The MTA is holding an election for two seats on the NEA Board of Directors. The Massachusetts seats will be filled by a vote of the active membership in March and April, in tandem with NEA Representative Assembly state and regional delegate elections. All seats are for three-year terms beginning Sept. 1, 2020, and expiring Aug. 31, 2023, in accordance with the NEA’s fiscal year.
Ballots will be provided to all MTA/NEA active members who are eligible to vote.
Candidates were given the opportunity to submit biographical statements and photos. Submissions received in compliance with the MTA’s deadlines are printed on this page.
Yan Yii — Canton Teachers Association
My name is Yan Yii, and I am running for NEA Director for Massachusetts. As a 13-year educator, I strongly believe in the power of solidarity in our union, and I have dedicated myself to my local, the MTA and the NEA in many different roles.
In my local, the Canton Teachers Association, I have served as a building representative, secretary and as the current president. In addition, I have served for six years on the MTA Ethnic Minority Affairs Committee, the last four as chair. I am also a member of the MTA Board of Directors for District 37E as well as the Northeast Regional Director for the NEA Asian Pacific Islander Caucus. Before these four current positions, I completed the MTA Emerging Leaders and Next Generation programs. I firmly believe in racial and social justice, bottom-up leadership, and the fact that unions are only as strong as their individual members.
Currently, our students are constantly bombarded with high-stakes testing that leads to anxiety and depression. Our educators are inundated with increasing workloads while salaries remain static, leading to low morale and attrition. We need to FIGHT BACK.
This is why I am running for NEA Director for Massachusetts. I have fought and will continue to fight for social, racial and educational justice for all students and for fair working conditions for all educators. I believe in fighting for the schools our students deserve. I believe in funding our future. Finally, as an active participant in countless NEA conferences, minority leadership trainings and Representative Assemblies, I have developed the connections with labor leaders across the nation and the skills necessary to advocate for you in Washington, D.C. Please vote for me, Yan Yii, for NEA Director. Thank you!
Barbara G. Barry — Watertown Educators Association
I have been an elementary school educator in Watertown since 1992. During that time, I have been very active with the Watertown Educators Association, holding several positions, from building representative to WEA president. I currently serve as the grievance representative for my school, Cunniff Elementary. I have also served the MTA in many capacities. I have had the pleasure of sitting on the very first New Teacher Committee and the Candidate Recommendation Committee from Congressional District 7. I am currently a member of the Government Relations Committee.
Throughout my career I have come to realize that we as educators MUST advocate for our students in the public arena. Whether on Beacon Hill or Capitol Hill, lawmakers need to hear from us. We must stop the effort to privatize our schools and put an end to the billion-dollar testing industry. Teachers are often blamed for problems in society. We need to convince our lawmakers to address the number one issue confronting students and their families: poverty. Our students need and deserve economic security to thrive as learners. We must be their voice.
It is also important to get all educators engaged. We must ensure that the NEA connects with its members. We need everyone’s commitment to create true and lasting change in our public schools. I hope you’ll consider casting a vote for me as NEA Director. I would be honored to represent you on behalf of the MTA in Washington, D.C.
Candace Shivers — Massachusetts Community College Council
Our students and educators need an NEA Director who speaks up, finds solutions and works for real change to create strong public schools. For over two years, I’ve proven that I am that leader.
During my time as an NEA Director and my time on the MTA Board, I have worked to represent all educators because I know that all groups are essential to public education. In 2017, I promised that I would work as an NEA Director to move forward the agenda of the MTA. I have faithfully worked to fulfill that promise on Capitol Hill as well as in the MTA Boardroom.
I have advocated for educators and for policies that create the strongest public schools possible. This includes more money for Title I, a fair DACA agreement, returning funding to military bases for students, working on the reauthorization of the higher education bill, and fully funding special education. As your NEA Director, I’ve listened to educators across the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and our country, learning about them, their experiences and their concerns. Although we all play different roles as educators, our passion for students is what drives and connects us.
I have taught sociology and human services at Mount Wachusett Community College for 16 years; I’m currently the MWCC Chapter president, and I’m on the MCCC Board of Directors. I also serve on the MTA Board of Directors and the Candidate Recommendation Committee, and I served on the Ethnic Minority Affairs Committee and in various other leadership roles at all levels of our union.
I’m seeking re-election to the NEA Board of Directors, and I renew my promise to the educators of Massachusetts. I will continue to represent the concerns of ALL members — teachers, ESPs, retirees, ethnic minorities and aspiring educators — and fight for strong public schools.
Your Web link to news, member advocacy and educational resources
For more information, contact John Connelly of the Division of Governance and Administration at 617.878.8305 or jconnelly@massteacher.org.
