive smaller class sizes, and a to proposals for change. I believe we need — and in some cases they are succeeding. These to consider and evaluate each serious, well- initiatives go by various euphemisms that sound longer school day where intentioned proposal that is made because the beneficial, such as “paycheck protection” and it is appropriate. We must public is telling us that the status quo isn’t good “right to work,” but their intent is to deprive support having an education enough. employees of the right to form, fund and Yes, students in our suburban schools effectively operate their federal, state and local workforce that has been are generally performing well and at levels associations even when a majority votes to carefully evaluated and comparable with the highest-performing do so. provided with high-quality, countries. This trend isn’t unique to public employee But our low-income students continue to unions. Private-sector unions have been in decline teacher-driven professional lag. Yes, many of their problems can be traced to for decades. development. poverty, not the quality of their teachers. But that It is no surprise that means they need us more than ever to advocate the decline in rates of for resources, policies and practices to help them unionization has coincided succeed in the face of difficult circumstances. with the rising gap between and higher education faculty and staff had fair We must be advocates — and strong ones — rich and poor. That gap wages, hours and working conditions. for early childhood education, better technology is now bigger than at any That’s not enough anymore. We believe in schools, smaller class sizes, and a longer time since the 1920s. that our members should be the voice of public school day where it is appropriate. We must Today, the top 1 education — and that educators must be the support having an education workforce that has percent of U.S. taxpayers loudest voices in identifying and advocating for been carefully evaluated and provided with high- Paul Toner control 40 percent of the sound education policies. quality, teacher-driven professional development. MTA President wealth — the same amount Our members tell us they want us to play These kinds of initiatives won’t wipe away as the bottom 90 percent. that role, and the taxpayers who pay our salaries all of the ill effects of poverty, but they can help. This is a worldwide phenomenon. As Forbes need to understand that we are looking out for Making quality education a priority is important magazine reported in January, the richest 85 the interests of the students we teach, not just — both for our students and for the future of our people in the world now control as much wealth ourselves. union. as the poorest half of the world’s population: 3.5 If we are to remain relevant to you, our billion people. alancing these missions isn’t always easy, members, we need to listen to what you have to say Economists recognize that having strong which is why the MTA Board of Directors about education policies and provide or advocate unions is one way to narrow those gaps, B seeks input from local association and for the time, tools and resources that you need to especially when unions advocate for progressive higher education chapter leaders in deciding how do your jobs well. If we are to remain relevant to taxation to fund public services or — in the to proceed. We hold multiple regional presidents’ parents and others who live in our communities, we private sector — for reductions in exorbitant CEO meetings and two all presidents’ meetings every need to show them, not just tell them, that we have compensation and profit-taking to help boost the year. the best interests of our students at heart. incomes of low-paid employees. MTA Vice President Tim Sullivan and I The challenge for the NEA and its state travel across the state to meet with local leaders Letters policy affiliates in this environment is to figure out how to hear their concerns. We also conduct surveys TA Today welcomes letters to the editor to remain strong and relevant. The NEA, like the and focus groups to find out what members Mfrom MTA members. Letters should be no MTA, has concluded that we need to redouble want. longer than 200 words. Each letter submitted our efforts to fulfill both of our major missions: We encourage our local leaders to be in close for publication must address a topic covered in promoting the profession and quality education touch with their members so that they can make MTA Today, must be signed and must include the writer’s telephone number for confirmation for students while advancing the economic informed decisions when advising the MTA Board purposes. Opinions must be clearly identified interests of our members. on how to vote on policy issues. as belonging to the letter-writer. We reserve In the 1970s, the MTA’s primary focus was We applaud local leaders in the Berkshires the right to edit for length, clarity and style. on bread-and-butter issues. The presumption for launching a “listening tour” to do just that. We To submit a letter, mail it to MTA Today, 20 Ashburton Place, 8th floor, Boston, MA 02108 or was that school committees, PTOs and state encourage leaders and Board members in other e-mail it to [email protected]. education officials would advance school quality regions of the state to do the same. For additional information, please refer to the initiatives while our role was to make sure As education policies are put in place, we guidelines posted on www.massteacher.org. that teachers, education support professionals in the MTA leadership need to continually listen

4 Winter 2014 Educators oppose plan but ratify contract New Bedford president calls on members to ‘stay strong’ in face of challenges

By Laura Barrett

embers of the New Bedford Educators Association have ratified an agreement M that paves the way for significant changes at the city’s high school, but many continue to express anger that the superintendent is pursuing a plan that requires half of the staff to be replaced. “We asked our members to support the tentative agreement because we felt our bargaining team had won the best deal possible under the circumstances,” said NBEA President Lou St. John. “Unfortunately, those circumstances were not good. I believe that because of what is being done to our educators, we are going to lose many of our excellent teachers, not only at New Bedford High School but across our system. “Our educators should not be used as scapegoats,” St. John said. State law requires significant intervention at NBHS because it has been designated a Level 4 “underperforming” school for failing to meet school improvement targets. Superintendent Pia Durkin chose the most drastic option Photos by Laura Barrett by selecting a model under A large crowd of educators and supporters attended the rally at New Bedford City Hall. which half of the staff — teachers, administrators As a Brockton teacher, Sullivan said, he and education support ‘I believe that because understands the challenges of educating students in professionals alike — must of what is being done to an urban district. be replaced. No other district “We give this job our hearts and our souls — Lou St. John has chosen this kind of our educators, we are and a lot of our evenings and weekends, too,” he “turnaround” model when a less punitive option has going to lose many of our said. “We make a difference in our students’ lives.” been permitted. excellent teachers, not only Several MTA members from other districts and Once the superintendent chose the “turnaround” at New Bedford High School units affiliated with the MTA also spoke, including approach, the district and the NBEA had just 30 days Rebecca Cusick, president of the Fall River to bargain about the impact of the plan. A tentative but across our system.’ Educators Association; Brian Fitzgerald, president agreement reached on Jan. 15 was ratified by the — NBEA President Lou St. John of the Wareham Education Association; Leonard NBHS educators on Jan. 29. Even before bargaining, Zalauskas, president of the Educational Association the superintendent agreed that last year’s layoffs of Worcester; and Barbara Madeloni, secretary/clerk and this year’s retirements can count toward the 50 doubt that some educators with positive evaluations of the Massachusetts Society of Professors at UMass percent. will lose their jobs. Amherst. Features of the agreement include: Hundreds of educators, retired teachers, union A number of speakers cited the lack of stability n High school teachers without Professional activists and community supporters held a rally in the central office as a contributing factor in the Teacher Status must be non-renewed before any sponsored by the NBEA outside New Bedford City district’s problems. New Bedford has had five licensed teachers in good standing who have PTS are Hall on Jan. 17. They chanted, cheered and held superintendents over the past six years. laid off. signs saying “Support New Bedford Educators” and n A high school teacher with PTS who is not carrying like-minded messages. t. John, an NBHS graduate, was among those rehired can bump a non-PTS teacher in another St. John told the crowd, “We suggest that instead who praised the hard work of New Bedford school, but cannot bump another teacher with PTS. of threatening our teachers with termination, Dr. educators. n S High school teachers will work 42 more Durkin, the mayor and the school committee should “Last year my daughter, Kayla, graduated from minutes per day for $5,885 more a year and will be trying to figure out how to improve working New Bedford High School, and my son, Matthew, is be compensated at their contractual rate for any conditions and make this the kind of district where in his sophomore year at New Bedford High School. additional work that is required. highly qualified educators want to work!” I love my children, so I can assure you I wouldn’t As MTA Today went to press, it remained MTA Vice President Tim Sullivan told the be sending them to New Bedford High School if I unclear how many of the 190 high school teachers educators that “the MTA is fully behind you.” didn’t think they would get a quality education from would be laid off as a result of the turnaround “The turnaround model is a great way to build competent teachers there.” plan since voluntary transfers, bumping rights and resentment but a terrible way to build a team,” he He urged members of the NBEA to “stay strong” retirements still must be considered. But there is no said. despite the challenges they face.

Winter 2014 5 Grassroots efforts take center stage Berkshire Educator Action Network is engaged in deep listening and organizing for change

By Laura Barrett

“ e have something like a vortex coming down — federal, state, DESE, W administrators — funneling down,” said Lanesborough Elementary School teacher Anna Mello, making a gesture with her hands to show how policy descends on classroom educators from above. “Really, it needs to come from the bottom up,” Mello continued. “Those roots, the big things, need to come from the bottom and push up to support that plant to grow.” The “strategic intent” of the MTA’s Strategic Action Plan expresses a similar sentiment, calling for more input on education policy and practice to come from the ground up. Where changes are in a school district’s control, members should identify which changes are needed and advocate for them through their local associations. If members want changes at the state level, they should work through the MTA governance structure to advocate for them statewide. In Berkshire County, local leaders are taking this philosophy to heart through a “listening tour” that they hope will lead to organizing for change.

Plans are also being developed to bring deeper Photo by Christine Peterson listening to other parts of the state, either through English teacher Jane McEvoy, left, guidance counselor Daniel Korte and librarian Amy Consolati similar tours or by other methods developed were among the Lee educators who participated in the BEAN listening tour. regionally. Meanwhile, educators in the Berkshires aren’t Members taking part in the BEAN listening stopping with listening. They are getting ready to ‘Our success as an organization tour raised a variety of issues, some specific to move their campaign to another level. depends on regular and their districts and others related to state and federal MTA Board member Ginger Armstrong and policies. Certain themes emerged in virtually all of local association leaders have formed the Berkshire meaningful two-way the locals, including a lack of time to teach because Educator Action Network — BEAN — to develop conversations. That is why educators are so busy implementing new initiatives and implement the program. With help from MTA we hold multiple presidents’ and a belief that too much emphasis on standardized field representatives in the area, BEAN members tests is interfering with educating the whole child. have been holding face-to-face conversations, either meetings each year in every “It’s amazing how many of your members come individually or in small groups, throughout the region and two all presidents’ out when you’re talking to them,” said Armstrong. county. meetings a year.’ “They want somebody to hear them. They want to Some of those discussions were videotaped by know that you’re listening. As a member of the MTA the MTA Communications Division staff, resulting — MTA President Paul Toner Board, I’m sitting there voting on policy issues. in a “Berkshire Listening Tour” video that is being But unless I’ve talked to my presidents and they’ve shown at other meetings to kick off discussions talked to their members, then I’m just making it up.” based on several open-ended questions: the MTA Board of Directors. The Board then votes Brendan Sheran, president of the United n What do you most like about your job? on major MTA policies and positions, as do members Educators of Pittsfield, agreed. Speaking at a meeting n What needs do your students bring to school? directly if they participate in our Annual Meeting of of Berkshire County presidents in December, Sheran n What, if any, barriers exist to your meeting Delegates.” said, “One of our members’ biggest complaints is that those needs, and what would you change at the Toner said that the MTA has held leadership people never ask them what they think about how federal, state, district or school level? trainings and sponsored organizing institutes to things should be. This listening tour has given us an Information gathered in the discussions has improve member engagement. The MTA has urged opportunity to do that. I’m a new president this year, been reinforced through member surveys. As MTA Board members and local presidents to stay in closer so this is not only BEAN’s opportunity but also my Today went to press, approximately 250 of the touch with one another to find out members’ views opportunity to hear from people right out of the gate.” 1,550 teachers in Berkshire County had participated on issues. Most recently, MTA leaders have been Members taking part in the tour said they through a survey, an in-person meeting or both. seeking member input on the rollout of PARCC appreciated the chance to speak their minds. Lisa “BEAN leaders are to be congratulated for assessments. Messina, a second-grade teacher at Lanesborough taking the initiative,” said MTA President Paul “Our success as an organization depends on Elementary School, said, “These are things I Toner. “This is the way the MTA’s decision-making regular and meaningful two-way conversations,” think about all the time, so I’m glad to have the structure is supposed to work. Presidents need to find Toner said. “That is why we hold multiple presidents’ opportunity to say something and maybe it will make out what their members are thinking and then convey meetings each year in every region and two all an impact somewhere.” those ideas and principles to their representatives on presidents’ meetings a year.” Continued on next page

6 Winter 2014 Educators focus on opportunities and challenges

By Scott McLennan “I think the Brendan Sheran, hen a member of the MTA Board of Common Core is president of the Directors asked educators in her area W what gets in the way when they are heading us into a United Educators of trying to do their jobs, the responses ran the gamut nice, more balanced Pittsfield, talked of — covering everything from a need for space direction,” said a concern common for art supplies to concerns that a seismic shift is occurring in public perception of the teaching Lisa Messina, who to many in his local. profession. teaches at the “We’ve been a Board member Ginger Armstrong, who serves Lanesborough little bit frustrated, as president of the Lee Education Association, and fellow MTA local presidents reached out to Elementary School. Messina and I’ve heard this from a lot Berkshire County educators via written surveys, said that before she attended of people, about resources face-to-face interviews, meetings and videotaped focus groups. The project by the Berkshire a workshop on using the regarding technology and the Educator Action Network — known as BEAN — standards, she had negative replacement of computers and turned up myriad topics. feelings about them. laptops that educators use.” In written survey responses, educators included these comments: n “More access to preK programs.” Elementary School. Messina said that before she One K-5 visual arts teacher in Pittsfield n “Don’t cut out the arts.” attended a workshop on using the standards, she wrote: “Take away some of the stress on students. n “Keep teaching time ‘sacred.’” had negative feelings about them. Allow them time to play and share. They are Brendan Sheran, president of the United Several teachers targeted what they called an hungry for human connections, and the pace is so Educators of Pittsfield, talked of a concern overemphasis on high-stakes standardized testing strenuous it is difficult to allow time to just listen common to many in his local. “We’ve been a as antithetical to their attempts to help students to them.” little bit frustrated, and I’ve heard this from a lot learn to think deeply and solve problems. Even BEAN will be organizing MTA members of people, about resources regarding technology teachers working in subject areas not directly around such concerns and identifying actions to and the replacement of computers and laptops that tested on the MCAS felt the impact of the achieve the educators’ goals. But more important, educators use.” assessments. Armstrong said, the BEAN project is meant to In the area of new initiatives, teachers Joshua Hall, who teaches history to middle empower and energize teachers, giving them a repeatedly brought up the new Common Core school and high school students in Lee, noted that more prominent voice in decision-making that State Standards. While many were optimistic MCAS remediation eats into the history classes affects their careers. about the Common Core, some felt that more that students should be taking. “We don’t want a list of complaints,” training on aligning curricula with the standards “Having to catch them up limits what I’m Armstrong said. “What we want is to have would make for an easier rollout. able to do, but that’s because of the tests, not the members learn how to work within their locals to “I think the Common Core is heading us teachers,” Hall said. address concerns in their buildings and then work into a nice, more balanced direction,” said Lisa Educators also pointed to shifts they see in together within the region and state to address the Messina, who teaches at the Lanesborough students’ readiness to learn. issues we all face.”

‘One of the most important things we try to get through to our teachers is that MTA is them’

Continued from previous page student’s day is out of the control of the classroom Christina Duval, a physical education teacher ‘We need to reach out to the teacher.” and president of the Clarksburg Teachers Association, Members also want to publicize positive stories said that her members had a positive response to the public and share our thoughts about public schools, educators and education unions. listening tour video, which was played at a meeting on about what inspires students “The MTA, our unions and our locals are not all Jan. 28. to become lifelong learners.’ about the trouble,” said Armstrong. “We’re there to “Everybody agreed with everything that people educate the kids. were saying in the video,” Duval said. “It made our — Board member Ginger Armstrong “If I want to know what teachers think, then I’ve members feel good because they were feeling, ‘Oh, got to get out there and you’ve got to get out there,” we thought we were the only ones who felt this way.’ Armstrong added, gesturing to other local presidents It’s not just us. Everybody is going through this.” who met about the listening tour in December. Duval said that having these conversations will organize for change. Future steps for BEAN include “We’ve got to all come together. We are it.” help participants grapple with the issues locally and meeting with superintendents in Berkshire County Barbara Manley, vice president of the North work more effectively with other leaders in the region. to determine which issues can be dealt with locally, Adams Teachers Association, added, “One of the Armstrong said her goal is to hear from 100 then working to fix them. most important things we try to get through to our percent of the members in the Berkshires. Another goal is to share their views with parents. teachers is that MTA is them.” She and other BEAN members not only want “We need to reach out to the public and share to hear about problems; they also want to work with our thoughts about what inspires students to become For a link to the Berkshire Listening Tour video, members and administrators to develop solutions and lifelong learners,” Armstrong said. “Much of the go to www.massteacher.org/listeningtour.

Winter 2014 7 Involvement is theme of EMAC Conference By Jean Conley

uilding professional and social networks, the need for involvement and the life of human B and civil rights icon Nelson Mandela were among the key topics at the MTA’s recent Ethnic Minority Affairs Committee Conference. EMAC Chair Christine Boseman welcomed the 120 participants to a dinner on the evening of Friday, Dec. 6, at the Sheraton Framingham Hotel. The conference, which ran through Dec. 7, began with a moment of silence for Mandela, who had died the day before at age 95. In her speech, Boseman called for greater activism by ethnic minority members in both the MTA and the National Education Association. “I like to point out that all human beings are part of some ethnic group, and most people find themselves in the minority at some point in their lives,” she told the audience. Photos by Jean Conley “EMAC’s mission statement A workshop titled “Keeping Alive Our Commitment to ‘Justice for All’” featured spirited discussion. specifies that our committee be MTA activists Josephine Bernard, left, and Edith Cannon, also standing, were the presenters. particularly concerned about increasing participation” by of information from the workshops and “enjoyed get an education, prepared him in many ways to ethnic minority members. the dynamic speakers.” take on life’s challenges. But he still experienced the Boseman implored Glenn Spencer, chairman of the CEA’s contradictory and confusing messages that are often members to join committees Minority Affairs Commission, said the Connecticut sent to people with ethnic minority backgrounds. and watch for opportunities to participants were “grateful for the opportunity to Nuñez recounted his early career in sales at serve. “For everyone, time is network, share, and develop collegiality with fellow a major drug company, saying he was one of the Christine Boseman an issue,” she said. “But I find educators for a common purpose.” He said that after most productive in his group and had been told that if the cause is important the conference, his contingent “talked about how that he would be promoted enough, most people find a way to make time.” in the future we could develop a similar training in two years if he hit certain For the first time, a contingent from the module for Connecticut.” benchmarks. He did meet his Connecticut Education Association attended the The keynote address was delivered by Mayor sales numbers, he said, only conference. Members of the MTA Ethnic Minority Lisa Wong of Fitchburg, now in her fourth term. to find that not only would Affairs Committee had met their Connecticut Wong, first elected at the age of 28, is the first ethnic he not be promoted, but counterparts at a “3.1(g) meeting” in October in minority mayor in Fitchburg’s almost 250-year that he would be fired. The Washington, D.C., and the Connecticut group was history and the first female Asian-American mayor in person who replaced him, he invited to the event by MTA President Paul Toner. Massachusetts. said, “did not look like me” “For those of you who don’t know, 3.1(g) She told conference participants that one of her and was promoted despite refers to the NEA bylaw that aims to achieve ethnic greatest accomplishments as mayor has been “tearing lesser qualifications. But by minority delegate representation at the Representative down the walls” between departments, people and Juan Nuñez persevering, earning college Assembly equal to the proportion of identified ethnic institutions in her city. degrees and seeking out the minorities in each state,” Boseman said. Collaboration among the police, the city and right mentors, Nuñez learned to “manage” negative The meeting had several dimensions, she noted. the schools, for example, has put a renewed focus experiences and stay positive. “I dealt with it, I “For one thing, if we weren’t at that meeting in on creating activities for young people. Wong thought about it and I moved on,” he said. Washington, we wouldn’t have met our Connecticut recalled inviting artists into a collaboration among Boseman said she left the conference feeling friends,” she said. “But at that meeting I also Fitchburg State University, the schools and the that members had a greater understanding about learned that many states have not met their minority city. The program, she said, “just grew and grew,” what their union offers — from events targeted membership targets in the NEA.” building a shared sense of responsibility for young to their needs to professional development Boseman asked the attendees to “take some people. opportunities — and realizing that many members time within your locals to speak to your minority Juan Nuñez, former chief diversity officer now have a deeper understanding of the need for members about getting involved” — by attending the at UMass Boston and an experienced inclusion their involvement. MTA Summer Conference or the EMAC Conference, specialist, spoke to participants during the luncheon “Reaching out to ethnic minorities from another or by becoming a delegate to the MTA Annual that concluded the conference on Saturday. state and discussing the impact ethnic minorities Meeting of Delegates or the RA. In his introduction, Toner said that Nuñez “has can have on the MTA and as delegates to the NEA Andrea Middlebrooks, a science teacher at taken the lessons that life has doled out and turned RA, those are messages that resonate,” Boseman Cromwell Middle School, was among those from them into positive ones.” He said that while at said. “Many people told me they can’t wait for next Connecticut who traveled to Framingham. She UMass, Nuñez “advanced a campus climate that was December so they can come back.” said she appreciated the welcome that she and respectful and supportive of academic, social and the other CEA members were given and enjoyed personal development.” To see more photos of the Ethnic Minority discovering how another state affiliate conducts its Nuñez said his large family, which moved from Affairs Committee Conference, please visit conference. She added that she gained a great deal Puerto Rico to the United States so the children could www.flickr.com/mtacommunications.

8 Winter 2014 Senate President Therese Murray, pictured at left, was invited by MECEU supporters to visit the Learning Safari Early Childhood Education Center in Plymouth. Representative Jeffrey Sánchez, center, voiced his support for the MECEU at a legislative hearing on Nov. 25. At right, Nicole Coakley, director of the Children’s Creative Center in Springfield, presented Representative Benjamin Swan with a “thank you” card made by students. Early childhood educators lobby for improvements

By Scott McLennan “We want people to be confident and feel proud can only be achieved by ensuring that good teachers to work in the field,” MTA President Paul Toner said are able to stay where they are most needed — in ollowing a strong showing at a hearing before during his testimony before the Joint Committee on preschool classrooms and child care agencies across the Legislature’s Public Service Committee in Public Service on Nov. 25. “It is our intent to see the Massachusetts,” Sullivan said. F November, early childhood educators across best people stay in the field.” “An Act to Improve Quality in Early Education the state have ramped up efforts to ensure that a bill Toner echoed a common theme among Centers” (House 477/Senate 223) would include that would give them authority to form a providers’ supporters of the legislation. Early childhood roughly 5,000 employees working at 500 centers, organization continues to gain momentum in the educators, legislators and other supporters testified most of which are small. The providers’ organization House and Senate. that educators too often leave small private centers would advocate for adequate funding to support “An Act to Improve Quality in Early Education because of low wages and underfunded professional quality assurance regulations and professional Centers” would allow educators, directors and development programs. Such turnover was called training, increased reimbursement rates for vouchers owners of early education centers where at least 10 the biggest impediment to ensuring quality early used by income-eligible students to help raise pay percent of the children receive state subsidies to form childhood education. and retain staff, and additional funding for children a nontraditional union. The organization would meet To drive home the message, MECEU activists now on waiting lists for subsidized preK centers. with the state Department of Early Education and have been inviting members of the Legislature to The MECEU points to its growing support Care to discuss policies and regulation. visit centers that support the bill. Senate President among legislators. Students at the Children’s The Massachusetts Early Childhood Educators Therese Murray (D-Plymouth) spent time one day in Creative Center in Springfield made a card to thank Union, the grassroots organization behind the bill, January with the staff and children at Learning Safari Representative Benjamin Swan (D-Springfield) for has the support of the MTA, which has made the Early Childhood Education Center in Plymouth. his support, and center Director Nicole Coakley bill’s passage a top legislative priority; the National MTA Vice President Tim Sullivan joined Murray delivered it to his office. MECEU activists are Education Association; the American Federation and stressed the importance of the MECEU effort to planning to lobby legislators at the State House on of Teachers Massachusetts and the national AFT; help the state’s most resource-needy centers serve March 6 following a briefing for House and Senate and the Massachusetts AFL-CIO. The providers’ vulnerable families. members being organized by Representative Jeffrey organization would be jointly affiliated with the “Early educational opportunities must be given Sánchez (D-Jamaica Plain), one of the bill’s lead MTA and the AFT. to all children regardless of economic status, which sponsors. Commission calls for increase in reimbursement rates By Scott McLennan The commission met throughout the fall and released for subsidized care, which in turn could support its report on Dec. 31. higher salaries for educators working in centers that special commission examining early “Right now, we have too many children on accept such vouchers. childhood education in the state has waiting lists to access quality care, and too many The report identified more than 40,000 income- A issued its report, which calls for higher good educators are forced to leave centers where eligible children on waiting lists for services that reimbursement rates for subsidized programs, more they simply can’t earn a living. High teacher fall under the purview of the Department of Early money to reduce waiting lists for families seeking turnover undermines the quality of education and Education and Care. Governor Deval Patrick’s fiscal access to subsidized care, and improved oversight services that preK centers can offer to disadvantaged 2015 budget proposal, released shortly after the of health and safety regulations. students,” Sullivan said. commission’s report, calls for $15 million in new Early Education and Care Commissioner The special commission’s report stated funding to tackle the waiting-list problem, though Thomas Weber chaired the panel, which included that “compensation for early educators in the that figure would reduce the number by only 1,700 about two dozen legislators and representatives Commonwealth is insufficient and does not reflect children. from the field of education. MTA Vice President qualifications or competency, causing the current 29 In the area of health and safety, the commission Tim Sullivan was the association’s member on the percent turnover rate in the early education field in recommended adding up to 100 licensors and commission — known as the Special Commission on Massachusetts.” The commission recommended that bringing the department’s investigative unit back up Early Education and Care Operations and Finance. the state provide a 3 percent rate increase in vouchers to 10 employees.

Winter 2014 9 Photos by Sarah Nathan Above left, Josh Chrzanowski, a Chicopee teacher and chairman of MTA’s New Member Committee, touches base with two conference participants. In the photo at right, committee members Erinne Wortham of Bellingham, left, and Kathryn Procter of Agawam help with outreach. New teachers gather to learn and network By Laura Barrett your legislators’ about such and such bill. Some New Member Committee Chair of you may want to run and hide when your local uburn Middle School math teacher Kerry Josh Chrzanowski’s advice to new president asks you to join a committee or attend a Palumbo had only been on the job for a few teachers was to make a “smile file,” school committee meeting. Please remember, we A months when she came to the MTA’s Just an idea he got from a colleague aren’t doing this to aggravate you. We know you for New Teachers Conference. who showed him her file, which was are very busy. Very, very, very busy. But anything Palumbo, who started teaching in September, filled with notes, pictures, cards and you can do on behalf of the association is also an had heard about the Dec. 6 event from her mentor origami items that students had important step you are taking on behalf of yourself and jumped at the chance to go. made for her throughout her career. and your future.” “I have so much to learn,” she said. “Anything I Danae O’Bryan, an eighth-grade English teacher learn here will be wonderful.” in Malden, was a long-term substitute before she Palumbo had been a civil engineer for nine years Fortunately, the situation improved with time. landed a full-time job at the Beebe School. before leaving that job to be home with her children. Eventually, he said, “Self-doubt no longer rushed “I thought I was going to like teaching high “When I was at home, I had years to think about over me like an arctic wave.” school, but I found out I really like teaching middle what I wanted to do when I went back to work,” “You’ll work out how to grade all those papers school,” she said. “Eighth grade is where I am she said. “I realized I didn’t feel like going back to and be able to watch the game on Sunday,” he supposed to be.” an office and sitting in a cubicle designing things. assured the audience. “And yes, the eye twitch will She attended the conference, she said, because I wanted to get out there and interact with people. go away.” “being a new teacher and fresh out of grad school, There are different challenges every day, but I love Chrzanowski’s advice to new teachers was to I always want to be taking classes and meeting new my job teaching.” make a “smile file,” an idea he got from a colleague people.” The JFNT Conference is designed for people who showed him her file, which was filled with “It’s nice to network with new teachers who are such as Palumbo who are in their first four years of notes, pictures, cards and origami items that students experiencing similar trials and tribulations, but also teaching and want to improve their skills in areas had made for her throughout her career. positive moments,” she said. such as differentiating instruction, managing the “When she had a bad day, she told me, she In his keynote address, Malone, who struggled classroom, keeping students engaged and learning pulled the file out and went through it, because this with dyslexia in school, said, “I value good teachers about the state’s new educator evaluation system. is why we teach — not for the scores or the grades, because it was someone like you who changed The 2013 event was held in Marlborough, but to make a difference in the lives of children,” my life. It was someone like you who didn’t give with 161 teachers and 10 student members taking Chrzanowski said. up on me. If you can put kids at the center on all part. MTA Benefits and other vendors offered free Sullivan talked about the MTA’s mission discussions and focus on craft, any disagreements merchandise and information to those who attended. statement, which calls for promoting quality public can be worked out. We are about kids first. That’s In addition to morning and afternoon workshops, education, protecting the interests and rights of why we do this work.” the conference featured a keynote speech by state members and advocating for civil and human rights. The last event of the day was the JFNT Secretary of Education Matt Malone and remarks by He urged new members to get involved in their local Ideas Fair, sponsored by Listen Edition, MTA Vice President Tim Sullivan and New Member associations to help further these goals. Massachusetts Jobs with Justice, Microsoft and PBS Committee Chair Josh Chrzanowski. “We can’t accomplish our goals by just relying LearningMedia. December can be a difficult month for first-year on our very capable and professional staff,” Sullivan Each sponsor offered participants different teachers, Chrzanowski told the crowd. said. “If our lobbyists can’t demonstrate that the teaching tools, resources and apps. “Those were dark times,” he said, recalling his educators are behind them and feel passionately own experience. “I went to school in the dark, got about our positions, then their influence is very For more information and photos, please visit home in the dark. … I was on a waiver and treading limited. http://storify.com/massteacher/mta-s-just-for-new- water. I developed an eye twitch that didn’t stop until “Some of you may roll your eyes when you get teachers-conference and www.flickr.com/photos/ February break.” multiple e-mails from MTA saying, ‘Please contact mtacommunications/sets/72157638414987025/.

10 Winter 2014 Common Core and PARCC rollouts continue in state

By Laura Barrett The DESE gave districts the option of excusing computer-based education, will be administering students who are taking one of the PBAs from taking PARCC tests in both subjects to students throughout ample items from the new Common Core- the MCAS test in that subject, but 80 percent of the district. Revere will administer PARCC tests to aligned assessments that will be field-tested districts are requiring students to take both. all students in three of the district’s 11 schools. S this spring are now available. In the spring of 2015, districts will have the A group that includes the MTA, the DESE, The Partnership for Assessment of Readiness option of administering either PARCC or MCAS the Massachusetts Association of School for College and Careers — PARCC — has released tests, but not both, in grades three to eight. Grade Superintendents, education policy organizations a batch of computer-based examples from different 10 students will continue to take the MCAS tests and administrators from both districts plans to hire grade levels in both English language arts and through the class of 2018, though districts will also a researcher to conduct the case study. Among other mathematics. A link to these items and more be field-testing PARCC’s grade 10 EOY tests. issues, the research will explore district Internet information can be found in the Common Core and The Board of Elementary and Secondary bandwidth needs, the testing experience on different PARCC Toolkit on the MTA website. To visit the Education has not yet determined the schedule for computing devices and proctor familiarity with the toolkit, go to massteacher.org/ccss. administering PARCC assessments for grades nine testing environment. The toolkit also contains links to fliers and fact and 11, though assessments in those grades will be sheets that have been developed by the Department field-tested this spring, as well. MTA Core Collaborative of Elementary and Secondary Education and by In the fall of 2015, the BESE will be asked to On a related front, the MTA, with funds from the PARCC, a consortium that includes Massachusetts vote on whether to replace MCAS tests with PARCC NEA Great Public Schools initiative, is continuing and 17 other states plus the District of Columbia. tests in ELA and math. The plan is to continue to to work with Teach Plus on the MTA Common Core administer science MCAS tests. Collaborative. The collaborative is training a group Field test updates More information will be forthcoming about how of teachers to create Common Core-aligned lessons. Approximately 8 percent of Massachusetts changing assessments will affect school and district The collaborative was launched in September, students in 1,075 schools — 58 percent of the total accountability and the new teacher evaluation system. when more than 500 educators from around the state — will be participating in the field testing of PARCC took part in a full day of professional development ELA and math assessments this spring. Case study in understanding and aligning curricula with the Performance-Based Assessments — PBAs — Meanwhile, the MTA and other education Common Core. will be administered March 24 through April 11. stakeholder groups are collaborating on a case In the second phase, 50 teachers from Greater End-of-Year — EOY — tests will be given May 5 study of PARCC implementation by focusing on Boston and beyond are receiving intensive instruction through June 6. Burlington and Revere. Burlington, a leader in Please turn to Collaborative/ Page 25

Paid Advertisement

CLASS MEASURES Educational Leadership and Accountability SAVE THE DATE

Performance Review Program for Initial License (PRPIL) – DESE Route 4

Instructional Quality School Reviews

Customized Professional Development 2014

Contact us today to find out how we can help you! Higher Education Conference Please join us on Friday, April 11, and Saturday, April 12, 2014, for the MTA Higher Education Conference. The conference will feature discussions and workshops 781.939.5699 centered on the trends and issues that our higher education members face. [email protected] When finalized, the conference location, schedule, registration and hotel part of www.classmeasures.com information will be posted on www.massteacher.org. Further information will be mailed to MTA higher education members.

Winter 2014 11 Governor’s budget proposal increases education spending

overnor Deval Patrick’s fiscal 2015 budget which are intended to ensure that communities have Budget Review Commission in his spending plan for proposal increases education spending the funding they need to educate students adequately. the year beginning July 1. Passage of legislation that G across the board and calls for the MTA President Paul Toner applauded the would establish the review commission (House 457/ establishment of a commission that would provide a governor for continuing to prioritize students and Senate 207) is a key legislative priority of the MTA. systematic review of the Foundation Budget formula. public education. “That will help us all work together to figure The $36.4 billion budget, which the governor “We are pleased with the administration’s out the true cost of helping Massachusetts students presented on Jan. 22, would raise education spending support for all levels of public education in the succeed in preparing for college and meeting the for kindergarten through grade 12 by roughly 2.5 budget,” Toner said. “Governor Patrick’s proposal demands of our 21st-century economy,” Toner said. percent overall. Spending for early education and care would help all students learn, and it seeks to keep Toner said the MTA will work with its members would go up 9 percent, and spending for public higher public colleges affordable, which is crucial for to encourage adoption of a final 2015 budget that education campuses would rise about 6.3 percent, on working families.” reflects “the best interests of our students and of our average. The budget, as required by law, would keep Toner added that he especially appreciates the public schools, colleges and universities.” every school district at foundation levels of spending, outgoing governor’s inclusion of the Foundation Please turn to Patrick/Page 14

Paid Advertisement Paid Advertisement

8th ANNUAL DISTINGUISHED SPEAKER EVENT — Register early! ONLINE Graduate Special Education with Anthony Muhammad, Ph.D. Programs March 12 • 8:30 A.M. – 2 P.M.

New delivery — same quality education

• Online classes with the latest technology and 24/7 technical support • Face-to-face Saturday sessions in select courses for networking and collaboration with instructors and peers • Licensure and non-licensure options UNDERSTAND how school cultures operate. Degrees and Certificates CREATE a positive atmosphere so all M.Ed., Special Education: students can learn. Guided Studies (Individualized or Professional Licensure Concentrations) DESIGN strategies Reading Specialist (Initial Licensure) for transforming toxic Teacher of Students with Moderate Disabilities (Initial Licensure) school cultures into Teacher of Students with Severe Disabilities (Initial Licensure) healthy ones. Graduate Certificates: MAXIMIZE organizational Behavior Analyst effectiveness. Reading Specialist DISCOVER efficient real-world suggestions INFORMATION SESSION: to dramatically impact school culture. Co-sponsored by Graduate and Continuing Education and the Center for Professional Studies April 17 LEARN how to improve 978.665.3636 • [email protected] www.fitchburgstate.edu/gce/sped relationships and do 978.665.3182 more than “just make it REGISTER TODAY AT: through the day.” www.fitchburgstate.edu/gce/speaker

12 Winter 2014 Students and educators ‘Stand Up’ to bullying By Bob Duffy MTA Vice President echnology is changing the Tim Sullivan, who way students experience bullying, both at school and in co-chaired the event T in Worcester, told their online universe. But a considerable effort is being the crowd that it made to turn the tide and ensure is critical to create that bullying has no place — in the communitywide schoolyard, over the Internet or anyplace else. awareness of how to On Dec. 3, more than 4,000 middle prevent bullying. and high school students gathered MTA Vice President Tim Sullivan, at right on the stage, talked about the with educators and others at the DCU need to prevent bullying during an event at Worcester’s DCU Center. Center in Worcester to learn how they the winner by the crowd via a texting could help. The Stand Up to Bullying told the crowd that it is critical to for students from Massachusetts vote. event served as a powerful motivator, create communitywide awareness of and Rhode Island to talk about their Students also shared ideas and providing everyone present with the how to prevent bullying. experiences. strategies to help create a culture of tools to create positive school cultures. “Bullying does not just take place Radio stations JAM’N 94.5 and openness and tolerance in schools. The MTA, a sponsor of the event, in the schools,” Sullivan said. KISS 108, which also co-sponsored They had an open-microphone was part of a coalition of 50 groups “Regardless of where or how the event, put together a “Ballads discussion on bullying and possible that created the first Stand Up to bullying takes place, educators know vs. Bullying” contest to encourage solutions that was moderated by Bullying event in Massachusetts three that it can have a very negative effect students to create songs on the subject. Meghan McCoy, program coordinator years ago. Stand Up has now expanded on student achievement,” he continued. More than 30 entries were at the Massachusetts Aggression into New Hampshire; thousands of “So we want to encourage a school submitted, and the three finalists Reduction Center at Bridgewater State students and teachers attended an anti- culture that’s free from bullying and performed theirs live. University. bullying event in Durham on Nov. 15. harassment.” “Together We Stand,” showcased MTA Vice President Tim Sullivan, The daylong program included by a threesome from Mt. Hope High mong the topics covered was who co-chaired the event in Worcester, awards, speeches and opportunities School in Bristol, R.I., was selected as cyberbullying — the sending or posting of harmful Paid Advertisement A material about another person using the Internet or a cellphone. This pernicious form of bullying allows messages and images to be distributed Online Graduate Degrees instantaneously to a wide audience at any time of the day or night. for Massachusetts Teachers Perpetrators often remain anonymous. While students participated in the general discussion by asking questions from microphones around the floor and texting their responses to an interactive Get Started This Summer! survey, each school sent three students Summer Online Courses Begin May 19 to participate in an Action Caucus. • Reading and Language Master’s Degree, M.Ed. During that event, teams Reading Specialist Licensure Option developed and exchanged anti-bullying • Education Administration Master’s Degree, M.Ed. plans for their schools. An area was Principal Licensure Option established on the floor of the arena • Curriculum & Instruction Master’s Degree, M.Ed. for students to highlight particularly Options in Autism, Special Education (blended), Science effective anti-bullying programs and Education, K-12 Instruction, and Mathematics Education (blended) initiatives. Trevor Blanchet, a history teacher • Curriculum & Instruction Education Specialist Degree, Ed.S. at Dracut High School who was • Reading & Language Education Specialist Degree, Ed.S. attending his second Stand Up event, Reading Specialist Licensure Option saw the day as “a great opportunity for • Administration, Planning & Policy Education Specialist Degree, Ed.S. the students to get together with folks Principal Licensure Option from around the state to share ideas and start to develop a plan that they E-mail us now to get can then bring back to their individual started this summer: UMass Lowell’s Graduate School of Education school communities.” is accredited by the National Council for [email protected] Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE). “We need the students themselves to step up among their peers to create continuinged.uml.edu/education/massteachers.cfm a culture in which this behavior is no longer accepted,” Blanchet said.

Winter 2014 13

Retirees make special delivery to Savoy TA Retired members delivered books, school supplies and small stuffed animals to the students and staff at the Emma L. Miller M Memorial Elementary School in Savoy as part of a pre-Thanksgiving visit. The items had been donated during the annual MTA Retired Members Gathering, which was held in September. Collecting school supplies and educational materials for a designated school district with limited funding and resources has become a tradition at the gathering. With a staff of just 14, Miller Elementary is the only public school in the tiny Western Massachusetts town. “It was heartwarming. The kids were so appreciative and excited. They were passing around the books once they got their hands on them,” said Richard Liston, co-chair of the Retired Members Committee, who helped deliver the items to the school on Nov. 19. “I’m so proud of our retirees for the number of items they donated.” And those items quickly went to good use, according to Jane O’Riordan, president of the Savoy Education Association. Some books went into classrooms and others went to the library, with the reading material distributed across the age range of the Photo by Steve Day preK-to-grade-5 school. “The kids were so thrilled,” O’Riordan said. “One of them Miller Elementary School student Dakota Roberts enjoys a book came up to me and said, ‘Thanks for inviting your friends here.’” with MTA Retired members Paul Mazut, left, and Richard Liston.

Patrick proposes investment in education, saying it is ‘our calling card to the world’ Continued from Page 12 totaling an estimated $154 million, including an The legislation establishes a process, through In presenting the budget, the governor referred estimated $68 million in new tax revenue resulting negotiation, for improving the quality of early to education as “our calling card to the world” and from applying the state’s sales tax to candy and soda, learning and child-care services and expanding the “one of the best investments we can make in the postponing special tax breaks for businesses and opportunities for educational advancement for child- future of our Commonwealth.” closing other loopholes. care providers. Compared to last year’s budget proposal, which Along with ensuring adequate funding in the final sought tax revenue to fund a major expansion of budget, another top legislative priority for the current A summary of key elements of the governor’s education and transportation programs, the 2015 session is the passage of “An Act to Improve Quality budget proposal is available on the MTA website, budget outlines more modest revenue increases in Early Education Centers” (House 477/Senate 223). www.massteacher.org.

Paid Advertisement Paid Advertisement Salem’sSalem’s MostMost VisitedVisited MuseumMuseum

TRANSPORT YOUR STUDENTS BACK TO THE FAMOUS EVENT THAT FOREVER CHANGED THE COURSE OF AMERICAN HISTORY! Live actors, high-tech interactive exhibits, authentically restored tea ships and a stirring, award-winning multi-sensory film are just a taste of what 20 innocent victims lost their lives during your students will see, hear and feel. the Witch Hunt of 1692. Mention this ad and receive COMING SOON: Downloadable Lesson Plans % SCHOOL GROUP History made them famous… OFF ADMISSION 10May not be used with other coupons or discounts. Not valid .com we make them real ! for online purchase. Must call 877.500.6776. Must mention coupon at time of purchase. Exp. 5/31/2014. (MTA) 191/2 Washington Square North, Salem, Massachusetts 01970 978.744.1692 BostonTeaPartyShip.com Translated into Cantonese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Mandarin, Russian & Spanish. Congress St. Bridge • 877.500.6776

14 Winter 2014 Exciting workshops and a warm welcome await ESPs

By Jean Conley afternoon workshop can spend some time settling in and meeting with members of the ESP Committee to ducation support professionals can take learn more about the resources and services provided advantage of an early spring weekend on by the MTA. E Cape Cod for learning, networking and at A reception and dinner, followed by popular least a bit of relaxation. giveaways from MTA Benefits, will be held starting The venue will be the upcoming ESP Health and Safety.” Empowering workshops include at 6:30 p.m. Conference, which will be at the Sea Crest Beach “Bargaining Contract Language for ESPs” and “You The dinner also features the presentation of the Hotel in Falmouth. The conference, scheduled for Don’t Need a Title to Be a Leader.” ESP of the Year Award, which honors an ESP who April 4 and 5, offers ESPs time to meet with friends The keynote speaker will be Maury Koffman, embodies the most admired traits of ESPs: leading and get to know their counterparts from across a member of the NEA Executive Committee from by example, advocating for others, promoting public Massachusetts while filling their professional toolkits East Lansing, Mich., who is serving his fifth term education and modeling for others the importance of at two dozen workshops, enjoying great food and as president of the 2,300-member Administrative continued professional growth. hearing inspiring speakers in a beautiful oceanfront Professional Association at Michigan State On Saturday, a breakfast buffet precedes two setting. University. back-to-back sessions of morning workshops. The The conference has already attracted hundreds Koffman, who earned bachelor’s and law workshops will be followed by a luncheon, closing of registrants, and attendance may surpass that degrees from Michigan State, is a strong and remarks and more MTAB giveaways. The conference of the 2013 event, which was held in the same passionate advocate of recruiting, engaging and wraps up at about 3 p.m. on Saturday. location. The workshops on the agenda range from retaining members, particularly younger and newer “Classroom Management for ESPs” to “Unmasking ones. He is a second-generation union activist; his Complete information about all workshops, the Social Mind of Individuals with Asperger’s mother was an ESP and president of a local Michigan including information on Continuing Education Syndrome.” Education Association affiliate in the community of Units and Paraprofessional Training Points, is Some popular sessions from past years will Blanchard. available at www.massteacher.org/esp. If you are make a return appearance. Steve Day, MTA’s ESP organizer/consultant, unable to register online, call 800.542.5504 to New workshops include hands-on introductory cautioned that professional development workshops request a paper copy of the registration form. Other and intermediate lessons on the use of iPads, Google fill quickly. questions may be directed to MTA ESP Organizer/ and Microsoft Office Programs, as well as “ESPs Hotel registration begins at 3 p.m. on Friday, Consultant Steve Day at [email protected]. His and the Affordable Care Act” and “Workplace and those participants not signed up for a Friday phone number is 617.878.8314.

Paid Advertisement Paid Advertisement YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE Offering Graduate Programs in Make Some History Special Education in Class Today The MS/EdS in EDUCATION/SPECIAL EDUCATION ultimate Moderate Disabilities (I): PreK-8; 5-12 | Severe Disabilities (I): PreK-12 When students travel back in time history MS/EdS in EDUCATION/APPLIED BEHAVIOR ANALYSIS with noted historians or hear opposing lesson viewpoints on critical contemporary CERTIFICATE in AUTISM/AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDERS (ASD) issues, they encounter the people, CERTIFICATE in LANGUAGE and LITERACY places, events and stories that shape (I) = Leads to Initial Licensure our world and our future.

“The African Americans: Many VISIT GRADUATE.BAYPATH.EDU Rivers to Cross” examines fi ve FOR INFORMATION SESSION DETAILS centuries of remarkable historical events, right up to the present, highlighting the THE BAY PATH ADVANTAGE: tragedies, triumphs and contradictions of • COMPETITIVE AND AFFORDABLE TUITION • CLASS MEETS SIX TIMES PER SEMESTER the black experience. • CONVENIENT FRIDAY/SATURDAY WEEKEND SCHEDULE • ONLINE, HYBRID AND ON CAMPUS The African Americans: Many Rivers to Cross SCHOOL OF EDUCATION 588 Longmeadow Street, Longmeadow, MA 01106 To purchase this video and other educational resources, visit 888.501.6731 [email protected] shopPBS.org/teachershop or other authorized distributor sites. Three locations: © 2014 PBS LONGMEADOW | STURBRIDGE | BURLINGTON

Winter 2014 15 ‘Difficult bargaining’ leads to first-time agreement

By Laura Barrett The school committee members appeared sheepish and asked if they or the first time in the history could caucus, she said. “They were of the Brockton Public Schools, gone a good 45 minutes,” Niccoli said. F Monitor Teacher Assistants “When we came back in, they came in have just-cause job protections and with the counteroffers.” collectively bargained salary and In the end, the two parties signed benefit increases, thanks to the fact that a pact that lifts the pay of MTAs on they are now unionized. the top step by more than 15 percent Getting to where they are over the life of the agreement, which today took a lot of hard work, along is in effect through 2016. They also with support from the head of the won five paid holidays, better sick Brockton Education Paraprofessionals leave, bereavement leave and personal Association and the Massachusetts day benefits, a higher stipend for Teachers Association. Photo by Sarah Nathan working as substitute teachers and just- “It was very difficult bargaining,” Tracy Kenney, Cheryl Donahue, Peter Guaraldi, Linda Thrasher and cause dismissal rights after a 90-day said Lorraine Niccoli, who was Lorraine Niccoli, from left to right, served on the bargaining team. probationary period. president of the BEPA until recently According to Kenney and Niccoli, negotiators had nothing to say. Not a The association is looking to and a major force behind helping the the district at first refused to offer any word. My head shot right up. My heart build on the positive relationship it teacher assistants — called MTAs — salary increases to the MTAs, who were started to race. I was furious. They eventually established with the school join the union. paid a flat $15.29 an hour, whether they hadn’t even considered our proposals. committee. The MTAs’ benefits “I know they were disappointed were in their first year or their 30th. “I said, ‘Excuse me, I need to say are still lower than those of other we couldn’t win more, but this is After a long break in bargaining, something. I am absolutely shocked. education support professionals in a good start,” she said of the new both sides returned to the table. Never in all my years of bargaining Brockton, but they are a start. members. “I’ve seen the MTAs “I went in thinking we were have I ever encountered anything like “We’re absolutely expecting to become extremely empowered. For going to come to an agreement that this. We made the last set of proposals. move forward with each contract,” years they have been so afraid of night,” Niccoli said. “We went through You have no response. You are asking said Kenney. “We’ll build on what we losing their jobs. By the time they it article by article. Then, when we us to come here and bargain against got. This is a first contract.” were done bargaining, the attitude was got to the money proposals, district ourselves.’” Please turn to New members/Page 21 more like, ‘They’re not going to push Paid Advertisement us around anymore.’ They have much more respect for themselves.” Linda Thrasher, an MTA at the high school and a bargaining team member, said she was “thrilled that we GRADUATE were able to get it done.” Brockton’s MTAs perform EDUCATION PROGRAMS some of the same functions as paraprofessionals, but they have other responsibilities as well, and they are • Reading and Literacy • Elementary Education required to have bachelor’s degrees. • Early Childhood • Secondary Education • Special Needs Paraprofessionals need the equivalent of two years of college. • Autism • Applied Behavior Analysis Administrators can move MTAs • Licensure and Non-Licensure Options around to different roles as needed, including requiring them to work Administrative Leadership as substitute teachers. Despite those responsibilities, the pay for long-term leading to licensure for: MTAs is lower than for long-term Principal/Assistant Principal paraprofessionals, and MTAs have New!Special Education Administrator fewer benefits. The cause of the Superintendent/Assistant Superintendent discrepancy was obvious: They were School Business Administrator never unionized, at least until last year. Bargaining a contract for the first time was very difficult. Tracy Kenney, a member of the bargaining team, said she felt disrespected when a member of the school committee said that the district’s offer was not about “fairness” but about the reality that the other For more information, contact Associate Director Ryan Lovell district employees had won salary 978.998.7761 | [email protected] increases and benefits through years of www.vanloan.endicott.edu negotiating.

16 Winter 2014 Higher ed lobby day is set Winners of Presidential Awards named ublic Higher Education Advocacy Day is set wo Massachusetts educators have been has worked at the Douglas Intermediate Elementary P for March 5 at the State House. named recipients of Presidential Awards School for seven years, teaching both fifth and sixth The event pulls together faculty, students T for Excellence in Mathematics and Science grade. She is the chair of the K-12 Mathematics and administrators from UMass, state universities Teaching. Curriculum Team, leading colleagues as they and community colleges to speak with a unified Jessica Findlay, a math teacher in Douglas, and share best practices and plan integrated learning voice, urging legislators to invest in the state’s Erin Dukeshire, a science teacher in Boston, are experiences. Her enthusiasm and creativity have led to higher education system. among 102 math and science teachers who received the creation of events such as Pi Day and a schoolwide MTA President Paul Toner stressed that the awards. The educators will be honored at events math-a-thon to raise money for St. Jude Children’s while the Legislature increased spending on in Washington, D.C., over the coming months. Hospital, with more than $53,000 raised to date. She higher education last year, it is important that The awards are given annually to outstanding has also been a LEGO robotics coach since 2006. legislators keep the trend going in order to fully K-12 science and math teachers around the country. Dukeshire has been a sixth-grade science teacher recover from the steady decline that occurred in Each year, the awards alternate between educators at Orchard Gardens K-8 Pilot School in Roxbury for higher education funding from 2001 to 2012. teaching kindergarten through sixth grade and three years. She is a teacher leader on the Turnaround “This is an important day for everyone those teaching grades seven through 12. Findlay Teacher Team, leading the school’s K-8 Science Team. who is learning and working in our system of higher education,” said Toner, who serves on Preconvention meetings to be held in April the Commission on Higher Education Quality, Efficiencies and Finance. egional preconvention meetings have n Wednesday, April 2, Northeast/Metro Regions, Students and higher education faculty and been set for elected delegates to the 2014 Crowne Plaza, Woburn staff will visit legislators to discuss issues of R MTA Annual Meeting of Delegates. At n Thursday, April 3, Western Region, Clarion quality and affordability. The MTA is working on these preconventions, the delegates will receive Hotel and Conference Center, Northampton issues including ensuring that per-student funding information and materials critical to their decision- n Tuesday, April 8, Southeast/Metro Regions, continues to increase and that compensation and making on organizational matters. Holiday Inn, Taunton working conditions improve for adjunct faculty. Registration for the preconventions begins at 3:30 n Wednesday, April 9, Cape and Islands Region, p.m. Each meeting is scheduled to begin at 4:30 p.m. Cape Codder Resort/Spa, Hyannis Additional information and registration The following is a list of locations and dates for Further information will be provided to materials will be posted on the MTA website, the 2014 preconventions: delegates as it becomes available. The Annual n www.massteacher.org, as the event approaches. Tuesday, April 1, Central Region, Best Western Meeting of Delegates will be held May 9-10 at the Royal Plaza, Marlborough Hynes Convention Center in Boston. GSE Ad 11.13_Layout 1 1/9/14 1:19 PM Page 1 Paid Advertisement Have you missed Test drive graduate study an issue? by taking a course — before you apply. UMass Lowell’s Graduate School of Education is NCATE-accredited. Courses are convenient and flexibly scheduled. U.S. News and World Report ranks UMass Lowell among the top 200 national universities and among the top 100 public campuses in the country. For more information, visit At the Graduate School www.uml.edu/education or of Education, you can: email edoffi[email protected].

• Become an elementary or secondary school teacher. • Take advantage of our part-time Initial licensure secondary education Find back copies program if you are teaching with a Preliminary License. The Standard of Excellence • Continue your professional development through an advanced In Teacher Preparation of MTA Today degree online. University of Massachusetts Lowell online! • Gain principal licensure through our newly approved online Graduate School of Education degree program. 61 Wilder St., O’Leary 510 Lowell, MA 01854-3098 • Join one of our three research-focused doctoral degree programs. 978.934.4601 For more information, visit www.uml.edu/education or www.uml.edu/education email edoffi[email protected].

Winter 2014 17 Lee teachers donate AP bonuses to school

By Laura Barrett participating in alternative AP training “Second, ‘merit pay’ for certain The MMSI grants provide funding organized by MTA local presidents teachers of certain students in certain for program management, teacher dvanced Placement teachers and AP teachers in collaboration with classes is inequitable to professional professional development, Saturday in Lee had a dilemma that superintendents. educators. In our view, it is a way to classes for students, $100 payments A many AP teachers have Others, such as Lee, have undermine union efforts to ensure to students for each qualifying score faced across the state. They were established voluntary bonus donation fair and equal pay they receive and bonuses for teachers interested in receiving support from mechanisms. And still others have for equal work, that include $100 for every qualifying the Massachusetts Mathematics and decided that the program’s benefits education and score that each of their students Science Initiative grant program to outweigh the downside of being forced experience.” receives. increase student participation in AP to accept the controversial bonus money. Pam Briggs, The bonus funds that Lee teachers math, science and English classes, Lee may be the only district in a math teacher, donated ranged from $700 to $4,700 but they were strongly opposed to which 100 percent of the bonus money offered additional per teacher. one ironclad condition: that teachers was given back to the school. reasons why Math teacher Tom McCormack receive a bonus — merit pay — for In a Dec. 7 letter to The Berkshire Jane McEvoy the teachers said his colleagues objected to the each student receiving a qualifying Eagle signed by all five participating unanimously agreed bonuses for students as well as for the score of 3, 4 or 5 on one of the AP teachers, English teacher Jane to donate the money to Lee Middle and teachers. designated exams. McEvoy explained, “As a union, we High School. “Philosophically, we don’t believe Through bargaining, the Lee strongly oppose ‘merit pay’ on both “Number one, not every teacher in these extrinsic motivators,” he said. teachers found a way to donate to their philosophical and ethical grounds. had an opportunity to teach an AP “I don’t believe that any of the kids schools all of the $8,700 in bonus First, the notion of ‘merit pay’ suggests course, so in terms of equity, why earned qualifying scores because they money that they qualified for under that high-achieving students are more should we be rewarded just because thought they were going to be earning the MMSI — commonly pronounced worthy of a teacher’s time and effort we happen to be teaching an AP money, nor did we work harder “mimsy” — while still meeting the than average-achieving students or course?” she said. “Why are we because we thought that if our students terms of the grant program. those who struggle. Refusing to accept singled out just because we have earned the scores we’d get the money.” Certain locals have rejected the the ‘merit pay’ has allowed us to put those students at one particular time “Let’s be frank,” added Mary MMSI grants altogether because the money back into our departments versus those who have educated Verdi, an English teacher. “We found it they found the merit pay provision to enhance the learning of all our those same students throughout their professionally and personally insulting offensive. Some of these locals are students. … academic careers?” Continued on next page

Paid Advertisement MAAP promotes achievement and collaboration Graduate and > 508.626.4501 < > [email protected] < By Nick Fitzgerald Professional Studies framingham.edu/graduate-studies

“ his time was invaluable — the opportunity to work with peers from Master Your Future at FSU! otherT districts was the best Take your career to the next level. professional development time I have had in my career.” Master’s programs, graduate certificates and an “Great to talk with other Online Professional Development Center for Educators = Endless Possibilities! teachers who are doing the same Affordably priced. Conveniently scheduled. Online options. curriculum.” “It was amazing. I have already used two strategies.” Master of Education: Graduate Certificates: Professional Development: These were just three of the Art (P) Mathematics (P) Instructional Technology One-Credit Online Courses many positive comments that Curriculum and Instructional Nutrition Education Proficiency (online) for Educators members of the Massachusetts Technology (I, online) The Teaching of ESL (22.5 PDPs: $179; spring dates: Spanish (P) March 3-March 28) Aspiration and Achievement Early Childhood Education (P) Special Education (I) Post-Master’s (I) = Leads to Initial Partnership, or MAAP, received Elementary Education (P) STEM Certificate: Teacher Licensure after hosting a professional Literacy and Language (I) (P) The Teaching of ESL (I) Nursing Education development conference for (P) = Leads to Professional Teacher Licensure teachers in October 2012. The MAAP is an interdistrict collaboration of Advanced For more information, please contact Terri-Anne Bynoe, Director of Graduate Placement and International Recruitment. Phone: 508.626.4501, E-mail: [email protected] Baccalaureate teachers, local association presidents and Please turn to Partnership/Page 21 Graduate and Professional Studies

18 Winter 2014

PUBLICATION MTA SIZE 6 15/16˝ X 5 3/8˝ SCREEN 100 lpi WO # 154078 IO # 625346 NOTES color MMSI money goes to school programs REGIONAL RETIREMENT CONSULTATIONS AVAILABLE

Continued from previous page n New science lab equipment to propose that we will take our jobs n A Berkshire writers’ field trip The MTA conducts retirement consultations throughout the state to assist more seriously and do our jobs better McEvoy said that the MMSI members. Proof of membership must be submitted when requesting retirement services. This schedule is in effect from September to June, except in the if someone is going to give us extra representative who brought the Boston office, which is staffed during the summer and school vacations. money.” money to the school tried one last Plans for using the funds include: time to persuade the teachers to take AUBURN — Louise Gaskins: first and second HOLYOKE — Ron Lech: third Saturday of each n A freshman trip to a live it for their own personal use, telling Saturdays of each month (walk in), 9 a.m. to 1 month (walk in), 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., MTA Western p.m., MTA Central Office, 48 Sword St., Auburn; Office, 55 Bobala Road, Suite 3, Holyoke; performance of “Romeo and Juliet” the principal they were “crazy” to 508.791.2121, or at home, 978.448.5351. 413.535.2415, or at home, 413.566.3039. n SAT study classes for students reject the funds. BOSTON — Harold Crowley: Tuesdays, LYNNFIELD — Mary Parry: third and fourth who can’t afford them Just leave it to those crazy Wednesdays and Thursdays (by appointment only), Saturdays of each month (walk in), 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., n New document projectors teachers, standing up for fairness and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., MTA, 20 Ashburton Place, Boston; MTA Northeast Office, 50 Salem St., Building B, 617.878.8240 or 800.392.6175, ext. 8240. Lynnfield; 781.246.9779, or at home, 978.372.2031; n New textbooks looking out for their students again. fax, 978.372.2035. BRAINTREE — Mary Hanna: second Saturday of each month (walk in), 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., MTA PITTSFIELD — Ward F. Johnson: second Paid Advertisement Metropolitan Office, 100 Grandview Road, Saturday of each month (walk in), 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Braintree; 781.380.1410, or at home, 781.545.2069. MTA Berkshire Office, 188 East St., Pittsfield; 413.499.0257, or at home, 413.443.1722; e-mail: CAPE COD — Lawrence Abbruzzi: second Saturday [email protected]. of each month (walk in), 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Barnstable Teachers Association (BTA), 100 West Main RAYNHAM — Edward Nelson: third Saturday St., Suite #7, Hyannis; 508.775.8625, or at home, of each month (walk in), 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., MTA 508.824.9194. Southeast Office, 90 New State Highway (Rte. 44), Raynham; 508.822.5371, or at home, 774.239.7823. FITCHBURG — Robert Zbikowski: second Thursday of each month (walk in), 4 to 8 p.m., Fitchburg HIGHER EDUCATION AT-LARGE — Edward Teachers Association office, 21 Culley St., McCourt, Wellesley; 781.325.2553; e-mail: Fitchburg; 978.790.8864, or at home, 978.297.0123; [email protected]. (Call or e-mail e-mail: [email protected]. for assistance.)

Note: If you or your association would like to have 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 does not have a record of your service, so members are advised to bring that information along to meetings.

Advance your career and achieve new goals without the financial stress.

Worcester State University offers flexible graduate programs in education designed for students from a variety of educational backgrounds who wish to pursue Initial or Professional teacher licensure.

Our supportive environment balances work and life without the financial stress. Worcester State University is ranked a “Best Value” college by the Princeton Review, and it’s the only Massachusetts state university to earn a “Best in the Northeast” for 10 consecutive years.

Learn how to get started today!

www.worcester.edu/graduate

Winter 2014 19 MTA Benefits The many challenges of winter driving

ere in Massachusetts, we pride ourselves on knowing how to drive in all types of H weather. Wet leaves? Harsh road glare? Downed power lines? We see it all. Sometimes, we see it all in one day. Winter driving in Massachusetts challenges even the most seasoned road warrior. Snow and ice present a variety of hazards. On sunny days, the glare of ice-crusted snow makes the experience of driving even more difficult. Educators Insurance Agency wants to see you get through another winter as safely as possible. EIA has gathered some valuable tips to help you have a happy and safe driving season, whether you’re a new driver rushing to school or you’re playing “taxicab parent.” lose their ability to grip and can’t funnel water away And don’t be afraid of pulling back off both Check your tires from the surface. the brake and the accelerator. If you start to skid Your tires are your first line of defense against That’s perfect for ice skating, but a disaster for and your front tires lose traction, ease off on the skidding into another car or swerving around road driving. accelerator, the brake and the turn. As your steering hazards. Tires need to maintain a proper grip on wheel goes back to neutral, your car’s weight will snow, ice, sleet or road debris. At a minimum, you Slow down shift forward onto the front tires, letting them find should invest in all-season tires. Depending on the Equipped with the right tires or four-wheel their grip. terrain you typically drive on, you might prefer snow drive, you might feel more confident. Don’t think tires or studded tires. that’s a license to speed down the highway or move To learn more about auto insurance and Beyond your initial investment in the proper more quickly than less prepared drivers, however. As to determine whether you’re properly covered, tires, take care to monitor tire pressure. In cold other drivers may brake more erratically, hit patches contact an advisor at Educators Insurance Agency weather, the air pressure in your tires drops, which of ice or swerve to avoid hazards, your best bet is to toll-free at 877.284.7646 or visit EIA’s website, can mean less than optimal contact with the road keep a safe distance and a slow speed; you can brake www.educatorsinsuranceagency.com. surface. Check your car’s owners’ manual for the and react to other vehicles more easily when your This material is provided for informational purposes only and does not provide any coverage. Policies are underwritten by The Hanover Insurance Company or one of correct cold-weather inflation pressure for your tires. vehicle is moving slowly. What’s more, you won’t its insurance company subsidiaries or affiliates (“The Hanover”). Coverage may not be And keep an eye on the treads: Over many seasons need to brake as aggressively, which will help you available in all states and is subject to company underwriting guidelines and issued policy. The MTA member discount is available to Massachusetts residents only. EIA is a member and miles, tires wear out. Without proper treads, they avoid skidding. of The Hanover Insurance Group, 440 Lincoln Street, Worcester, MA, 01653 LC 13-308. ANNUAL MEETING At its annual meeting on Nov. 13, MTA Benefits installed two new directors to its Board and honored one outgoing director. Standing, from left to right, are MTA Vice President Tim Sullivan, outgoing Director Ryan Hoyt, MTAB President Maryann Robinson, Director Richard Liston and MTA Executive Director-Treasurer Ann Clarke. Seated in front, from left to right, are MTAB Directors Kimberly Auger, Bonnie Page and Lynn Howard. Not pictured are MTA President Paul Toner and new Directors Gerry Ruane and Donna Johnson.

Photo by Bob Duffy

20 Winter 2014 New members express appreciation

Continued from Page 16 a promotion that gives her more pay Both Kenney and Thrasher and responsibility but takes her out of expressed great appreciation for the the bargaining unit. “Her advocacy on efforts of Niccoli and their MTA field behalf of educators in Brockton and representative, Ashley Adams. across the state will be sorely missed,” “I couldn’t have asked for a better said MTA President Paul Toner. “In her leader, mentor and role model than efforts to help organize the MTAs in Lorraine,” Thrasher said. “She helped Brockton, she went above and beyond lead us along. We had no idea what we her usual responsibilities as head of the were doing since we had never done paraprofessional association to address Tiffany Back Erik Champy this before.” an obvious inequity. We appreciate Niccoli, who was the MTA’s ESP all she has done and wish her the very of the Year in 2012, recently received best in her new position.” Two NEA directors are re-elected Partnership to hold conference in March wo NEA directors have been re-elected under the MTA election Continued from Page 18 T waiver. and a link to register can be found at superintendents from Milton, Brockton, www.cvent.com/d/m4q143. There is The NEA directors are Tiffany Back of the Newton Teachers Taunton, Holbrook and Pembroke. no charge for the conference; lunch Association and Erik Champy of the Triton Regional Teachers The second MAAP conference will be provided. Those attending Association. will be held from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. are eligible to receive professional The two were the only candidates for those seats, triggering on March 17 at the University of development points. the election waiver. The waiver, under a policy passed by the MTA Massachusetts Boston. Massachusetts The partnership was born out Board in February 1995, provides for automatic election when Secretary of Education Matt Malone of the cooperating districts’ difficult the number of candidates is equal to or less than the number of will give the keynote address. The experience with the Massachusetts available seats. MTA is providing funding and Mathematics and Science Initiative. The personnel to support the event. five districts rejected MMSI grants Back and Champy will serve three-year terms beginning in All AP and IB teachers statewide because of the program’s requirement September. are invited to attend, but space is that AP teachers be paid a bonus based MB0214-CSH-AD-MTA_Layout 1 1/7/14 4:12 PM Page 1 limited to 100. More information upon students’ AP test scores. At the same time, the MMSI Mgrants offered many attractive features, Tincluding cross-district professional Cdevelopment and a goal of instilling an Cash In on Cash Rewards Caspirational culture among students, with the MTA® Cash Rewards Visa Signature® credit card. parents and teachers. Recognizing these benefits, leaders, teachers and MTA representatives decided Special Member Offer: $100 Cash Rewards Bonus* to create their own AP professional development program. Cash Back on Purchases 1% Everywhere, Every Time In 2012, a team of teachers from the cooperating districts and MTA Cash Back representatives designed the conference. 2% at Grocery Stores Almost 100 teachers, some from as Cash Back far away as Holyoke, met at Stonehill Apply today! 3% on Gas College to discuss obstacles they face 1.888.758.7946 Grocery store and gas bonus rewards apply to the first $1,500 in their classrooms. They solicited Mention priority code VAB3XU in combined purchases in these categories each quarter.** solutions and lesson plans and shared them with teachers from other districts. Eventually, the MAAP hopes to host at least two events annually, one For more information about the rates, fees, other costs and benefits associated with the use of the credit card, call the toll-free number above or visit for teachers and one for students. It www.mtabenefits.com. will also seek to broaden its scope. *You will qualify for $100 bonus cash rewards if you use your new credit card account to make any combination of Purchase transactions totaling at least $500 (exclusive of any transaction fees, returns and adjustments) that post to your account within 90 days of the account open date. Limit one Currently, the partnership is primarily (1) bonus cash rewards offer per new account. This one-time promotion is limited to new customers opening an account in response to this offer. focused on enhancing and improving Other advertised promotional bonus cash rewards offers can vary from this promotion and may not be substituted. Allow 8-12 weeks from qualifying for the bonus cash rewards to post to your rewards balance. The value of this reward may constitute taxable income to you. Bank of America may student learning in AP and IB classes. issue an Internal Revenue Service Form 1099 (or other appropriate form) to you that reflects the value of such reward. Please consult your tax advisor, The goal is to expand that range, since as neither Bank of America, its affiliates, nor their employees provide tax advice. ** The 2% cash back on grocery store purchases and 3% cash back on gas purchases apply to the first $1,500 in combined purchases in these members agree that the ultimate goal categories each quarter. After that, the base 1% earn rate applies to those purchases. of the collaborative is to promote This credit card program is issued and administered by FIA Card Services, N.A. Visa and Visa Signature are registered trademarks of Visa International Service Association, and are used by the issuer pursuant to license from Visa U.S.A. Inc. Bank of America and the Bank of America logo are registered student learning at all academic levels. trademarks of Bank of America Corporation. ©2014 Bank of America Corporation MB0214-CSH-AD-MTA MAAP member Nick Fitzgerald is an English teacher at Milton High School.

Winter 2014 21 MetLife’s Dental Program Gives Members New Reasons to Smile Healthier Smiles Preventive dental care is essential when it comes to the health of your teeth and gums. We make it easy by covering 100% of preventive maintenance costs with dental benefits from MetLife. Dental plans also cover oral surgery, crowns and other important services, which can help you and your family save on care. Savings Do lower out-of-pocket costs for dental services sound good to you? MetLife’s negotiated in-network dental fees are typically 15% to 45%* less than the average dentist’s fees in your area. Enrolling Is Easy All plan costs and coverage details are available online. Enroll at any time by going to www.mtabenefits.com. Click on the Benefits menu, then click on Dental Plans. Complete an enrollment form and send it to MTA Administrator, 18205 Crane Nest Drive, Tampa, FL 33647. It’s that easy!

For additional information, call MTA Benefits at 800.336.0990

*Savings from enrolling in a dental benefits plan will depend on various factors, including how often participants visit the dentist and the cost of services covered. Negotiated fees for non-covered services may not apply in all states. Like most group benefit programs, benefit programs offered by MetLife and its affiliates contain certain exclusions, exceptions, waiting periods, reductions, limitations and terms for keeping them in force. Please contact MetLife for complete details. © 2014 Metropolitan Life Insurance Company, New York, NY 10166 L1213354520[exp0215][All States] 1311-3286

22 Winter 2014 Brousseau recommended for re-election to PRIM Board By Jean Conley representative for the Massachusetts teachers who participate in the state In addition, the employees and Teachers’ Retirement System since retirement system, should receive retirees of the state employees’ and he MTA Board of Directors 1987. their ballots in the mail by April 4. state teachers’ retirement systems each has recommended MTA The PRIM Board acts as the The ballots must be mailed back to elect one member. T member Robert Brousseau for trustee for each retirement system the PRIM office by May 5. The term Brousseau is currently the chair of re-election to the Pension Reserves that invests in the Pension Reserves begins in July and runs for three years. the PRIM Board’s Administration and Investment Management Board. Investment Trust Fund. The nine- MTA President Paul Toner Audit Committee. “Over the years, I After he received the endorsement member board is responsible for the strongly urged members to watch have been committed to ensuring the at the Board’s December meeting, the control and management of the PRIT the mail for their ballots and support highest investment retired Wareham teacher said he is Fund, which includes retirement Brousseau’s bid for a 10th term. Toner returns, to fully “grateful for the long-standing support money for teachers. called Brousseau “a genuine expert.” funding our of the Board and MTA’s members.” Those eligible to vote in the “Bob looks out for both the pension system Brousseau has been the elected election for the PRIM Board, including interests of teachers and for the overall and to increasing strength of the state pension system,” retirement and Toner said. “We truly depend on his COLA benefits,” he continued guidance.” said. In 2013, the trust fund realized Brousseau is returns of 15.2 percent on assets of a longtime MTA $57.9 billion. activist who has Bob Brousseau The PRIM Board is chaired by served on the the state treasurer. The governor or a MTA Board, the MTA Executive designee is an ex-officio member. In Committee and the MTA’s Candidate addition, the governor appoints two Recommendation Committee. In members and the treasurer appoints addition, Brousseau has been a one. One of the elected members of the presenter on pension-related issues State Employees’ Retirement Board at the MTA Summer Conference and and one of the elected members of the has served as an appointed member State Teachers’ Retirement Board also of the National Retired Teachers serve on the PRIM Board. Association’s Pension Roundtable.

Paid Advertisement

BE THE TEACHER YOU’RE MEANT TO BE

Teaching is your calling; it’s not just your career. To bring out the best in your students, you want the best training. Our renowned graduate education programs prepare you to be a confident, accomplished professional in your school and community. To be the teacher you’re meant to be.

Now offering a new M.Ed. in Literacy for K-8 Classroom Teachers

lesley.edu/masters-education

Winter 2014 23 MTA Members: You deserve a checking account that works as hard as you do

Open an Elite Relationship MTA members give so much of themselves. Checking Account and Now it’s Berkshire Bank’s turn to give back. receive up to $125* We are proud to offer you a special Elite Relationship Checking Account package, which is only available to MTA members and their immediate families. Available to new Berkshire Bank Features include an interest-earning account, no minimum balance requirement, customers and current Berkshire no service charges and unlimited check writing. Bank customers without an exisiting checking account relationship. Giving you a chance to earn and save more is our way of saying thanks for the job you do! » $25 if you enroll in direct deposit » $25 when you pay a bill through online Elite Relationship Checking Benefits: banking using Bill Pay » FREE Debit Cards » FREE Online and Telephone Banking » FREE Mobile Banking » FREE First Check Order and eStatements » $25 for signing up for online statements » FREE Bill Pay » FREE Access to MyBanker Concierge Service » $25 if you refer a family member who » FREE FinanceWorks™ » WAIVED Foreign ATM Fees When You Enroll opens a free checking account A new way to think about your money so you can in Direct Deposit » $25 when you turn in your old debit make more informed financial decisions. card and replace it with a Berkshire Bank Additional benefits: debit card » Turn in your bank’s checks and we’ll replace them with a free first order. » Receive a .50% APR discount with a Berkshire checking automatic loan payment or a .25% APR discount without an automatic loan payment.

Plus, we’ll make it even easier for you to move your account to Berkshire Bank. For more information, call or visit your local Massachusetts branch. .. Life is exciting. Let us help. berkshirebank.com Member FDIC. Member DIF. Equal Housing Lender. Berkshire Bank is a Massachusetts chartered bank. *In order to qualify for the up to $125 cash bonus, you need to be a new Berkshire Bank customer or a current Berkshire Bank customer without a checking account relationship: (1) establish at least one direct deposit for your account by March 31, 2014, with a minimum opening deposit of $10, (2) enroll in Personal or Small Business online banking at accountBank opening, ing(3) set up · andInsuranc pay a bill throughe online banking using Bill Pay, (4) turn in your bank’s debit card and replace it with a Berkshire debit card, (5) Refer a family member who opens a free checking account - wallet-style only (6) enroll in eStatments at account opening. Berkshire replacement checks limited to standard wallet-style only. Customer must qualify for consumer loan product for discount of .50% APR with automatic payment from a Berkshire checking account or .25% APR without auto payment fromW a ealthBerkshire checking Managemen account. Loan discountt includes home equity loans, secured personal loans, and auto, motorcycle, boat, ATV, snowmobile and watercraft loans. Offer is valid until March 31, 2014, and subject to change. Limit one $125 bonus per individual. Limit of one $25 bonus available to individuals when a friend opens a new personal free checking account. The direct deposit, debit card and bill payment bonus will be credited within 7 days of presenting your bank statement showing the transactions. The refer-a-family-member bonus is credited when the family member opens the checking account. The value of the bonus may be reported on a Misc. 1099 form. Other fees may apply. This offer may be withdrawn at any time. By referring a family member, you and the family member waive the right to privacy and disclose you are customers for this transaction.

24 Winter 2014 MSP seeks union recognition for CPE instructors By Scott McLennan instructors and librarians on the Amherst campus. MSP President Randall Phillis noted that MSP- he Massachusetts Society of Professors covered faculty members who also teach in the CPE at UMass Amherst filed a petition with the program belong to the union, as do CPE instructors T state Department of Labor Relations on on other UMass campuses. Jan. 24 asking it to force the university to recognize “Faculty members teaching in CPE are fulfilling instructors in the Continuing and Professional an important academic mission of ensuring that Education program as being eligible for union UMass students have a full opportunity to complete representation and therefore covered by the contract their degree programs. Over time, academic between the MSP and the university. departments have developed an increasing dependency

UMass has maintained that CPE faculty members on the work of CPEs. It is time the value of this work Photo by Jeff Schuhrke do not share a “community of interest” with members is recognized for what it is — a core element of the Educators rallied on Jan. 24 in support of of the MSP, which represents full- and part-time university’s academic mission,” Phillis said. efforts to include CPE instructors in the MSP.

Collaborative provides Common Core training

Continued from Page 11 in the Common Core from fellow MTA members trained to facilitate development of aligned lessons. There are five three-hour sessions held every 2014 other week in Cambridge. Two more sessions with 50 Disability Insurance Enrollment teachers each will be held this spring, one for teachers from south of Boston and a second for teachers from the Short-Term and Long-Term North Shore. The materials developed Every day is a Disability Insurance pay a will be shared with other educators percentage of your salary to ensure via online platforms, including breeze when you you a continuous income if you become BetterLesson. In addition, all 150 teachers receiving the training are disabled and cannot work. MTA members required to provide training in the have valuable can obtain both short-term and long-term Common Core in their own districts or disability coverage without having to at MTA conferences. benefits. answer medical questions.

Critical Illness Coverage pays a lump- Obituaries sum benefit for heart attacks, strokes and other covered serious illnesses. George J. Callahan, 71, of Walpole. Taught at Medfield High School for 36 years. Nov. 6. Mary E. Cole, 88, of Watertown. Taught at the Fletcher School in The MTA disability open-enrollment Cambridge before retiring. Oct. 2. period allows you to obtain a new policy Mary Daiopulos, 77, of Reading. or change your current coverage. Taught in Wakefield for 42 years. • Learn how premiums can be paid by Dec. 18. payroll deduction. Boleslaw L. “Bill” Linga, Jr., 65, of Douglas. Was a math teacher in • Payments are tax-free. Northbridge for more than 25 years. Dec. 4. Insurance products underwritten and services offered by Paul A. Mimeault, Sr., 76, of the subsidiaries of Unum Group. Website: unum.com. Brimfield. Was a machining teacher at Pathfinder Regional Vocational Technical High School in Palmer for Meet with a benefits counselor to learn how voluntary benefits can help more than 20 years. Oct. 26. Cosmo A. Valente, 84, of support your financial forecast. Call 877.401.4083 or visitmtabenefits.com Marlborough. Taught music and to find out when we’ll be visiting your school. served as the director of music in the Marlborough Public Schools for 38 years, retiring in 1990. Oct. 12.

Winter 2014 25 Classifieds

BOOK SALE Call 508.541.7997, e-mail [email protected] or visit 781.438.2224, visit www.durgantravel.com or e-mail call 508.616.9838 or e-mail [email protected]. www.leadershiplicensure.org. [email protected]. SATURDAY, APRIL 26 — 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. More CAPE COD, OCEAN EDGE RESORT, BREWSTER than 30,000 fiction and nonfiction books, including an PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PLEASE ALLOW US TO SERVE YOUR TRAVEL — Perfect vacation resort setting. Spacious, nicely extensive collection of children’s books in good NEEDS — Individual/small groups: We arrange appointed villa; spiral staircase to large loft; two to excellent condition! Add to your classroom CIVIL WAR TRUST TEACHER INSTITUTES vacations with the best rates and service on jet baths, sleeps six. Excellent location within resort. library at very low cost. For more information, visit — Free professional development conferences for or cruise vacations. Groups: absolutely highest value, Steps from indoor/outdoor pools, tennis. Nearby www.norfolkbooksale.com. K-12 educators, focused on the American Civil War lowest price, and flexible group leader remuneration. beaches, shopping, bike trails and more. Owned/ and conducted by the Civil War Trust. Scholarships Call Durgan Travel at 781.438.2224, visit www. offered by MTA member; summer weekly, off-season CURRICULUM ENRICHMENT available for Mass. teachers, sponsored by The durgantravel.com or e-mail [email protected]. weeks or weekends. Call 413.594.4056 or e-mail Military Historical Society of Massachusetts. Visit [email protected]. IN-SCHOOL FIELD TRIPS — Now Voyager www.civilwar.org/teacherinstitute. TRAVEL/STUDY Education. Hands-on Geography (1st & 2nd, Map NANTUCKET ISLAND TOWNHOUSE — Fully Skills, Habitats; 3rd, Massachusetts Geography; 4th SIXTH ANNUAL SUMMER STORYTELLING SEMINAR — Education in Ireland (six graduate furnished, includes linens. Two decks, two bedrooms, and 5th, United States Regions; 6th and 7th, World). INSTITUTE in Western Mass. Aug. 8-10, with credits) July 3-26. National University of Ireland, 2.5 baths and full kitchen. Sleeps six. Short walk to Colonial School, grade 3; Digging Up Colonial international storyteller and certified teacher Rona Galway. Study aspects of Ireland’s education beautiful beaches. Near bus route and bike paths. America, grade 5. Visit www.nowvoyagereducation. Leventhal. Learn the art of storytelling and why system, history, literature and culture. Call or write Ideal for small family. By the week June through com, call Carol Cohen at 508.923.9431 or e-mail it’s such a successful tool for motivating kids and Barney Keenan, NUI coordinator, 127 Glen Road, September. Brochure available. Call 978.256.5044 or [email protected]. promoting language and learning. 20 PDPs! First Gorham, N.H. 03581; call 603.466.2972; or e-mail e-mail [email protected]. early bird March 15. Call 413.586.0624 or visit [email protected]. The Trip of a Lifetime! EDUCATION/LICENSURE www.ronatales.com. FOREST LAKE, WINDHAM, MAINE — Lakefront VACATION RENTALS cottage rental. Three bedrooms, sleeps six. JOIN THE NEXT GENERATION OF SCHOOL TRAVEL Pristine setting. $1,250 per week. E-mail ADMINISTRATORS — K-12 principal/assistant PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND, CANADA — Fully [email protected] or call 781.599.8828. principal, supervisor/director. The Leadership APRIL VACATION WEEK — 4/17-26: Sicily & equipped two-story cottage on private two acres. Sleeps Licensure Program (LLP) is a one-year Rome. 4/18-25: Portuguese Riviera. 4/18-26: Paris five-six. Two full bathrooms. Living room with open VERMONT COTTAGE FOR RENT — Enjoy hiking, high-quality MDESE-approved licensure program & French Countryside/Ireland (tour package or air fireplace. Satellite TV. Front and back decks. Superb swimming, biking and mountain views from the supported by MSSAA, with instruction by only). 4/19-27: Sorrento & Rome. All/most meals, ocean and sunset views. Cycling, golf and safe, warm lake. Sleeps six. Close to Stowe and other attractions. Teachers21. Program information is available at full sightseeing, fully escorted, first-class hotels, RT swimming. Easy beach access. Available June through E-mail [email protected] or call 802.888.9315. www.leadershiplicensure.org, via e-mail from flights. Group/leader specials. Call Durgan Travel at September. $975 weekly. Please call 661.860.6931 or [email protected] or by calling 508.541.7997. 781.438.2224, visit www.durgantravel.com or e-mail e-mail [email protected]. EASTHAM, OUTER CAPE — Immaculate three- [email protected]. bedroom, two-bath cottage with panoramic sunset READY TO TAKE THE NEXT STEP? Obtain a WATERFRONT TOWNHOUSE ON LAKE view overlooking a kettle pond’s sandy beach. master’s degree while becoming licensed as a school YEAR-ROUND TRAVEL — Durgan Travel, an WINNIPESAUKEE in manicured Samoset Resort Enjoy cabana shower, granite kitchen, dishwasher, administrator through our one-year MDESE-approved award-winning tour operator, has a full schedule of at The Broads with a view guaranteed to take your Casablanca fans, wicker, lovingly landscaped program. The Leadership Licensure Program (LLP) mostly or all-inclusive tours now through the rest of breath away! Sandy beach, two pools, marina, deck, pool, tennis court and washer/dryer. Near prepares you for educational leadership while also 2014, including jet tours and cruises (domestic and tennis courts. 2.5 bedrooms, two baths, laundry National Seashore, rail trail and Provincetown. offering a master’s degree from Endicott College. international). We have the highest-value, best- and air conditioning. Sleeps five-six. Check Visit http://www.easthampinecottage.com, e-mail Sponsored by MSSAA with Teachers21. Interested? priced tours in the industry! Call Durgan Travel at out http://leasul0.wix.com/waterfront-townhouse, [email protected] or call 508.616.9838.

Keira Clemenzi Raving Fan of Greenpark Mortgage

“The application process was quick and easy. The Greenpark loan officer was outstanding! He went above and beyond to help me achieve my dream of purchasing a home.” — Keira Clemenzi Keira is a math teacher at the Howe-Manning School in Middleton.

Talk to Greenpark if you want to buy or refinance. You’ll give Greenpark rave reviews, too. Call 866.475.HOME today.

Life is exciting. Let us help.

Mortgage products are provided by Greenpark Mortgage, a division of Berkshire Bank: NMLS Registry Number – 506896. ACCREDITED BUSINESS Rates offered by Greenpark Mortgage, a division of Berkshire Bank. Berkshire Bank: Member FDIC. Member DIF. Equal Housing Lender. ® greenparkmortgage.com

26 Winter 2014 Auto and home insurance for every season

Educators Insurance delivers expert advice and flexible coverage options at an unbeatable price. We’re committed to providing you and your family with the best value and service for your auto and home insurance needs. • Insurance solutions for auto, home, renters, umbrella and more • An exclusive MTA member discount of up to 10%* • Products and services that fit the lifestyle of education professionals

One call can help you get better coverage and more savings: 877.284.7646 Visit us at www.educatorsinsuranceagency.com

Policies are underwritten by The Hanover Insurance Company or one of its insurance company subsidiaries or affiliates (“The Hanover”). *MTA member discount is available to Massachu- setts residents only. Product availability, services and discounts vary by state. EIA is a member of The Hanover Insurance Group, 440 Lincoln Street, Worcester, MA 01653. LC 13-308

Winter 2014 27 v i s i t u s at : Volume 44, No. 3 Winter 2014 massteacher . o r g Official Publication of the Massachusetts Teachers Association

t w i t t e r . c o m / massteacher

f a c e b o o k . c o m / massteacher

y o u t u b e . c o m / massteacher

f l i c k r . c o m / mtacommunications

Gearing up for a celebration of the joys of reading

By Jean Conley Aimee Baron, a computer paraprofessional at Other schools invite local media celebrities and the school, said the program has been such a hit over sports figures in to read books with students in the ducators and students across Massachusetts the past several years that the school has repeatedly library or at schoolwide assemblies. will soon join their counterparts nationwide invited the soldiers of the 126th Brigade Support Another idea is holding a “pajama night,” in E in a special celebration of the joys of reading. Battalion to return. which parents and students don PJs for an overnight The official Read Across America Day is March The idea for Read Across America was hatched readathon of Dr. Seuss’s works and other popular 3, but the calendar, as always, is subject to creative at the National Education Association in 1997. The books. adaptation. NEA chose the birthday of Theodor Seuss Geisel — Some teachers challenge their students to read In Everett, schools have chosen Feb. 28 to mark otherwise known as Dr. Seuss — as the date on which 100 books each over the course of the school year. the occasion. Kim Auger, president of the Everett to center events. Read Across America has grown Others serve up green eggs and ham. Teachers Association and a teacher at the Parlin steadily over the years and has become so popular School, said “the whole district gets involved” that many schools plan activities for the entire week Suggestions, resources and reading lists as town officials and retired educators join older around Dr. Seuss’s birthday, which is March 2. are available on the NEA website, www.nea.org, students in reading their favorite Dr. Seuss classics to For the Streiber event, one soldier is assigned under “Grants and Events.” The site features a younger children. to each grade level in the K-5 school, with members downloadable poster; the Read Across America “It’s a great day,” Auger said. “We make a big of the Student Council in grades four and five song, oath and poem; and a link to the Dr. Seuss deal out of it.” accompanying the soldiers. “Cat-a-log,” where educators can buy red-and-white- In Chicopee, National Guard soldiers decked out Students are also invited to dress as their favorite striped hats as well as other items. The Read Across in their camouflage uniforms will read to students at book characters. Baron said Read Across America America Facebook fan page, www.facebook.com/ the Streiber Elementary School on the official RAA Day, which is also part of School Spirit Week, is neareadacrossamerica, offers educators more stories Day. memorable for both the students and the soldiers. and ideas on how the day can spark a love of reading.

A hero among us

The MTA’s Kathleen Roberts was the recipient of a Boston Celtics “Heroes Among Us” award during a basketball game on New Year’s Eve at the TD Garden. The awards, sponsored by the Massachusetts State Lottery, are presented to individuals who, “through their unique commitment and humanitarian spirit,” have made exceptional and lasting contributions to their communities. Roberts stands with, from left, Jim Canavan, assistant executive director and director of human resources for the Lottery; Celtics forward Gerald Wallace; and Atlanta Hawks center Pero Antić. Roberts, 99, who lives in Raynham, is officially retired but still volunteers about 30 hours a week to help schools and charitable groups. She and a guest were driven by limousine to the game against the Hawks, and Roberts was met by more than 150 of her colleagues and friends who had gathered to cheer her on from the stands.

Photo by Bob Duffy

28 Winter 2014 The VOLUME 26 / NUMBER 2 / WINTER 2014 MTA Advantage

The MTA Advantage is a publication of MTA Benefits, a subsidiary of the Massachusetts Teachers Association What you should know about the appraisal process

factors such as square footage, number of BE INFORMED BEFORE YOU BUY rooms (not including basements and attics), Appraisal myths and facts The following is the first in a series renovations, additions and needed repairs. Myth: If the appraisal is lower than the of articles designed to help you The second is finding out what similar homes within a one-mile radius have purchase price, the buyer won’t be able to understand the complexities of the sold for in the past six months, including get a mortgage. mortgage process. You will also short sales and foreclosures. Using all this Fact: It is possible that the sale can discover how you can save money information, together with general still happen if the buyer makes a larger and enjoy extraordinary service when economic trends and other factors, the down payment. you finance your home through MTA appraiser can accurately evaluate the Benefits-endorsed Greenpark Mortgage. home’s worth at that point in time. Myth: The main purpose of an appraisal is to make sure the buyer doesn't pay too “The appraisal is scrutinized by government much for the house. lending agencies such as Fannie Mae fter almost a decade of lax lending Fact: An appraisal provides valuable standards that led to the collapse of and Freddie Mac, so a valid evaluation information for the buyer, but the primary Athe housing market, the mortgage is paramount to the mortgage process,” mission is to protect the lender against industry underwent major changes in 2010 said Gershkowitz. taking ownership of overpriced property. with passage of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act. Advantages of the MTA-endorsed Myth: A specific formula, such as square mortgage program footage, is used when appraising a home. “A speculative frenzy from 2004 to 2007 MTA members who get their financing had inflated housing values, and appraisals Fact: Appraisers weigh many factors to through Greenpark can take advantage of make an intelligent estimate, including were written to accommodate the higher a reliable appraisal at a reduced fee, capped prices,” said Paul Gershkowitz, president home size, location, quality, lot size, legal fees, free mortgage seminars, free proximity to desirable schools and other of Greenpark Mortgage, a division of approval letters within 24 hours for new public facilities, and recent sales prices Berkshire Bank and partner in the MTA purchases, and other benefits. of comparable properties. Mortgage Program. “With our current strict regulations, we can be confident that today’s appraisals are realistic and reliable.”

Greenpark’s long-term commitment to integrity “We use an appraisal management company that hires the individual appraiser. This results in an independent evaluation in which Greenpark has no role,” said Gershkowitz. “We are – and always have For more information, call the home mortgage specialists at been – committed to integrity and quality. Greenpark Mortgage at MTA members know they can trust us.” 866.475.HOME (4663) or Although an art more than a science, visit www.greenparkmortgage.com. today’s appraisal process uses guidelines that are set to make an intelligent estimate. The first part of the process is to make a physical inspection of the home reflecting DISABILITY / Winter thrills – and risks . 0 -

have been paid more than $15 million in benefits from the MTA Benefits-endorsed Short- and Long-Term Disability Plan. This plan has helped people maintain their homes, feed their families and educate their children. The plan pays a tax-free benefit of 60 percent of one’s income after an initial elimination period for the duration of the illness or injury, depending on the options selected. A unique provision of the plan is that coverage is available in participating school districts on a guaranteed-issue basis during each open-enrollment period. That means no medical questions are asked and all who are eligible to apply will be issued coverage. o you love winter sports, such as Because they have often accumulated a skiing in majestic mountains or vast number of sick days or participate In addition to the risk of lost income due Dsledding down neighborhood hills? in their school district’s sick bank, many to a disability, members may be confronted These exciting winter activities can be Massachusetts educators assume that they with the expenses of an illness that are perilous as well as enjoyable. Aside from face no financial risk if they do become sick not covered by major medical insurance. the typical winter dangers of icy sidewalks or disabled. But few educators are able to Critical Illness Insurance through MTA and driveways, favorite cold-weather save enough sick days to cover an extended Benefits pays a lump-sum benefit upon pursuits can end in accidents, leaving you absence from the classroom. Further, diagnosis of cancer, heart attack or stroke. with injuries that could prevent you from several districts have seen sick banks run For instance, a cancer diagnosis can mean working for an extended period. out of days to allocate or are considering an average of $15,000 in out-of-pocket eliminating them as a cost-saving measure. Disability can also occur at any time of the expenses. Critical Illness Insurance coverage year as the result of heart disease, cancer, helps with expenses such as co-pays and back problems, arthritis, asthma, diabetes deductibles, and it can also be used to cover or other medical issues. Since 2001, MTA the cost of keeping a loved one nearby. What if you suffered a disabling accident members have been Long-Term Care plans for MTA members or disease? How would you pay your bills also protect you when you need help and protect your future? with activities of daily living or care paid more than in a nursing home, assisted living facility Accidents can happen to anyone $15 million under or other situation. What many people Just over one in four of today’s 20-year-olds do not realize is that 40 percent of all will become disabled before reaching the the MTA Benefits long-term-care benefits – not typically age of 67, according to Social Security paid for by major medical insurance – go Administration estimates.1 Further, the Disability Plan. to those under age 60. Society of Actuaries has found that people Given the fact that 68 percent of all who do not return to work within 90 days Americans have no savings earmarked for are often out of work for two years. All the protection you need from emergencies,1 it makes sense to take a look Imagine the stress and anxiety of living MTA Benefits at MTA-endorsed plans. Your planning to without an income for that long. Few The good news is that MTA Benefits offers protect against unforeseen risks should people plan on being injured or becoming members a package of benefits that provides make that time on the ski slopes a lot ill, but the fact is that, except for extremely for a “continuum of needs” – disability less worrisome. high-risk occupations, the risk of injury is income protection, critical illness and 1U.S. Federal Board, survey of Consumer shared equally by all, including educators. long-term care. Since 2001, MTA members Finances (2010)

Editor: Elizabeth A. Bejoian 20 Ashburton Place, Boston, MA 02108 No dues dollars are The MTA Advantage is published three times a year as Tel: 800.336.0990 • Fax: 617.557.6687 ever used to market MTA a supplement to MTA Today by MTA Benefits, Inc. Website: www.mtabenefits.com Benefits programs.

2 The Tip Sheet Enjoy indoor fun for the entire family

Visit the New England Aquarium and see the spectacularly renovated Giant Ocean Tank centerpiece exhibit. At four stories and 200,000 gallons, the tank is home to an impressive new Caribbean coral reef packed with more animals than ever before. Throughout the aquarium, you’ll view sea turtles, sharks, stingrays, penguin colonies, playful seals and many other animals. While you’re there, be sure to see one of the fantastic films at the Simons IMAX 3D Theatre, featuring New England’s largest screen. MTA members receive free admission to the New England Aquarium and a $2 discount on admission to a Simons IMAX Theatre presentation.

Catch the latest blockbuster at the Tempur-Pedic IMAX 3D Theaters at Jordan’s Furniture stores in Natick and Reading. With eight-story-tall screens, 12,000 watts of surround sound and personal subwoofers in every Tempur-Pedic seat, you can actually feel the excitement! That, combined with the steep slope of the auditoriums, ensures there isn’t a bad seat in the house. So whether you’re in the mood for an action-packed thriller or a little comic relief, head to one of the Tempur-Pedic IMAX 3D Theaters. MTA members may buy one ticket and get one free. This offer is valid at the box office on the day of the film. HAVE SOME FUN IN THE SUN ON THE The Big Top is back in town March 25 to May 11 at City Hall Plaza in Boston! The Big Apple Circus presents Luminocity, WEST COAST a new show celebrating the vitality of life at the “crossroads of the world.” Spectators will watch rowdy pups perform amazing tricks, Family fun is never-ending at LEGOLAND® double-trapeze artists soar high above them, a bashful clown, a California Resort, with more than 60 rides, juggler extraordinaire and a couple of wire-walkers suspended in mid-air. Ticket prices start shows and attractions across three parks: at just $15 for MTA members. LEGOLAND® California, SEA LIFE® Aquarium and LEGOLAND® Water Park. Visit Fun Town, a scaled-down town created just for kids where they can learn the rules of STAY ACTIVE THIS SEASON the road at driving school and climb a tall With cold weather, snow and wind working against building, just like the Fun Town firefighters you, it’s difficult at this time of year to get outside at the Fireman’s Challenge. Next, head to and be active. Many gyms and fitness centers across Imagination Zone, where thrill-seekers will the state offer discounts to MTA members, so ® have the time of their lives on the LEGO whether you’re looking at joining a gym, switching ® TECHNIC™ Coaster and the BIONICLE gyms or taking advantage of a discount at a gym you Blaster, a ride made up of circular cars that currently belong to, there is something for everyone. twist and spin – and you control the speed! Boston Sports Clubs, with 29 locations throughout Greater Boston, offers a Regional Passport LEGOLAND Water Park features many Membership for $59.95 a month with a waived registration fee for new enrollees (a savings of attractions, including the Build-a-Raft River, $59). At Healthtrax Fitness & Wellness, with locations across Massachusetts and Connecticut, a unique attraction where kids customize you can try something new, with 60 group-fitness classes per week including Pilates, yoga their own rafts made of soft LEGO bricks and Zumba. Members receive a reduced enrollment fee of $30 and $10 off the monthly dues. before floating down a lazy river. SEA LIFE Total Fitness Equipment enables you to work out at home with the right equipment. Save 15% Aquarium incorporates LEGO models into on your purchase just for being an MTA member! its exhibits to create an interactive experience geared especially toward children. With play If you’re looking for a little youthful fun, then head to Interskate 91 zones, fun facts and quiz trails, SEA LIFE will and lace up for one of America’s favorite pastimes – roller skating! be a child’s guide to the wonders of the sea. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or a first-timer, you’re sure to have For the ultimate LEGO experience, be sure to a blast! MTA members receive buy one, get one free admission stay at the all new LEGOLAND® Hotel! All on any regular morning or afternoon skating session. 250 guest rooms are LEGO-themed, and all LEGOLAND Hotel guests will receive entry Not all activity needs to be fast-paced. If you prefer to stay active to select LEGOLAND rides and attractions in a more low-key setting, then yoga may be just what you’re before the park officially opens. MTA looking for. The benefits include improved flexibility and strength, members receive up to a 30% discount on lower stress levels and better balance. MTA members receive admission to the parks and up to a 15% discounts at several yoga studios throughout the state, including Bikram Yoga in Stoughton, discount on stays at the LEGOLAND Hotel. Breathe Wellness in Marlborough and The Yoga Loft in Wilmington.

3 Lower your oil heating costs now – even before oil prices drop

You can start saving money now on Heat USA offers these advantages your oil costs by signing up for Heat to MTA members: USA through MTA Benefits. O An average savings of 10-25 cents Heat USA is the largest heating oil purchasing per gallon program in the country. The program O A free service contract* every year, serves more than 80,000 members in 11 including extensive parts and labor states, and more than 200 heating oil coverage, saving you $200 to $300 a suppliers participate. Leveraging its combined year if you are a typical consumer using membership and the buying power of the 700 gallons a year MTA and other associations that endorse O Free annual cleaning and tuneup it, Heat USA negotiates superior terms O 24-hour emergency service and conditions from local oil suppliers. O Certificate for $50 in free heating oil By offering to bring new business to a O $50 equipment upgrade certificate supplier that can amount to millions of O gallons, Heat USA is able to secure prices Deliveries and service from top-rated for its members that they wouldn't be local heating oil suppliers able to negotiate on their own. O Automatic delivery, 30-day net and budget billing ccording to a recent article in The The Heat USA pricing system doesn’t New York Times, the Department of require you to be a professional energy Belonging to Heat USA means you are backed AEnergy predicts a surge in domestic oil trader to figure out where to lock in, set a by 80,000 members as well as the commitment production for several years to come. Some price ceiling or pre-buy. All it does is lower of company leadership and professional staff industry experts say this confirms that the your dealer’s profit margin in exchange for who make sure you’re looked after properly. United States is well on its way to realizing promising a large amount of business. This For more information on the program, call energy independence even faster than had system has worked successfully for more 888.HEATUSA (888.432.8872) or visit been anticipated a year ago. Many in the than 25 years, through economic ups and www.heatusa.com/mta and mention your industry see lower heating and gasoline prices downs. The lower profit margin translates affiliation with MTA. on the horizon for consumers. into savings for you. *600 gallons a year required for free service contract

THE SMART ALTERNATIVE TO HIGH-INTEREST CREDIT CARDS Why members rave about MTA Benefits ® PayCheck Direct ‘The Discount Directory lists more Life is expensive. than 1,000 places that offer So when you need discounts to MTA members. to buy something Some, such as museums, are even and you don’t have free. Over the years I’ve saved the cash or credit you need, use PayCheck Direct®, the new shopping program from MTA at hotels, bookstores, museums Benefits. With PayCheck Direct, you’re armed and numerous other places. It’s with a smarter option to make those must-have wonderful! All members should purchases. Advantages include: take advantage of these savings.’ No interest fees Automatic payments over 12 months – Debbie McCarthy, No down payments Hull Teachers No credit checks Association . Members can select from thousands of name-brand products, including furniture, electronics, appliances and more. Items are sent directly to you, and shipping is free for all major appliances. Order online at www.mypaycheckdirect.com/mta or call 866.441.9160. Then say goodbye to high-interest credit cards and farewell to pricey rent-to-own options. PayCheck Direct gives you the power to manage life’s expenses and get what you want and need. Start shopping today!

All program and pricing information was current at the time of publication (February 2014) and is subject to change without notice. To find out what may have changed, please call MTA Benefits at 800.336.0990. 4