Governor engages in frank exchange of views with educators — Page 3

A publication of the Massachusetts Teachers Association Volume 39, No. 4/February-March 2009 Crisis & Opportunity Members fight to protect education, use economic chaos as teaching tool ‘Hero teachers’ save man from burning SUV By Bob Duffy

dam Thomas, Tom Kelliher, John Long and Jeff Tribou — all social studies A teachers at the Lawrence Middle School in Falmouth — were traveling on Route 28 in Bourne one recent morning when they saw an SUV on the side of the road with flames coming out of its engine compartment. They sprang into action. After the teachers pulled over, they saw an unconscious man inside with his head leaning against the driver’s-side window. All of the vehicle’s doors were locked. Kelliher kicked out one of the SUV’s windows and the teachers, with the help of an off-duty law enforcement officer, proceeded to drag the victim from the car just as the passenger compartment was engulfed in flames. They pulled the man about 50 yards to a safe location, and a retired firefighter who also had pulled over to help administered oxygen to the victim, who started to regain consciousness.

A woman who had stopped at the scene covered Photo by Bob Duffy the man with a blanket to keep him warm until an Pictured from left to right are Falmouth teachers John Long, Adam Thomas, Tom Kelliher and ambulance arrived. Jeff Tribou, who sprang into action when they saw an emergency on Route 28. “We did what Please turn to Rescuers/Page 25 anybody should have done, and that’s what I tell my students,” Kelliher told MTA Today.

On the cover MTA’s Mission Statement As they mobilize politically to protect The Massachusetts Teachers Association is public education, MTA members are a member-driven organization, governed finding innovative new ways to teach by democratic principles, that accepts economics and help their students in this issue develop 21st- and supports the interdependence of century skills. In  MTA leaders meet with Governor Patrick 3 professionalism and unionism. The MTA photos clockwise from top left:  promotes the use of its members’ collective Editorial: Seeing the glass as half full 4 Nate Rono, an  Educators offer views on how to improve schools 4 power to advance their professional and economics teacher  Member action vital in fight to protect education 5 economic interests. The MTA is committed at Waltham High School,  Recovery bill helps, but won’t eliminate cuts 5 to human and civil rights and advocates for discusses a recent  Crucial 21st-century skills in evidence at Whittier 6 quality public education in an environment analysis of the  Economics educators make most of ‘100-year storm’ 7 in which lifelong learning and innovation federal recovery package with his  Canine companion helps teacher inspire students 9 flourish. students; teacher  All systems go for MTA ESP Conference 10 Joan Wool works with senior Rachel  Is GPO/WEP repeal tide turning? 11 Fucillo during a financial management MTA President class at Marshfield High School;  Social Security Fairness Act reintroduced 11 Anne Wass Ravi Jain, an assistant professor of  Some exemptions apply to offsets 11 MTA Vice President finance at UMass Lowell, leads an advanced-level class; Bob Makem,  ’Bright new future’ is EMAC Conference theme 12 Paul Toner an electronics/robotics teacher at  New MCAS graduation requirement is delayed 12 Executive Director-Treasurer Whittier Regional Vocational Technical  MTA and CEA to host AI/AN Issues Conference 13 David A. Borer High School, discusses some of his students’ projects; and Marshfield  Prices and rates make 2009 a year for homebuyers 14 Communications Director/Editor High School juniors Kevin Dougherty,  Events mark Darwin’s contributions to science 15 James Sacks left, and Conor Ryan, who are in  Educators celebrate love of books 16 Wool’s class, talk about their work. Staff Assistant A special Crisis & Opportunity  Obituaries 18 Janice Morrissey section beginning on Page 5 features  March 9 is deadline for HCR nominations 23 Publisher coverage of members organizing to preserve education during the  Carlos wins re-election to NEA Board 24 David A. Borer financial crisis, the state’s dire fiscal  Preconvention meetings set 24 Graphic Arts Assistant situation, different approaches to  Classifieds 26 Jacqueline Feng economics education and educators  Bruins player urges students to recycle, conserve 28 imparting 21st-century skills to students.

Photos by Sarah Nathan and Laura Barrett Cover design by Jacqueline Feng

MTA TODAY, ISSN 08982481, is published Quote-Unquote bimonthly by the Massachusetts Teachers Association. Subscription: $2.70 of MTA members’ dues is designated for MTA Today. “Local school officials will still need to proceed The Massachusetts Teachers Association Periodicals postage rates paid at Boston, MA, 20 Ashburton Place, Boston, MA 02108 and at additional offices. POSTMASTER: Send cautiously during the budget crisis. 800.392.6175 or 617.742.7950 address changes to: Massachusetts Teachers FAX: 617.742.7046 Association, 20 Ashburton Place, Boston, www.massteacher.org MA 02108. But they shouldn’t be papering the town Copyright ©2009 by the Massachusetts Teachers with teacher layoff notices.” Association. All material in this periodical may be reproduced by teachers for distribution to students or by affiliate associations for their — Excerpt from an editorial that appeared in The Boston Globe own publications. Unless expressly stated, on February 20, several days after the passage of acceptance of advertising does not necessarily the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 imply endorsement of the product by MTA or MTA Benefits.

2 February/March 2009 MTA leaders focus on key concerns during frank exchange with Patrick By Sarah Nathan

n a recent cold evening, MTA local leaders traveled from O all corners of the state to hear Governor Deval Patrick address key union, education and budget issues. The governor’s appearance at a special MTA meeting on Jan. 8 provided about 250 educators with a rare opportunity to ask questions and have a frank discourse with the Commonwealth’s highest-ranking elected official. Patrick delivered a sobering message about the state’s financial situ- ation and asked members to support his efforts to gain approval for new revenue sources, including new taxes. The governor warned the audience of educators of the economic distress that will likely ensue for months to come and used the word “ugly” to describe the budget numbers for the current fiscal year and the one that begins July 1. “I am confident we will get through this,” Patrick said, searching for some positive news in the midst of the economic crisis battering the state and the nation. “I’m confident that if we lean on each other, and if we act wisely, we will be stronger at the Photos by Laura Barrett and Bob Duffy other end of this. But I can’t pretend MTA members took full advantage of their time that there isn’t going to be some pain with Governor Deval Patrick. Above left, MSCA between now and then.” President C.J. O’Donnell posed the first question Patrick thanked MTA leaders for of the night, asking for help and respect with his supporting his earlier efforts to bring union’s struggle for a fair contract. Above right, resort casinos to Massachusetts. He Patrick shared a light moment with MTA President also acknowledged that some of his Anne Wass. Above, BEA President Timothy Sullivan positions haven’t been popular within asked where the governor stood on legislative efforts the education community. to limit collective bargaining rights. At right, Cheryl DelSignore, president of the Educational Association “Let’s just have a conversation of Worcester, asked what message Patrick wanted here,” Patrick said to the educators her to take back to me