he 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, 2021, and expiring Aug. 31, 2024, 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.
Alexizendria (Zena) Link — Newton Teachers Association
My name is Zena Link. I am honored to be running for reelection for a second term as an NEA Director. I’ve been a public school educator teaching middle and high school English in urban and suburban school districts for over a decade. During that time, I had the opportunity to participate in various MTA initiatives including No on 2 and the Fund Our Future campaign. In addition, I’ve served the MTA in various capacities on the local, state and national levels for the past six years and currently chair the Professional Standards and Practices Committee for the NEA.
I’m respectfully asking for your vote so I may continue my commitment to promoting educators’ Zena Link voice through collective power, advocating for policy reforms and fighting for equitable schools for students, families and educators.
If you are a proponent of educators reclaiming their ability to be transformative agents rather than keepers of policies and practices designed to harm vulnerable students and maintaining the integrity of public education, please consider voting for me.
A vote for Zena Link is a vote for
- Collective Power
- Policy Reforms
- Equitable Schools
John Bracey — Belmont Education Association
I come from a long line of educators, union members and activists who have instilled in me a respect for union work, solidarity, and fighting the hard fights for justice. My work as a unionist is heavily informed by this upbringing.
As a public school educator in Massachusetts, I’ve spent the past decade teaching Latin to middle and high school students. During this time, I have served as a union building representative, a delegate to multiple MTA Annual Meetings, and a member of several union committees and action teams. I am a proud member of the progressive group Educators for a Democratic Union. I also present workshops on racial justice and equity for educators around the country.
Here in Massachusetts, I first came to understand the power of our unions through the No on 2 campaign. Through phone banking, testifying at the State House and marching in the streets, I came to know the strength and passion of our rank and file. That level of solidarity won us decisive victories against powerful opponents and is the key to winning the battles that lie ahead.
I advocate for social justice and equity in education. I promote policies that will lead to substantive, systemic, and material improvements to the lives of educators, students, families and communities. I fight against the authoritarian forces who place profits ahead of our health and safety.
It would truly be an honor to serve on the NEA’s Board of Directors. I humbly request your vote.
Christine L. Mulroney — Framingham Teachers Association
My name is Christine Mulroney, and I ask for your vote for NEA Director. I have witnessed the amazing power of our union and collective voices as a delegate to both the NEA Representative Assembly and the MTA Annual Meeting of Delegates over the past 15 years. I wholeheartedly believe in the work our union does in fighting for social, racial and educational justice for our communities as well as safe working conditions for all educators.
I am currently in my 22nd year in public education, working as an educator in Title I, middle school math, and severe special needs education. I’m the president of the Framingham Teachers Association (almost 1,300 strong) and serve on several committees including NEA Planning, Massachusetts Child, and LGBTQ+. Additionally, I am the past president of The Massachusetts Child and past chair of the Professional Standards and Ethics Committee.
I believe that the MTA/NEA should be a member-driven organization and passionately advocate for transparency in decision-making at the local, state and national levels. I support a moratorium on high-stakes testing, fair wages, and educational equity for our community. We are stronger together, especially when we speak out in unity! I know how important it is to have a voice that represents all members such as higher ed, teachers, ESPs, and retirees when decisions are being made that affect educators across the Commonwealth. I believe that as an NEA Director, I will be that voice.
These passions and beliefs are why I am running for NEA Director for Massachusetts. I have fought, and will continue to fight, for the schools our communities deserve. I will work tirelessly to challenge threats to public education and for the equity our students need to be successful. Please support Christine Mulroney for NEA Director.
For more information, contact John Connelly of the Division of Governance and Administration at 617.878.8305 or jconnelly@massteacher.org.
