TODAY- BTU Contract Action Teams: September 1, 2-3:30PM
Are you ready to take action? Register for training on building action teams in your schools to build toward larger union actions!

TODAY- Haitian Educators Meeting: September 1, 4:30PM
Please join the Haitian Educators Committee for the first meeting of this school year TODAY at 4:30 p.m. Please RSVP to Bianca Pierre and you will receive a Zoom link to attend the meeting.

NEW- Racial Justice Town Hall for BTU Members: September 2, 5-7PM
Join us for Listening to Black Voices, a racial justice town hall. We’re bringing members of the BTU community together for healing and difficult conversations about race. Register for the town hall here.

NEW- BTU Election Committee Meeting: September 2, 5PM
Join us for the initial preparation for the BTU internal election in spring 2021. There will be an open period for questions and comments from members during the first 15 minutes. Email Denice Dwyer to request Zoom access.

NEW- BTU Community Forum on Safe School Restart: September 3, 5:30-6:30PM
The BTU invites you to an online community forum to provide the wider Boston community with information about the fight for a safe, equitable restart of school. Please RSVP and you will be granted Zoom access.

NEW- BTU Family Outreach Action Team: September 4, 10-11AM
The BTU Family Outreach Action Team is hosting a session on “Engaging with Families Remotely – Making Your Initial Outreach Phone Calls”. Please RSVP here to let us know you will join us.

NEW- Ethnic Studies Kickoff Event: September 4, 4:30-6:PM
The BTU Ethnic Studies Now! Committee invites you to a Zoom Celebration and Kickoff! We will share our committee’s learning and organizing work from the past two years, explore the pilot curriculum created by a teacher work group, and begin to plan our next steps for growing an ethnic studies movement in Boston this year.

NEW- In-Person Services In Safe Spaces Rally: September 10, 5:30PM
Many SPED & ELL students need to be prioritized for in-person serivices that meet the goals of their IEPs. Join us for a socially distanced rally at the Bolling Building, or join us by car. For more info, contact Ruby Reyes.

NEW- Building Representative Orientation Session: September 12, 10-11:30AM
Your second opportunity to attend a Building Representative Orientation Session is this Saturday. Please RSVP here to let us know you will attend.  We will discuss your role and responsibilities as a Building Rep and how to engage your members in response to the current context we are in.

NEW- Unafraid Educators Kickoff & Social: September 14, 4:30-5:30PM
The Unafraid Educators Organizing Committee will be holding their first chapter event of the year. We look forward to reflecting on the summer’s work together, getting caught up with current members, and meeting new members!

Get Involved with CLVU!
The City Life/Vida Urbana (CLVU) coalition is working in support of housing justice and eviction defense. Sign up to be a part of this important coalition!

Teach Point Tutorial
Please see these tutorials for paraprofessionals on how to access TeachPoint to sign up for professional development. You can access the tutorials in a step-by-step guide or an interactive video.

Back to School Fair: September 24-26
Join us for the 7th annual Back to School Fair, where we’ll be giving over 40,000 free books to Boston Public School families. You must pre-register for a time slot to come by. Please also sign up to volunteer!  Don’t forget to sign up for Firstbook for free if you haven’t done so yet! 

BTU Professional Learning ’20-21 
Find the learning that’s right for you. All programs are open to all members, and will be conducted remotely this year until further notice.

AFT/BTU Teacher Leader Program
Now more than ever, we must understand how education policy works and how we can take action to advocate for our students, schools and profession. This year-long fellowship has a $1500 stipend. You can apply for this fellowship here.

New Educators Thriving
Being an educator is hard, especially early in your career. In this course, understand the pitfalls of working educators and learn strategies to avoid burnout. Free to BTU members, and grad credit available for a small fee. Open to all with priority to members in their first three years. You can apply to this course here.

BTU Inquiry Project
In this graduate course from the BTU and the Boston Writing Project, we create a reflective community to conduct research into an aspect of your practice important to you and your students. Graduate credit is available for a fee. You can apply to this course and find answers to frequently asked questions here.

Parent Support Group
Parenting while teaching is harder than ever. We will continue our successful parent support group with meetings every other week beginning in late September, exact dates to be determined. If you’re interested in joining this group, complete this interest form.

UPCOMING DEADLINE- Teachers as Scholars: Deadline September 9
Up to 15 BTU members  can win scholarships to attend a course of their choice (space permitting). See the 2020-21 course offerings, and the TAS website for more information. To enter to win a free course, please complete this form.

Professional Learning Steering Committee
BPS is forming a Comprehensive Districtwide Professional Development Steering Committee to determine the framework, standards, priorities, guidance, and process for the professional development of all staff in the district (educational and operational). We seek two teachers to serve on the committee. You can apply here from your BPS account.

Join a Cohort to Pursue National Board Certification
Cohorts by grade level, subject area, and other affinity groups are now forming for the upcoming school year. Receive support from through the process from skilled facilitators. Show your interest here and email the National Board for more information and other available supports.

SEL & Welcoming Communities Paraprofessional Professional Development: September 8 & 9
Join this professional development session to build your understanding of the SEL Competencies: Self-Awareness, Self-Management, Social-Awareness, Relationship Skills and Decision Making and to learn strategies and skills to deepen relationships with students.

Unafraid Educators’ Relief Fund for Boston Students & Families
Please donate to and share the Relief Fund with your networks. All BPS students and families are eligible to apply.

The Status of Teacher Leadership in Boston Public Schools
The Teacher Leadership Working Group has released its report 2020 Teacher Leadership Inventory ⁠— The Status of Teacher Leadership in Boston Public Schools. Read the report and recommendations and share your feedback.