AAPI Heritage Month, Teachers Appreciation Day, and National School Nurses Week

Second Row: The BTU Paraprofessional Council receives and official recognition from the Boston City Council honoring the 40th Annual Paraprofessional & School Related Personnel Regional Conference held at the BTU Hall on Sat., May 2nd.

We begin May by celebrating a number of national appreciation days, weeks, and months. Check out the AAPI History Hub for resources and lesson plans for Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month. Today, May 5th, is National Teacher Appreciation Day, which is a part of National Teacher Appreciation week (May 4th-May 8th). Tomorrow, Wed. May 6th, is National School Nurse Day and kicks off National School Nurse Appreciation week (May 6th-May 12th)!

Weekend in Review: May Day Rally and 40th Annual PSRP Conference

On May 1st, otherwise known as International Workers’ Day or “MayDay”, more than 200 students, parents and BTU members rallied in front of City Hall to continue to urge city leaders to make a supplemental appropriation to the BPS budget to reinstate some of the more than 400 vital union educator positions across the city next year. A delegation of BTU members and BPS families then went into City Hall to meet with City Councilors and the Mayor’s Office to emphasize the personal impact of these proposed cuts to staff positions and student services.

Following the rally in front of City Hall, the 200-plus strong crowd marched to the Boston Common to join fellow labor unions for the broader May Day rally. This year’s May Day marked 20 years since the first time May Day was merged with the “Day without Immigrants” protest, which was organized to emphasize the importance immigrants play in the US economy. Twenty years later, and under unprecedented threats by the Trump Administration, our solidarity with immigrant workers has only strengthened.

On Saturday, May 2nd, the BTU and AFT MA hosted the 40th annual Paraprofessional & School-related Personnel regional conference at the BTU Hall. This event was first established to fill the gap in professional development opportunities available to PSRPs across the state. City Councilor Julia Mejia presented an official City of Boston recognition of the BTU/AFT MA PSRP Conference on Saturday for making a positive impact in Boston by offering career advancement opportunities to workers who have a profound impact in their communities.

Thank you to BTU Field Rep. Colleen Hart, the Paraprofessional Council and AFT MA for organizing another successful conference!

Join educator leaders from across BPS to honor and celebrate the work we do to support our colleagues and our students. Sponsored by the BPS Office of Educator development and Leadership and the BTU, The Aspire and Inspire Educator Symposium is an opportunity to Learn, Grow and Connect with other educator leaders. This event is open to any educator who has served in a leadership role this year whether formal or informal, full-time, part-time, or one-time. Bringing an artifact of your leadership work is encouraged, but not required to participate. RSVP by June 2. Dinner provided.

Join the BTU in the Boston Pride Parade, June 6, 2026

Join the BTU at Boston’s Pride for the the People Saturday, June 6, at 10:30am. Sign up here and we’ll share more details on the event very soon!

Professional Learning & Development Updates

Each week, we have many new and exciting Professional Learning & Development opportunities to share with you. You can find a full description of each listing on our Professional Learning & Development Updates Page.

• World Languages Spring Professional Development
• Fourth Annual Aspire & Inspire Educator Symposium – June 4th 5-7pm
• 2026 Telescope Network Needs Assessment Report
• Telescope Early Childhood (K2-2) Day of Learning at Ellison-Parks EES: May 1, 7:30-2:00

Community Events

Summer Ready: Strategies to Support Immigrant Students’ Mental Health and Wellbeing: May 11, 5:00-6:00PM

Join the Immigrant Learning Center for a timely conversation on how to support immigrant students as they head into summer break. Tamara Schletz (El Futuro) will discuss ADHD-inclusive strategies to help students transition into summer, while school nurse Amanda Macadam will offer insights on immigrant student mental health and discuss ways to support students’ overall health and wellbeing. This webinar is free but registration is required.

Thinking Through Art: Professional Development at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum

This summer, check out the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum’s Thinking Through Art (TTA) professional development program for Boston Public Schools teachers. The TTA program is proven to boost culturally responsive instruction, critical thinking, and social-emotional learning, and the summer PD sessions take place at the Gardner Museum. For a $100 materials fee, you will have access to all program components and the opportunity to earn PDPs or graduate credits. Apply by July 1, 2026, at gardnermuseum.org/tta  to start your journey, or email ThinkArt@isgm.org with any questions.

In Memoriam

The BTU extends its sincere condolence to the family of BTU member Mary Collins of Milton, who passed peacefully on April 15th. Mary graduated from Boston State College in 1974 and then went on to Boston College where she earned her Master’s Degree in Education. She spent many years as a teacher at Perkins School for the Blind, as well as at the Murphy K-8 School, as well as at St. Agatha Parish as a volunteer CCD teacher. You can find the full obituary here.

Thank You for Reading

Please send your comments and questions to us at bulletin@btu.org, or call the BTU at 617-288-2000.