NEW- Announcement from the BTU Election Committee: BTU Election Coming UP!
We’re all counting down the days… just 29 days until we enter the signature collection phase of our election year! There will be an orientation meeting for interested candidates on January 10 (RSVP/Zoom to come). On January 11, papers will be available, as well as the portal. Candidates may choose to collect signatures on paper or digitally this year. As a reminder: officers, field representatives, and political director require 100 signatures; E-Board candidates require 50 signatures; and delegates must have 25 signatures. Any given member may sign only the number of papers corresponding to the number of that position (ex. 1 candidate for Vice President and 12 E-Board candidates).

BTU Goes to the Boston Bruins!
The BTU has purchased 63 tickets for the February 11, 2023 game vs. the Washington Capitals. This is a Saturday 3:30 p.m. game at the Boston Garden. Seats are in rows 13, 14 and 15 of section 320. Tickets are $110.00 and are available for purchase at the BTU office on a first come first serve basis (cash or check).

Unafraid Scholarship 2022 Year-End Review
We are excited to celebrate the successes of our Unafraid Educators and thank each of you for your unwavering support of undocumented students in Boston! This past year, we raised $80,000 and gave out awards to 60 students. In 2022, we supported more students than ever before. Please help us get a jump-start on next year’s fundraising efforts by making a year-end donation here.

Equitable Literacy Across Contents Leadership Design Course: Earn 4 Free Graduate Credits
BPS Secondary teachers (grades 6-12)  will create the BPS Secondary Literacy Leadership Certificate by tailoring Boston University’s Certificate in Literacy Intervention to meet the specific needs of BPS teachers and their students. Participants will also gain a deeper understanding of equitable literacy by working with BU faculty. Classes will take place in-person (location pending) twice a month. Applications for the program are due on January 17. Learn more about the program and apply here! Register for a drop-in info session about the program. The info session will be on January 10 from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. View and share this flyer with colleagues who may be interested.

Join AFT MA Climate Caucus
AFT MA is committed to honoring our Climate Resolution that was passed on April 4, 2020. We are facing an historic environmental crisis. The science on climate change is irrefutable. Catastrophic effects of unchecked climate change include severe drought, increased disease, threatened food systems and more. We know from experience that the labor movement must be at the table to shape the conversation if we are to affect positive change for working people. Are you interested in working with AFT MA on climate issues? If so, please complete and submit this form.

Homework Helper Program
The Boston Teachers Union Homework Helper Program was created along with the City of Boston and the Boston Public Library to help all children with their homework during the school year. We have BTU educators working at every library in Boston that is open at least one day a week, from September to May. Please pass this information and flyersalong to all of your students.

BTU Housing Justice Committee Meetings
The BTU Housing Justice Committee has begun meeting every other Monday at 5 p.m. If you have any questions or would like to be added to the mailing list, please reach out to Emma or Shakeeda. You can access the Zoom link here.

Earn your Master’s Degree in Labor Studies at UMass Amherst
Members of AFT Massachusetts are building power across the education and library sector and influencing labor organizing across the Commonwealth. The union is providing a historic opportunity to earn a Master’s Degree in Labor Studies at the UMass Amherst College of Social and Behavioral Sciences. In addition to the ULA for Educators program, AFT Massachusetts is also offering a scholarship to those who apply. Learn more today!

Lit with Lea is Back!
Elementary Rep. Lea Serena would love to come in and read to your classes! Please sign up for a Friday. She is more than happy to read to more than one class at once or a bunch of classes at one school in one day!

Retirement Planning Workshop for AFT Members: December 13, 6:00PM
AFT Massachusetts is hosting a retirement planning workshop via Zoom and all members are welcome! Register now.

Celebrate Kwanzaa with the BTU: December 19, 5:00-7:00PM
Join the Black Caucus, BLM in Schools, and Racial Justice Standing Committee in celebrating Kwanzaa! Bring a donation for St. Mary’s Center for Women and Children and come support Black Vendors and check out a student performance. Free food and fun!

Winter Children’s Party: December 28, 12:00-2:00PM
Join us for a winter celebration at the union hall! Bring your children for food, bounce houses, a magician, and more. Register now – tickets must be confirmed on EventBrite for each person prior to attending!

NEW- New BTU T-Shirts!
T-Shirts were delivered to BReps at each school, building or unit. Quantity and sizes were determined by BReps and emailed to us. Orders were estimated for schools without a submission. Contact Michelle if you did not receive a delivery or need additional T-shirts. Email your request and include your name, school and quantities needed. Make-up orders can be ready for pick up from the BTU Office in 48 hours. Please drop off any extra T-shirts the BTU.

2022-23 Para Mentors, Facilitators and Teacher/Coach
The Para PD committee is pleased to announce the New Para Mentors, Facilitators and Teacher/Coach for school year 22-23! Mentors: Paulisha Rogers, Maria Cruz, Eric McKoy, Carla Johnson and Nikita Payne. Facilitators: Sasia Doman, Ingrid Burton, Gloria West, Anthony Marshall, Larry Green and Shakeeyah Scroggins. Teacher/Coach: Sentidra Joseph and Dennis Wright.

AFT Teach Conference Accepting Workshop Proposals!
The AFT TEACH (Together Educating America’s Children) conference will be held this summer, July 21-23, in Washington, D.C., and the call for proposals is now open. This professional learning conference provides an unforgettable experience for presenters and attendees alike, filled with inspiration and ideas to take back to school for the year ahead. Submit session proposals by Jan. 17, 2023.

NEW- Building Rep Stipends
Building Reps receive a $1,000 stipend for attending (and signing in) to 75% of the monthly membership meetings. The stipend can be earned in other ways too. The BTU BRep app is going through redevelopment along with our website, so reps can complete the BTU BRep Tally Sheet and submit it at the end of the school year if 75% attendance (and sign in) is not possible. All BReps must submit a W9 and will receive a 1099 at the end of the tax year.

Journey into Education and Teaching
The JET application is now open for 2023-2024! The JET program provides support for Massachusetts paraprofessionals without bachelor degrees in partner school districts to obtain their degree and licensure. Direct any questions to jetintoteaching@gmail.com.

School Site Council Training: Sessions in December and January
The School Site Council plays a criticial role in hiring of staff, reviews and advises on the budget, and can waive the provision of the collective bargaining agreement or any School Committee rule regulation. More information and registration available here!

Fund for Teachers: Plan Your Dream Summer Learning Experience
The application for Fund for Teachers is now open! Design your own professional learning experience for Summer ’23 anywhere in the world. Individuals may be awarded grants of up to $5000 and teams up to $10,000. Designing your fellowship and writing the application requires time and planning, and the BTU is happy to offer you support, mentoring, and feedback to put your best foot forward! Learn more and begin your application today! Deadline is January 19. Please contact Paul to be connected to a mentor.