Announcement from the BTU Election Committee:
Nomination Process Starts Jan. 11
Starting at the union meeting on Wed, Jan. 11, candidates can begin collecting signatures for the nomination process for the 2023 BTU election of officers, field representatives, political director, E-Board, delegates and RTC officers. Members of good standing of the BTU/RTC may collect signatures in one of two ways. First, paper signature pages will be available to members in good standing of the BTU/RTC at the union hall starting at 4 pm on January 11th and until March 8, when they must be turned in to the Election Committee. To register for electronic nomination pages members should go on line to the BTU website: https://members.btu.org/login 

As a reminder: officers, field representatives, and political director require 100 signatures; E-Board candidates require 50 signatures; and delegates must have 25 signatures. Members 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). Don’t underestimate the importance of your role — you are an essential part of our union’s democratic process. The persons elected to office will help shape the future of our union.

Virtual Candidate Orientation: TOMORROW, January 10, 6:00PM
The BTU Election Committee will be holding a virtual Candidate Orientation. Former BTU officers Richard Stutman and Betsy Drinan will define the roles of officers, E-Board membership, BTU Delegates and the Para Council. They will also detail the steps and timelines for the election. Any BTU/RTC member who might be considering running for any position is encouraged to attend this virtual meeting to learn more about the process. Please RSVP to Michelle Frank and a link will be sent for you to join this Zoom meeting.

Telescope Trivia is Back! January 10, 8:00-9:15PM
Join us on Zoom for a virtual team trivia game. Come on your own or bring a team for some fun collaboration and light competition. Other games this year are on 3/14, and 5/9. Register now!

NEW- Reading with Joy Workshop: January 18, 6:00PM
The Haitian Educators Committee will host a virtual workshop “Reading with Joy” in an effort to engage the Haitian Community through reading and to encourage our children to read with joy. Register now!

NEW- BTU Member Winter Party: February 10, 3:30-8:00PM
Show our educators some love! Join us at the union hall for a winter party with food, DJ, cash bar, and fun! Registration required – this is a BTU-member ONLY event. See you there!

BLM T-Shirt Contest
An art contest is held yearly to decide the T-shirt for the BLM @ School Week of Action. This year BTU has decided to do a Boston-wide art contest. Students submitted some amazing work. Please use this link to choose our winner for the BLM @ School T-shirt contest.

NEW- Share My Lesson Virtual Conference: March 21-23
Submit your webinar proposals for this event here, or learn more about other upcoming AFT events at aftpd.org/conferences.

NEW- Unafraid Educators Meetings
Unafraid Educators, BTU’s immigrants’ rights committee, is meeting the second Monday of each month from 4:30 – 6 p.m. on Zoom. Please join us!

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.

NEW- Important Dates for Paras
Please see here for important dates for excessing, pools and assignments.

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.

NEW- BTU/AFT Para/PSRP Conference: April 1, 8:30AM-2:30PM
Please join us for a day of collaboration and learning with fellow paraprofessionals from around the state. The deadline for registration is March 30. Register now!

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.

NEW- Educator Supports Program Available for Teachers Rated Less than Proficient
Many educators will receive a formative assessment during the month of January.  BTU educators in the teacher bargaining unit who receive a rating of less than proficient are typically eligible for support from the Educator Supports Program (ESP).  The ESP is a jointly-run collaboration between the BTU and BPS which provides a range of supports for educators who find themselves in evaluation difficulty.  If you or a colleague is rated less than proficient, please make sure you or they visit the ESP Website for more information, and to sign up for a meeting to learn more using the Enroll button.

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 via this link.

New BTU T-Shirts!
T-Shirts were delivered to Building Reps 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.

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.