MTA Today Spring 2021

The Massachusetts Teachers Association is a member-driven organization, governed by democratic principles, that accepts and supports the interdependence of

Friday, June 18 – Virtual Event

The MTA celebrated its 175th anniversary in November 2020. The past four issues of MTA Today have featured stories about our history from 1845 to 1990.

As warmer weather is upon us and more people are becoming fully vaccinated against COVID-19, there is reason for optimism.

Education Support Professionals from across the state gathered virtually for the 2021 MTA ESP Conference — and their focus was on fighting for respect and dignity through the PreK-12 ESP Bill of Rights, helping students traumatized by the COVID-19 pandemic, and celebrating the essential work of ESPs.

The chaos unleashed by the coronavirus pandemic on college and university campuses more than a year ago was met with a wave of cooperation from staff and faculty unions.

As schools reopen to more in-person teaching and learning, exhausted MTA preK-12 members are holding it together while heading toward the finish line.

What if they held the MCAS and nobody came? This year, because state education officials have refused to seek a waiver from federal testing obligations, opting students out of high-stakes testing makes more sense than ever.

You can’t predict the future, but you can prepare for it. Everyone needs a will, a health care proxy and a point of contact during these tough times so that family members can be reached in an instant and prepared in the event of an emergency.

While COVID-19 has taught us many things, MTA Benefits learned early on that hundreds of members were evaluating their benefit plans and looking for solutions to fill gaps in their insurance coverage.

The 2021 MTA Annual Meeting of Delegates will be held on Friday, April 30, and Saturday, May 1 — and it will be a virtual event for the second year in a row.

Elections will take place at the 2021 Annual Meeting of Delegates for three district seats on the Board of Directors and four seats on the Retired Members Committee.

Four vacancies for two-year terms commencing July 1 The election will be held at the 2021 Annual Meeting of Delegates.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS DISTRICT 14D

The following is Proposed Bylaw Amendment #1, submitted for 2020: Bylaw Article III, Section 1. D. — Membership, Affiliate Membership, Requirements of Membership.

The following is Proposed Amendment #1, submitted for 2020, to the Standing Rules: Rule 6, Order of Business and Debate, Section 15.

MTA Resolutions are the association’s statements of principle on issues relating to members, public education, the welfare of students and human and civil rights.

TO THE MOON AND BACK — A Massachusetts-based nonprofit dedicated to substance-exposed children and their families recently teamed with Meg Donnelly for a reading of their book "Sam the Superhero and His Super Life."

The MTA provides individual retirement consultations to assist members. Proof of membership must be submitted when requesting retirement services.

The MTA Bargaining Summit, held virtually in late February, emphasized how local associations can strengthen their positions in contract negotiations by organizing beyond their own membership.

Spring is traditionally the busiest season for homebuying in Massachusetts, with more hospitable weather, flowers in bloom, grass sprouting and houses once again looking their best.

There’s light at the end of the tunnel. As we see the relaxation of emergency measures in the coming months, there’s hope that we’ll soon emerge from our long COVID-19 hibernation.

All discounts listed in the Tip Sheet can be found at mtabenefits.com.

Power outages are inconvenient and become increasingly problematic the longer they last. Staying prepared will keep you safe and comfortable in case of an emergency.

When you are ready to start traveling again, remember to use your MTA member discounts to save on Avis and Budget car rentals. Learn more. Visit us online at: www.savings.travel/mta