TEACHERS UNION, LOCAL 66, AFT Non-Profit Org. SAVE THE DATE! 180 Mount Vernon Street U.S. Postage Boston, 02125 PAID th Boston, MA 75 Anniversary of the Permit No. 52088 Boston Teachers Union BBOSTON TEACHERSU TUNION Saturday, October 3, 2020 75

EVERYONE ¡TODOS IS SON WELCOME BIENVENIDOS BBOSTON TEACHERSU HERE! AQUÍ! TUNION BT U BT U The Award-Winning Newspaper of the Boston Teachers Union, AFT Local 66, AFL-CIO Volume 52, Number 7 • March, 2020 President’s Report Jessica J. Tang Yes to Vision and Stability, No to Receivership ome time in February, the Depart- nificantly more funding from the state, leadership, consistent funding, and a Sment of Elementary and Secondary thanks to SOA. The chronic shortfalls strong focus on instructional practices Education (DESE) will have released the in funding stemming from Common- where we support educators and cater first draft of the Boston Public School’s wealth charter school expansion over the to the needs of our students. With stabil- District Review. BPS has ten days to last two decades can account for many ity and consistency, our graduation rates review it and make any factual correc- of our schools’ challenges, which will be will also improve. There is much more Jessica J. Tang tions. Shortly after, it will be available to offset by these incoming funds. that our schools need, and our union is a BTU President the public. Over the last seven years, Boston has large part of the solution. Although the review is conducted seen five superintendents — each with On the other hand, DESE has already advantageous for Boston public schools. regularly every twenty years or so, we their own agenda, campaigns, and pri- intervened in Boston and has an average As plans by the new Commissioner hear that it may have significant implica- orities. After a stable stretch with Carol track record, at best, featuring disruptions are unveiled, we will have to stay vigilant tions for our district this time around. Johnson, she was followed by interim caused by “turnaround schools” as well as in understanding what they may mean The report will shine a light on needed superintendent John McDonough as the receiverships of the Holland and the for Boston, our students and educators. areas for improvement — in some cases an interim, who was then followed by Dever. Both schools have struggled under We must be ready to fight once again to fairly and in others unfairly. Tommy Chang, before being replaced by receivership, the Dever bearing the brunt save our schools. Not from Question 2 There has been discussion that the Laura Perille as another interim. Now, of the intervention with five principals in this time, not from Janus, but from DESE report may be used as the basis for either after another thorough search, we have three years and three different receivers and the forces that continue to under- full state receivership, as has occurred in Dr. Brenda Cassellius. — the latest announced just this month. mine the democracy of our public educa- Lawrence, Holyoke, and Southbridge, or What we need now, more than ever, With an unsuccessful track record of tion system and pave a path for privatiza- partial receivership through so-called is time and stability to implement and receivership, in Boston and across the tion. It is our time to show our strength, “Empowerment Zones,” as has taken realize the exciting vision outlined by state, it is hard to believe that DESE show our solidarity, and demonstrate place in Springfield. Employing either Dr. Cassellius. We need strong, stable intervention of any kind will prove to be who we are and what we stand for. full or partial receivership powers in Boston has been discussed at the DESE board meetings and suggested by two Boston Globe editorials already. The fact BTU Supports Black Lives Matter at School of the matter is, Boston needs neither. What Boston needs is stability under its current leader, Dr. Brenda Cassellius, who has laid out a plan to position BPS for success. She has only been on the job for eight months, during which she has proven to be collaborative and has shared a new strategic plan that we can get behind. She is an experienced educator who understands policy from her time not just as a Commissioner herself, but as a superintendent, teacher, principal, and paraprofessional. Superintendent Cassellius’ plan, among other things, provides needed attention on instruction and academic supports, on wraparound supports, and on building trust with the community. We look forward to working with the superintendent to implement these ini- tiatives so we can begin to see the ben- efits in our schools and classrooms. The plan also directs central office leaders to focus on teaching and learning instead of gutting academic departments and eliminating critical coaching positions as has been the case in the past. BPS is also poised to benefit tremen- dously from new sources of funding. The mayor has just made a new $100 million investment in our schools over the next Samara Britton, a paraprofessional from the Young Achievers Science and Math Pilot School submitted this picture. She says, three years and the Student Opportunity “My school has and is participating in the ‘Black Lives Matter at School’ movement. We as educators are super excited to Act (SOA) was passed last year. In a few teach beyond the curriculum to educate our inner city youth about their history.” More ‘Black Lives Matter at School’ photos years, the district should be receiving sig- on pages 4 & 5. Peer-to-Peer Lauren Clarke-Mason with Anne Slater Can You Define Support? Oh, I get by with a little help from my Once, I asked my children for some head I envisioned the perfect help team antics, probably taking bets for the date friends. support in the kitchen. I was preparing like the magical mice in the Cinderella when I’d burn out. Foolishly, I thought Gonna try, with a little help from my for our huge Labor Day cookout to cel- story that were able to tidy up the house that I had to do everything myself or I friends. --The Beatles ebrate my mother’s birthday. Besides the in seconds, however, my blanket state- wasn’t good enough to be a teacher. H H H H H H H H H H H regular grilled foods my husband had ment, “I need some help here,” did not Instead of feeling capable, I felt the upport is such a nebulous word. You covered, I had about three different dish- clearly communicate the specific type of opposite. I found the support I needed Scould ask about 25 teachers what es going on at once; a measuring cup full help to my hungry workers. support means to them and get about 27 of marinade for the prepped portobello Had I been more detailed different answers depending on the day, mushrooms, a slow cooker full of baked or more clear, perhaps I the hour, and situ- wouldn’t have felt so frus- ation. One of those trated and annoyed as I did words you can’t quite that afternoon, though, I’m articulate, but you sure they would have eaten know exactly what just as much either way. it is when you see it. Another thing I’ve It is possible to see learned over the years is the exact model of how asking for help is not support you want or weakness. Just because you need from afar, like need a hand up, it in no way across a hallway or suggests you are unable to across the city and get up. People are much more willing when a veteran teacher invited me into still not be able to to help when you ask directly instead her classroom after school just for a share the same vision of huffing, sighing, or wearing a weary conversation. That one welcoming act with your colleague pouty face around the teacher’s room. turned into an unofficial after school or teammate or even a family member. beans in the pantry, cupcakes in the oven Asking is an essential part of the support mentoring program that made a huge Simple as a conversation over a cup of tea and a sink full of dishes. What I wanted process. In my early days, I’d plan, craft, difference in my teaching practice. I was or as complicated as a behavior plan for was my boys to load and unload the create, implement, assess all the lessons able to ask questions and gain insight to a student in crisis, support may come in dishwasher, clean out the sink, and leave with few scavenged materials to adapt all the things I wondered and worried the shape of a bandaid for a lesson plan like their pants were on fire so I could for multiple learning levels as if I were about alone. Slowly, I began to feel like that needs tweaking or a tourniquet for continue to prepare. What I got was three the Teacher Formerly Known as Prince. a part of the school community. Most a classroom out of control. We say it in cupcakes eaten as soon as they came out I would wordlessly struggle on, sitting in importantly, through asking questions education often, mostly when we feel we of the oven, a taste tester I didn’t ask for my cubicle of a classroom until the night and asking for advice, I received the sup- are struggling and determine that sup- sampling baked beans, a hug and a miss- custodians kicked me out. My colleagues port I needed to help me stay in the pro- port is indeed missing. ing bag of barbeque potato chips. In my would shake their heads at my newbie (continued on page 6)

Job Share Information Meeting The next BTU Membership Meeting of the year will be on Wednesday, March 11th Monday, March 16, 2020, 4:30-6:30 pm at 4:30 pm at the BTU Hall, Conference Rooms A/B at the BTU Hall 180 Mount Vernon St., Boston, MA 02125 Contact your Field Representative for more information by calling 617-288-2000 The BTU membership meetings are open to all BBOSTON TEACHERSU BTU cardholders. Meetings are TUNION EVERYONE on the second Wednesdays IS WELCOME (Sept.-Jun.) and start at HERE! 4:30 pm. Child care is available Save TheFOR Date! BT U by appointment. The Boston Teachers Union's Do you have a favorite educator?

Anniversary Party Date: October 3, 2020 Venue: The Westin Copley Place Nominations open 10 Huntington Ave, Boston, MA 02116 6 - 10pm FEBRUARY 3 - MARCH 6 Suggested attire: Semiformal bostonpublicschools.org/eoy

2 | BOSTON UNION TEACHER | March, 2020 Know Your Rights Caren Carew What is the Mandatory Role of Each School’s School Site Council’s Personnel Subcommittee in Hiring Teacher Bargaining Unit Members? he Superintendent Circular, FAM- Time Commitment: or Unsatisfactory and been placed on a T4, ‘School Site Council Personnel • The Personnel Subcommittee is a Directed Growth or Improvement plan will Subcommittee’ circular states, “Consis- standing committee of the SSC for be assigned a Consulting Teacher (CT). tent with the principles of school-based the duration of the school year. As After their initial meeting with the CT, they Caren Carew management, School Site Council [SSC] such, the Personnel Subcommit- may opt into the Peer Assistance (PA) Pro- BTU Secondary engages parents, students {and teachers] tee must be formed by October 31 gram. The teacher will be informed whether Field Representative in shared-decision making as a lever for [should be in place as early as possi- there is space in the PA Program. During the school improvement. The intention of the ble in September] and should meet plan, the CT will visit the teacher regularly be eligible to enter PAR. [For example, a Personnel Subcommittee is to actively as vacancies occur. The Personnel and provide support, which may consist of teacher who receives an overall rating of NI involve members of the school commu- Subcommittee is not required to observing, modeling, coaching, or any other on June 1 and no plan length is designated nity in the teacher hiring process as these meet between the end of one school support the CT and the teacher deem neces- on or before the last day of school will be decisions will have a significant impact year and the beginning of the suc- s a r y.” placed on a DGP [Directed Growth Plan] on instructional practice and the lives of ceeding school year [although it is “The Peer Assistance Program is designed which will end six calendar months from the students.” encouraged to do so]. Before the and intended to help teachers in need, and date of goal approval.]” Responsibilities of the Personnel summer break, members of the the Peer Assistance Program will be separate “During the plan, the CT will visit the Subcommittee: The responsibilities of Personnel Subcommittee should from the performance evaluation of teachers.” teacher regularly and provide support, the Personnel Subcommittee of the SSC leave contact info with the Princi- which may consist of observing, modeling, are to: pal/Headmaster, who will contact What is the Peer Assistance coaching, or any other support the CT and • Approve the hiring of new BTU members prior to the interviewing the teacher deem necessary. The principal/ teachers’ bargaining unit staff and or hiring of any teacher bargaining and Review (PAR) Program? headmaster may continue observing and in-transfer of BTU teacher bargain- unit applicants. n the new contract, the PAR Program providing support as a secondary evaluator. ing unit staff from other schools in For further info or clarification of this Iis detailed in the following manner: At least two other three-way meetings must the BPS. process, please contact Caren: ccarew@ “Permanent teachers who have received occur over the course of the plan (at least • Approve the selection of Lead btu.org. an overall rating of Needs Improvement or one month between each), and after each, teachers, New Teacher Developers, Unsatisfactory will be assigned a Consulting the CT and school-based evaluator will Mentor Teachers, and new athletic What Does the New Contract Teacher (CT). [Please refer to the contract issue a brief update (if there is a discrepancy coaches. State About Positions which details who the CTs are, caseload and between school-based evaluator and CT; or • Determine the schedule and pro- the like]. After their initial meeting with the if both agree that the teacher is not making cedures for reviving candidates for Requiring Two (2) Licenses? CT, they may opt into the PAR Program if adequate progress) to the ESP [Educator positions. he Certification Program Areas was they are found to be eligible. The teacher will Supports Program] Panel. The final three- • The decisions of the Personnel Sub- Tamended in the new contract to read: be informed whether there is space in the way meeting must occur at least one month committee are not subject to the “Excessing: Where a position requires two PAR Program, and the CT will be designated before the scheduled end of the plan.” approval of the SSC. licenses, and the incumbent does not possess the primary evaluator. An initial three-way “At the end of the plan, the CT will issue Personnel Subcommittee Member- the same, that teacher may, be excessed for meeting between the teacher, the evaluator, a summative evaluation with an overall ship: the lack of holding tow licenses provided they and the CT shall take place, and the group rating. The ESP Panel will convene within • The Personnel Subcommittee shall are notified a year in advance. That is, they will review the goals and any prescriptions.” one month to review the evidence provided consist of 2 teachers, 1 parent, 1 must be given one entire year after being [The] “Eligibility [into the PAR Program] by the CT, the principal/headmaster, and student (in HS) and the Principal/ noticed to obtain the required licensure. If Permanent teachers and provisional teach- the teacher and make a recommendation Headmaster or their designee. they demonstrate in writing a process des- ers at the end of their third year whose last to the Superintendent whether to place the • BTU members on the SSC shall ignated by the Office of Human Capital by rating was needs improvement or unsatis- teacher on a Self-Directed Growth Plan, an select the BTU representatives to January 15 that they are making continuous factory and are placed on a Directed Growth Improvement Plan or Directed Growth Plan serve on the Personnel Subcommit- progress toward meeting the requirements for Plan may be eligible for PAR. This shall (in the case of a teacher who began the pro- tee. licensure in the field in which the additional not impact the district’s authority to make gram on an Improvement Plan), in which • The parent members of the SSC license is required, individuals shall not be renewal and non-renewal decisions.” case the PAR program may continue, or to shall select the parent representa- excessed and shall be granted a one-time “Educators who receive an overall rating dismiss or non-renew the teacher.” tive. exception. “Continuous progress” shall be of Needs Improvement or Unsatisfactory • The student members of the SSC at defined as at least six progress points based shall have their plan length designated in high schools shall select the student on the table below. At least two of the points writing within one calendar month of issu- Phone Numbers BBOSTON TEACHERSU TUNION representative. must have been earned within the previous ance. For educators who receive their overall • The composition of the Personnel 12 months, and the approval of the one-time rating in May or June, the new plan length Office...... 617-288-2000 Subcommittee should reflect the exception is subject to the discretion of the shall be designated on or before the last day Health & Welfare...... 617-288-0500 racial and ethnic diversity of the Chief Human Capital Officer or their des- of school.” AFT Massachusetts...... 617-423-3342 school community to the extent ignee for those with fewer than six points. “If the plan length is not decided within Function Office...... 617-288-3322 possible. Teachers who have demonstrated progress these parameters, a Directed Growth Plan Lounge Office...... 617-288-3322 Vision Center...... 617-288-5540 • Teacher, parent, and student rep- by January 15 and are granted a one-time will have a default length of six calendar Tremont Credit Union...... 781-843-5626 resentatives on the Personnel exception who then have not obtained the months excluding July and August, and will Subcommittee may designate tem- license by July 31 will be excessed.” porary replacement representatives Table: Requirement Points to the Subcommittee for specific Completed Earned positions. School Staffing: One semester credit of college coursework...... 1 • The Personnel Subcommittee inter- EVERYONE ¡TODOS IS SON Boston Teachers Union, Passing a full MTEL...... 2 WELCOME BIENVENIDOS views and decides on the selection of BBOSTON TEACHERSU HERE! AQUÍ! AFT Local 66, AFL-CIO TUNION BT U BT U permanent teachers who voluntarily SEI Endorsement apply for transfer into the school The Boston Union Teacher EDITORIAL NOTE: Requirement Completed The opinions expressed in the Boston Union and the hiring of new teachers for and Approved...... 2 is published eleven times a year Teacher do not necessarily represent the views of September - July, inclusive. vacancies, regardless of the time of Passing a subtest of an MTEL...... 1 the Boston Teachers Union, or those of its members. year and consistent with the terms of the current Collective Bargaining Meeting a “coverage of…” President WHEN WRITING: JESSICA J. TANG Agreement [contract] between the competency through 10 All correspondence to the Boston Union BPS and the BTU. [All such hires Professional Development Points...1 Vice President Teacher must be typewritten and include the ERIK R. BERG author’s name and school or department if not MUST go through the Personnel or 10 hours of mentored experience school-based. ** (see Competency Review Guide Secretary-Treasurer Subcommittee during the entire SY; All articles must be appropriate to the publication, Sept.-June at minimum]. and Form) BETSY DRINAN and in good taste. Open Posting: “Teachers will be reimbursed for up to Co-Editors Letters to the Editor should be sent to • In accordance with Circular HRS- $1550 in expenses incurred to obtain the MICHAEL J. MAGUIRE [email protected] HS-7 schools must adhere to the required second license.” GARRET VIRCHICK requirements to Open Post. There- Editorial Board DEADLINE: fore, schools must ensure that the The deadline for submitting articles for the What is the Peer Assistance Caren Carew Betsy Drinan next issue of the Boston Union Teacher is Personnel Subcommittee of the Tim Maher March 11th. SSC is formed and ready to begin Program for Teachers With a Johnny McInnis Anne Slater All copy should be e-mailed to the hiring process by March 1. [The Less Than Proficient Rating? [email protected] and [email protected] Richard Stutman This deadline will be strictly adhered to. subcommittee should be in place as he new contract language details: “Per- early as possible in September for all Tmanent teachers and provisional teach- teacher unit hiring throughout the ers in their third year who have received 180 Mount Vernon Street | Boston, MA 02125 SY]. an overall rating of Needs Improvement 617-288-2000 | Fax 617-288-0024 | www.btu.org Union Printworks BOSTON UNION TEACHER | March, 2020 | 3 Photos by Adrianne Jordan

Adrianne Jordan

4 | BOSTON UNION TEACHER | March, 2020 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Family Project Parents helped their child do research on Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and made a representation of Dr. King’s life using a poster, paper bag puppet, or a collage. The presentation included words and pictures of both Dr. King’s accomplishments and events that occurred in his life. Parents and students did an amazing job!

Commentary Michael J. Maguire The Long Month of March he month of March is named for the cially the stories – dare I say mythology nation to its Mother Country. The “pree- tough tasks to be completed. TRoman god of war, Mars. Now that – involving James Michael Curley. The mie” nation looked up for help and saw He must have wondered how troops Evacuation Day is no longer a county Rascal King may have given legal cover the reassuring gaze of a leader whom who had to be given a reason to prac- holiday, March can be a long battle in the to an old Irish holy day but there is no they would place, “First in war, first in tice marching in nice weather could be classroom. For March is the only month denying that March 17th played a pivotal peace, and first in the hearts of his coun- expected to do near impossible tasks in in our school year without a holiday role in the Colonies’ independence. trymen.” freezing weather. break. What follows is a reprinting of the That March day turned a bunch of Yet these New Englanders, who To our friends in the “dreaded private 2013 story John Glynn wrote for this uppity colonists into neighborhood mili- resisted the routine, responded to the sector” such a lament may seem laugh- newspaper. Happy Evacuation Day to tia. They discovered that they could be impossible. They were ingenious in solv- able. But when you work with children, one and all. more than just local rebels upset about ing problems when they had to do so on the time between February break and H H H H H H H H H H H taxes. their own. April break can be decades long. Were it Evacuation Day: A man from a southern colony – a Their ability to complete the fortifica- not for Good Friday, the stretch between place more foreign to them than England tion of Dorchester Heights amazed even weeklong breaks would be 30 school Birth of a Nation – had arrived in Cambridge the previ- the British general who quipped, ‘‘these days. An eternity. by John Glynn ous July in hopes of forming a standing people have done in three days what we Since Good Friday is in April this year, n March 17, 1776, a people of Army. could not do in three months.'' that leaves March a month full of school Oaction, character, and resolve However, their regional differences The bond between the people and days (assuming no snow days). Most from New England would see those were acute and their mutual dislike was George Washington was more than just people will celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in same qualities in a southern planter both immediate and intense. Only Wash- in spoken syllables and pious platitudes. some way. For my students we rename from Virginia, and would adopt him as ington's commitment to Honor kept him He never asked soldiers or statesmen to our classroom Maguireland and every- their own. at his post. do anything that he would not be will- one is Maguirish for the day. History books record George Wash- Necessity forced them to work togeth- ing to do. He led from the front and put It’s cute but it will obscure the old ington's action on Dorchester Heights er. his life and political fortune on the line holiday. as a military victory. To me, the sailing Washington could have a very bad whenever necessary. So I make a point to explain to my of British ships from Boston was the cut- temper and did not suffer fools gladly. He students the origin of the holiday, espe- ting of the umbilical cord of a premature had a “type A” personality and expected (John Glynn is now a retired teacher.) BOSTON UNION TEACHER | March, 2020 | 5 Can You Define Support?… (continued from page 2) fession. While I still run a One Woman help out when you ask. to your audience, what you recieve back daunting issues will always be there and Show taking on most of the heavy lifting But like the unhelpful teenage cook- will feel more like punishment than help. while we work on envisioning a plan to myself, I find that it is much easier to run out helper scenario, it is important that Sometimes, people become so eager to ask for additional support, let’s work on an idea by a colleague, post a concern on you flesh out exactly the kind of support help you, support resembles a tidal wave some small ways we can lift each other a teacher social media page, or simply you are looking for before you start ask- that threatens to take you further out in our school communities. Support can ask questions. People are so willing to ing around. If your message is unclear to sea instead of bringing you safely to be as simple as holding on to that student shore. Get out your notepad or scribble sent to your buddy room for a couple on your whiteboard if it helps you to extra minutes to let that sending teacher visualize all that you are struggling with. take a breath. Support can be as easy as Then, list out the problem, the players, opening the doors between classrooms the ideal outcomes (no, you can’t send and sharing a laugh about anything at Is that student to the Lunar Space Station), all. Support can mean listening. When weighing you the outcomes you could live with, and you’ve been talking in your own head for possible resources until you have the so long, having another set of ears around beginnings of a plan. Now, with a clearer that understands some of the same strug- vision and some freed up head space, you gles you are going through can feel like a DOWN? can begin asking for what you need. No lifeline. As the days get longer, the test- one expects you to have a fully developed ing weeks stretch into months, and rock, THERE MAY BE A WAY TO FIND RELIEF. plan or else you wouldn’t be asking for paper, scissors battles fail to subvert the support from others. With a barebones recess arguments, we can all get by with a skeleton or at least a clearer vision, you little help from our friends. will be able to articulate to others what H H H H H H H H H H H you are looking for. The Peer-to-Peer column is written by And what if you feel that it is unsafe Anne Slater (aslater@bostonpublicschools. STUDENT DEBT CLINIC to ask for support in your school? In my org) and Lauren Clarke-Mason (lclarke- AFT Massachusetts and the Boston Teachers Union invite interested AFT members to attend a union-sponsored coaching work I met a few people who felt [email protected]). If you like asking for help was admitting defeat; have a topic you’d like us to explore, please Student Debt Clinic for information that could help you that a simple ask became an unexpected email us. To find out more about Educa- manage student loan payments attack. In these situations, an impartial tor Supports including Peer Assistance and and learn about student debt forgiveness. person from Educator Supports can Consulting Teachers, visit btu.org/whats- In this 90-minute session, AFT’s Student Debt Clinic provides: become a resource. Coaches can offer a working/peer-mentoring/ or bostonpar.org. • Information on how to enroll in income-driven student loan repayment programs; and consultancy visit or an informal obser- • Help in enrolling in the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. vation when you are asking yourself, “Is Call for Submissions! Light refreshments will be served. it me?” in the middle of the night. This re you a writer? Would you like service is available to all Boston teach- Ato see your work Tuesday, May 12 ers regardless of your current evaluation published in the BTU 4:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. rating. When you need more people in paper? We are accepting Boston Teachers Union • 180 Mt. Vernon St. • Boston your corner to buildCalling you up and All set you International submissions from all Travelers! BTU Register at: http://go.aft.org/StudentDebtClinicRSVP straight, the team is available to provide members including cur- The clinic is listed as “MASSACHUSETTS: Boston Teachers Union 4:30 pm 05/12/2020.” Join Maritza intensiveand Dana coaching on an support international and in some adventure. rent and Allretired BTU teachers. members, families and friends are invited. cases evaluation. Check out bostonpar.See youShort at story,the airport! novel excerpts, essays and org for more information. poems will all be considered. Email your REGISTER NOW FOR 2020 & 2021 ALL PRICES PER PERSON DOUBLE OCCUPANCY AFT Massachusetts | 38 Chauncy St. Suite 402 • Boston, MA 02111 | (617) 423-0174 We all know how isolating teaching submission to Anne Slater @ aslater@ work can be. We know the larger, more bostonpublicschools.org

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Join Maritza and Dana on an international adventure. All BTU members, families and friends are invited. Calling All International Travelers! Calling All International Travelers! See you at the airport! Calling All International Travelers! DENMARK Calling All International Travelers! Calling All International Travelers! Join Maritza andCalling Dana All on International an international Travelers! adventure! PORTUGAL, SPAIN, & Join Maritza andJoin DanaMaritza on and an internationalDana on an internationaladventure. All adventure. BTU Joinmembers, All Maritza BTU families members, and and DanaREGISTER friendsfamiliesBRA ZonIL are anand NOWinvited. international friends FOR areAp r2020 iinvited.l 17 adventure. – & 2 62021 , 20Join2 0ALL Maritza All PRICES BTU and members,EGYPT DanaPER PERSONon an familiesinternational DOUBLE andCUBA adventure. friendsOCCUPANCY areAll BTU invited. members, families and friends are invited. Join Maritza and Dana on an international adventure. All BTU members, familiesAll BTU and Joinfriends members, Maritza are invited. and Dana families on an international andGIBRALTAR friends adventure. are All invited! BTU members, See families you andat thefriends airport! are invited. See you at the airport! April 14 – 23, 2020 See you at the airport!April 16 – 26, 2020 See you at the airport! $2999 (early bird) April See18 - 26,you 2020 at the airport! See you at the airport! February 13 –See 23, you2020 at the airport! REGISTER NOW FOR 2020 & 2021 ALL PRICES PER PERSON DOUBLE$2999 OCCUPANCY $3500 $3.500 REGISTERREGISTER NOW FOR NOW! 2020 & FOR 2021 ALL 2020 PRICES & 2021 PER$2799 PERSON • AllREGISTER pricesDOUBLE perOCCUPANCY NOW person, FOR 2020 double & 2021 occupancy ALL PRICESREGISTER PER PERSON NOW FOR DOUBLE2020 & 2021 OCCUPANCY ALL PRICES PER PERSON DOUBLE OCCUPANCY REGISTER NOW FOR 2020 & 2021 ALL PRICES PER PERSON DOUBLE OCCUPANCY REGISTER NOW FOR 2020 & 2021 ALL PRICES PER PERSON DOUBLE OCCUPANCY Calling All International Travelers!

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Maritza Agrait 617-529-0519

DENMARK PORTUGAL, SPAIN, & BRAZIL April 17 – 26, 20 20 EGYPT CUBA CallingG HANAAll International DanaFI NTravelers!LA NRoyster D -Buefort 617SOUTH-838 AFRICA-9742 [email protected] MOROCCO GREECE GIBRALTAR DENMARK PORTUGAL, SPAIN, & April 14 – 23, 2020 $2999 (ear ly bird) April 1G6HANA – 26 , 2020GHANA AprilF INL A N18D -26,F I2020N LAJoinND SOUTH Maritza AFRICA andSOUTH Dana AFRICAon an internationalAugust 14 -24MOROCCO adventure., 2020 AllA BTUpril 1 members,7 – 26 , 2 0 2 families0 G HANAandJuly friends 15 – 28 are 2020 invited. FI N JulyLAN D23 – Aug 1, 2020SOUTH AFRICA February 13 – 23, 2020 GHANABR AZIL AFpINrilL 1A7N –D 2 6, 2020 SOUTHEGYPT AFRICA CUBACUBA GHANA SOUTHFINL AAFRICAND SOUTHMOROCCO AFRICA MOROCCO GREECE GREECE GHANA October 14 – 25, 2020MOROCCO GREECE GIBRALTAR August$3500 14 -24August, 2020MOROCCO 14 -24A ,p 2020ril 17 – 26, 2A0p2GREECEr0il 17 – 2 6,July 202 015 – 28 2020July 15 – 28 2020 $3099July See23 – Augyou 1,at 2020theMOROCCO$2 9airport! 9 9 (ear ly bird) GREECE $3500 April 17 – 26, 2020 July 15 – 28 2020 Ap$r2il 9194 9– 23, 2020 April 16 – 26, 2020 April 18-26, 2020 July 15-28, 2020 July 23 – AugJuly 1, 202023 - August 1, 2020 OctoberAlterra 14Consulting – 25,AugustAugust 2020 Contacts 1414-24, -24, 2020 $3200 July 23 – Aug 1, 2020 August 14 -24, 2020 April $1279 9–9 2 (6e,a 2rl0y2 b0i rd) July 15 – 28 2020 April 18 -26, 2020August 14 -24$3.500, 2020 A p r i l 1 7 – 2 6 , 2 0 2 0B R A Z IL July 15 – 28 2020 October 14 – 25, 2020 $3099 October 14 – 25, 2020 $2799February 13 – 23, 2020 July 23 – Aug$3099 1, 2020 $2999 (early bird) $3500 VIETNAMJuly 23 – Aug 1, 2020 Early Bird $2890 by2/20 $2999 $3500 $3099 $3,500$3.500$ 2 9 9 9 ( e a r l y October b i r d ) 14 – 25, 2020REGISTER$3,500 $3500 NOW FOR 2020$3200 & 2021 $3,200ALL$3200 PRICES PERFungai PERSON$3099 KanogoiwaOctober DOUBLE 14 $3,099703.549.9115$3099 – 25,OCCUPANCY 2020 [email protected]$2 999 (early bird) $3500 $3200 $3099 $2999 (early bird) $3500 $3099 $2999 (early biArdp)r il 16 – 25, 2021 $3500 $3099 $3099 $2799 $3200 April Early Bird16 $2890– 25 by2/20, 202 $32001 $3099 Early Bird $2890 by2/20 $3099 Early Bird $2890 by2/20 Early Bird $2890 by2/20 Early Bird $2890 by2/20 $29G9HANA9 FINLAND Aaron Casey 202SOUTH-421Local - 4417AFRICA Contacts [email protected] $3500 MOROCCO GREECE Local ContactsLocal Contacts Local Contacts Maritza Agrait 617-529-0519 Local Contacts August 14Local -24 Contacts, 2020 April 17 – 26, 2020 July 15 – 28 2020 July 23 – Aug 1, 2020 Maritza Agrait Maritza 617-529 Agrait-0519 617 -529-0519 Maritza AgraitOctober 617 14-529 –- 051925, 2020 Maritza Agrait 617-529-0519 $3099 Maritza Agrait 617-$52929-905199 (e a rly bird) $3500 Dana Royster-Buefort 617-838$3200-9742 $3099 Dana Royster-DanaBuefort Royster 617 - -838 Buefort - 9742 617 -838-9742 [email protected] Dana Royster-Buefort 617-838-9742 Early Bird $2890 by2/20 Dana Royster-Buefort 617-838-9742 [email protected]@gmail.com Dana Royster -Buefort 617-838-9742 [email protected]

[email protected] [email protected] DENMARK Alterra Consulting Contacts GHANA FINLAND SOUTH AFRICA PORTUGAL, SPAIN, &Alterra Consulting ContactsBR AZIL Local Contacts MOROCCO Alterra Consulting Contacts VIETNAM EGYPT Alterra Consulting Contacts BRAZIL GREECEBRA Z IL GREECE BRAZILBRAZIL April 17 – 26, 2020VIETNAM BRAZIL CUBA August 14 -24, 2020 ABpRrAil Z1I7L – 26, 2020 July 15 – 28 2020 Alterra Consulting Contacts VIETNAMBRAZIL VIETNAM GIBRALTAR Alterra ConsultingApril 16 – 2Contacts5, 2021 Fungai Kanogoiwa 703.549.9115VIETNAM [email protected] GHANA FINLAND VIETNAMSOUTH AFRICA July 23 – Aug 1, 2020 OctoberApril 1416 –– 25,25, 2020 20October21 14-25, 2020Fungai VIETNAMKanogoiwaFungai 703.549.9115 KanogoiwaAprilApr il 116-25,4 – 2 703.549.9115 [email protected] ,2021 2020 [email protected] 16 16-25, – 25April, 2021 202Maritza 1 16 – 2 6Agrait , 2020 617-529-0519 Fungai Kanogoiwa 703.549.9115 [email protected] ApMOROCCOril 16 – 25, 202 1 GREECEApril 16 – 25, 2021 $2999 (early bird) April 16 – 25, 2021April 18 -26, 2020 $3099 Ap$ri2l 91969 – ( e2a5r,l y2 b0i2r1d) $3500 Fungai Kanogoiwa$3200 703.549.9115 [email protected] 1166 –– 2255,, 22020211February 13 – 23, 2020 Fungai Kanogoiwa$29 9703.549.91159 [email protected] Aaron Casey 202-421April-4417 16 – 25 [email protected], 2021 April 16 – 25, 2021 $3099$299 9 $3,099 April 16 – 25Aaron, 202 1Casey 202$2,999$2-942199 -4417 [email protected]$3,500$3500 $3500 August 14 -24, 2020 April 17 – 26, 2020 July 15 – 28 2020 July 23 –$ 2Aug999 1, 2020 $3500Aaron Casey 202-421-4417 [email protected] $2999 $3.500 Aaron Casey 202-421-4417 [email protected] $2999 Aaron EarlyCasey Bird $2890 202 -by2/20421- 4417 [email protected] October$$35002999 14 – 25, 2020 $2799 Aaron Casey 202-421-4417 [email protected] Dana Royster - Buefort 617-838$3500-9742 $3500 $3500 $3099 $2999 (early bir d) $3500 [email protected] Local Contacts $3200 Local$3099 Contacts Alterra Consulting Contacts Early Bird $2890 by2/20 Fungal Kanogoiwa • 703-549-9115 Maritza Agrait 617-529-0519 Maritza Agrait • 617-529-0519 [email protected] Consulting Contacts BRAZIL Dana Royster-Buefort 617-838-9742 Dana Royster-Buefort • 617-838-9742 VIETNAM Local Contacts Aaron Casey • 202-421-4417Fungai Kanogoiwa 703.549.9115 [email protected] [email protected] April 16 – 25, 2021 April 16 – 25, 2021 Maritza Agrait 617-529-0519 [email protected] [email protected] $2999 Aaron Casey 202- 421-4417 [email protected] BRAZIL Alterra Consulting Contacts $3500 VIETNAM FungaiDana Kanogoiwa Royster - 703.549.9115Buefort 617 [email protected] GHANA FINLAND SOUTH AFRICA MOROCCO April 16 – 25, 2021 April 16 – 25, 2021 6 | BOSTON UNION TEACHER | March, 2020 GREECE [email protected] August 14 -24, 2020 April 17 – 26, 2020 July 15 – 28 2020 July 23 – Aug 1, 2020 $2999 $3500 Aaron Casey 202-421-4417 [email protected] October 14 – 25, 2020 $3099 $2999 (early bird) $3500 $3200 $3099

Alterra Consulting Contacts Early Bird $2890 by2/20 BRAZIL VIETNAM Fungai Kanogoiwa 703.549.9115 [email protected] Local Contacts April 16 – 25, 2021 April 16 – 25, 2021 Maritza Agrait 617-529-0519 $2999 $3500 Aaron Casey 202-421-4417 [email protected] Dana Royster-Buefort 617-838-9742 [email protected]

BRAZIL Alterra Consulting Contacts VIETNAM April 16 – 25, 2021 Fungai Kanogoiwa 703.549.9115 [email protected] April 16 – 25, 2021 $2999 $3500 Aaron Casey 202-421-4417 [email protected]

Commentary Paul Tenney 50 Years a BTU Member: The Retirement Years eaders of this piece (an earlier edition) will recall that I bragged that I was 50 3,000 members, many of whom are politically active. Add to them the 7,000 Ryears a BTU member. or so of the active BTU members and you have a formidable political entity in Alas, I only accounted for 33 years as an active teacher. What follows is an Massachusetts. account of 17 years as a member of the Retired Teachers Chapter. What are the issues which most affect today’s retirees? They are the safety and The latter body is a standing committee of the Boston Teachers Union and an security of Social Security, pensions and health care. We have committees within autonomous entity which deals with the retired teacher issues and is, of course, a our Executive Board that act as very effective lobbyists at the local level (i.e. City member of the Boston Teachers Union, Local 66 AFL-CIO. Hall). I retired effective on July 1, 2001. I wanted to remain a union member so the We work hand in glove with state and national lobbyists for retirees. All of our best and only way to do that was to join the Retired Teachers Chapter. Many committee members work as volunteers – truly a labor of love. I am pleased to people who retire from the Boston Teachers Union wrongly assume that they are chair our archives. I work in tandem with the Secretary-Treasurer of the BTU and automatically enrolled in the RTC and therefore eligible for benefits. Not so fellow the folks at UMass/Boston who house our historical records. The latter will be alumni. You must join RTC to do so. online soon and all people can access them for any purpose including historical I was still interested in union business, history and political involvement so it essays, monographs, and books about labor union history. was a natural transition for me. I slowly began to see myself as a member of a new I enjoy the work and the fact that my colleagues have reelected me to the posts and yes, powerful demographic – retired professionals and teachers. of delegate to the state and national conventions of the American Federation of The state and national unions have departments which have room for retir- Teachers AFL-CIO, as well as the state convention of the AFL-CIO. My interest ees. These have become more and more influential through the years – espe- in labor’s history and present affairs is still keen. I look forward to exciting and cially at election time. As of this writing, the Boston Chapter has approximately informative work for the Boston Teachers Union. News You Can Use from the Retired Teachers Chapter By Joan Devlin, RTC Secretary BTU Retired Teachers Chapter Scholarships ach year, the Retired Teachers Chapter Eof the Boston Teachers Union awards three scholarships to deserving high school seniors who are children, grand- children, nieces, nephews, grandnieces or grandnephews of RTC members. One of these scholarships is earmarked for a student who chooses to attend a voca- tional school or equivalent institution. Applications for these scholarships can be picked up at the RTC/BTU offices at 180 Mount Vernon Street, Dorchester, MA 02125 or they can be downloaded from the BTU website (https://btu.org/ wp-content/uploads/2020/01/RTC-Schol- arship.pdf). The deadline to apply is April 1, 2020. Envelope must be postmarked Fighting For a Change in Ask any retiree how many scam calls Eyeglasses Benefit by this date. COLA they receive and they will share that the number of fraudulent phone calls emember that the eyeglass benefit Medicare Part B he Legislative Committee of the increase every year. In addition, on-line Rstarts two years from your date of Reimbursement for Retirees TRTC continues to fight for COLA scams are becoming more sophisticated. application to join the RTC. Once eli- increases in our pension. We are invit- gible, you can get glasses every two years. he City of Boston provides a refund A representative of the AARP Massachu- ing City Councilors, State Representative setts chapter will share their information You must bring your own prescription. Tof one-half of the Medicare Part B and Senators to our legislative Commit- Check with the eye care office to make an premiums paid by retirees, spouses, and on what seniors can do to protect them- tee meetings to share our proposals and selves from these scamsters. appointment. Retired teachers can make surviving spouses. To be eligible for a re- support for state legislation with them appointments during the week from fund, you must have been enrolled in a and as then to support our positions. Spring Luncheon 9:00 am to 1:00 pm. You may not make qualified Medicare supplement plan in Several City Councilors attended the oin us May 14, 2020 at the Venezia appointments during school vacations or 2019 through the City of Boston. If you first committee meeting of the year at the during the summer. paid the Standard Part B premium of JRestaurant in Dorchester for the RTC’s BTU and heard our proposal to the city annual Spring Luncheon. Enjoy getting $135.50 per month in the calendar year on how to restructure the COLA base Hear USA 2019, you do not need to submit proof of together with colleagues and sharing as well as support legislation to raise the good food and stories! The social com- TC members can get discounts on what you paid in 2019 for Medicare Part base from the current base of $14,000. B, the City of Boston will automatically mittee will be sending more information Rhearing aids through Hear USA. On Monday, January 27, 2020, the about ticket prices and table seating as You can call for an appointment with process your refund. RTC Legislative Committee met with the However, if you paid more than the date advances. one of their approved audiologists and, if following City Councilors: , needed, get substantial discounts on pre- $135.50 per month in the calendar year , Liz Breadon, Happy Anniversary BTU! 2019 for the Medicare Part B premium scribed hearing aids. You can call Hear Jonathan Spillane, Councilor Kenzie ome celebrate the BTU’s 75th anni- USA at 1-800-442-8231. Tell them that due to the Income Related Monthly Bok’s representative. In addition, Neil Adjustment Amount (IRMAA), you Cversary of its founding. A dinner you are a member of the Retired Teacher Doherty from the Mayor’s office attend- will be held at the Westin Hotel in Cop- Chapter of the Boston Teachers Union. must submit proof of payment no later ed our meeting. than April 30, 2020. Please contact the ley Square. Tickets will soon be available Studies show that hearing loss con- The focus of the meeting was the need and you can become an Ambassador and tributes to the isolation and loneliness Health Benefits and Insurance Depart- to raise the COLA base. These represen- ment at 617-635-4570 to obtain the create a table of ten friends, spouses, and that seniors experience. Take advantage tatives listened, asked questions, and left colleagues to celebrate with you. Read of these discounts on hearing tests and Medicare Part B Refund Request Form if with the promise to work on our con- you have not already received it. more about the plans for the dinner and aids. cerns. how you can obtain tickets and become If the Medicare Part B premium is We thank them for taking time out of deducted from your Social Security an ambassador by going to the BTU Planning on Retiring? their busy day to attend and participate website and clicking on the 75th Anniver- check, please provide a copy of form SSA- in the Legislative Committee’s meeting. ongratulations on reaching retire- 1099 or submit Social Security Form sary. It is a great time to gather and share Cment. Call the RTC office at the 617- SSA-2458 documenting Part B premi- Spring Business Meeting stories from our union activist days. 288-2000 any Tuesday or Wednesday ums paid. If you pay Social Security Remember the strikes? Rallies at City to get an application to join the Retired directly for IRMAA, (Income Related his year’s Spring Business Meeting Hall Plaza. Marching around the School Teacher Chapter. You do not automati- Monthly Adjustment Amount) please Twill be held Thursday, March 26, building at 15 Beacon Street and then 26 cally become a member of the Retired provide copies of the Medicare billing 2020 at Florian Hall in Dorchester. Doors Court Street? Come share the memories Teacher Chapter. You must sign up for statements along with copies of bank or open at 10:30 am and the meeting starts and celebrate with other union activists. membership. All benefits offered by the credit card statements reflecting proof of promptly at 11:00 am. In addition to re- Like Our Page RTC are based on your membership payment. Please call the Health Benefits ports from the RTC committees, you can in the BTU/RTC. Dues are five dollars th and Insurance Department at 617-635- get information about the 75 Anniver- he RTC has a great Facebook page per month and are deducted from your 4570 with questions. sary of the BTU. The Celebration will Tand if you are a Facebook member retirement check. be held at the Westin Hotel in Copley please visit us and give us a thumbs up. Square. Follow the page to keep up with RTC events and information. BOSTON UNION TEACHER | March, 2020 | 7 By Amika Kemmler Ernst, Ed.D.

(Amika Kemmler Ernst is a retired BPS New Teacher Developer with extensive experience as a classroom teacher, curriculum developer, and graphic artist. Her “We’re Learning Here” Project features images of everyday learning in our We’re Learning Here!BBOSTON TEACHERSU public schools, along with the words of the students pictured.) Boston Green Academy TUNION oston Green Academy is a Horace Mann In-District Charter School founded in 2011. It has Ba school-wide commitment to preparing students for leadership in “green” careers, and has recently been named a Green Ribbon School by the U.S. Department of Education. It is located in Brighton in the former Taft building at the corner of Warren Avenue and Cambridge Street, and now serves 500 students in grades 6-12. I was invited to visit by Eileen Shakespear, an officially retired teacher who works part-time at BGA to support new staff members. In Mia Lefkowitz’s high school ESL class, students are exploring “essential places” in Boston and working on creating a City Guide, while ESL teacher Alexandra Ibarra Carbona helps seventh grad- ers learn parts of speech as they use pictures and words to create sentences in English. Outside Matthew Johnston’s Spanish classroom is a big display of student-created posters about Taino culture, and Ms. Murray’s seventh grade Humanities students are learning about Haiti. A focus on multicultural literature is evident in Daphnee Rameau’s high school ELA class, which is reading Flight, by Sherman Alexie, while Erica Phifer’s middle school students are reading Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass. All students are also given time in ELA classes for reading books of their own choice from varied and full classroom libraries. Art teacher Jen Turpin is from the Eliot School, which partners with BGA to provide rich experi- ences for students, and I see examples on display throughout the building. In the gym, Shantell Jeter’s seventh graders are practicing eye-hand coordination by seeing how high and for how long they can keep a ball in the air with one hand. Environmental sustainability is an important topic in science classes, given BGA’s curriculum focus. Seniors in Erica Wilson’s physics class are hosting small groups of middle school students, proudly showing and talking about the passive houses they had designed. In Chris Donnelly’s Envi- ronmental Science class, 11th grade students work on an experiment to measure how much water soaks into the ground after it rains and how long it takes. Secondary teachers often feel pressure to “cover” curriculum material with “time on task” rather than attend to social emotional issues. Tra’Neal Holloman-Rodgers, however, begins her math class by asking each student to share three words describing how they’re feeling that day. In the hallway a large bulletin board gives examples of ways to “Be Kind to Your Whole Self” and another celebrates individual students nominated by a staff member for acts of leadership and service. What does YOUR school do that supports the creation of a safe and welcoming learning environ- ment for all? Please invite me to visit! This is in our Environmental Science class with Mr. Donnelly. We were doing an experiment to measure how much water soaks into the ground and how much time it takes. We’ve learned that in cities concrete surfaces cause run- Amika Kemmler Ernst, Ed. D. off, so the water cannot be absorbed by the soil. This is a problem because [email protected] it creates floods and can pollute our oceans. I was building sentences Declan Hall & Michelle Huynh, Grade 11 with nouns, verbs and adjectives. This is in ESL class where I am learning how to read, write, speak and listen better in English. Guilherme Oliveira, Grade 8

Ms. Wu is helping me with some math problems. I’m learning how to solve algebra problems by graphing, substitution, and elimination. Madison Gustave, Grade 11

My temperature calculator was misfunctioning and Ms. Wilson was checking it out. This is in physics class and we’ve been designing passive houses to remain cozy without a furnace. I was testing my house to see how warm it can get in the daytime, and how comfortable it can remain at night. I’ve learned it takes a lot of insulation for the house to stay warm! José Chavez, Grade 12

I was working on an assignment in science class. We are studying genetics and learning about asexual and sexual reproduction. I’ve learned about dominant and recessive genes, and that our genes come from both parents. Juleici Febo, Grade 8

We were getting help from Ms. Murray on some Humanities classwork. I am working with my We’re learning about the coach, Mr. Seaforth, history of Haiti and what on designing a new they had to go through play for our basketball during colonial times. game. I’ve learned We’ve learned that the where and how quickly people of Haiti were the we need to screen, or first black nation to gain block, an opposing independence from slavery. player on the court. Analese Gonzalez & Donté White-Barboza, Hope Williams, Grade 7 Grade 11

8 | BOSTON UNION TEACHER | March, 2020