BTU celebrates recent awards; reminds you to keep an eye on your paycheck

Our union brothers and sisters are being honored with awards and one retired member is even being recognized with a zen garden dedication later this month. Read on to hear about fellow members and their achievements.

Protect Yourself by Checking Your Pay and Personnel Information

Over the past year, we have seen hundreds of members who have had their pay bungled by BPS and the City. The errors members endure range from underpayments to overpayments in the thousands of dollars. Even some of the smallest errors can compound over a few years and amount to significant repayments the district recoups when they overpay. The reasons provided range from “system automation” to human error. While it can be difficult to digest in 2026 that “the system” does not recognize gross margins of error, this is the case.

The good news is, in our last contract we won members’ access to annual, clear statements of their rate of pay and work hours. The best way to protect yourself is to check this every fall and make sure that you are being compensated properly for all of your hard work and that your personnel information is current and accurate. You can utilize the extremely helpful district dashboard which can also be accessed through Aspen on the main page in the bottom right corner. If you suspect an error, reach out to OHR and your field representative immediately.

It was through using this form that several members reached out to us, and we noticed that BPS was underpaying a group of teachers by $100 annually. Those affected will have their pay corrected in the 10/23 paycheck.

Membership Meeting: TODAY, October 14 at 4:30 p.m.

Please join us this afternoon for the monthly membership meeting at 4:30 p.m. at the BTU Hall, 180 Mt Vernon St, Dorchester, MA 02125. All are welcome (don’t forget your membership card), hope to see you there!

Election Engagement

Please join your fellow union members for back-to-back events to support democracy and prepare for the upcoming elections.

Saturday, October 24: Knock on doors in Maine to support Troy Jackson for Senate.

Sunday, October 25: Join this training to learn about and fight back against authoritarianism.

Congratulations to Brenda Chaney, Mitchell Hercule, and CasSandra Samuel! These BTU members were recognized for their exceptional efforts as educators during this year’s Witherspoon Gala. Jessica Tang, former BTU president and current president of AFTMA, served as the Parade Grand Marshal at the event. Thank you to all who joined in to celebrate these individuals and march in the parade.

Awardees, left to right: CasSandra Samuel, Mitchell Hercule, Brenda Chaney

BTU members and awardees at the Witherspoon Gala
standing alongside Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley.

Congratulations to Kimberly Marshall, who has been awarded one of the 2026 Henry L. Shattuck Public Service Awards! With 21 years of service, we are proud to recognize Kimberly’s achievement. Read more about her and the award by clicking here.

BTU Events and Announcements

Are you a Latino member in the BTU? The Latino Caucus would like to hear from you! Please take a moment to complete our short Latino Caucus survey here.

Opportunity to give feedback on new report cards for grades K0 through 2nd

Last year, families, teachers, and the Dept. of Early Childhood drafted new K0–2nd report cards. The DEC wants feedback from the broader educator community to finalize the drafts.

Please fill out this Google Form to share your perspective on the proposed changes!

October ABA Working Group Meeting: Monday, October 19 at 5:00 p.m.

The next ABA Working Group meeting of the school year will take place on Monday, October 19, from 5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. on Zoom! If you would like to be added to the Zoom invites, email Madison Kronheim at [email protected] or Katie Delarosa at [email protected].

Unafraid Educators October Meeting: Monday, October 19 at 4:30 p.m.

Please join us at Fenway High on October 19 at 4:30 p.m. for our next Unafraid Educators Meeting! We are the BTU’s Immigrant Rights Organizing Committee, and work to support our students and families. Dinner will be provided.

Boston Public Schools: Outdoor Learning

Check out the Friends of the Boston Schoolyard Fall Newsletter by clicking here.

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.

NEW! School Site Council Zoom training

SSC 101 Basics: Focus on roles and responsibilities of SSC in schools’ decision making process. Learn foundational concepts required to develop & maintain an effective SSC. Offered Monday, October 19 & repeated Monday, October 26 from 5:30 – 7:00 p.m. Click here to register for either date.

Questions? Contact [email protected]

EXTENDED DEADLINE: October 25!

BTU Writing and Research Fellowship

In partnership with UMASS Boston and the Boston Writing Project, the Boston Teachers Union is proud to offer a year-long school and classroom-based research fellowship to all BTU members. In the Boston Teachers Union Writing and Research Fellowship, we create a collaborative intellectual community in which BPS educators support one another to: develop their research and writing skills, including working toward publication in professional journals and at conferences. Earn graduate credit from UMASS Boston and a $600 honorarium. Learn more here or APPLY TODAY — the new deadline is October 25. Contact [email protected] to show interest.

As part of the October 17 national No Kings Day of Action, Jamaica Plain Fights Back (JPFB) will reach out to Jamaica Plain residents. Join them on Saturday, October 17 at 10:00 am at First Baptist Church (633 Centre St) to leaflet neighborhoods throughout Jamaica Plain.

Together, they will distribute information to our neighbors about:

• Why voting is critical
• How to register to vote
• Early voting dates and locations
• Polling places locations for both early voting and Election Day
• And they will urge people to take action to defend democracy!

Sign up here and join this community-wide effort to stand for democracy and protect our elections! Wear comfortable walking shoes, bring a water bottle, and dress for the weather.

Honoring Retired Member Alma Wright

The Garrison-Trotter Neighborhood Association is honoring retired member Alma Wright by naming a Zen Garden to honor her legacy as an educator, mentor, and community leader. The soft opening and dedication ceremony will take place on Saturday, October 24, 2026 from 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. at 20 Holworthy St, Boston, MA 02121.

RSVP by clicking this Eventbrite link.

Join MY AMERICA to assemble a large mosaic of an American flag made up of thousands of individual tiles with messages, drawings, poems. Stop by the Union Hall during any of the times below and spread the word to bring more volunteers in.

• Monday, October 19: 9 AM – 5 PM
• Tuesday, October 20: 9 AM – 5 PM
• Wednesday, October 21: 9 AM – 5 PM
• Friday, October 23: 9 AM – 5 PM
• Saturday, October 24: 9 AM – 4 PM

Location: Boston Teachers Union Hall, 180 Mount Vernon Street, Dorchester

BLS Alumni Prepare to Run New York City Marathon

BLS alumni, Will Jerome and Anthony Catino, will be running the NYC marathon this November in order to raise money for Anna’s Pals—an organization that is working to provide immunocompromised children and their families with a safe place during the long road to recovery. Anna was also a BLS student when she died of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and Anna’s Pals was founded in her memory. Please click here to donate.

Boston Herald: Advocates urge Healey to opt out of Trump’s education tax credit, warn of ‘substantial negative impact’ on public schools

WBUR: Education group will try again after ads criticizing Boston schools pulled by MBTA

The BTU wishes to recognize the passing of Maureen M. Shea, a longtime BTU member who passed away on October 7, 2026.

https://obrienfunerals.com/tribute/maureen-shea-2026-062/

Thank You for Reading

Please send your comments and questions to us at [email protected], or call the BTU at 617-288-2000.