We need your advocacy again, in the form of an email campaign, to convince the district's leaders to compensate teachers for the extra work that they will be doing to prepare for the full return of students - April 5 for elementary school, April 28 for MS and TBD for HS.
Educators cannot just be asked to squeeze in the time it takes to plan for yet another transition without any form of support for that time from the district. We are asking for the equivalent of two workshop days' compensation.
While we were on the right track working with the district to roll out the return, the state intervened and changed the negotiations landscape considerably. The requirements for time on learning are now inflexible, making it impossible to add additional early release/half days for planning and preparation before students' return. We must be compensated for all the additional time it will take to set up our rooms; prepare materials; reschedule classes and services; rework the curriculum; plan new lessons--essentially getting everything ready so that students can come back safely, and so that their experience of returning is everything they and we hope for.
We are all working extraordinarily long hours under great stress this year. That is a given. But district leadership cannot take for granted the additional time and effort we will work during this transition.
Click here to join the email campaign to advocate for fair compensation!
NTA General Membership Meeting
The School Committee did not put the tentative agreement on the agenda for this week's meeting--again. We think they will introduce it at the March 22nd meeting, but we are not sure, nor do we know when they intend to vote on it. As of now, we are no longer asking you to hold Thursday, March 25, at 4:00 as a date for an NTA GMM. We will let you know when we know more.
MTA New Member Workshops
Professional Teacher Status and pre-PTS rights: This training will show you the ins and outs of how to get professional teacher status and what your rights are before you get it. Trainer: Ashley Adams Register by clicking below on the date and time you choose. 3/18: 3:30-4:30 3/24: 6:30-7:30 3/30:4:30-5:30 Loan Forgiveness and Credit Counseling: Learn about managing your debt and qualifying for complete forgiveness of your college loans. Trainer: Todd Friedhaber Register by clicking below on the session you choose. 3/22: 4-5:30 3/24: 6-7:30 3/29: 6-7:30
MTA Licensure Workshops
You are invited to the 2021 MTA Licensure Workshops! Register today! Want to learn more about the licensure process? Join MTA Education Policy Specialist Beth Tripathi for presentations on licensure for a variety of career stages. Please read the descriptions carefully to determine which presentation is right for your licensure needs. Sessions: 4/6/21, 6:00PM - 7:30PM Educator Licensure: Professional & Renewal 4/21/21, 4:00PM - 5:30PM, Vocational Technical Educator Licensure 5/3/21, 6:00PM - 7:30PM Educator Licensure: Basics for Provisional and Initial Licensure Early Career Educators, to register for a March 2nd workshop just for you, click here.
MTA's Education Support Professionals March Workshop Series
Available for all Unit C and Unit D members:
What ESPs Need to Know about Your Retirement – March 18, 3:30 - 5:00
Unions, Families, and Work: A Balancing Act – March 23, 3:30 - 5:00
Licensure Basics for ESPs – March 25, 4:00 - 5:30
MTA Open Enrollment for Disability Insurance Begins March 29
NTA strongly encourages members to participate in the MTA group UNUM long-term disability plan. We do not advise that you purchase short term disability insurance, as our contract provides the protections you will need if you are disabled for the period short term disability insurance would cover.
Click on the image above to learn more.
"Clear eyes, full hearts, can't lose."
Please take care and stay well.
Mike
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