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Join the Boston Teachers Union to learn about their role, debunk misconceptions, and get involved in the union. Representing 5,500 teachers and professionals in Boston.
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Today’s Objectives! Members will be able to: • 1. Describe the role and purposes of the BTU • 2. Unpack common misconceptions about BTU positions • 3. Describe ways you can get more involved in the union
Who we are: • The Boston Teachers Union proudly represents • 5,500 teachers and other professionals including nurses, psychologists, and guidance counselors. • 1,400 paraprofessionals • 500 substitute teachers. • 3,500 retired teachers chapter Our 2013-2014 Teacher-Leader Fellows discussing policy and advocacy!
Our Mission: The Boston Teachers Union is a community of educators that believeallstudents can succeed and deserve a quality education that meets their diverse needs. We advocate for justice and equity in the communities we serve and for the members we represent1. As one of the leading urban school district in the country, we are committed to building on our professionalism, experience, and teamwork to serve all students in Boston and strengthen our public schools. We believe in the promise of quality public schools for ALL students. 1 According to National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) and Council of Great City Schools
Voices of the Union “The Boston Teachers Union matters to me because it offers an opportunity for growth and a sense of community to its members. Information is made easily and readily available…the union allows its members to form a community of educators, sharing tips and tricks, supporting each other and helping each other out. Although we educators may be large in number and spread all over the city, the union provides a place where we can all meet and discuss what matters to us as educators, and how we can best reach and teach our children!” -Ronetta Holloway, paraprofessional at the Ellison Parks Early Learning Center
Voices of the Union “…One of my great hopes is that many of my students decide to become teachers in Boston when they grow up. It is important that these wages and benefits are there for them in their future careers as teachers so that they can build strong families and strong communities. The union is a place where we can come together to advocate for stronger schools and stronger communities.” -Ross Kochman, 5th Grade Teacher at the Henderson K-12 School
Voices of the Union “… Many of us are so busy with work, families, and continuing education, that individually, we don't have the time to be politically active or fight for increased benefits, but collectively, members of the BTU do. …The union works for you because you are the union!” -Alicia Silva, Teacher at the Higginson Lewis *You can see the full mission, vision and teacher voices on our website www.BTU.org !
Misconceptions about the BTU: • The BTU members hate all charter schools. • Unions only advocate for themselves. • Strong unions hurt student achievement.
Does the BTU really hate all charter schools? • No!In fact, some of our members are a part of Horace Mann Charter Schools, also known as “in-district” charter schools, such as Boston Day and Evening Academy, Health Careers Academy, and UP Academies. • However, we ARE against expanding Commonwealth Charters because of their high attrition rates, selective admissions, and disproportionately low numbers of ELL and Special Education students, and severe impact on the budget of BPS schools (we are losing over 104 million dollars to them just this school year).
Unions only advocate for themselves • The BTU frequently supports statewide and local initiatives aimed at supporting our parents, students and communities. • Raise UP Campaign • The BTU is supporting the “Fair Share amendment”, a ballot campaign across the state that would raise revenue for education and public transportation statewide, raising over $1.5 billion annually by making sure millionaires in the state are taxed a the same rate of lower-income families. • Please contact Angela (Acristiani@btu.org) if you’d like to help gather signatures at your school!
Unions and Economic Inequality Declining Union membership has tracked with the massive rise in inequality in the country.
Do unions hurt achievement? • TRUTH: UNIONS = HIGHER ACHIEVEMENT The highest scores on the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) and the SAT and the ACT tests are all correlated to the most unionized states in the country (like Mass). The lowest scoring states are also ones that restrict or have outlawed collective bargaining rights (unionizing). For more specifics see: http://nces.ed.gov/nationsreportcard/studies/statemapping/
What’s Happening In Our Schools—The Hot Topics We Have Heard About from YOU! -Concerns about the new evaluation system -Over-testing and the misuse of standardized assessments -Concerns about the rollout of inclusion in 20 new schools and how it will impact students -Threats of Level 4 and Level 5 identification -Improving professional development
What we are doing about it—Our collective responses: • Help with evaluation needs, support, and quality professional development workshops. • Creation of organizing committees to find solutions to many of our common concerns… For example, check out our members advocating with students and community members for“Less Testing, More Learning,” an ongoing campaign that is now state-wide! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8qpO7MBJjRM&list=UUWTPZonFYOHJ4UYXi4dwFIg
Bringing Together Teachers, Parents and Students • Less Testing, More Learning • Full and Equitable BPS budgets • Increasing parent and student engagement and voice in our schools. Check out www.bostonedjustice.orgfor a more detailed vision created with parents, students, and community members.
Upcoming BTU Dates! • Wednesday, September 9th 4:30* (New start time!) • Monthly Membership Meeting (2nd Wed of every month) • Saturday, September 19thth 2-5PM at the BTU: • First Annual Back to School Fair for BPS Families! • October 10th Parent 2 Parent Conference for Families AND Teachers, 9-2PM at Madison Park High • October 23rd-25th Annual Building Reps Conference You can find these dates and more important information in the BTU E-bulletin or your school’s BTU Bulletin Board!
First Books! • Please be sure to sign up for First Books, an education nonprofit that links teachers to free and discounted books. • This year, we’ve partnered with them to bring over 40,000 books to families in Boston! • Sign up today on paper or online at www.firstbook.org/aft
Building Representative Election—We need you to lead! • There can be 1 representative for every 25 members or portion thereof BTU in a school. (i.e. If your schools has 26 members, you can have 2. If you have 51 members, 3.) • The Building Rep Election will be… (set a day, location, and time!)
Last but not least…Faculty Senate! • When will our Faculty Senate meet regularly? • Once a month • Many schools choose Thursday or Friday after membership meetings. • Opportunity for staff to come together, prioritize concerns, find solutions to in-school issues. • Updates on BTU happenings and need to know information
Your Voice. Your Union. Your Future.Take action to improve your schools through your union membership. • Stay informed! • Read the E-Bulletin regularly (you can be added at www.btu.org) • Attend membership meetings at the school, BTU, and/or monthly regional meetings closer to your school or home. • Make sure you have filled out a membership card, COPE Card, and Health and Welfare Card to take full advantage of your union benefits.
