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).
Nurse Faculty Senate Monthly Meetings: Starting December 7
Nurse Faculty Senate (NFS) is the elected representative body for BPS nurses and represents all nurses who are current members of the BTU. Nurse Faculty Senate meetings are held monthly during the school year on the first Wednesday of each month and are open to all nurses. The next meeting will be held on December 7. All nurses are encouraged to attend and to participate in discussions. Please use this form at any time to share your concerns with NFS to be added to the agenda for an upcoming meeting.
NEW- Climate Justice Meeting: December 7, 4:15PM
The next BTU Climate Justice meeting will be held on Zoom. Email Betsy Drinan for the Zoom link or to be added to our listserv. We will have a short presentation from young people from Our Climate Massachusetts regarding legislation to ensure climate justice issues are taught in MA K-12 schools. We will also have an update on community engagement efforts for the Green New Deal for BPS and more. All are welcome and encouraged to attend.
AFT in Solidarity with Ukraine: December 8, 4:30PM
You are invited to a conversation sponsored by the Albert Shanker Institute and the American Federation of Teachers. Please join AFT President Randi Weingarten, other AFT educators who traveled to Ukraine, and Dr. Erwin Redlener, co-founder of the Ukraine Children’s Action Project, for this important conversation.
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.
NEW- Earn 4 Free Graduate Credits: Equitable Literacy Across Contents Leadership Design Course
BPS Secondary teachers (grades 6-12) will customize Boston University’s Certificate in Literacy Intervention to meet the specific needs of Boston Public Schools teacher leaders while also gaining a deeper understanding of equitable literacy. Classes will take place in-person (location pending) twice a month. Learn more about the program and apply here!
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!
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- 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!
Earn Your Masters in Labor Studies at UMass Amherst!
The ULA for Educators Program, Union Leadership and Activism, makes the UMass Labor Studies Program possible for those who work on a school-year schedule. AFT Mass is here to help – for those that apply are eligible, scholarships are available. Learn more!
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.