MTA Today June-July 2009 - The Massachusetts Teachers

State budget hits local aid hard — Page 5
A publication of the Massachusetts Teachers Association
Volume 39, No. 6/June-July 2009
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Maritime crisis is personal for academy family
By Sarah Nathan
W
hen Somali pirates seized
an American cargo ship and
kidnapped its captain, the
eyes of the world were suddenly on
Massachusetts Maritime Academy.
Although the raid occurred
thousands of miles away from
Buzzards Bay, in waters off the coast
of Africa, everyone on the state college
campus was particularly concerned
about two top crew members aboard
the Maersk Alabama.
The ship’s captain, Richard
Phillips, who gave himself up to the
pirates to protect his crew, is a 1979
graduate of the academy.
First Mate Shane Murphy
graduated in 2001. His father, Captain
Joseph Murphy, is a longtime faculty
member in the college’s Marine
Transportation Department and also
the vice president and grievance
officer of the MMA chapter of
the Massachusetts State College
Association.
The elder Murphy, a 62-year-old
Vietnam veteran and a seasoned mariner
Steve Heaslip/Cape Cod Times
Shane Murphy, the first mate of the Maersk Alabama, holds his young son,
Jaycen. Looking on with pride is Shane’s father, Captain Joseph Murphy.
who spent many years at sea, said his
heart sank when he got the news that his
son’s ship had been attacked.
“It was frightening,” said Murphy,
who teaches about piracy as part of his
maritime security class. “Knowledge
is a double-edged sword,” he added.
“I knew the threat my son faced and
I knew there was nothing I could do
about it.”
Murphy said he first heard that
four pirates had boarded the Alabama
and taken Phillips hostage from his
younger son, Kellen, also a merchant
MTA’s Mission Statement
in this issue
AP teacher says merit pay would be ‘a disaster’
3
4
State budget hits local aid hard
5
Members must act to preserve collective bargaining 5
Honorees go above and beyond to make a difference 6
Delegates approve MTA budget
7
Act now to ensure you keep receiving MTA Today
7
Annual Meeting a showcase for public school talent 8
Commentary: The toxic assault on our children
9
Save the date for MTA’s Retired Members Gathering 9
Historic meeting highlights unity
10
Top teachers bring lessons to life for students
11
ESP Conference draws record crowd
12
Grant boosts Springfield effort
13
Suit, math results point to MTEL problems
14
Finalists for Presidential Awards are lauded
15
Offset repeal bills gain support
16
SkillsUSA winners get a big ‘thumbs up’
17
Grant program helps paras become teachers
18
Web tool makes it easy to inventory your home
19
Museum of Russian Icons has world-class collection 19
APA and MTA fight to protect Salem State members 21
Obituaries
24
Regional retirement consultations available 25
Classifieds
26
Reading game team keeps growing
28
Editorial: Sign up today for MTA Today
The Massachusetts Teachers Association is
a member-driven organization, governed
by democratic principles, that accepts
and supports the interdependence of
professionalism and unionism. The MTA
promotes the use of its members’ collective
power to advance their professional and
economic interests. The MTA is committed
to human and civil rights and advocates for
quality public education in an environment
in which lifelong learning and innovation
flourish.
MTA President
Anne Wass
MTA Vice President
Paul Toner
Executive Director-Treasurer
David A. Borer
Communications Director/Editor
James Sacks
Staff Assistant
Janice Morrissey
Publisher
David A. Borer
Graphic Arts Assistant
Jacqueline Feng
marine, who called from Manila with
news of the April 8 attack. A few hours
later, he learned that Phillips was being
held captive by the pirates on a lifeboat
in the Indian Ocean and Shane was in
command of the ship.
Fortunately, none of the crew
was harmed. Acting on orders from
President Barack Obama, the Navy’s
USS Bainbridge shadowed the lifeboat
in which the pirates had fled and
rescued Phillips. The rescue occurred
on April 12. By then, Shane Murphy
had already successfully skippered the
Alabama to a safe port in Kenya.
For the elder Murphy, the
situation was especially emotional.
He was forced to deal with a family
crisis at the same time throngs of
reporters were converging on Cape
Cod, all wanting to interview him.
He continued teaching his classes
throughout the four-day standoff while
giving interviews to the local, national
and international press.
The dramatic incident provided
MMA students with a real-life example
of the dangers faced by mariners in
Please turn to Crisis/Page 12
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2
June/July 2009
Quote-Unquote
“The charter movement is putting itself at risk by allowing too
many second-rate and third-rate schools to exist.”
— U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan,
in remarks prepared for delivery to the annual gathering
of the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools
Success depends on teamwork
Veteran Advanced Placement teacher says merit pay would be ‘a disaster’
By Laura Barrett
‘Our students do so
well because of the
training they receive
from the whole
department. I could
not go to just any
place and teach the
same course. I happen
to be lucky to be in
a school where my
department colleagues
prepare students so
beautifully.’
—Eleanor Palais
AP math teacher
A
dvanced Placement courses and exams are
in the news, in part because a growing
number of school districts are being
approached to participate in a controversial grant
program designed to increase the number of students
who take AP classes. The most contentious part of
the program is a provision under which certain AP
teachers are given bonuses based on their students’
test scores.
AP courses are college-level courses offered in
most high schools in Massachusetts. Students who
do well on the exams can sometimes receive college
credit for their AP work.
The grant program, administered by the
Massachusetts Mathematics and Science Initiative,
receives funding from ExxonMobil and the Gates
Foundation, among others. The MTA supports the
part of this program that provides training and support
for AP teachers, but opposes the pay-for-test-scores
provision under which participating teachers receive
bonuses based on their students’ performance, including $100 for every student who receives a 3, 4 or 5 on
an AP math, science or English test.
MTA President Anne Wass explained some
of the MTA’s objections in a recent letter to the
Telegram & Gazette.
“Such a pay-for-test-scores system threatens
teamwork in a school by devaluing the contribution
of all the teachers who came before or who teach
different subjects, course levels or grades,” she
wrote. “It insults the ninth-grade algebra teacher who
lays the groundwork for future success on an AP
calculus test and the physical education teacher who
persuades a potential dropout to stay in school.
“The key change we are seeking would allow
teachers to negotiate with school committees so
that bonus dollars could be used to directly help
students,” the letter noted. “We prefer that the money
be spent on such things as textbooks and materials or
a college scholarship fund.”
MMSI has refused to allow the money to be
spent directly on students and insists that it be spent
on bonuses. The Division of Labor Relations has
issued a complaint against the Worcester School
Committee for implementing the bonus pay system
without bargaining. A hearing is expected soon.
MTA Today recently visited veteran AP
mathematics teacher Eleanor Palais at Belmont High
School to ask her opinion of the bonus provision and
to discuss her experiences teaching AP. A Radcliffe
College graduate, Palais has been teaching AP
calculus for 27 of her 32 years in the classroom. A
high percentage of her students receive a 5 — the
top score — on the Calculus BC exam, a test that
measures performance on the equivalent of a full
year of college calculus.
Q. Is Calculus BC a very difficult course?
A. Yes. My students work very hard at an incredible,
brutal pace. There is so much material to cover, you
must move on before the students totally understand
the topic. It’s the antithesis of what you want to do
as a good teacher, but we have to do that to get to the
end of the material by April so we have time to revisit
everything during the review before the test in May.
Q. How do you teach it? Do you have any special
strategies?
A. Unwittingly, I have stumbled on something that I
think helps. It’s a very difficult subject. I, like other
people, have difficulty with certain very complex
topics. I call on my students to help me through it. I
pass the ball from myself as demonstrator to them as
teachers. They work in groups to get out of holes on
very difficult problems.
Q. Why teach college-level calculus in high school?
A. I think calculus is a very beautiful, deep and
broad topic that deserves to be looked at from many,
many angles. This high school AP program is not a
theoretical course, it’s an applications course. It’s
meant to introduce a student to the broad uses of
calculus. This is a big change in philosophy. It used
to be taught in a very intellectual, theoretical, erudite
way. It was not very meaningful to high school
students.
Some students take this class in 11th grade and then
as seniors take a calculus course at a local college.
On occasion, I have had students take it as early as
their freshman year.
Q. Why do you think your students do so well in this
course?
A. It’s not just my students, but also the students
of my colleague Anne Mullany, who teaches the
Calculus AB course. (The AB course covers half
a year of college calculus during the school year.)
She’s an excellent mathematician and is beloved by
her students. She is a seamless presenter. In fact, I
commend all my colleagues in the math department.
I have always depended on my colleagues. I first
started teaching calculus at Newton South High
School. A colleague there gave me her materials,
some of which I use to this day.
Our students do so well because of the training they
receive from the whole department. I could not go to
just any place and teach the same course. I happen
to be lucky to be in a school where my department
colleagues prepare students so beautifully.
Q. What is your opinion of the AP bonus program?
A. I feel very opposed to individual teachers getting
any kind of bonus pay. In departments such as ours,
the teachers rotate between teaching the students
who have more difficulty with math, as well as AP.
For example, this year, I am also teaching the lowestlevel algebra class. We want to encourage teachers to
teach students at all levels.
Most importantly, I think it would hurt the collegiality and support each of us gives each other — the
sharing of materials, the sharing of ideas. I think that
merit pay would just choke that off. It would be a
disaster.
Q. How do you think your students have changed
over the years?
A. I think the kids are doing much more advanced
things in one sense. They go much further in various
directions. But something else gives. They are not
able to dig as deeply into certain topics. They’re
not doing as complex geometric proofs as they
used to, for example. They are also so much more
comfortable with the use of technology, but there’s
a cost. Their ability to do things without technology
is weaker. Also, I am noticing this attention deficit
disorder much more than before.
My seniors look terribly overwhelmed. They are so
busy. So many of them do sports and extracurricular
activities and take six or seven subjects. When I
think of the homework they have, I don’t understand
how they have enough hours to sleep.
I see more sleep-deprived students who are imagining that if they sleep less they can accomplish more.
When they come back from college, there is a feeling
of relief that college is so much easier than those last
two years of high school. I think we have to teach
our students how to make very difficult choices of
not doing everything they want to do but to pick
what they really want. Some of them are picking
everything and taking five AP courses and not doing
as good a job as they should. They are desperate to
have the higher courses on their transcripts.
There are different issues with my less-advanced
students. With them we have to focus more on
organizational skills, like remembering to bring in
their calculators. My advanced students sometimes
don’t finish every problem because they have too
much to do. My algebra students also don’t finish
every problem, but for very different reasons. You
have to teach those courses in a very different way.
June/July 2009
3
Editorial
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Merit pay: no teacher
left
unpunished
In addition, class placement would become
highly politicized. Everyone knows that it is
impossible to perfectly “balance” classrooms of
highly variable student populations, putting a teacher
whose classroom is composed of children with
needs (educational, behavioral, etc.) at a distinct
disadvantage under this system.
We must recognize that not all progress is equal
and value individual growth instead of just blaming
the teacher.
Merit pay and vouchers are deceptively
simplistic answers to complex problems. Until
teachers are respected as professionals and consulted
about educational practices, the politicians and
newspaper columnists are simply “practicing without
a license.”
Letters to the Editor
Letters policy
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TA Today welcomes letters to
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4
June/July 2009
To the Editor:
It is a fallacy to believe that any single
standardized test is a reliable indicator of student
achievement — and to use such test results to judge
teachers is to compound the fallacy.
Anyone who has spent any time in a classroom
recognizes that students are unique and that progress
is individual. Furthermore, since children amount to
far more than data collections, merit pay would be
based more on politics than on sound educational
policy.
The successful school culture celebrates
cooperation and collaboration. Merit pay would
cultivate competition, jeopardizing successful school
environments where innovative curriculum practices
are shared.
Nancy J. Swidler
Newton Public Schools (Retired)
Act now to protect
bargaining rights
C
ollective bargaining over municipal health
insurance continues to be under threat. No
changes to municipal health insurance
were made in the new state budget, but a separate
bill is likely to be considered soon.
MTA members are urged to act on this
issue now. Contact your legislators as soon as
possible and ask them to preserve your right to
bargain collectively over health insurance. Go to
the MTA Web site, massteacher.org, for contact
information and updates.
Pressure is building in the Legislature to
reduce insurance costs for teachers and other
municipal employees, especially in light of the
29 percent cut in general government local aid
contained in the budget for fiscal 2010.
The MTA is continuing to fight a proposal
by the Massachusetts Municipal Association that
would give city and town officials sole authority
to make changes in health care plan designs,
such as increasing co-payments and deductibles
or eliminating coverage for certain procedures
without having to bargain with unions.
The Senate approved a budget amendment
to reduce health insurance premium costs but
preserve collective bargaining rights. No action
was taken in the House. Legislative leaders
decided not to include changes in the budget, but
instead to deal with municipal health insurance
in a separate bill.
The MTA supported the Senate plan as
preferable to the MMA proposal.
“We would rather they changed nothing in
the existing law, but House and Senate leaders
made clear that was not an option in this economic
climate,” said MTA President Anne Wass.
The proposal adopted by the Senate used the
cost of insuring municipal employees through the
Group Insurance Commission as a benchmark.
The GIC currently provides health insurance
to state employees and a number of municipal
employees who have negotiated to join the GIC.
Under the Senate plan, if a community’s
costs were higher than the amount it would cost
to get health insurance through the GIC, the
city or town would negotiate, through coalition
bargaining, a health insurance plan that reached
the benchmark either through the GIC or through
another insurer. If the costs were below the
benchmark, then no changes would be required
to a community’s health insurance.
With bargaining, employees could seek to
offset some of the out-of-pocket costs that plan
design changes may incur; without bargaining,
municipalities would be entitled to make such
changes unilaterally. In addition, with coalition
bargaining, retirees have a seat at the table.
“The Senate bill is not ideal, but it is much
better than the main alternative under active
consideration, which is to deny employees any
say over their health insurance plans,” Wass said.
“Members should contact their state legislators
immediately and urge them to protect collective
bargaining over health insurance, since this issue
is likely to be taken up soon.”
In other benefit-related news, MTA lobbyists
were successful at beating back changes in certain public employee pension benefits that were
considered as part of the pension reform act.
Systemic changes such as pension caps and
the use of a “lifetime earnings” standard for purposes of benefit calculations were not included in
the final bill. However, these issues are subject to
review and may be considered again in the fall.
Budget hits local aid hard
Deep cuts expected in all areas of state spending
By Sarah Nathan
and Laura Barrett
A
final state budget with deep cuts in local aid
and state services was approved on June 19
and sent to the governor, who has until June
29 to sign it or issue vetoes.
In order to close a nearly $5 billion gap, the
$27.4 billion spending plan makes major cuts in
health care, education, local aid, human services,
public employee benefits, public safety and almost
every area of state government.
In addition to using funds from the federal
stimulus package — formally called the American
Recovery and Reinvestment Act — the Legislature
raises new revenues and takes funds from the state’s
“rainy day” account to balance the budget.
The budget — which covers the fiscal year that
runs from July 1, 2009, through June 30, 2010 —
includes a sales tax increase from 5 percent to 6.25
percent, among other measures.
As MTA Today went to press, it was unclear
whether Governor Deval Patrick planned to veto the
budget or any portion of it.
The following information covers key areas of
the budget approved by the House and Senate.
Chapter 70. The budget includes an across-theboard cut of $79 million, or 2 percent, to Chapter 70
school aid. Where necessary, districts are provided
with ARRA State Fiscal Stabilization Funds to reach
their foundation spending levels.
In addition, the budget adopts the Senate’s
inflation rate for purposes of calculating Chapter 70
aid. This method, lower than the rate proposed in
House 1 and the House budget, reduces the amount
of ARRA funds that districts will receive in FY10
and could reduce Chapter 70 aid in the future.
MTA President Anne Wass said such cuts to
public education are a major problem for students
and the state as a whole.
“Public education provides hope and opportunity
for the future and should be spared from deep cuts
during a recession,” Wass said. “We must do all that
we can to recession-proof our students and provide
them with the opportunity to get the knowledge and
skills they need to succeed in life.”
Local aid. Local aid, or general government
aid, was cut by $377 million from FY09 levels. For
most cities and towns, that will mean an estimated
29 percent cut in the amount of aid they receive from
the state in the new fiscal year. Many communities
use up to 50 percent of general government aid for
education, so this loss will affect schools in numerous districts.
“All services sink lower when the revenue tide
runs out,” Wass said. “Cities and towns saw this
coming, which is why they issued so many pink slips
this spring and why students in so many districts
could have fewer teachers and programs next fall.”
Public higher education. Public higher education was also allotted fewer state dollars in the final
budget. As is the case with Chapter 70 aid to schools,
the shortfall will be shored up with federal dollars,
resulting in virtual level funding for community colleges and state colleges and a $2.7 million reduction
in the University of Massachusetts operations line
item. In the face of rising costs, even level funding
amounts to a reduction.
Funding for other public higher education
accounts was also cut, including $9 million for
scholarships.
State employee health insurance. The budget
adopts the House proposal on state employees’
health insurance premiums, rejecting the Senate’s
more drastic increase in the percentage to be paid by
workers. Under the budget, employees hired prior
to 2003, who are currently at 85/15, will pay 80/20;
those hired after 2003, who are currently at 80/20,
will pay 75/25.
“MTA and its higher education members worked
hard to keep the health insurance increase at the
House level, although we recognize that even the
House plan means a serious pay cut and will be difficult for many of our members and their families,”
Wass said.
PreK-12 grant programs. Many education grant
programs were cut, including:
n The special education circuit breaker (about
$89 million, or almost 39 percent).
n Regional school transportation (almost $21
million, or about 34 percent).
n MCAS remediation (about $4 million, or
almost 31 percent).
n Kindergarten development grants ($7 million,
or almost 21 percent).
n Targeted intervention for underperforming
schools and districts (over $2 million, or almost 25
percent).
n Expanded Learning Time grants (almost $2
million, or about 10 percent).
n After-school programs (about $3.5 million, or
about 64 percent).
COLA. A 3 percent cost-of-living adjustment
was included in the budget on the first $12,000 of
retiree pensions.
Taxes. Wass expressed strong support for the
revenue increases included in the budget to prevent
even worse cuts. In addition to raising the sales tax,
the plan includes increases on meals, hotel rooms,
alcohol, telecommunications poles and wires and
satellite TV.
“New revenues are absolutely essential to
prevent even deeper cuts to public schools, public
higher education and a whole host of essential state
and local services,” Wass said.
In May, the MTA and 1199SEIU United
Healthcare Workers East launched a radio campaign
calling for the state to raise revenues to avert further
drastic cuts to vital public services, including education and health care. The unions’ ad asked listeners
to make the case for new revenues to their local
legislators.
Since the budget process began in January with
the release of the governor’s budget proposal, House
1, the state’s revenue projections have plummeted.
By the time the Senate began debate on its final
budget five months into the calendar year, revenue
Please turn to Budget/Page 16
June/July 2009
5
Photos by Sarah Nathan
Horace Seldon, who received two civil rights awards, hugs Louise Gaskins, for whom one of the honors was named. At right, Jacqueline M. Coogan,
winner of the Creative Leadership in Human Rights Award for her work on health care issues, shares a moment with longtime friend Erik Champy.
‘Much more than their part’
HCR honorees go above and beyond to make a difference
By Sarah Nathan
I
n keeping with tradition, educators from across
the state gathered on the eve of the MTA Annual
Meeting of Delegates to recognize the work of
individuals who are committed to human and civil
rights.
Civil rights activist Horace Seldon, retired
teacher and guidance counselor Jacqueline M.
Coogan and former Massachusetts Child President
Alan Jacobson were this year’s honorees. All three
were on hand for the 2009 MTA Human and Civil
Rights Awards Banquet, which was held on April 30
at the Sheraton Hotel in Boston.
“Tonight, we celebrate past struggles and past
successes and recognize the work that remains,”
MTA Human Relations Committee Chairwoman
Gladys Durant said as she kicked off the evening.
“We are honoring people who have been willing to
do much more than their part.”
Since 1983, the committee has been recognizing
individuals and groups for demonstrating leadership
in fighting discrimination and promoting equal
opportunity for women, people of color and the
disabled, as well as those who are economically
disadvantaged. In recent years, The Massachusetts
Child, an MTA charity, has used the occasion
to present an award to a person or organization
dedicated to helping public school students succeed.
Seldon, who received both the Louise Gaskins
Lifetime Civil Rights Award and the Creative
Leadership in Human Rights Award, founded a
nonprofit organization called Community Change
Inc. shortly after the assassination of the Rev. Dr.
Martin Luther King, Jr., in 1968. CCI is committed
to achieving racial justice and equity through a
variety of community activities.
Seldon is a retired college professor, an interpreter
of the history of slavery and human and civil rights
and one of the leading experts on abolitionist William
Lloyd Garrison. In December 2008, The Boston Globe
called Seldon “an agent for change.”
At the age of 86, Seldon is still promoting civil
rights and educating people on the history of the
6
June/July 2009
Alan Jacobson, recipient of the Exemplary Benefactor Award presented by The Massachusetts
Child, addresses the crowd as Christine Mulroney, the charity’s current president, looks on.
To learn more about the work of the
honorees and their organizations,
please visit:
Horace Seldon
www.horaceseldon.com
The Joint Committee for
Children’s Health Care in Everett
www.ci.everett.ma.us/Everett_files/jcchc/index.htm
The Massachusetts Child
www.massteacher.org/masschild
movement. He currently leads tours along the Black
Heritage Trail in Boston as part of his work with the
National Park Service.
“Horace Seldon is the unexpected — a
masterful historian, a passionate activist and change
agent, a university teacher who can speak to children
and inspire fascination with history,” HRC member
Donia Gobar said as she presented the leadership
award to Seldon.
MTA member Louise Gaskins, herself a longtime
activist, described his insights as “deep and perceptive
and subtle.”
Seldon spoke to the banquet crowd about early
efforts to end racism and discrimination. He referred
to Garrison’s fight to abolish slavery and promote the
rights of all people.
Seldon, who taught about the history of racism
for 26 years at Boston College, now leads a tour
focused on the local African-American community’s
battle for freedom. The tour, “Freedom’s Trial,”
begins at the African American National Historic Site
on Beacon Street.
During his remarks, Seldon said that “we are
now in a time of hope” and noted several quotations
focused on that theme.
“Hope is a song in a weary throat,” he said,
referencing the title of now-deceased civil rights
activist Pauli Murray’s 1987 autobiography. “My
friends, you are a song in my sometimes-weary
throat.”
Coogan, who received the Creative Leadership
in Human Rights Award, was the founder of the Joint
Please turn to HCR/Page 15
Delegates approve budget,
act on organizing proposals
By Laura Barrett
M
ore than 1,000 MTA
members approved the
organization’s budget
and dues and wrestled with a number
of difficult issues during this year’s
Annual Meeting of Delegates.
The 1,041 delegates who
registered for the meeting, held May 1
and 2 at the Hynes Convention Center
in Boston, represented members in 146
local affiliates.
During the Business Session, Vice
President Paul Toner reviewed the
2009-2010 MTA Annual Operating
Budget and the Public Relations/
Organizing Campaign and answered
questions from members. The
delegates approved a budget of $40.5
million in all: $38.9 million for the
Operating Budget and $1.6 million for
the PR/Organizing Campaign.
The major issues debated by
the delegates concerned whether to
organize employees of private early
education and Commonwealth charter
schools, whether to extend the terms
of MTA officers in 2010, whether to
add an additional seat to the Executive
Committee specifically for education
support professionals and whether to
mail hard copies of MTA Today only to
members who affirmatively choose to
continue receiving the publication in
that form.
The delegates approved a bylaw
change that allows the MTA to
organize employees of private early
childhood education providers, but,
after much debate, voted to maintain
the current policy of not organizing
people who work in Commonwealth
charter schools. The motion to mail
printed copies of MTA Today to
members who “opt in” was approved,
while the delegates voted against
instituting longer terms for the
president and vice president beginning
with next year’s election.
Photo by Laura Barrett
Delegates take a vote during the Annual Meeting Business Session.
Proponents of organizing charter
school staff argued that all workers
deserve to have the opportunity to
organize and be part of a union.
Charter school teachers, they
contended, deserve a union just as
much as other workers, even if the
MTA objects to the policies that fund
and govern those schools.
It was also noted that NEA and
AFT affiliates in several other states
are organizing charter schools and
starting charter schools, while AFT
Massachusetts has begun organizing
charter schools in this state. It was also
argued that if charter school teachers
received better wages and benefits,
it could reduce the profit motive for
opening new schools.
Opponents were mainly focused
on the negative impact of the current
funding formula. The MTA is opposed
to the formula and is actively seeking
changes. There were also questions
about whether an organizing initiative
would create a conflict of interest for
the MTA or would violate any of the
association’s resolutions.
The delegates voted against
the bylaw amendment, but voted in
support of establishing a committee to
study some of the questions that are
currently not answered, such as how
MTA members now need to choose
whether they want to get MTA Today
in print or receive a link by e-mail
when the magazine is posted
on the MTA Web site.
The time to make your choice is NOW so that you don’t risk missing out on important
news about your association, as well as vital information on leadership opportunities,
professional development, member benefits, politics, policies that affect your school or
campus, and much, much more.
You are being asked to make this decision as a result of a vote by the delegates to
the recent MTA Annual Meeting to have members “opt in” if they want to continue
receiving printed copies of MTA Today.
Making your selection is simple, so please do not delay.
And don’t worry! You can change your mind at any time about whether you want to
receive printed issues or be notified by e-mail when MTA Today is posted on the Web site.
a charter school organizing campaign
would be staffed.
The association will proceed this
year with examining how to organize
early childhood education educators
in private programs. As things stand,
the MTA represents such educators in
public school programs, but not in the
private sector.
The vote on MTA Today means that
members will be asked to “opt in” if they
want to receive the printed publication
rather than to “opt out” and receive
notification by e-mail, the procedure that
has been in place until now.
Upon publication, each issue of
the magazine is posted as a PDF on
www.massteacher.org, the association
Web site. Members who have opted
out are sent a link to the PDF instead
of a paper copy when MTA Today is
printed. Approximately 500 members
have chosen that option to date.
Now, members will be asked
to opt in if they want to continue
receiving the publication by mail.
Those who do not opt in for the
print edition can choose electronic
delivery and will need to supply
e-mail addresses so they can receive
notification.
Supporters of the opt-in provision
for paper copies cited cost savings
The delegates approved
a bylaw change that
allows the MTA to
organize employees of
private early childhood
education providers,
but, after much debate,
voted to maintain the
current policy of not
organizing people who
work in Commonwealth
charter schools.
beyond those that will be realized
by cutting the number of issues of
the magazine from six to five — a
change that was included in the budget
initially presented to the delegates.
Members who spoke against the
new provision noted that MTA Today
is one of the few means by which
the organization communicates with
all members about a wide array of
subjects concerning education policy,
collective bargaining, professional
development opportunities, legislative
priorities and member benefits.
MTA President Anne Wass, who
presided over the Annual Meeting,
said the MTA will do everything in its
power to notify members that they will
need to choose whether they want to
continue to receive the magazine via
the mail or to receive an e-mail link to
the online version.
“We will assess the situation in
August after we know how many
members have responded,” she said.
Procedures are now in place to
facilitate the opt-in process. To choose
a method of delivery, members should
visit www.massteacher.org/mymtatoday,
where they will have the option of
selecting the print edition or notification
by e-mail.
Please turn to MTA’s/Page 8
To sign up, you will need your MTA membership card or an issue of MTA
Today that was mailed to you as a member. Once you have either your card
or your MTA Today at your fingertips, take the following easy steps:
1. Go online to: www.massteacher.org/mymtatoday
A Web form will come up that requests your membership number and your
ZIP code. Your MTA member ID number can be found in two places:
n
On the front of your MTA card in the box marked Individual ID #.
n
On the back page of this edition of MTA Today or any other issue that
was mailed to you as a member. Just look in the blue and white box for
the number directly above your name.
2. Once you have filled in the requested information, click CONTINUE.
3. Another form will come up that shows the name, address and e-mail
address that MTA has on file for you. You should examine the
information, correct anything that needs updating and make sure
the form is complete. Don’t forget to check off your MTA Today choice!
4. Once your information is correct, click SUBMIT.
June/July 2009
7
Annual Meeting a showcase for public school talent
By Bob Duffy
D
elegates to the MTA’s 2009 Annual
Meeting were treated to a compelling
musical performance by a gifted student
and his equally gifted teacher.
The student, Anthony DeCicco, and the music
teacher, Robert Landry, provided entertainment
for about 45 minutes as delegates entered the
auditorium of the Hynes Convention Center in
Boston. They then offered a rousing rendition
of The Star-Spangled Banner as the Business
Session opened in the hall, drawing cheers and
applause from the hundreds of delegates who were
present.
Landry, a member of the Leominster
Teachers Association, played an electric piano.
Anthony, whose parents are both members of the
Ashburnham-Westminster Teachers Association,
played the saxophone and sang.
“It was very impressive to see all those union
leaders in one room,” Landry said afterward.
Landry first came across Anthony, who
just completed his junior year at Leominster
High School, when he was a sixth-grader. At the
time, Landry was putting together a jazz band at
Leominster Middle School, and Anthony joined.
“I knew right away that Anthony’s voice was
something special,” said Landry, who went on to
cast his student in a lead role in Oklahoma and,
two years later, in the lead role of Fiddler on the
Roof.
Since Anthony moved on from middle school,
Landry has given him weekly music lessons.
“It’s so important that there be outlets for high
achievers like Anthony so they have a release for
their talent,” he noted.
Anthony excels at more than music; he was
ranked first in his junior class, with a grade point
Photo by James Sacks
Teacher Robert Landry and student Anthony DeCicco perform during the MTA Annual Meeting.
average of 3.983. The weekend he performed
for the delegates, he also participated in the state
science fair at MIT.
Although he excels in many academic and
extracurricular activities, Anthony said that music
plays a key part in his school life. He said he is
troubled by efforts to cut local budgets by trimming music programs.
“I think that it’s very important to be able to
have access to music programs in schools,” he said.
Anthony, who is the son of teachers John and
Sharon DeCicco, is also a proud union member
himself, having joined the American Federation of
Musicians in 2006.
To see video of the performance at the MTA
Annual Meeting, go to the MTA’s YouTube site:
http://www.youtube.com/user/mtacommunications.
MTA’s new budget reflects economic situation
Continued from Page 7
It is not clear what related costs MTA may incur
if the organization needs to send members information — such as the Summer Conference Guide —
that they currently receive via MTA Today.
In light of significant education budget cuts
at the state level, the MTA could lose some dues
income as a result of layoffs this year, and the
budget recommended to the delegates reflected
that possibility in a number of areas. The Public
Relations/Organizing Campaign dues will be reduced
from $30 to $20, there will be no Exposition at the
2010 Annual Meeting, and the Summer Conference
Opening Fair has been eliminated.
The delegates voted against changing the term
limits for MTA’s president and vice president.
Currently, those officers may serve a maximum of
two two-year terms. Under the proposed change,
they would have been eligible to serve two three-year
terms, or six years in all.
The delegates also debated and then defeated
the proposal to establish an at-large education
support professional position on the MTA Executive
Committee. There is an at-large ESP member on
MTA’s Board of Directors, but not on the Executive
Committee. The vote means the current Executive
Committee structure will be maintained.
Under new business, the delegates supported
establishing a special fund of voluntary member
contributions to support MTA’s continuing backing
for Mass-Care, a statewide coalition advocating for a
single-payer health care system. Notification will be
sent to all local presidents.
8
June/July 2009
Reform Network, an organization
aimed at creating a new vision of
teachers’ unions that supports needed
changes in education.
During the forum, Urbanski
described some changes he had
proposed, designed and helped to
implement, including a comprehensive
internship and mentoring program
and a peer review and intervention
program in which teachers are
involved with evaluating, assisting and
sometimes dismissing other teachers.
“We believe that the leadership
for teachers should be provided by
teachers, not by non-teachers or former teachers. This is popular among
teachers but also very popular among
parents,” Urbanski said.
In other business, the delegates
Photo by Meg Secatore voted to approve a long list of changes
Parliamentarian Jeff Neurauter and MTA President Anne
to MTA’s resolutions, most of which
Wass on stage during the MTA Annual Meeting.
were designed to modify resolutions
that had become out of date.
The delegates also voted to support the advoThe Annual Meeting began with the opening
cacy efforts of the Massachusetts School Library
Exposition of booths and displays — the last one
Association and to create a committee to review
for the foreseeable future, given the budget that was
MTA’s local office support program.
passed.
The Annual Meeting Issues Forum was led by
As the Business Session opened, Anthony
Adam Urbanski and titled “The Union’s Role in
DeCicco, a student at Leominster High School, sang
Education Innovation.” Urbanski is the president
a powerful rendition of The Star-Spangled Banner.
of the Rochester Teachers Association in New York
The delegates were also treated to a video that
and a vice president of the American Federation of
reviewed highlights from the year.
Teachers. He is also director of the Teacher Union
Commentary
The toxic assault on our children
By Philip and Alice Shabecoff
O
ur classrooms are full of kids
who don’t listen, can’t sit still,
can’t organize their thoughts,
and can’t or won’t learn. In some
classrooms, there are aggressive teens
and teens with drug problems.
Parents and officials sometimes
blame the teachers. No Child Left
Behind places a further burden of guilt
and reprisal.
But the root of the problem lies
elsewhere in many instances. The truth
is that our nation’s children are struggling with an epidemic of illnesses
that saps their physical and mental
capacities.
One of every three American
children suffers from a chronic disorder. After five years of investigation,
as environmental journalists and as
grandparents, we found those statistics
by digging through government
reports, and then discovered that these
illnesses are triggered by the tons
(literally) of toxics in our everyday
lives.
This generation of children is
different. It is the first to be raised in a
truly toxified world, from conception
on. Compare the 200 million pounds
of synthetic chemicals a year the U.S.
used when their parents were in school
with today’s 15 trillion pounds, an
unbelievably huge increase. These
chemicals are tested by their manufacturers, who, using an approval process
that differs from the one for drugs,
have no obligation to test for safety to
humans or the environment.
These chemicals, along with
the more than 4.5 billion pounds of
pesticides that drench our households
and farms each year, as well as the
untold burden of heavy metals and
byproducts from nuclear power plants,
harm children.
Industry does its best, through
advertising and through its own science for hire, to obscure the evidence,
so most parents and even pediatricians
remain unaware of what’s happening.
But independent researchers using
new technologies and sciences have
uncovered the solid evidence of cause
and effect. It is clear that toxins in
our everyday lives cause illnesses in
genetically vulnerable children.
Illustration by Jacqueline Feng
Asthma, the leading cause of
absence from school, has increased
141 percent; childhood cancer, once
a rarity, has increased 67 percent;
and autism is up 273 percent, all in
one generation. Asperger syndrome,
hyperactivity, attention deficit disorder,
learning disabilities, aggressive behavior, dyslexia, cerebral palsy, mental
retardation and Tourette syndrome all
dog our school-age children.
The toxins that trigger these illnesses enter our homes as ingredients
of today’s way of life. Air fresheners,
a $1.7 billion a year industry, for
example, are a mix of benzene,
formaldehyde and other poisonous
compounds, all unlabeled. Soft drinks
contain mercury. Plastic bottles leach
bisphenol, while many computer
casings exude flame retardants; both
of these chemicals upset the balance of
hormones in fetal and young bodies.
The rocket fuel perchlorate
contaminates drinking water in many
localities, as well as 15 brands of
powdered infant formula; this chemical damages the thyroid. Mercury
wafts across the sky from distant
coal-powered power plants. Though
they affect the body in different ways,
these and hundreds of other chemicals
can make children more difficult and
less intelligent. Children are more
vulnerable to harm from exposure
than adults, and most vulnerable in the
womb and early childhood.
In school, children — and
teachers — are plagued by chemicals
that parents would not allow in their
homes. The water spigots may contain
high lead contamination. The indoor
air may be saturated with residues
of industrial-strength pesticides
and cleaning products. Shockingly,
Massachusetts schools still contain
high levels of asbestos and mold. In
Pittsfield, a grammar school was built
abutting land where a mountain of
PCB-laden soil had been dumped.
But, as we were pleased to
discover during our research, the MTA
has a campaign to find and eliminate
toxics. In Springfield, for example, the
association’s Environmental Initiative
has coupled the EPA Tools for Schools
model with the state’s Healthy Schools
checklist to create a systematic,
team-based structure that identifies and
then addresses environmental hazards.
The MTA itself offers some of the best
materials we’ve come across on identifying and getting rid of pollutants.
Getting toxics out of our lives
is crucial to the future. Our nation
already spends $77.3 billion a year
on special education. If the current
generation of children loses what
sounds like a “mere” 5 points in
average IQ, the outcome on a national
level is devastating. Instead of 100 as
the mean point, the national IQ shifts
down to 95 — increasing the number
of retarded adults from 6 million to
9.4 million and more than halving
the number of gifted people, from 6
million to 2.4 million.
Teachers, just like parents, cannot
run away from the problems posed
by toxified kids. So why not work
together? Teachers and school staff can
educate parents who seem unaware
about the environmental forces harming their children and team up with
them as allies to educate administrators
and officials. Together, educators are a
powerhouse for change.
Philip and Alice Shabecoff are
the authors of “Poisoned Profits:
The Toxic Assault on Our Children,”
published by Random House. The book
is a source of information and a call
to action on environmental toxification.
For materials and information
on healthy schools, please visit
http://www.massteacher.org/inside/ehs/,
the environmental health and safety
section of the MTA Web site.
SAVE THE DATE
8th Annual MTA Retired Members Gathering
Wednesday, September 30 | Best Western Royal Plaza Hotel, Marlborough
Registration materials will be available by mid-July
on the MTA Web site, www.massteacher.org
DON’T BE LEFT OUT!
June/July 2009
9
Photos by James Sacks
Leaders of MTA and AFT Massachusetts, above left, listen as a speaker makes a point. In center photo, MTA Vice President Paul Toner is pictured with
Gale Thomas, a member of the AFT Massachusetts Executive Board. At right, Quincy Education Association President Paul Phillips poses a question.
Historic meeting highlights unity
Leaders of MTA and AFT Massachusetts discuss goals and challenges
G
overning boards of the state’s two teachers’
unions met for the first time in living memory
on May 30. The purpose of the meeting
between the AFT Massachusetts Executive Board
and the MTA Executive Committee was to expand on
the collaboration that already takes place among the
top elected officials of both organizations. Below are
excerpts, edited for brevity, from an interview with
MTA President Anne Wass and AFT Massachusetts
President Thomas Gosnell that was conducted by
Laura Barrett of the MTA Communications Division
and Jennifer Berkshire of AFT Massachusetts.
Wass: Merger didn’t come up.
Gosnell: The word was not mentioned.
Q. What do you see as some of the biggest issues on
the education policy front?
Wass: Charter schools, Readiness Schools, alternative compensation.
Gosnell: The biggest issue for me … I don’t call it
the achievement gap, I call it the investment gap. We
grossly under-invest in poor kids.
Q. Why did you decide to have the two boards and
management teams meet at this time?
Gosnell: Anne and I were elected presidents of
our organizations at the same time. The previous
presidents, Kathy Kelley and Cathy Boudreau, had
a collaborative relationship. Anne and I were really
committed to continuing that. We think we have
brought it to a new level because the issues are so
great that it is in our best interest to be working
together. The MTA Executive Committee and AFT
Massachusetts Executive Board and management
leadership for both organizations thought it was
important that they have a real feel for the collaborative relationship between the two organizations.
Wass: Both organizations are facing so many
really tough issues now — probably the worst ever in
history. I think there are so many attacks being made
— not only on public education but on unions and on
teachers’ unions in particular — that the more we can
be together and speak with one voice, the better it is
for everybody, our members and our students.
Q. Tom, do you agree with Anne that these are the
toughest times?
Gosnell: There were two truly tough times, this
being one and the other being when Proposition
2½ passed. The early 1990s were a real issue, too.
However, the threats were not nearly as great. In
the early ’90s, we didn’t have charter schools, for
example. In the early ’90s, they weren’t talking
about massively undercutting pensions and health
insurance. That’s all part of it now.
Q. What are some of the issues you discussed?
Wass: We had short-term and long-term issues.
Short-term issues were things like health insurance,
the budget deficit and attacks on collective bargaining. For the long term, we were looking into things
such as whether we will have an upcoming pension
debate and the stimulus money and how it’s going to
get used, plus charter schools.
Gosnell: We also spoke about public relations.
We spent some time on how to get out the good
news about public schools in Massachusetts — the
10
June/July 2009
Wass: I think there are a lot of gaps. The achievement gap starts before children enter public school,
but it keeps widening as they progress. Then there’s
the funding gap, as Tom said. Sometimes there’s also
an expectations gap.
Q. Are there concerns about the dropout rate and
why some students are leaving school?
Gosnell: I’m very bothered by the lack of data
about the dropout rate. No one talks to them about
why they drop out of school.
Anne Wass, MTA president, and Thomas
Gosnell, president of AFT Massachusetts.
achievement of our students on the National
Assessment of Educational Progress and the Trends
in International Mathematics and Science Study. We
felt that not enough positive information is getting
out about our schools. I think it is very unfortunate
that the Commonwealth of Massachusetts hasn’t
done a study on why so many students in
Massachusetts are at this extraordinary level of
achievement and what we can learn from that to help
students who are not achieving at that level. The state
has no data on that.
Q. Did you discuss whether there are ways the
organizations need to work together differently?
Gosnell: I sensed no tension at all between the
AFT and the MTA. Also, there was extraordinary
consensus in the discussion of the issues. I think
probably the most positive thing with this meeting
was people coming together to meet, to share with
people they had not met before. When MTA and AFT
Massachusetts adopted a no-raid agreement about a
decade ago, that really was the beginning of greater
collaboration. That was a negative, however, in the
sense that it was, ‘We’re not going to raid each other.
We’re wasting our energy fighting one another when
the people who are fighting educators, we need to
respond to them.’ That was the very beginning. I
think we’ve been moving in the direction of greater
and greater collaboration since then.
Q. Was there any discussion of the two organizations
merging?
Wass: We have to figure out how to engage
kids, both the ones who are impoverished and also
those who come in advanced and have so many
opportunities and skills. I’ve heard people say,
‘Their attention span is so short. They want to be
entertained.’ We have to find a way of meeting them
on their level. Technology is a huge way to do that.
Schools may look very different within 20 years or
less. Hopefully, we’ll be able to engage kids better
and not have as many dropouts because they’ll see
education as more relevant.
Q. Funding is obviously a huge issue for public
education. Did you discuss any particular revenue
enhancement to support?
Gosnell: You name the source of more revenue
and we support it. We formally support the sales tax.
Remember, the options aren’t perfect.
Wass: To truly solve all the issues we are facing
in a large-scale, systemic way would take a huge
monetary investment on the part of society. That’s
what makes the times so bad right now, because
the will is not there to do that. So they do a little bit
of this, a little bit of that. We’ll do a little teacher
quality. We’ll do a little Expanded Learning Time.
The bottom line is they’re all Band-Aids. What we
need is a comprehensive overhaul of the system that
will provide these children in poverty with what they
really need, and that will take massive amounts of
money. But I also don’t think we can use the lack of
money as an excuse. You still have to make school
the most positive experience for the kids who are
there, no matter what outside things are happening.
Bringing lessons to life for students
Two teachers are honored
for dedication, creativity
By Bob Duffy
T
wo MTA members who are
passionate about bringing
learning to life are the recipients of the state’s top teaching awards.
Jae Goodwin, who teaches at
the Charlotte A. Dunning School in
Framingham, is the Massachusetts
Teacher of the Year, while Jennifer
Leith, who teaches at the Dr. Leroy E.
Mayo Elementary School in Holden,
is the Massachusetts Preserve America
History Teacher of the Year.
Both were honored at a State
House ceremony on June 18 that was attended by educational leaders including
MTA President Anne Wass, Education
Commissioner Mitchell Chester and
Secretary of Education Paul Reville,
along with several legislators.
Wass praised the two award
winners for their dedication to students
and said they reflect the commitment
of educators throughout the state.
“These teachers bring true
creativity to their schools and to every
class they teach,” she said. “They
inspire their students to do wonderful
things and serve as examples to their
colleagues.
“When I met Jae and Jennifer,”
Wass added, “I could feel their
SoGs-for-MTA.qxp
12/15/2008
Photos by Bob Duffy
Massachusetts Teacher of the Year Jae Goodwin, left, conducts her “whirlybird unit,” in which students learn
averages by determining the average time it takes for their whirlybirds to reach the floor after 10 drops. At
right, Preserve America History Teacher of the Year Jennifer Leith gives a geography lesson in character as
Miss Parker. In the lesson, she and her students are transported back to a one-room schoolhouse in 1865.
enthusiasm and see how skilled they
are as teachers. I really wish I could be
in one of their classes.”
9:58 AM
Page 1
Governor Deval Patrick commended the teachers in a statement issued by the Department of Elementary
Paid Advertisement
and Secondary Education. “A teacher’s
positive contributions extend beyond a
particular classroom or academic year,
preparing our children for a lifetime
of success in school, work, and life,”
Patrick said. “I congratulate Ms.
Goodwin and Ms. Leith on attaining
this high distinction and thank them
both for their service to our students
and our state.”
G
Bridgewater State College
offers postbaccalaureate
programs leading to initial
licensure in:
Educating
for the future
SINCE 1840
• Early Childhood Education
• Educational Leadership
• Elementary Education
• Health
• Physical Education
• Secondary Education
• Accelerated Postbaccalaureate
Program for Initial Licensure
grades 5-12
One of the oldest
institutions of higher
education for teacher
preparation in the
United States
Graduate programs leading to Master’s Degree in Education (MEd) include
• Counseling
• Early Childhood Education
• Educational Leadership
• Elementary Education
• Health Promotion
• Instructional Technology
• Reading
• Special Education
Other master’s degrees for educators
• Master of Arts in Teaching
• Master of Science in Physical Education
Post-master’s degree programs
• Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies in Educational Leadership in Mental Health Counseling, Reading and School Guidance Counseling
• A collaborative CAGS/EdD program in Educational Leadership and Reading with the University of Massachusetts Lowell
For more information, contact the School of Graduate Studies.
PHONE: 508.531.1300 • WEB SITE: www.bridgew.edu/SoGs • E-MAIL: gradschool@bridgew.edu
oodwin told MTA Today
in a recent interview that
she dreamed of becoming
a teacher when she was growing up,
but that other career paths and having
a family kept her from pursuing that
goal for a time.
After her daughter and son began
attending the Dunning School, she
started to volunteer. A few years later,
she became an aide for a visually
impaired child.
“If I had not taken this part-time
job as I re-entered the work force after
having children, I am not sure I would
have even thought about realizing
my childhood desire to be a teacher,”
Goodwin said.
That initial job inspired her to
pursue a master’s degree in teaching.
By the time she started teaching fifth
grade at the Dunning School in 1999,
her class included children she had
instructed the year before while she
was still in training.
“It was the very class I had been
with since kindergarten and, even
better, the special ed student I had been
an aide for was now a student in my
class,” Goodwin said
Goodwin is also an adjunct instructor at Framingham State College. She
Please turn to Teachers/Page 20
June/July 2009
11
Learning, sharing and networking
Conference features informative workshops, presentation of award to ESP of the Year
By Sarah Nathan
C
ompassionate. Tireless. Professional. A
natural educator. A strong advocate.
Those were among the glowing terms used
by colleagues to describe newly minted ESP of the
Year Cynthia Eldredge in nominating letters sent
to the MTA.
Eldredge, an accomplished instructional
paraprofessional in Brewster, where she works
with fifth-grade special needs students, was
honored before more than 300 education support
professionals during the closing session of the
MTA’s annual ESP Conference on Saturday, May
9. A record 330 participants gathered at the Cape
Codder Resort in Hyannis to learn, network and
meet up with new and old friends at the event,
which began the previous afternoon.
“Cindy is highly respected by both union
members and school department administrators,”
ESP Committee Chairwoman Donna Johnson said
as she gave Eldredge her award. “She is able to
present issues in a thoughtful, respectful manner.
“Her fellow educational assistants go to her
when they have concerns, as they know that she is
able to handle all situations,” added Johnson, who
is a member of the MTA Executive Committee
and serves as president of the University Staff
Association.
Eldredge has worked with Brewster elementary
school students for 21 years. She is a longtime member of the Nauset Education Association and served
for several years on the union negotiating team.
According to nominating letters sent by her
co-workers at the Eddy School, she is the “go to”
person — the person who gives students extra
help before school and at lunch and is also the
colleague whom fellow staffers seek out when a
job has to get done. In her union, she is regarded
as professional, powerful, positive and a strong
advocate for her peers.
Eldredge also values her community. At her
school, she spearheaded the Community Services
Club, and she assists students on a variety of
projects. With her guidance, children have knitted
scarves for homeless women, collected food for a
local pantry and visited animals at a nearby shelter.
“I don’t do this work for the recognition, but
it is heartwarming to know that people notice and
that they do care,” said Eldredge, also noting that
the attention is humbling. “It validates what I do
and shows other people that it is possible to make
a difference.”
The 2009 MTA ESP Conference,
held in early May, drew a
record crowd to the Cape
Codder Resort in Hyannis.
The ESPs heard speeches by
MTA leaders, participated in
a variety of workshops, won
raffle prizes provided by MTA
Benefits and had the chance to
share experiences. Above, ESPs
applaud one of the lunchtime
speakers. At left, ESP of the
Year Cynthia Eldredge, left,
appears with ESP Committee
Chairwoman Donna Johnson
after accepting her award.
Photos by Sarah Nathan
Eldredge’s award was one of many conference
highlights. The event provided ESPs from across
the state with a chance to attend workshops on
a wide range of issues and skills. Sessions on
preventing bullying, effective advocacy, building
organizational relationships, mindfulness, and
environmental health and safety were among the
many offerings. There was also time built in for
participants to socialize, network and hear from
MTA leaders.
MTA President Anne Wass and Vice President
Paul Toner both addressed ESP members on the
evening of May 8. Wass used the opportunity to
update members on the latest news from Beacon
Hill, where at that time the state Senate had just
released its version of the budget for the upcoming
fiscal year in the face of a multibillion-dollar gap.
She asked members to call on their state legislators
and urge them to make education funding a priority.
Wass concluded on a light note, mentioning
that an MTA ESP member had once told her that
ESP not only stands for “education support professional,” but also for “extra special person.”
Toner also offered words of encouragement.
“If there is only one thing that you take away
from this weekend, let it be that ESPs are valued
members of the MTA,” he said.
MTA Executive Director-Treasurer David A.
Borer likewise expressed his appreciation for ESPs
during his keynote address.
“ESPs have some of the toughest jobs in the
schools, but you do them with great dedication and
professionalism,” Borer told the crowd.
For newcomers as well as for repeat
conference-goers, the event is a welcome opportunity to share experiences and ideas with other
ESPs from all over the state.
Please turn to ESP/Page 17
Crisis brings everyone together at Massachusetts Maritime Academy
Continued from Page 2
both private industry and the military.
Two weeks before the ship was
boarded, Shane Murphy spoke about
piracy with cadets in his father’s
maritime security class. His recent
appearance and the fact that Phillips
is an MMA graduate personalized the
crisis for everyone on campus.
“It definitely put a sharper focus
on everything,” said Murphy. “Not
only has this shown us the importance
of what we teach our students, it’s also
given us an opportunity to really see
the quality of the education that we
provide here at the academy.
“We’ve all recommitted ourselves to
the academy’s goals and values,” he said.
12
June/July 2009
Despite the many distractions
presented by the crisis, Murphy did
his best to provide his students with
up-to-date information and answer
their many questions.
The crisis, he said, has definitely
had an impact.
“My students are much more
curious and much more willing to
come forward and ask questions about
what they need to know — or what
they think they need to know,” he said.
“They aren’t going to cut me any slack.
They aren’t going to accept ‘I’ll look
that up for you.’ They want answers.”
He also noted how impressed he
was by the way students handled themselves during the standoff, offering
quick and thoughtful responses to
random questions asked by reporters.
(The MMA’s media relations office
estimates that more than 100 reporters
were camped out at the academy
during the crisis.)
“My students really stepped up
to the plate,” Murphy said. “That was
great to see.”
The entire MMA community
had an opportunity to give thanks to
Phillips on May 20 when he came to
campus to celebrate National Maritime
Day and to be recognized as the
Massachusetts Maritime Academy’s
Mariner of the Year.
Since the attack and successful
rescue, Phillips said, there is a real
feeling of pride around campus, as
well as an added sense of patriotism.
“Now people are very proud to
say they work here and very proud to
say they are Americans,” he said.
Murphy, for his part, is feeling
very fortunate. He said the offers of
help and good wishes sent by his colleagues and students were humbling,
but not surprising.
“When something happens here,
we all fall in line together and try our
absolute best to help,” Murphy said.
“It doesn’t matter if it involves an
administrator or a janitor. Everyone
does their best to help out.
“We treat everyone like family —
and we all help out.”
Grant boosts Springfield effort
Home visits help increase parental involvement, student success
By Sarah Nathan
T
he Springfield Education
Association has been chosen
to be an initial participant in
an NEA Foundation effort to improve
achievement levels for urban students
across the nation.
In May, the foundation announced
that the SEA, in collaboration with
the Springfield Public Schools, would
be awarded a $50,000 planning grant
for its Closing the Achievement Gaps
Initiative. The SEA is one of five
large urban local associations that will
participate in the program at this stage.
The SEA was among a pool of
14,000 locals initially considered
by the foundation. The approval of
planning funding is a key step toward
a possible $1.25 million grant from
the foundation, which is seeking to
develop a comprehensive roadmap
for a five-year effort to boost student
performance.
“We are really excited about this
grant,” said SEA President Timothy
Collins. “It has tremendous potential
to help the children in the Springfield
Public Schools.
“We want to involve teachers all
the way through the process,” Collins
added. “Rather than have change imposed on our members, we will be able
to empower them and allow them to be
the architects of this reform effort.”
Collins said the funds “will give
us the opportunity to continue the
important work we are already doing
with the Pioneer Valley Project to
increase parental involvement, which
has proven time and again to make
a dramatic difference in the overall
success of our students.”
“In addition,” he said, “the grant
will help us deepen and expand the
joint labor-management collaborative work in which the Springfield
Education Association and Springfield
Public Schools are engaged.”
Three years ago, Collins,
working with representatives from
Photo by Patrick G. Ryan/NEA Foundation
Springfield Superintendent of Schools Alan Ingram, left, consults with NEA Foundation President and CEO
Harriet Sanford and SEA President Timothy Collins during a recent meeting in Washington, D.C.
‘Rather than have change imposed on our
members, we will be able to empower them
and allow them to be the architects of this
reform effort.’
—SEA President Timothy Collins
the Springfield schools and the PVP
— a community-based organizing
initiative that includes church, labor
and community groups — launched a
home-visit program aimed at improving student success through increased
parental involvement.
Teachers in five Springfield
schools are currently participating in
the program, visiting the homes of
their students twice during the course
of the school year.
Efforts to expand the effort
have been warmly received by SEA
members.
When asked this year if they
would like to participate, more than 60
percent of the teachers said they would
be willing to visit students at home.
Since the visits began, participating
schools have seen improvements in
student attendance, student behavior
and parental involvement.
“We are thrilled to have the opportunity to build these programs,” Collins
said. “These initiatives are extremely
beneficial to the entire Springfield school
community — especially our students
— and are already producing positive
results in schools across the city.”
The Springfield labor-management
initiative will focus on ways to
strengthen:
n Collaboration and ongoing
communication between the local
association and school district, in order
to generate a shared understanding of
the problems involved and agreement
on strategies to address the challenges.
n System alignment and coherence, to increase capacity at the district
level and ensure school-level success.
n Family and community partnerships designed to generate support
for improvement efforts and draw the
resources necessary to achieve the
vision of the project.
n Quality teaching, by improving
the professional lives of teachers so
they are better able to help close the
achievement gap.
“We have found that these areas
of intervention together bolster the
likelihood that local impact can be
sustained, as they address and change
the conditions and structures that we
believe most directly drive student
achievement and performance,” said
Harriet Sanford, president and CEO
of the NEA Foundation. “Springfield’s
proposal will assess their readiness,
build capacity and develop a shared
vision and set of aligned, systemic
strategies that close the achievement
gaps. And it may qualify for our larger,
multi-year implementation grant.”
The NEA Foundation will select
three of the five locals identified to
receive the $1.25 million grants. The
other urban districts are Kansas City,
Kan.; Durham, N.C.; Omaha, Neb.;
and Columbus, Ohio.
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June/July 2009
13
Suit, math results point to MTEL problems
By Laura Barrett
T
he Massachusetts Tests for
Educator Licensure have come
under scrutiny as a result of
a lawsuit charging that the exams
discriminate against minorities and
non-native English speakers and the
news that only 27 percent of all candidates passed the mathematics subtest at
the recommended cut-score level.
All elementary and special
education teacher candidates are now
required to take and pass the math
subtest. The first administration of
the test occurred in March. The news
about the pass rate came out in May,
four days after the lawsuit was filed.
On May 19, Kathleen Skinner,
director of MTA’s Center for Education
Policy and Practice, expressed
concerns about the testing system
in testimony before the Board of
Elementary and Secondary Education.
“The motion on revising the
MTEL regulations and recent news
of a class action lawsuit on behalf of
minority teacher candidates create
a frame to review our state-specific
teacher tests,” Skinner said.
“As a teacher, if I gave a test
and only 27 percent of my students
passed, my first thought would not be
to assume there is something wrong
with the students,” Skinner added.
“The most likely explanations would
be either that the test was flawed or the
students had not been taught the material on which they were being tested.”
In light of the low pass rate and
the short time the initial group of
test-takers had to prepare, the BESE
approved a motion to lower the cut
score to 227 for three years. That
increased the March pass rate to 43
percent, which is still lower than the
rate in recent administrations of the
previous version of the test. However,
teachers who are licensed and hired
based on the lower score must take
the test again and achieve a score of
240 or above within five years or their
licenses will expire and they will be
ineligible for Massachusetts licensure.
Mary Ann McKinnon, assistant
dean of the School of Education and
Allied Studies at Bridgewater State
College, was one of several people
who said they support the goal of
improving math skills among elementary and special education teachers,
but believe that the DESE moved too
quickly by requiring candidates to
pass the test before higher education
programs had a chance to implement a
more math-intensive curriculum.
“We’re not opposed to the math
requirement,” she said. “Our concern
is about the timing. It takes four years
to make major changes in a degree
program. When students come to us,
they are under contract for four years.
They have already embarked on a
course of study. The state provided
less than two years for us to make this
change.”
McKinnon said that her college
14
June/July 2009
offered current students a math “boot
court, contending that it has a disparate
camp,” and that, as of last fall, new
impact on minority candidates, includenrollees have had to take a threeing African-Americans and Latinos,
course math sequence. But she said
and on non-native English speakers.
there simply was not enough time for
The suit was brought on behalf of
students who had taken courses based
three former Boston teachers who are
on the former set of requirements to
black or Latino and lost their jobs after
take all of the math they needed to
repeatedly failing the exam despite
meet the new standard.
having earned their master’s degrees
Even as the math subtest issue is
and having received positive evaluabeing debated, the BESE is dealing
tions while working on waivers.
with the legal dispute over MTEL.
Fox is asking the court to certify
Tyler Fox, an employment and
the case as a class action suit on behalf
civil rights lawyer in Cambridge, has
of thousands of test-takers over the
challenged09-ST-105
the test in federal
MTEL’s 11-year
history. The lawsuit
Creditdistrict
Card Massachusetts
6.9375x10.125”
PDFx1a
asks the state to immediately stop administering the tests and seeks damages
and other relief for those who failed and
subsequently were denied jobs.
The number of black and Hispanic
MTEL test-takers is low — around 2
percent or 3 percent. And the percentage of black and Hispanic first-time
test-takers who pass is also relatively
low. For example, in 2005-2006, 77
percent of white teacher candidates
passed the writing exam compared to
just 48 percent of Hispanic test-takers
and 46 percent of black test-takers.
(For June 2009
MTA
Today)
Please
turn
to Suit/Page 22
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Presidential finalists
The 2008 Massachusetts finalists for Presidential Awards for Excellence in
Mathematics and Science Teaching were lauded by education leaders during a
recent ceremony at the State House in Boston. From left to right are Education
Commissioner Mitchell Chester; math finalist Deborah Seaver, who teaches
at the Brookside Elementary School in Milford; math finalist Diana Cost, who
teaches at Weymouth High School; science finalist Erin Flynn, who teaches
at the John D. Philbrick Elementary School in Boston; science finalist Kara
Frankian, who teaches at the Floral Street School in Shrewsbury; science finalist
Kristen MacDonald, who teaches at the Fannie E. Proctor Elementary School in
Northborough; and state Education Secretary Paul Reville. Also honored during
the ceremony were the 2008 Massachusetts Milken Award winner, Chris Louis
Sardella, and the recipients of the Asperger Association of New England Awards
for Excellence in Teaching Students with Asperger Syndrome. The AANE winners
are Ruth Levine Arnold of the Heath School in Chestnut Hill, Terry Belliveau
of the Sabis International Charter School in Springfield, Ruth Bluestone of the
Parkview Elementary School in North Easton, Donna Kyed of the Cottage Street
School in Sharon and Ann Oakes of Brockton High School.
HCR honorees are champions for Massachusetts children
Continued from Page 6
Committee for Children’s Health Care in Everett.
Since 1994, the community-based organization has
strived to provide access to affordable health care
and services to adults and children in Everett and
surrounding communities.
Coogan, who worked as a teacher and guidance
counselor in the Everett Public Schools for more than
30 years, was nominated by longtime friend Erik
Champy. “Jackie Coogan is an inspiration to me,” said
Champy, a fellow guidance counselor and a member
of the HRC. “She is a humanitarian, an educator, a
feminist, a leader. She steps up to the plate each and
every time to really be the voice for those families and
students who really need a champion.”
Coogan urged all educators to use their influence
— and their voices — to work for “healthy and
happy communities” and health care for all.
“We know that we can’t teach a child who is
sick unless we help the parents first gain access
to health care — whether it is physical, mental or
emotional,” she said. “All of us must be advocates
for the health, the education and the confidence of all
people, especially our children, our students.”
Jacobson, the recipient of the The Massachusetts
Child Exemplary Benefactor Award, served until
2008 as president and chairman of the charity. He
has worked as a guidance counselor at Waltham High
School for 35 years.
Christine Mulroney, the current Massachusetts
Child chairwoman and a fellow member of the
Waltham Education Association, introduced
Jacobson.
“Alan Jacobson advocates for children every
day,” Mulroney said. “He works around the clock to
provide for public school students all over the state.”
When it was his turn at the podium, Jacobson
recalled one of his early experiences as an educator.
Upon being asked to buy a student a present at
Christmas time, he said, he was led all over a store
by a seventh-grader, whom he described as selfassured, charming and streetwise.
Eventually, the student admitted to needing shoes.
“I tell you this story because we never know
exactly how and when we will be called on as
educators to meet the needs of the children we care
for,” Jacobson said. “That is what defines us as proud
members of the MTA — providing for the needs of
students so that they can maximize their success in
the classroom.”
The Boston Gay Men’s Chorus, which was
recognized at last year’s awards ceremony for its
support for high school gay-straight alliances, performed a set of love songs that were well received by
the audience. MTA President Anne Wass welcomed
the crowd, which included Vice President Paul Toner
and several former MTA presidents.
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15
Effort to repeal offsets continues to gain support
T
he Social Security Fairness
Act of 2009 continues to gain
support in Congress.
Identical legislation carrying that
title has been filed in both the House
and the Senate.
The bills would repeal the
Government Pension Offset and the
Windfall Elimination Provision, two
Social Security provisions that unfairly
penalize educators and other public
employees in Massachusetts and 14
other states.
The House bill, H.R. 235, was
filed by Representative Howard L.
Berman, a California Democrat,
and now has the support of 294
co-sponsors.
There are indications that Social Security reform could
be considered on Capitol Hill before the end of the year.
Senator Diane Feinstein, also a
California Democrat, filed the Senate
legislation. The bill, S. 484, has 28
co-sponsors.
All members of the Massachusetts
congressional delegation continue
to be strong supporters of the repeal
effort, and all are co-sponsors of the
current measures.
The GPO reduces the spousal
or survivor benefits of educators and
other public employees by an amount
equal to two-thirds of their public
pensions. The WEP affects people who
have worked in jobs not covered by
Social Security and in jobs in which
they have earned Social Security
benefits.
There are indications that Social
Security reform could be considered
on Capitol Hill before the end of the
year.
“Congressional consideration of
Social Security reform could offer an
important opportunity to push repeal
of the Government Pension Offset
and Windfall Elimination Provision,”
said Carrie Lewis of the NEA’s
Government Relations department.
“Such repeal will be a top priority for
NEA in any reform debate.
“There have been indications
that key members of Congress from
both parties have held tentative talks
about overhauling the Social Security
system, and Congress could turn its
attention to reform as soon as the fall,”
Lewis noted.
To receive regular updates on the
GPO/WEP repeal effort, please send
your name, complete address, MTA
ID number, current or former local
association affiliation and home e-mail
address to Jo Ann Fitzgerald, MTA
retired members service specialist, at
jfitzgerald@massteacher.org.
Budget calls for severe cuts, some revenue increases
Continued from Page 5
forecasts had dropped by $5 billion
below the amount needed to maintain
current services.
The budget battles have been
stressful for educators this year,
as local spending plans have been
whipsawed by the frequent changes in
fiscal projections.
MTA field staff are seeing widely
different budget scenarios at the local
level. Some locals have made it
through the budget season without
facing intense pressure for concessions
or the threat of huge layoffs, while
others have not been so lucky.
In Tewksbury, for example, the
school department issued pink slips to
all school department employees and
announced that it will rehire only those
who agree to a 10 percent reduction in
pay and hours.
The local and the MTA are fighting this plan.
Other locals have been under pressure to pay more for health insurance
or agree to wage freezes, either in
current contract negotiations or by
reopening contracts that were settled
before the fiscal crisis hit.
Almost always, concessions
are demanded in the context of a
threatened tradeoff: pay and benefits
versus jobs. Each affiliate has had to
grapple with these issues based on
the local situation and the will of the
membership.
“This has been an extremely
difficult time for our local affiliates,”
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June/July 2009
Wass said. “Unfortunately, we expect
to be in difficult times for several years
to come. We will continue to argue for
new state and federal revenues and to
call for recession-proofing our schools.
“Education funding is too important for the future of our economy and
for the well-being of our students to be
on a perpetual roller-coaster ride,” she
said. “Schools need adequate support,
and that includes fair and reasonable
compensation for teachers and other
educators.”
1.
2.
3. 4.
5.
6.
8.
9. 10. 11. 12. 13.
7.
ESP Conference
continues to grow
Continued from Page 12
SkillsUSA winners get a big ‘thumbs up’ at State House
S
tudents who won gold medals in the Massachusetts
SkillsUSA Championship were recognized recently
by Governor Deval Patrick and other state leaders.
For 35 years, SkillsUSA Massachusetts has provided
students enrolled in technical education training programs
with “employability skills.” The Bay State chapter, which
is the second largest in the country, with more than 25,000
students, provides a series of programs and conferences
revolving around leadership and character training.
The 175 gold medal winners advanced through district
competitions and eventually won first place at a daylong
state competition held at Blackstone Valley Regional
Vocational Technical High School. The competitions, in
which students demonstrate their skills in a number of areas,
are judged by people from the local business community.
“Our job is to help these students achieve personal and
professional success in their chosen industry,” said John
Brochu, a graphics teacher at Bay Path Regional Vocational
Technical High School. Brochu, a member of the SkillsUSA
Massachusetts Board of Directors, was at the State House
with a group of Bay Path students for the June 8 recognition
ceremony.
The state champions were all expected to compete
in the SkillsUSA national championships in Kansas City,
Mo., in late June.
— BOB DUFFY
“It’s good to be part of a greater
network and know that we are facing
some of the same issues that so many
others are as well,” said Melissa
Rebello, president of the newly organized Shrewsbury Paraprofessionals
Association.
Each year, the number of participants continues to increase. To accommodate the growth, the event was held
for the first time this year at the Cape
Codder, which is larger than the previous
venue. The 2010 conference is scheduled
for April 9 and 10, also at the resort.
One of the truly special things
about the conference, MTA Board
member Sylvia Snape noted, is the
positive vibe that flows throughout the
weekend. “The first time I came to this
conference I got the overwhelming
sense that what I do as an ESP has
real value and I am appreciated,” said
Snape, who works on the Amherst campus of the University of Massachusetts
and, like Johnson, is a member of the
USA. “I don’t always get that kind of
feedback at my workplace.
“This conference provides information that people can take back with
them and use right away,” she added.
“This is one of the only conferences
in Massachusetts geared specifically
toward ESPs.”
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17
Grant program helps paras become teachers
S
tate grants are available to
paraprofessionals who live
in Massachusetts and want to
become certified as full-time teachers.
The Paraprofessional Teacher
Preparation Grant Program, established
by the Legislature, is designed to
help reduce financial barriers faced
by paraprofessionals seeking to attain
higher education.
The program is also an attempt
to help address the Commonwealth’s
teacher shortage.
Financial need is not a requirement, but recipients must annually
file the Free Application for Federal
Student Aid.
To be eligible for a grant, a
potential recipient must:
n Be a permanent legal resident of
Massachusetts.
n Be a U.S. citizen or eligible
non-citizen.
n Be eligible under Title IV
regulations and not in default on a state
or federal education loan or grant.
n Enroll in a full-time or part-time
undergraduate degree program at a
public or private college that leads to
teacher certification.
n Have been employed, with
certain exceptions, for a minimum of
two years as a paraprofessional in a
Massachusetts public school.
n Not have earned a bachelor’s
degree.
Eligible institutions include
regionally accredited public colleges
or universities in Massachusetts that
offer teacher-preparation programs
leading to licensure that are approved
by the state Department of Elementary
and Secondary Education. They also
include two-year public colleges that
have signed articulation or transfer
agreements with such institutions
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for teacher-preparation programs.
Students who attend Massachusetts
independent colleges that offer teacher
education programs are
eligible to receive the
Paraprofessional Teacher
Preparation Grants.
The awards under
the program will vary,
depending on the type
of institution and the
candidate’s enrollment
status. Due to high
demand, the award values for 20092010 will be determined at a later date
and are subject to the budget for fiscal
year 2010.
Paraprofessionals interested in applying for the grants must complete
the Paraprofessional Teacher
Preparation Grant Application,
provide written proof of employment as a paraprofessional from
the employer and file the FAFSA
document.
For further information,
contact the Massachusetts
Department of Higher Education
Office of Student Financial Assistance
at 617.727.9420.
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June/July 2009
MTA Benefits
Know your stuff!
Free home inventory Web tool simplifies claim process, ensures adequate coverage
I
t’s often said that a house is the
most important investment you
can make. Yet many people
have only a vague idea of the value
of the contents of their home, condo
or apartment. Compared to the clear
estimating process for a damaged
vehicle, resolving losses related to
home property can be contentious,
uncertain, highly subjective and time
consuming.
In assessing claims for both home
and auto losses, an insurance adjuster
requires specific information and
tangible evidence of the extent of the
loss. Trying to remember what was in
your home after a fire or other disaster
can be difficult, if not impossible.
Fortunately, there’s a simple way
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contents.
Visit the Insurance Information
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Home Inventory.”
This Web-based tool walks you
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The Web tool also provides areas
where you can describe the room and
contents in words.
List everything in each room,
starting with the major items. If
you have purchase receipts, note
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price. Documentation of electronic
devices such as computers, TVs, stereo
systems, cameras, etc., should also
include serial numbers. After making
your room inventory, photograph or
videotape each item and take a photo
of each wall.
A world-class icon collection
in a small Massachusetts town
R
evered by czars and peasants
The museum is the inspiration and
alike, icons were once
creation of Gordon Lankton, an indus found in Russian households,
trialist with corporate headquarters in
monasteries, local churches and the
Clinton.
great cathedrals of Moscow and St.
His first purchase of icons at a
Petersburg. Now MTA members can
Moscow flea market evolved into
see more than 350 of them — the largtoday’s expansive collection displayed
est collection outside
in the architecturally
of Russia — at the
stunning museum,
Museum of Russian
which was formerly
Icons in Clinton.
an old mill building.
The icons
In addition to
displayed in the
the icons, visitors
museum, spanning
to the museum can
from the 1400s to
also experience other
the present, portray
aspects of Russia
Jesus, the Virgin
through documentary
Mary and saints
films presenting the
of the Russian
country’s complex
Orthodox Church.
culture, tempestuous
Painted on wood in
history and vast
a one-dimensional
landscapes.
perspective, the art
MTA members
is richly decorative
are admitted free.
Courtesy of the Museum of Russian Icons
with vivid colors
As lifelong
Christ
in
Majesty, painted in
often embellished
learners, MTA
1580, is the largest and most
with gold leaf. The
members are an
important icon in the collection.
most compelling
important constituof the museum’s
ency of the museum,
new acquisitions is
noted Kent dur
the monumental 65-inch-high-by-49Russell, CEO and curator.
inch-wide Christ in Majesty painting,
For information on the museum
the finest example of its kind ever
and its events, call 978.598.5000 or visit
displayed in an American museum.
www.museumofrussianicons.org.
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report will help the insurance adjuster
work much more quickly.
Place a hard copy of your
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that maintain records for several U.S.
government agencies. Even if your
home computer and hard copy records
are destroyed, these digital records are
safe.
By highlighting the total exposure
in dollars, the home inventory software
can help you see how much additional
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cases, you may want to have unique
valuables such as antiques, jewelry,
furs and firearms formally appraised
and documented.
Be sure your home also has
enough insurance. In general, it
should be “insured to value” — i.e.,
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a disaster strikes, you would not be
able to collect enough on the claim to
rebuild or buy a similar home.
Finally, it’s good financial practice
to periodically consult a home insurance specialist such as MTA Benefits
for complimentary advice about how
much coverage is required to “make
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For more information, call an
MTA Benefits insurance specialist at
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Members talk about MTA
home and auto insurance
‘After researching all of
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Customer service is always
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helpful and professional.’
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Canton Teachers Association
‘I have used MTA Benefits
for auto and home
insurance and to get
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—Donald Lennon
Northampton Association of School Employees
June/July 2009 19
Teachers bring lessons to life for students
Continued from Page 11
teaches writing to other educators
and has run professional development
classes and workshops. She has facilitated study groups and is a mentor for
new teachers and student teachers.
She also is a source of inspiration
to her colleagues; she has encouraged
two other aides at the Dunning to
pursue teaching careers.
Goodwin embraces using technology in the classroom, and whenever
possible she tries to apply the curriculum to the real world through what
she calls “active learning.” She knows
that lessons tend to stick better with
students if they can see the applicability of the curriculum.
“Passive learning does not do
the trick these days,” Goodwin said.
“Students want to know why they have
to learn things — and they deserve
an answer to this. They deserve to
understand the rationale behind what
we are teaching.
“I don’t want my students to just
memorize their multiplication facts,”
she continued. “I want them to see
multiplication in their daily lives.”
Goodwin said that while speaking
around the state, she will encourage
educators to seek creative approaches
to their work.
“I want to encourage teachers to
take a risk, step out of their comfort
zones and embrace technology,” she
said. “Extending the walls of our
classrooms can be invigorating for
us and our students. To truly relate
to our students, we must speak their
language. Bringing in iPods and music,
dancing, digital cameras, blogs, online
field trips and videos can transform
our classrooms into engaging,
interactive environments fit for the 21st
century!”
Leith, the recipient of the history
award, has taught in the Wachusett
Regional School District, which
includes Holden and several other
communities, since 1975. She has
taught fourth grade at the Mayo School
since 2000.
“I believe that history needs to
come alive for today’s kids,” she said
in a recent interview.
For her immigration unit, Leith
organizes a simulation of Ellis
Island with the help of more than 40
parent volunteers. After students have
read literature on the immigration
process, they take on fictitious roles as
immigrants in the early 20th century,
complete with baggage, and keep diaries as they go through the re-created
Ellis Island process.
The cafeteria is turned into a
check-in station, and students complete
the activities at different locations
around the school. The simulation
includes costumes and ethnic foods,
and it concludes with a swearing-in
process.
In another unit, Leith transforms
her classroom into a one-room
schoolhouse overseen by a teacher
called Miss Parker.
20
June/July 2009
Her students assume the roles of
students in 1865 and use chalkboards
and maps from that time period.
“From chalkboard to Smartboard,
history comes alive,” Leith said.
The Massachusetts Teacher of
the Year Program is administered
by the Massachusetts Department of
Elementary and Secondary Education,
in partnership with Hannaford
Supermarkets.
The rigorous selection process includes a series of essays and interviews
that are reviewed by a panel of experts,
including past teachers of the year.
The purpose of the program is to select
a teacher who is worthy of speaking
for and energizing the profession
while also representing the positive
contributions of educators throughout
the Commonwealth.
The Massachusetts Teacher of
the Year is automatically the state
candidate for National Teacher of the
Year. The recipient of that honor will
be selected this fall.
The Preserve America History
Teacher of the Year program is a White
House initiative and is sponsored
by the Gilder Lehrman Institute for
American History. The institute grants
state winners cash awards of $1,000
and presents each winner’s school
with an archive of primary historical
materials for use in the library or
resource center.
As is the case with her fellow
honoree, Leith’s selection as the
Massachusetts Preserve America
History Teacher of the Year automatically puts her in contention for a
national award.
APA and MTA fight to protect
Salem State College members
By Sarah Nathan
T
he Association of Professional
Administrators, backed by the
MTA, recently went to battle
to save the jobs of 14 longtime union
administrators at Salem State College.
Citing budget concerns, Salem
State College President Patricia
Meservey introduced a “major restructuring plan” in May that cut numerous
On May 18, without prior notice, the affected
employees were informed by letter of the layoffs
and then escorted off the grounds, some by campus
security, in clear view of their colleagues.
positions held by APA members.
On May 18, without prior notice,
the affected employees were informed
by letter of the layoffs and then
escorted off the grounds, some by
campus security, in clear view of their
colleagues.
The APA members were not
allowed to collect their personal
belongings and were told that they
could not return to the college.
Immediately after the news of the
layoffs broke, the APA and the MTA
began work on a multi-faceted effort
to challenge Meservey’s plan. The
campaign was intense and involved.
From May 18 to June 3, the day the
Salem State Board of Trustees voted
unanimously in support of Meservey’s
plan, MTA and APA representatives
had numerous discussions with
executive officials at Salem State,
launched an outreach plan and drafted
an alternative plan.
Just prior to the vote, Helen
Watson-Felt, longtime president of the
APA chapter at Salem State and one of
the retrenched employees, urged trustees to take the time to ask questions
and seek additional information before
voting in support of Meservey’s plan.
“Understand fully that this
decision is affecting people’s lives
— their families, their resources and
their future,” Watson-Felt said. “We
are devastated at the prospect of this
loss. Please decline to retrench these
individuals or elect to postpone the
decision for further review.”
The next day, APA Statewide
President Rick McDermott spoke at a
meeting of the state Board of Higher
Education.
“For many years, the APA has
worked to build and strengthen a
relationship of trust, cooperation and
mutual respect between the administrators we represent and the state colleges
we serve,” McDermott said. “We all
share a commitment to the colleges’
missions and the wonderful students
at our campuses. While we have
disagreed about a few issues over the
years, we have never doubted that the
college presidents value and respect
the dedicated service given by its
professional administrators.
“But I am here to say, on behalf
of all APA members, that the recent
decision by Salem State College to
retrench 14 APA administrators has
badly damaged that relationship.”
McDermott went on to explain
how the layoffs were badly mishandled
and that the employees, most of whom
had given many years of service,
should have been treated with respect
and compassion.
“Good and loyal people getting
terrible news were mistreated,” he
said. “They were humiliated by being
removed from campus after their layoff
notification, in view of co-workers and
students, some by campus police.”
After the layoffs became official,
the APA and the MTA continued to
represent the employees in individual
discussions with the college in an
attempt to change the outcome and
improve the quality of their severance
packages.
June/July 2009
21
Suit contends
tests reduce
diversity of
teaching force
A warm welcome
MTA President Anne Wass greets fellow
educators during the opening of the NEA’s
annual American Indian/Alaska Native
Issues Conference. The conference, jointly
presented by the MTA, the Connecticut
Education Association and the NEA
American Indian/Alaska Native Caucus,
was held June 5-7 on the campus of the
University of Connecticut in Storrs. This
year marked the first time the conference
took place in the Northeast. The event
featured a wide range of activities,
speeches and ceremonies. Standing behind
Wass is Kathleen Roberts, co-chair of the
MTA Retired Members Committee and a
member of the MTA Board.
Continued from Page 14
As a result of these factors, the
teaching force is much whiter than the
student population. According to the
DESE, 93.4 percent of teachers were
white in 2007-2008 compared to only
70.8 percent of students.
“We need to do a much better job
of recruiting non-white teachers into
our classrooms,” said MTA President
Anne Wass. “Teachers are important
role models for students. It is important that students see teachers in their
schools who look like them.”
The lawsuit was filed against the
state, the city of Boston and the tests’
developer, the Evaluation Systems
group of Pearson.
Fox explained that the first step
is for him to prove that the test has
a disparate impact on the plaintiffs,
something he expects will be easy to
do given the data. At that point, the
burden falls on the defendants to prove
that the test is valid — that it was
created using accepted test-making
practices and measures what it is
intended to measure.
If they can prove that it is valid,
Fox said, then the burden returns to
the plaintiffs to demonstrate that there
are other equally valid assessments
the state could use that do not have as
large a disparate impact. For example,
he said, some states are now using
“performance assessments” and other
“authentic” measures rather than a
paper-and-pencil test to evaluate
whether candidates should be licensed.
These recent controversies have
underscored the MTA’s push to
replace MTEL with the Praxis tests
developed by the Educational Testing
Service. This position was one of
several recommendations in an MTA
white paper, “Tomorrow’s Teachers:
Preparing the Education Workforce for
the 21st Century.”
The Praxis tests are administered
to teacher candidates in 46 states and
territories. Candidates who pass in
one state generally do not have to take
the tests again in another state that
requires Praxis in order to become
licensed, whereas the MTEL is only
administered in Massachusetts, and
even experienced teachers from other
states have to take it in order to be
licensed here.
Reasons offered for switching to
Praxis include:
n Greater reciprocity with
other states will increase the pool of
candidates for teaching positions in
Massachusetts.
n There are many more preparation materials available for Praxis than
for MTEL.
n Praxis has been subject to
far greater scrutiny in many more
jurisdictions and has withstood legal
challenges.
22
June/July 2009
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MTA partnerships promote achievement
Continued from Page 28
“My student Matt, his mother,
Kathleen, my husband, Don, and I all
had a terrific time,” said Bousquet,
a guidance counselor at the Berkley
Middle School. “I’m sure Matt will
never forget it. I know we won’t
either!”
When the program resumes later
this year, it will be sponsored by SBLI,
which, like Hanover, partners with
MTA Benefits to provide members
with high-quality programs and
services. Star Celtics point guard
Rajon Rondo will once again act as
the spokesperson for the honor roll
program, which is entering its fourth
season.
Through the honor roll program,
students with a B average or excellent
attendance are eligible to purchase
discounted tickets to select games.
A few lucky honor roll participants
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the legendary parquet floor at the
TD Banknorth Garden and greet the
Celtics as they take the court.
The MTA Boston Bruins I.C.E
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Orlando Vacations
MTA Long-Term Care
MTA Home Mortgage Program
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MTA Preferred Provider Dental Plan
Magazine Service
MTA Auto Rentals
MTA Cruises
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Anheuser-Busch Parks
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lesson plans that
fall within the
state’s curriculum
framework
guidelines. Through the
I.C.E. School
Photo by Bob Duffy
programs,
Karen
Bousquet,
a
Berkley
Middle
School
guidance
students have the
counselor,
and
Matthew
King,
one
of
her
students,
got
opportunity to
a close-up look at the NBA Championship trophy on
get discounted
April 10 — the same day they enjoyed watching the
tickets and autoCeltics beat the Miami Heat 105 to 98 from a luxury
graphed Bruins
box at the TD Banknorth Garden.
merchandise.
Winners are also eligible for school
that include having students identify
appearances by the Bruins’ mascot,
and hold classical instruments, along
Blades, and school visits by players.
with other activities.
The program operated in conjunction with WCRB is called Music
To learn more about Reading
Matters. It gives schools the chance
Matters programs and get tips on
to have symphony ensembles perform
raising student achievement, visit
and provide educational music sessions www.readingmatters.org.
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programs and a wide range of professional
development options, we can meet your
needs. For more information, visit
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CUT OUT AND MAIL OR FAX THIS FORM TODAY.
Fax: 617.557.6687
Web site: www.mtabenefits.com
Register today
for a summer course!
Begins July 6
Institutes & online
courses available
Visit us online at
www.fsc.edu/mta
Counseling: School Guidance Counseling pre-K-8 (I)
Counseling: School Guidance Counseling 5-12 (I)
Post-Baccalaureate Certificates
English (I, 8-12)
Math (I, 8-12)
I = Initial licensure
P = Professional licensure
MTAB, 20 Ashburton Place, Boston, MA 02108
MTAB PROGRAMS ARE SELF-FUNDED AND NOT SUPPORTED BY MEMBER DUES.
June/July 2009
23
Obituaries
Mary C. Armour, 84, of
Marlborough. Taught business
administration in Mendon, then taught
at Marlborough High School for 29
years, retiring in 1989. March 27.
Dorothy J. Bach, 88, of Holyoke.
Taught English in the Holyoke Public
Schools for 29 years, retiring in 1984.
April 11.
Mary D. Baker, of Brockton.
Was an elementary school teacher in
Brockton for 30 years, retiring in 1991.
Jan. 16.
Mary D. Cadigan, 62, of
Holyoke. Taught at the Lawrence,
Kirkland and Kelly schools in Holyoke
for 39 years, retiring in 2007.
April 17.
Camella M. Dintini, 95, of
Worcester. Taught at the Charlton Street
Elementary School in Southbridge, then
became the school’s principal. Also
served as the acting superintendent of
the Southbridge Public Schools before
she retired. April 6.
Dorice A. Goodwin, 94, of
Yarmouthport. Was an elementary school teacher for many years in
Plymouth. April 20.
Cletus J. Malloy, 77, of Fall River.
Was a member of the guidance departments of Somerset High School and
Fairhaven High School. Also served as
regional director for the College Board,
Princeton, N.J. April 20.
Arlene A. Maroney, 95, of
Haverhill. Was a middle school teacher
at Walnut Square School, Tilton School
and Albert B. Consentino School before
retiring in 1979. March 20.
Charlotte G. Parrott, 92, of
Danvers. Taught physical education
at the former Holten High School.
Became the first dean of girls’ physical
education in the Danvers school
system and then became the first director of guidance. She retired in 1978.
April 16.
Have you missed
an issue?
Robert A. Powers, 76, of
Taunton. Was an educator in the
Taunton Public Schools, retiring in
1992. April 1.
Winifred Ray, 86, of North
Reading and Atkinson, N.H. Was a
teacher at Murphy School in North
Reading, retiring in 1980. March 10.
Rosemary F. Riordan, 82, of
Longmeadow. Was a special education
teacher in the Chicopee school system
for 35 years, retiring from the Litwin
School in 1990. March 31.
Anita E. Rocha, 63, of Lakeville.
Was a seventh-grade English teacher at
the George Austin Intermediate School
in Lakeville for 35 years. April 7.
Bernice M. Scott, 79, of Methuen
and Salem, N.H. Taught at the Corliss
School for 29 years and the Ashford
School for 10 years before retiring.
March 15.
Margaret C. Springer, 71, of
East Longmeadow. Was a teacher in
the Longmeadow school system for
42 years, mostly at the Blueberry Hill
Elementary School, before retiring in
2002. March 23.
Anthony G. Venincasa, 77, of
Worcester. Was an English teacher at
schools in Worcester, including Forest
Grove Junior High School. He retired
in 1988. He also taught piano lessons
for many years. April 3.
Rudolph A. Zona, 82, of West
Boylston. Taught welding at Putnam
Vocational Technical High School
in Springfield and night school at
Worcester Boys Trade. April 30.
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24
June/July 2009
Regional retirement consultations available
The MTA conducts retirement consultations throughout the state to assist members. Proof of membership must be submitted
when requesting retirement services. This schedule is in effect from September to June. In the event of inclement weather, it
is advisable to call consultants in advance.
ASHBURNHAM — Robert Zbikowski:
second Thursday of each month (walk in), 4
to 8 p.m., Overlook Middle School library,
front entrance, 10 Oakmont Dr., Ashburnham;
978.827.1425, or at home, 978.297.0123; e-mail:
zibstar702@verizon.net.
AUBURN — Louise Gaskins: first and second
Saturdays of each month (walk in), 9 a.m. to
1 p.m., MTA Central Office, 48 Sword St.,
Auburn; 508.791.2121, or at home, 978.448.5351.
BOSTON — Harold Crowley: Tuesdays,
Wednesdays and Thursdays (by appointment
only), 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., MTA, 20 Ashburton
Place, Boston; 617.742.7950, ext. 8240, or
800.392.6175, ext. 8240.
BRAINTREE — Mary Hanna: second Saturday
of each month (walk in), 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.,
MTA Metropolitan Office, 100 Grandview
Road, Braintree; 781.380.1410, or at home,
781.545.2069.
CAPE COD — Lawrence Abbruzzi: second
Saturday of each month (walk in), 9 a.m.
to 1 p.m., Barnstable Teachers Association
(BTA), 100 West Main St., Suite #7, Hyannis;
508.775.8625, or at home, 508.824.9194.
HOLYOKE — Dennis O’Connor: third Saturday
of each month (walk in), 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.,
MTA Western Office, 55 Bobala Road, Suite 3,
Holyoke; 413.535.2415, or at home, 413.737.7509.
LYNNFIELD — Mary Parry: third and fourth
Saturdays of each month (walk in), 9 a.m. to
1 p.m., MTA Northeast Office, 50 Salem St.,
Building B, Lynnfield; 781.246.9779, or at home,
978.372.2031; fax, 978.372.2035.
NORTHAMPTON — Dennis O’Connor: second
Saturday of each month (walk in), 9 a.m. to 1
p.m., 38 Gothic St., Northampton; 413.584.8313,
or at home, 413.737.7509.
PITTSFIELD — Ward F. Johnson: second
Saturday of each month (walk in), 9 a.m.
to 1 p.m., MTA Berkshire Office, 740
Williams St., Williams St. Plaza, Pittsfield;
413.499.0257, or at home, 413.443.1722; e-mail:
wardman33@aol.com.
RAYNHAM — Sandra Stephenson: third
Saturday of each month (walk in), 9 a.m.
to 1 p.m., MTA Southeast Office, 90 New
State Highway (Rte. 44), Raynham;
508.822.5371, or at home, 508.747.2234;
e-mail: rockowl@aol.com. Edward Nelson:
fourth Saturday of each month (walk in),
9 a.m. to 1 p.m., MTA Southeast Office, 90
New State Highway (Rte. 44), Raynham;
508.822.5371, or at home, 508.853.5769.
Higher ed At-Large — Edward
McCourt, Massachusetts Bay Community
College, Wellesley; 781.239.2207; e-mail:
emccourt.mccc@gmail.com.
Note: If you or your association would like to have a retirement workshop at your school, your local president should call Harold
Crowley at 800.392.6175, ext. 8240. Please be aware that the MTA does not have a record of your service, so members are advised
to bring that information along to meetings.
Sarah and John Marshall
R A V I N G FA N S O F G R E E N PA R K M O R TG A G E
Sarah and John Marshall
John is a teacher at Wachusett Regional High School in Holden.
“The MTA discounts and the help that Greenpark
provided us throughout the entire mortgage process
and purchase of our new home were outstanding.
The Greenpark representative handled everything for
us, even in the stickiest situations. He was extremely
responsive and helpful and he walked us through
some really tough spots. We feel that he was a
partner with us and we could not have done it
without him! We would absolutely recommend
Greenpark to other MTA members and their families.”
Talk to Greenpark if you want to buy or refinance.
You’ll give Greenpark rave reviews, too.
Call 866.475.HOME today.
MA Lender/MA Broker MC#1883
June/July 2009
25
Classifieds
BED AND BREAKFAST
WELLFLEET B&B — One or two
bedrooms, shared bath. $75 a night for
one room, $140 for two. Entire week is
$900 for two rooms. Each room sleeps
two. Call 508.349.5848 or e-mail
rakulo@comcast.net.
CURRICULUM ENRICHMENT
IN-SCHOOL FIELD TRIPS — Handson Geography (K-2nd, Introduction
to Maps and Globes and Habitats;
3rd, Massachusetts; 4th and 5th,
United States Regions; 6th, World).
Also: American History — Colonial
or Pioneers; Ancient History —China
or Greece, Archaeology of Ancient
Civilizations. Booking now for
2009-2010 school year. Visit
www.nowvoyagereducation.com,
call Carol Cohen at 781.784.5197 or
e-mail carolcohen@verizon.net.
AEXEOUS! — A unique educational
12-foot robot: School technology
demonstrations! Aexeous (AX-EE-US):
A one-of-a-kind teaching robot!
Shows tailored to age group
(K-12). Aexeous moves, talks and
interacts with students! Personalized
programming available at no
extra cost. Promotes excitement
in learning! Affordable rates! Visit
www.aexeous.com. Call 401.523.9905
or e-mail Aexeous@cox.net.
EDUCATION/LICENSURE
QUICK, AFFORDABLE,
ACCESSIBLE & PRACTICAL! —
Hampshire Educational Collaborative
offers Initial licensure programs in
convenient locations statewide. PDPs,
graduate credit and master’s programs
available. Programs include: Teacher
of Moderate Disabilities, English
as a Second Language, Middle and
High School Math and Sciences,
Reading Specialist, and Administration.
For more information, please visit
www.teachinmass.org.
EMPLOYMENT
PAID INTERNSHIPS — From
museum education and exhibition
planning to marketing and public
relations, the Peabody Essex Museum
in Salem, Mass., offers a dynamic,
semester-long, paid internship program
for high school and college students.
Call 978.745.9500, ext. 3217, or visit
pem.org/support/employment.php for
more information.
TEACHERS — DO YOU NEED
ADDITIONAL SUMMER INCOME?
Could you accommodate, provide three
meals per day and teach English to a
foreign student in your own home in the
greater Boston area? Rates from $550
per student per week with 15 hours of
tutoring. For more information, e-mail
Mia.Corinha@yahoo.com or call
781.581.5933.
TEACH ABROAD — Search
Associates places 1,550 teachers
26
June/July 2009
yearly in outstanding K-12 American/
International Schools in Europe,
South America, Asia and Africa.
Excellent salaries, benefits and
lifestyle. Candidates for September
2009 or 2010 should review
www.search-associates.com. If
interested AFTER reviewing the Web
site, please submit an application.
FIELD TRIPS
SEABROOK, NEW HAMPSHIRE
— Two three-bedroom houses.
Steps to the ocean, fully furnished
AC, gas grills, plenty of parking.
Summer attractions include arcades/
amusements, deep sea fishing, great
restaurants, the “Hampton Beach
Casino,” Kittery Trading Post and
outlet shopping. Sorry no pets.
Call Bob at 978.686.1568 or e-mail
bobnynex@comcast.net.
PEABODY ESSEX MUSEUM,
SALEM, MASS. — Bring your
students to one of the nation’s leading
art museums! Choose from many
preschool and K-12 programs on
art, culture and language arts, all
based on Massachusetts Curriculum
Frameworks. Also get your
Professional Development Points
with our unique programs. Call
978.745.9500 or visit pem.org.
CAPE COD WEST YARMOUTH —
Colonial Acres Resort on Nantucket
Sound. Sleeps four, 8/1-8/8, 8/8-8/15.
Call for price and details 781.335.6849.
FOR SALE
KISSIMMEE CONDO FOR RENT
— Four miles from Disney. Three
bedrooms, two baths, sleeps eight.
Handicap accessible, all amenities. $75
per night. E-mail smk98@verizon.net
for availability.
COUNTRYSIDE, VERO BEACH,
FLORIDA — Fully furnished 2/2
manufactured home with a lovely
glassed-in sunroom. Close to the
beach, golf and shopping. 55+ park
with security. A great buy at $20,000.
Photos available through e-mail at
rouillards@comcast.net, or call Nancy
at 617.328.0691.
PD
SOCIAL STUDIES TEACHERS!
— Want resources, opportunities,
professional development?
Massachusetts Council for the Social
Studies. Visit www.masscouncil.org.
GEOGRAPHY ACROSS THE
CURRICULUM — June, July, August
(various dates and locations). PDPs or
credit. Can be brought to individual
schools throughout the school year.
Tours: New York City, one day, July
14; Ottawa, Canada, August 2-8.
Visit www.nowvoyagereducation.com
for more information. Contact Carol
Cohen by calling 781.784.5197 or
e-mailing carolcohen@verizon.net.
TRAVEL
EGYPT: FEBRUARY 20-28 with
Peter and Ellie Santos. Journey back in
time, visiting Cairo with its pyramids,
Karnack, Valley of the Kings and much
more! Includes a three-night, five-star
Nile cruise from Aswan to Luxor.
$2,345 from JFK. For more information,
contact: santos@crocker.com or call
413.567.3046.
VACATION RENTALS
LOON MT. LUXURY CONDO
— Three bedrooms, three baths.
Sleeps 8-12. All amenities: linens,
pool, Jacuzzi, saunas, health club,
gas fireplace and central air. Awardwinning winter and summer resort.
In the heart of the White Mountain
National Forest and Franconia Notch.
Call Bob at 978.686.1568 or e-mail
bobnynex@comcast.net.
MYRTLE BEACH, SOUTH
CAROLINA — Beautiful 3BR 2BA
oceanfront condo in a gated community
with many amenities. Photos available.
Please e-mail teach422@gmail.com or
call 508.942.4166 for rates/availability.
EAST FALMOUTH — Sunny threebedroom, one-bath Cape. Cathedral
ceilings w/deck, outside shower,
washer/dryer. Stroll to secluded bay
beach, picturesque walkway and public
boat landing. Less than a mile to
Bristol and Falmouth Heights beaches.
Close to shopping. $1,000 weekly.
508.872.5870.
CAPE COD, OCEAN EDGE
RESORT, Brewster, Mass. — Perfect
vacation resort setting. Spacious, nicely
appointed villa, spiral staircase to large
loft; two baths, sleeps six. Excellent
location within resort, steps from
indoor/outdoor pools, tennis. Nearby
beaches, shopping, bike trails and
more. Owned/offered by MTA member,
summer weekly, off-season weeks or
weekends. Call 413.594.4056 or e-mail
dr_jim_c@hotmail.com.
PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND,
CANADA — Incredible ocean-view
cottage sleeps six-plus, walk to the
beach, fishing, golf, restaurants,
shopping. Web site and pictures
available. Only $775/wk. Call
Jay at 813.767.3537 or e-mail
jaygcp@tampabay.rr.com.
DEER ISLE, MAINE — Sunlit house
near the sea, 1½ acres, sleeps six.
Sparkling clean, three bedrooms,
two baths, walk to beach and boat
landing. Hardwood floors, fieldstone
fireplace, spacious interiors, fully
equipped country kitchen, decks,
picnic table, grill. Dogs welcome.
$900-$1,050/week. For details,
visit www.hardyshillhouse.com.
Phone: 978.283.3738. E-mail:
hardyshillhouse@verizon.net.
NOVA SCOTIA, SOUTH SHORE —
Retired teachers offer fully furnished,
equipped summer home. Utilities
included. $450 week. 203.393.2037.
201 Bear Hill Road, Bethany, CT,
06524.
FAIRHAVEN, MASS. — 2BR
elevated cottage. Short walk to beach.
Large deck. $700 per week. Negotiable
for season. Families only. No pets, no
smoking. 508.650.6960.
HILTON HEAD, S.C. — 2BR,
2.5BA villa. Outstanding location:
gated community, golf view, near
ocean. Free tennis at VanDerMeer.
E-mail seeryushhi@aol.com or call
508.678.0898 for details.
DEER ISLE, MAINE — New house.
E-mail for slide show. $975 per
week. Call 508.543.3043 or e-mail
moonpenny@yahoo.com.
CAPE COD, SO. DENNIS — Family
house $1,000/WK. Contact Nancy at
413.259.1403.
SALISBURY BEACH, MASS. —
Year-round rental. Two- and threebedroom units including heat, hot
water and electricity. Upper unit has
washer and dryer and sun porch,
$1,400. Lower unit, $1,000. Twominute direct walk to the beach. Two
off-street parking spaces per unit.
603.362.5992.
CAPE COD BEACH HOUSE — Just
steps down a secluded lane to your
own private beach. New to the market
and recently renovated. Includes many
features — gas-log fireplace, granite
countertops, new kitchen cabinets and
appliances, outside shower and a large
family room with a 40-inch flat screen
TV. Call 508.685.1805.
CAPE COD, HARWICH — Ready
for a getaway? Fall on Cape Cod is
delightful! Three-bedroom home,
non-smoking, all amenities, lovely
setting on cul-de-sac adjacent to bike
path. Attractive rates: $750 per week,
$150 per day with a two-day minimum.
Available Aug. 22 through Oct. 18,
2009. Call 508.432.8825 (home) or
508.941.4529 (cell).
YORK/OGUNQUIT LINE, MAINE
— Walking distance to Perkins Cove
and Marginal Way. Two-bedroom, large
living room cottage. Kitchen area, deck,
parking for three cars, sleeps 4-5. $900
per week in season. Call 508.865.3156
or e-mail ericks4858@aol.com for
details.
PALM BAY, FLORIDA — Threebedroom town home at Malibu Villas.
Pool, 10 minutes from the beach, near
many attractions, newly furnished,
updated kitchen and bath. Pictures
available for viewing. Snowbirds
and others welcome. Contact M.&J.
Monfredo at 508.450.3010 or
508.853.1448.
ASHEVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA,
AREA — Mountain getaway, sleeps
eight. Two baths, cable, washer/dryer,
full kitchen. $250 security deposit;
$750 per week. 508.234.2889.
Your Auto Insurance
Shopping List
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and service — always delivered at a members-only price!
In addition, new savings and discounts for homeowners mean
members can save even more. Plus, qualified family members
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With the leveraged buying power of more than 107,000
members, MTA Benefits offers outstanding value in
auto insurance.
Unlike many insurance programs, MTAB’s is primarily focused
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Saturday for answers to your questions and
great service on your auto insurance needs.
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When you add it all up — great prices, special discounts and
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for car insurance and benefits.
Underwritten by Citizens Insurance Company of America, a company of The Hanover
Insurance Group (www.hanover.com). Product availability and services may vary by state,
but our commitment to MTA members does not. Member discount is available to
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* No purchase necessary, but you must be a Massachusetts resident and MTA member to
receive the Borders gift card or enter the HDTV giveaway when you request a quote for
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June/July 2009
MTA-123 Apr09 Auto Ad.resize.indd 1
27
4/15/09 12:39:25 PM
Swine flu news and resources
Swine flu, or H1N1 influenza, has broken out
in numerous countries, and the World Health
Organization has declared that a global
pandemic is under way. Across Massachusetts
and in other states, some outbreaks have
temporarily closed schools. For links
to H1N1 news and resources, visit:
Volume 39, No. 6
June/July 2009
Official Publication of the Massachusetts Teachers Association
www.massteacher.org/flu
Reading game team keeps growing
Summer events promote baseball, books and student achievement
By Bob Duffy
‘We are very
pleased to
co-host this clinic
series with The
Hanover,’ said
Brooks Robinson,
president of the
MLBPAA and a
former Orioles
third baseman.
T
he Major League Baseball
Players Alumni Association has
joined The Hanover Insurance
Group and the MTA’s Reading
Matters team of literacy champions
to encourage kids to read over the
summer.
Hanover, which sponsors the
MTA Red Sox Reading Game through
The Hanover Insurance Group
Foundation, is hosting “Legends for
Youth” baseball clinics around the
country this summer, including two
in Massachusetts. The first Bay State
clinic was held at Burncoat High
School in Worcester on May 30, and
the second is set for July 31 in Lowell.
In addition to helping kids
improve their baseball skills, the
clinics are used to promote student
achievement.
The Worcester event featured
former big leaguers Luis Tiant, George
Foster, Jerry Moses, Lee Smith, Bill
Monbouquette, Dave Fleming, David
Stenhouse, Mike Stenhouse, Bob
Taylor and Tom Yewcic.
Tiant, Smith, Monbouquette, Mike
Stenhouse and Moses all played for the
Boston Red Sox at some point in their
careers.
Monbouquette was a three-time
All-Star and pitched a no-hitter while
with the Sox. Tiant had four 20-win
seasons, three of them with the Sox.
Smith, who pitched two years for
Boston, had 478 career saves. Moses
played parts of four seasons with the
Sox as a backup catcher.
The Massachusetts clinics were
designed to focus on the fundamentals
of books and baseball. All 300
participants in the Worcester event
received entry forms and posters for
the MTA Red Sox Reading Game, in
addition to baseballs and T-shirts.
Red Sox mascot Wally the Green
Monster was on hand to sign copies
of the MTA’s official reading game
poster, which features him and star
catcher Jason Varitek.
“We are very pleased to co-host
this clinic series with The Hanover,”
said Brooks Robinson, president of
the MLBPAA and a former Orioles
28
June/July 2009
Photo by Bob Duffy
Three-time All-Star Red Sox pitcher Bill Monbouquette signs on the
curve for a young fan who attended the baseball clinic in Worcester.
third baseman. “Our former players
understand how important it is to
donate their time to provide fun-filled
educational opportunities to children
who can benefit from the influence of
positive sports role models.”
MTA President Anne Wass noted
that each year, the MTA’s summer
literacy efforts inspire children to read
thousands of books.
“Reading opens the door to
achievement,” Wass said. “That’s why
we’re so committed to encouraging
students to read when they are away
from school in the summer.”
She added that the MTA is
“especially pleased that Jason Varitek
and the Red Sox are helping us hit
home the literacy message.”
In addition to sponsoring the
reading game, which encourages
students in kindergarten through eighth
grade to read nine books over the
summer — one for each position on
the baseball field — Hanover provides
funding for the MTA Red Sox Most
Valuable Educator Program. The
MVE Program encourages high school
students to nominate school employees
for recognition during home games at
Fenway Park.
To kick off the 2009 program,
Patrick Raposo, a fifth-grader from Fall
River, and his teacher, Linda Sirop,
were honored during a ceremony prior
to a Red Sox-Yankees game on April
25. Patrick was the first student to enter
the reading game this year.
As part of the pre-game program,
a Hanover representative presented
MTA Vice President Paul Toner with a
check for $60,000 to fund the summer
reading efforts.
The programs are operated under
the umbrella of the MTA’s Reading
Matters Foundation, which was
originally formed to accommodate
the reading game. The success of the
partnership with the Sox set the stage
for a series of other MTA programs
to help keep students excited about
learning throughout the school year.
Today, the MTA has partnerships
with the Boston Bruins, the Boston
Celtics and classical radio station
WCRB-FM. The partnerships focus
on different curriculum areas, but they
all share the same goal: to promote
student achievement in public schools.
During the spring, five members
of this year’s MTA Boston Celtics
Honor Roll and educators from their
schools were selected at random to
watch a Celtics game from a luxury
box and get their pictures taken with
the NBA Championship Trophy.
Those attending were Matthew
King and his guidance counselor,
Karen Bousquet, both from Berkley;
Tyler Charboneau and his teacher,
Luke Reynolds, from Hudson; Jonee
Harrison and his guidance counselor,
Melissa Wong, from Brighton; Krishna
Narayanan and his teacher, Diana
Buonopane, from Everett; and Zin Ma
and her teacher, Sheila Clancy, from
Quincy.
Please turn to MTA/Page 23
VOLUME 21
The
/
NUMBER 4
/
SUMMER 2009
MTA Advantage
The MTA Advantage is a publication of MTA Benefits, a subsidiary of the Massachusetts Teachers Association
Is your insurance company at risk?
I
“
n this economy where companies are
faltering and failing in record numbers,
it’s more important than ever to do
business with insurance companies that
are financially secure,” said Connie Dery,
president of MTA Benefits.
She added, “The problem is, few consumers
know how to evaluate ratings given to
insurers. It’s a maze of information that
doesn’t always match up.”
Dery noted that each of the five major rating
organizations – A.M. Best Co., Standard
& Poor's, Moody's Investors Service,
Fitch Ratings and Weiss Ratings – uses
its own scoring system, making it difficult
to compare ratings.
We use our expertise to choose
‘ insurance
partners with a long, stable
history and financial strength that
indicates an ability to pay off claims
now and in the future.
’
Connie Dery, president, MTA Benefits
So what’s a consumer to do?
Look to MTA Benefits, suggested Dery.
“Members can let us do the work for them,”
she said. “We use our expertise to choose
insurance partners with a long, stable history
An
and financial strength that indicates an
ability to pay off claims now and in the
future. It could be devastating to a member
if an insurance company fails and a claim is
not paid. State and federal governments
build in safeguards in case that happens,
but their claims processes are long, tedious
and often disappointing. Other reasons for
selecting insurers are competitive prices
and quick responses to claims.”
Dery noted that MTAB also acts as
a member advocate, stepping in if any
problems occur.
Prominent partners for auto,
homeowners, life, disability and
long-term care insurance
‘ We bought our first SBLI life
insurance policy in 1998, then
took out a new policy with the
company last fall. Rates are
quite affordable, the coverage
is excellent and the SBLI profile
is outstanding.
’
Tom Estabrook, UMass Lowell – Grant and
Contract Funded Employees Association
MTAB partners include long-established
companies – ING, SBLI, Unum, MetLife,
Hanover, The Andover Companies and
Harleysville – for their auto, homeowners,
life, disability and long-term care insurance
programs. Ratings for all MTAB partners
consistently are among the highest in the
industry. MTAB’s long-term relationships
with these companies create a climate of
mutual trust and respect.
“Once we sign up with companies, they
never want to leave us,” said Dery. “Our
members are solid citizens with financial
integrity. And because these insurance
companies want to maintain our business,
they continue to give members exceptional
service and significant discounts.”
Because of a strong negotiating position
through its more than 107,000 members,
MTAB is able to secure discounts of up to
10 percent for its insurance programs.
For help in evaluating your insurance
company or learning about getting insurance
through MTA Benefits, call 800.336.0990
or visit www.mtabenefits.com.
MTA member since 2007
ASHLEY SLATER ~ another fan of
MTA Benefits
PROFESSION: Geography teacher, seventh grade, Bridgewater Middle School
A MEMBER OF: Bridgewater-Raynham Education Association
How she feels about teaching:
“I took a position at the middle school here
because Bridgewater is my hometown. I wanted
to connect to students on a personal level, to
be familiar with the neighborhoods they live
in and the places they go on weekends.
My students respond to these connections
by becoming more interested and
involved in my class. This is rewarding
for all of us.”
How she benefits from her
MTA membership:
“The MTA card opens up new
opportunities for me and my
students. For example, a local coffee company
that buys its beans directly from farmers in
South America has agreed to share with my
class its experiences with fair trade agreements.
I also use my card for free or discounted
admission to museums and for savings on
books and other purchases.”
What she likes about MTAB:
“Because we’re not in a high-paying
profession, the savings we get through MTAB
are important. Our large membership gives
MTAB a powerful negotiating position,
which it uses very effectively to get the
discounted programs we deserve.”
The $8,000 tax credit
A ONE-TIME-ONLY DEAL
FOR FIRST-TIME HOMEBUYERS
T
o stimulate home sales and reduce
mortgage payments, the federal government is giving an $8,000 tax
credit to first-time buyers and to those
who haven’t owned a home in three years.
The home must be priced at $80,000 or
more and be purchased before Nov. 30,
2009.* The credit, offered through the
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act,
is retroactive to Jan. 1, 2009, and doesn’t
need to be repaid.
the mortgage amount. Or you can apply
the tax credit money toward your mortgage principal. In both cases, you save significantly over the years with the lower
mortgage amount. Another option is to
simply keep the money and save or spend
it as you wish.
president of Greenpark Mortgage, partner
in the MTA Home Mortgage Program.
“MTA members should reach out to
us, whether they’re buying or refinancing,
and we’ll help them get the best possible
package – sometimes with no points or
closing costs.”
Other incentives to buy
or refinance now
Gershkowitz added that members also
receive an average MTA discount of
$800 on any closing costs and enjoy
the advantages of Greenpark’s “Raving
Fan” service.
“Rates are now in the high 4 percent
range**, which makes homes more
affordable for buyers and saves those
who refinance as much as $200 to $400
or more a month,” said Paul Gershkowitz,
Knowing you will receive the check next
year, you might be able to justify making a
larger down payment, which would lower
We chose Greenpark Mortgage
‘ initially
to support MTA programs
and to get the member discount.
Greenpark was extremely helpful and
patient during the process, which
started a year before we bought a
home. They gave us a preapproval
letter, then were available at all
“They always had our
times – days, evenings and
best interests at heart”
weekends – to respond to our calls.
They also made it very convenient –
everything was done by e-mail and
fax except the signing of final documents. A few months after we bought the
home, Greenpark suggested refinancing to get an even lower rate. Greenpark
always had our best interests at heart.
’
Megan Brodeur, Dudley-Charlton Teachers Association, who, with her husband, Rob, bought and later
refinanced a home through the MTA Home Mortgage Program
We’re looking out for your family, too!
Did you know that family members can participate in many MTA programs? A mother,
father, sister, brother, son, daughter, spouse or domestic partner of an MTA or MTA
Retired member – active or deceased – can take advantage of these member savings
and discounts*:
• Insurance – auto, home and life.
• Travel programs – in the United States and around the world.
• Money matters – mortgage, CD and money market accounts, personal loans.
Fast and easy process
You or your family member can
start the process. Just visit
www.mtabenefits.com and click on
“Family member” for the application.
We’re all family at MTAB.
*Not offered to those otherwise eligible for active
MTA membership.
Editor: Maryann C. Robinson
The MTA Advantage is published four times a year as
a supplement to MTA Today by MTA Benefits, Inc.
2
Now is the time to apply
Gershkowitz advises members to contact
Greenpark as quickly as possible if they
want to buy or refinance a home.
“With all the economic incentives, we’re
seeing a sharp surge in applications,” said
Gershkowitz. “We pride ourselves on
creating a system that ensures the smooth,
efficient processing of mortgages. But we
also recognize that when the demand is
up, things take a little longer than usual.”
For more information on the tax credit
and financing, contact Greenpark
Mortgage at 866.475.4663, ext. 124.
*For lower-cost homes, homebuyers earn a tax gift of
10 percent of the purchase price. Limits apply with the tax
credit. It phases out when the modified adjusted gross
income reaches $150,000 for married couples filing jointly
and $75,000 for single filers.
**Rates are as of the time of publication and are subject
to change.
Megan Kelley likes MTAB
Answering our call for member photos,
Megan Kelley of the Methuen Education
Association sent us hers and listed these
reasons why she likes MTA Benefits: “I
always use the MTA Discount Directory
to look up good deals. From hotel rooms
to the IMAX Theatre – you can always
find something great!”
In response, we sent her a $5 Dunkin’
Donuts® card. If you’d like coffee on us,
send in a photo of yourself using your
MTA card at any of the more than
1,000 locations listed in the
MTA Discount Directory
along with comments
telling us how you save
with MTA Benefits.
For information, visit
www.mtabenefits.com
and click on
“Members Only.”
20 Ashburton Place, Boston, MA 02108
Tel: 800.336.0990 • Fax: 617.557.6687
Web site: www.mtabenefits.com
No dues dollars are
ever used to market MTA
Benefits programs.
The
Tip Sheet
Summertime
This is New England at its best – north,
south, east and west
North
Set your compass for the North Shore of
Massachusetts. Stop in picturesque Essex,
with its hundreds of historic houses, and at
Crane Beach in Ipswich ... one of the most
beautiful spots in New England. Nearby
is bewitching Salem with its Salem Witch
Museum, Salem Witch Village and
other haunting places that offer an MTA
discount. Also get a discount at Salem’s
Peabody-Essex Museum, which
includes among its treasures a circa
1800s merchant’s home brought from
China and reassembled at the museum.
Cape Cod
South
Maine
In New Hampshire, head for the high
country to Scenic View Campground,
where you can stretch out by a river, gaze
at towering mountains, swim in the pool,
shoot some baskets, play games and swap
tales by the campfire. In Maine, take to
the high seas on a windjammer cruise
aboard a historic 151-foot schooner
among the islands of Frenchman’s Bay.
Both the campground and cruise offer
an MTA discount.
Can you hear the Cape calling? Beaches that stretch along both shores of the Cape beckon
you with their luminescent seascapes of sand, surf and sky. Sandwich, Chatham,
Barnstable and other villages, many dating
to the 1600s, are also alluring destinations,
with restaurants that offer that day’s catch,
trendy gift shops and fine art galleries.
While in Sandwich, tour Heritage Museum
& Gardens and stay at the Dan’l Webster
Inn; both give MTA discounts.
Cheers for the Pawtucket Red Sox!
The PawSox have teamed up with MTA
Benefits to create special MTA/PawSox
nights at McCoy Stadium in Pawtucket,
R.I., during the 2009 season. Look for
special MTA pricing under the “What’s
New” list on www.mtabenefits.com.
Pawtucket
West
East
Get aboard the M/V Thomas Laighton
and head through the Portsmouth, N.H.,
harbor to the legendary Isles of Shoals,
which were a key destination for European
fishermen before the Pilgrims landed in
Massachusetts. MTA members get a 50
percent discount on all cruises, with the
exception of the dinner cruise.
See Boston by bike. With Urban
AdvenTours, you and your family can join
bike tours that take you to the historic
landmarks and quaint neighborhoods of
Boston and Cambridge. Ask about the
MTA member discount.
Boston
Tanglewood
Tanglewood, a palatial estate in Lenox,
is the summer home of the Boston
Symphony Orchestra. Relax on a blanket
and listen to one of the world’s greatest
orchestras perform in this spectacular
setting as the sun sets and the stars come
out. MTA members get a 10 percent
discount, subject to availability, on all
but jazz festival tickets.
Want to trek along some of the most
impressive trails in the Berkshires?
Sign up for one of the Appalachian
Mountain Club’s “Best Day Hikes” to
see the area’s great natural beauty. MTA
members get a 20 percent discount on
AMC membership.
Almost everything listed in The Tip Sheet offers an MTA discount.
For information, check your MTA Discount Directory or visit
www.mtabenefits.com and click on 1000+ Discounts.
3
Make the most of your money
IN TOUGH TIMES LIKE THESE, IT’S IMPORTANT TO MAKE EVERY
DOLLAR COUNT. THESE THREE NEW MTAB PROGRAMS CAN HELP.
1
MTASM Credit Card – cash, travel or
merchandise rewards. You decide.
The MTA Credit Card with WorldPoints
rewards offers no annual fee and a choice
of rewards. Start enjoying the level of
benefits exclusive to the MTA Credit Card:
SM
®
‘ It’s all about helping
our members
get the best for
their hard-earned
dollars – especially
in a recession.
• No annual fee.
• 2.99% introductory APR* on balance trans-
fers and direct deposits for 12 billing cycles.
’
• 9.99% variable APR* on purchase with
Platinum Plus® accounts. Also ask about MTA
School Days accounts.
Maryann Robinson, marketing manager,
MTA Benefits
• Redeem for rewards starting at just
2,500 points.
• Choice of major U.S. airlines with no
blackout dates.
• Over 1,000 brand name items in the
Rewards Store merchandise catalog.
Apply today for your MTA Credit Card at
www.mtabenefits.com or call 877.721.9398
and mention source code UAAQ8Z.
*The Standard Variable Annual Percentage Rate (APR) for
Purchases, Balance Transfers and Cash Advances is currently
9.99% for MTA Platinum Plus accounts, or 16.99% for
MTA School Days accounts as of May 2009. The account you
receive is determined based on your creditworthiness. The
current Introductory APR for Balance Transfers and Direct
Deposits is 2.99% through your first 12 statement Closing
Dates. Keep in mind if your payment is late or your balance
exceeds the credit limit, the Introductory APR will end before
the advertised expiration date. After the Introductory APR
ends, the Standard Variable APR for Balance Transfers will
apply to any qualifying Direct Deposits that were subject to
the Introductory APR. Minimum Finance Charge is $1.50.
Standard Balance Transfer Fee is 3% (min. $5, max. $75).
Transaction fees will be waived on balance transfers requested
at the time of application. Standard Cash Advance Fee is: 3%
(min. $5). Transaction fee for purchases of wire transfers from
a non-financial institution is 3% (min. $5). Transaction fee for
any transaction made in a foreign currency is 1%. We reserve
the right to change the Variable APRs in our discretion,
including, for example, the margins. If your account has
balances with different APRs, your payments are applied to the
balance with the lowest APR before any payments are applied
to balances with higher APRs. This means that balances with
higher APRs are not reduced until balances with lower APRs
have been paid off. Cash Advances and/or Balance Transfers
may not be used to pay off or pay down any account issued
by FIA Card Services, N.A. This credit card program is issued
and administered by FIA Card Services, N.A. WorldPoints
is a registered trademark of FIA Card Services, N.A.
2
MTASM Deposit Accounts – watch
your savings grow safely.
With the FDIC®-insured MTA-sponsored
CD and Money Market Savings accounts,
you can earn competitive rates* without
risking your savings. Both programs are
provided by the Bank of America, are
FDIC insured up to the maximum amount
allowed by law and have rates that are
subject to change weekly.
Let your money grow – here’s how:
CD Program
• Minimum deposit of just $1,000.
• Your choice of flexible terms from 90 days
to 120 months.
Money Market Savings Account
• Low minimum deposit of just $500.
• Make up to six withdrawals per monthly
3
MTASM Personal Loan Account –
to help get you on your way to
becoming debt free.
The MTA Personal Loan account can give
you one less thing to worry about – highinterest debt†. With variable rates starting
as low as 7.99% APR*, you can lower your
interest rates and get out of debt faster.
The MTA Personal Loan from Bank of
America offers all this:
• Affordable monthly payments with
repayment terms of 36 to 60 months.
• Loan amounts from $3,000 to $35,000.**
• No collateral required.
• No penalty for early repayment.
To apply, call 866.266.0211 and mention
priority code UAANJH.
†We may prohibit use of this account to pay off or pay down
any account issued by FIA Card Services, N.A.
*We will set your initial variable APR based on
creditworthiness. APR will be calculated by adding a margin
to the highest U.S. Prime Rate as published in The Wall Street
Journal on the last publication day of each month. On 3/31/09,
the U.S. Prime Rate applicable using this formula was 3.25%
and APR range was 7.99% to 18.99%. We may adjust your
APR on a monthly basis due to changes to the Prime Rate.
We also reserve the right to change your APR, fees, or other
credit terms at our discretion. Repayment term and payment
amount are estimates which may change if, for example: your
APR changes, you make late or partial payments, we assess
fees, or you take additional advances. You will pay a 2%
transaction fee on each advance (minimum fee $5; there is no
maximum). Transaction fee is added to balance and accrues
finance charges. Other fees may apply.
**Upon approval, we will establish your credit line between
$3,000 and $35,000 based on creditworthiness.
This account is issued and administered by FIA Card
Services, N.A.
statement cycle, three of which can be
made by check.
To open either a CD or Money Market
Savings account, call 800.205.8647 and
give priority code HA02B.
*For information on the rates, fees, other costs or benefits of
these programs, visit www.mtabenefits.com.
The Kindle: Amazon's revolutionary wireless reading device
You could have the whole e-book
Free Giveaways
world in your hands if you win the
Members Only
MTAB Summer Giveaway. Lighter
than most paperbacks, the slim-line
Kindle from Amazon offers wireless
access to more than 275,000 e-books
along with many unique display and memory features.
To enter the giveaway, sign up between July 17 and Aug. 9
at www.mtabenefits.com and click on the “Free Giveaways
Members Only” box. The winner will be announced on
Aug. 10 on MTAB’s home page under “What’s New.”
Sponsored by Heat USA – MTA Benefits’ home heating oil discount program provider. For more
information, visit www.mtabenefits.com and click on “All Benefits” then “Heating Oil Discount.”
A star-studded event
Team MTAB, shown here with Wally the
Green Monster, welcomed MTA members
as “Bene-Stars” during the Annual Meeting
in Boston. Member photos and comments
taken at the event may be featured on the
Web site and in future MTAB publications.
All program and pricing information was current at the time of publication (June 2009) and is subject to change without notice.
To find out what may have changed, please call MTA Benefits at 800.336.0990, ext. 5226.
4