1. Boston, MA 02111
Suite 402
38 Chauncy Street
AFT Massachusetts
November 2011
Early Childhood Educators Seek Union
E
arly childhood educators in
Massachusetts have moved
one step closer to their goal
of forming a union. Last month,
educators, center directors and
parents of children who attend
the centers descended upon
the Statehouse for a hearing on
legislation that would allow the new
union to bargain directly with the
state over compensation, benets
GD75553
and professional development.
The Joint Committee on Public
Service is expected to release to a
recommendation on the bill later
this fall. The Massachusetts Early
Childhood Educators Union or
MECEU would include the 10,000
teachers who work at more than ALL TOGETHER NOW Members of Massachusetts Early Childhood In This Issue
1,000 early childhood centers that Educators United rally before a hearing at the Statehouse last month.The
educators, who teach at childcare centers across the Commonwealth, want
have state-funded contracts or serve
children who receive state subsidies. more of a say in the decisions that affect early childhood education. 2 President’s Column
Bold Print
The organizing effort is a ground- more effectively to make early adults. Yet despite their clear benet—
breaking one. MECEU members are
quick to point out is that theirs is a
childhood education a priority on par
with public education in the state.
economists maintain that every dollar 4 Diary of a New Teacher:
invested in early-childhood education A new teacher reects upon
“non-traditional” union, including In recent years, study after generates returns of up to $17—the what it means to be part of a
not just early childhood teachers but study has conrmed the importance programs have fared poorly through union
center directors too. That’s because of high-quality early childhood the recession. Since 2009, funding
both see the woefully low wages education. Children who have access for early education in Massachusetts 5 Behind the Scenes: New
earned by early education workers as to good early learning programs has dropped by nearly 20 percent
eld representative Michael
a major problem, says Tracy Sheerin, are signicantly more likely to when adjusted for ination. Today the Regan
who directs KidZone in Pittseld. enter school with the skills needed average hourly rate for early childhood
“The teachers who work at our center to succeed. They are also far more educators in the Commonwealth 6 On Campus: Title TK but
roughly the same length
put their all into this work with the likely to graduate and to enter the is just $9.25 per hour. “The work
children and they’re not receiving
fair compensation,” says Sheerin. She
workforce as successful citizens,
less likely to require special needs
is too important for the level of 7 Retiree Corner
The Golden Apple: Saluting
compensation these teachers are
hopes that forming a union will help accommodations in the classroom receiving,” says Sheerin. service on Veteran’s Day
early childhood workers advocate or the support of social programs as Continued on page 3
Occupy Wall Street Protests Strike a Chord
I
n Boston teachers held a symbolic year, while the number of Americans
“grade-in” to demonstrate that earning $1 million or more jumping
they put in hours far beyond the 18 percent from 2009. The SSA report
school day—then marched together reached a stark conclusion: “The
to the Occupy Boston encampment distribution of workers by wage level is If you’d like to receive an
in Dewey Square. In New York, highly skewed.” electronic version of the
teachers and parents are marching on
Wanted: accountability Advocate, send an email to
the governor’s mansion on election
day, fed up with the worst classroom On a recent warm fall Friday, advocate@aftma.net. Please
overcrowding in a decade, even as the Lynneld librarian Patricia Kelly include your home mailing
governor resists calls to extend a tax joined a march of thousands through address for identication.
on New Yorkers earning more than $1 the winding streets of the Financial
million. District, culminating in a rally at
In cities large and small, teachers, Boston’s Bank of America building. In Did you know that your
nurses, librarians and other public the crowd were many Massachusetts AFT MA membership
residents who’d lost their homes to
employees are participating in the now
foreclosure and their jobs to recession.
entitles you to discounts
two-month-old ‘Occupy’ movement.
While the protests, which began on Asked why she’d chosen to participate, on insurance products?
Wall Street and have since spread to Kelly was quick to identify a reason: For more information visit
more than 600 US cities and 900 cities fairness. “The large corporations and the benets page of our
worldwide, have often been criticized nancial institutions like Bank of
America that played a huge role in the website:
for lacking specic demands, at their
nancial meltdown still haven’t been UP IN ARMS Lynneld librarian www.aftma.net/member-
heart is a concern about rising income Patricia Kelly (foreground)
inequality in the US. held accountable for their actions,”
participates in a recent march
benets/
How real is that concern? A says Kelly. “The game seems rigged in
through the nancial district in
recent report by the Social Security favor of these groups at the expense of Boston against corporate greed. “For
Administration found that 50 percent the poor and the middle class.” me it’s an issue of fairness,” says
of workers made less than $26,364 last Continued on page 8 Kelly.

2. BOLD
complex, but in essence it would do
two things: 1) eliminate seniority
as a determining factor in teacher
layoffs; and 2) deprive teachers of any PRINT
Thomas J. Gosnell job security in the event that their
position in a school is eliminated or
President, AFT Massachusetts their school is closed. Para power
Therefore, if there are layoffs in a Major kudos to ve Lawrence
district, a more senior teacher with paraprofessionals who have recently
A Major Threat Looms a good evaluation could be laid off become certied teachers. Gretchen
Ortiz-Arlington, Elizabeth Richardo,
before a less senior teacher with a
A
Heather Long, David Duncan
dozen or so years ago any one Superman.” In addition, in state slightly better evaluation. In other
and Genevieve Bard, all of whom
of us would have been proud to after state, Stand for Children has words, the decision about who stays have worked as paraprofessionals
support “Stand for Children,” aligned its agenda with those who and who goes is strictly management’s in the Lawrence Public Schools, are
a grassroots organization founded in call for privatization, charter schools, decision – seniority is out the now teachers in that district. The six
the late 1990’s in Portland, Oregon. vouchers, and an end to teachers’ window! teachers have all been selected to teach
At that time Stand for Children’s unions. Further, if a school closes, at that city’s two Level 4 schools, the
agenda mirrored its name. The In Massachusetts, Stand for teachers in that school have no Arlington and South Lawrence
right to an assignment in any other Middle School. Look for a story about
group fought for health coverage Children has pushed for more charter
school no matter how many years these outstanding educators in the
for uninsured children, money for schools and for a teacher evaluation
they have worked or how good their December issue of the Advocate.
affordable quality child care, child system that heavily emphasizes
abuse prevention programs, safe and student test scores. Going beyond evaluations are. No principal has to
productive after school programs; educational issues, Stand for Children accept anyone into his or her school.
and many other programs aimed at actively supported a business-backed And, if in the course of a year, these
Prize pages
improving the lives of children. bill to restrict collective bargaining on teachers can not nd a principal who Berklee School of Music faculty member
Now Stand for Children has health benets for teachers and other will accept them, these teachers are Jan Donley has been racking up awards
chapters in nine states, including public employees. simply dismissed from the school for her novel, The Side Door. Donley,
Massachusetts, and has an agenda Stand for Children is no friend system – no hearing, no reason given, who teaches in Berklee’s Liberal Arts
that is totally different from its of teachers. And its attack on no due process, no protection! department, received an honorable
original mission. Today’s Stand for Massachusetts teachers is about to get Stand for Children is determined mention in the young adult category
to push its anti-teacher agenda. AFT at this year’s Eric Hoffer Awards. The
Children is much more pro-business worse.
Massachusetts will be fully engaged Side Door also received a ‘Goldie’ in
than pro-children. Having received Stand for Children has now
in this ght, and I am asking all AFT dramatic/general ction from the Golden
millions of dollars in grants from The gathered a sufcient number of Crown Literary Society. Last but not
Gates Foundation, the Walton Family signatures to place an Initiative Massachusetts members to become
least, the novel has been nominated for
Foundation (i.e. Walmart), New Prot Petition on the ballot next fall that involved. Specically, I would ask
a Lamda Literary Award. To learn more
Inc., and locally from the Boston will signicantly impact the rights of that, at every opportunity, you inform
about Donley’s prize-winning pages, visit
Foundation, this once child-focused teachers facing layoff or reassignment. your family members, friends, and www.jandonley.com
group has become a major proponent The title of the initiative petition is neighbors of Stand for Children’s
for the corporate-driven “educational “An Act Promoting Excellence in real agenda and expose the business-
reforms” that attack teachers and Public Schools.” This title is just backed attack on teachers and their
All aboard
their unions. A name that would as deceptive as the organization’s unions that is the driving force behind The AFT Massachusetts Executive
more accurately reect their goals name itself. A more apt title would this initiative petition. Board has a new member. Sean Bowker,
today is “Stand Against Teachers.” be “An Act to Strip Seniority Rights a biology teacher at Southeastern
Stand for Children lobbied hard and Job Security from Teachers in If you have any questions or Regional Vocational Technical High School
for Race to the Top and actively Massachusetts.” comments on this issue, please e-mail in Easton. Bowker, who has taught at the
promoted the lm “Waiting for The initiative petition is long and me at Tgosnell@aftma.net. school for ten years, replaces outgoing
board member Rebecca McInnis.
Welcome ‘aboard’ Sean!
Changes Sought in Charter Process
The ofcial publication of
AFT Massachusetts, AFL-CIO
S chool ofcials from across the
state are pushing lawmakers
to give communities more say over
Gloucester’s last hope for surviving
the nancial devastation and loss of
educational programs and services
Red carpet
“TEACH: Teachers are Talking—
Is the Nation Listening?”, a
proposed charter schools—and to for our 3100 remaining students is to documentary by Boston teachers
Thomas J. Gosnell, President
consider changes to the way that reform charter school funding. Robert and Yvonne Lamothe had its
Mark Allred, Sr., Secretary-Treasurer charters are funded. At a hearing at Still other ofcials charged that New England premier last month at the
VICE PRESIDENTS the Massachusetts Statehouse last under the current system, charter Boston Teachers Union. If you missed
month, school committee members schools are accountable only to the movie, don’t despair. The lmmakers,
Patricia Armstrong
from Salem, Gloucester, Worcester Department of Secondary and who debuted their lm in Washington
Deborah Blinder
Sean Bowker and beyond urged support of a bill that Elementary Education—not to the DC this summer at the Save Our Schools
Kathryn Chamberlain would require charter school backers communities in which they’re based. rally and conference, plan to show their
Brenda Chaney “There’s no local accountability for handiwork at teacher gatherings around
to win local approval, either from a
Kathy Delaney the area. For more information about
school committee or by a referendum charter schools,” Tracy O’Connell
Catherine Deveney how to see the lm for yourself visit
Patricia Driscoll of voters. Currently the authority to Novick, an member of the Worcester
www.teachdocumentary.com.
Marianne Dumont approve charter schools rests with School Committee told legislators.
J. Michael Earle the state Board of Elementary and She said that the state’s approval of 16
Margaret Farrell Secondary Education, the members of new charter schools this year is forcing
Mary Ferriter
which are political appointees. traditional public schools to divvy up North Attleboro High School has
Jenna Fitzgerald
Richard Flaherty Backers of the proposed changes a dwindling amount of school funding. been singled out for special recognition
Paul Georges to the charter approval process say There are currently 79 charter schools in Boston Magazine’s exclusive
Alice M. Gunning that the state’s ability to impose a operating in Massachusetts. ranking of the area’s top school district.
Daniel Haacker charter school upon a city or town is The education reform law passed in The school was recognized for its top
Joyce Harrington scores on the 10th grade MCAS science
undemocratic and hurts traditional 2010 lifted the cap on charter school
Susan Leahy exam and tied with two other districts -
Francis McLaughlin public schools by draining away scarce enrollment in low-performing school
Dover-Sherborn High School and Acton-
Bruce Nelson resources. Valerie Gilman, chair of the districts. Seven additional charter
Boxboro High School - as “Most Likely
Catherine Patten Gloucester School Committee, pointed schools have been proposed for Boston,
James Philip
to Win a Nobel Prize.” Congratulations
to a controversial charter school in Springeld and Lowell, where SABIS to the science teachers at the school,
Bruce Sparfven
that city, approved by the state, despite International, a for-prot company, Duncan Gray, Genevieve Strang,
Richard Stutman
Gale Thomas widespread opposition from local seeks to open a school that would Geoffrey Burgess and Ted Duluk, for
residents, for political reasons. ultimately enroll 1200 students. An their outstanding work!
Jennifer C. Berkshire, Editor existing charter school in that city has
Gilman told the Committee on
38 Chauncy St., Suite 402
Education that Gloucester’s school been threatened with closure due to
Boston, Mass. 02111
Tel. 617-423-3342 /800-279-2523 district stands to lose half of its chronically low MCAS scores and was
The Advocate loves good news. If you’ve
Fax: 617-423-0174 Chapter 70 funding for a school that forced to shed four grades last year. got news to share, send us an email at:
www.aftma.net services less than 6% of the city’s The Board of Education will make its advocate@aftma.net.
2 advocate@aftma.net students population. Said Gilman: determination early next year.

3. Early Childhood Educators
SPEAKING OUT
Susan Rogers, a
teacher at the
Continued from cover Margarita Weinstein, a teacher at Commonwealth
Children’s Center
Village Preschool in Roslindale.
in Boston, testies
Study after study has “Early educators are the front line in
before the Joint
preparing children for later success
conrmed the vital in school. But without reasonable
Committee on
Public Service in
importance of high- compensation, many educators cannot support of a bill
quality early childhood continue their careers, especially that would improve
with student loans for professional the quality of early
education.Yet funding development piling up.” education throughout
for the programs Massachusetts. Rogers
The turnover problem warned that her
has dropped and the Low wages drive talented teachers center and others
professionals who teach out of the profession, Weinstein can’t afford to pay
and others told the legislators. Early their staff what they
the youngest learners deserve.
educators earn roughly $25,000 per
earn poverty wages. year. Because teaching jobs in the
public schools pay much more—nearly from both organizations testied that Shining a light
Speaking out three times as much—early childhood salaries for early childhood educators Despite the opposition from
Educator Susan Rogers, who teachers often leave their positions as can’t be raised without passing on cost some day care providers and centers,
teaches at the Commonwealth soon as they’ve attained the necessary increases to parents. members of Massachusetts Early
Children’s Center in Boston, has been qualications to teach in the public Advocates dispute that claim, Childhood Educators Union believe
an early childhood educator for more schools. Turnover at early childhood however, emphasizing that their goal that they’ve already succeeded in
than two decades. At the hearing on centers in Massachusetts averages 30 is to have the state pay any additional drawing new attention to the problem
Beacon Hill, Rogers told legislators percent per year. cost, not parents. KidZone’s Sheerin, of low wages and high turnover in
how proud she is to be the rst person Jessica Heaton-Mercada, a parent who formerly directed a YMCA early the eld of early education. Now the
who instills learning in children. She from Whitman who attended the childhood center, says that educators challenge remains to pass legislation
also spoke of her frustration regarding hearing, said that she’s witnessed understand that parents can’t afford that will allow early childhood workers
the poverty wages that teachers in rst hand the problem of high teacher to pay more, but that Massachusetts to do something about that problem.
her profession receive. Rogers urged turnover at preschools attended by can’t afford not to. “Given how Tom Gosnell, president of AFT
legislators on the committee to back her three children. “The centers they important early childhood education Massachusetts which is helping to
the bill that would allow her and other attended had difculty retaining staff. is, it’s essential that the state starts organize the early childhood workers
educators to bargain directly with the They can’t support the well trained to contribute something. We pay to along with the Massachusetts
state Department of Early Education educators we need to teach our support public education. Why is early Teachers Association, told legislators
and Care. “We want to invest in children,” said Heaton-Mercada childhood different?” that having a union will give teachers
our future and in the future of our Sheerin and others also note that a larger voice in educational policy
students,” said Rogers. Fierce opposition? while YMCA and Boys and Girls and at individual centers. “The reality
Her message was reiterated by The effort by the teachers to Club executives may oppose the is as teachers unionize they become
educators, parents, center directors form the state’s very rst union of right of early educators to form a more forceful advocates for resources
and advocates for high-quality early childhood workers has spurred union, teachers who work at these for their schools.”
early childhood programs who erce opposition, primarily from organizations often feel differently.
testied before the committee. “I area YMCAs and local Boys and Girls Says Sheerin: “There were no teachers Learn more about the Massachusetts
love teaching, and I enjoy watching Clubs, both of which operate their from the YMCA at the hearing saying Early Childhood Educators Union at
my students grow and learn,” said own childcare programs. Executives ‘we don’t want this.’” www.meceu.org
Lesley University School of Education
3
November 2011

4. Diary A
s my rst year of teaching
wrapped up, so did my rst
year of being part of a union.
Over the summer, I had time to
take a breath and reect upon my
of a New Teacher new profession. I nally considered
what it means to be part of a union.
Among most new teachers, the words
By Robert Tobio, “teachers union” can carry some
Math and special education teacher, negative connotations. Partially this is
Mary Lyon Pilot School,
because we don’t know the true extent
Boston, MA
of the union’s work and partially it is
because we are not involved. Many
Meet the 2011-2012 young teachers think only: “What
New Teacher Diarists does the union do for me?” This is a
mistake. Being in a union should raise
Bill Madden-Fuoco the question, “what have we done for
A humanities teacher at the Urban Science each other?”
Academy in West Roxbury, Bill was also a
My rst year was a success due to
semi-nalist in the state’s 2012 Teacher of
my colleagues; some fellow teachers
the Year contest. PROBLEM SOLVING Robert Tobio recently completed his rst year as a
really went above and beyond their
math and special education teacher—and his rst year as a union member.
Robert Tobio regular duties to assist me throughout
Says Tobio: “Now I believe in being part of the union—union not just in name
Robert teaches math and special education the year. They helped me to help but also in action. We need to support each other and to push each other.”
at the Mary Lyon Pilot School in Brighton the kids. To me, they embody what
and previously taught at Monument High in a “union” should be: a group of is hard to convince kids that we need students. I still believe education is
South Boston, which closed last spring. individuals working together for a to work hard 180 days of the year the single most important variable
Melissa McDonald common goal. I will not forget this as when other teachers send the message in many kids’ lives. But now I believe
A fth grade teacher at the Parthum I transition from a “new teacher” to an that 160 days is good enough. in being part of the union—union,
Elementary School in Lawrence, Melissa “experienced teacher” over the next I am grateful that the vast majority not just in name but also in action.
is returning to teaching after a year of few years. of teachers in my school and in Boston We need to support each other and
maternity leave. Conversely, my biggest challenge Public schools are supportive, hard to push each other. We don’t need
was not an obnoxious student or working, intelligent and dedicated, but public outcry or district evaluations
Joyce Melker the few outliers need to be addressed. to improve. We need to share our
challenging content, but one or two
A paraprofessional at the Watson Elemen-
selsh coworkers. If we are a union, I don’t mean by administrator successes with our colleagues and to
tary School in Fall River, Joyce is a student
we need to consider our fellow evaluations but by us, the union. improve our weaknesses by learning
in the JET teacher training program at
members with every action we take. We need to hold each other to high from colleagues. Every teacher has
UMass Dartmouth.
If we care about the other teachers in standards or the teaching profession something to offer and every teacher
Matthew Robinson the school, we should not use all of will suffer. I want teachers to be held can improve. We need to continue
Matthew is beginning his second year our sick days and personal days just accountable for teaching because I to improve, as a strong union of
teaching English and journalism at the because we can. It is unfair to burden know almost all of us will surpass the professionals.
Burke High School in Dorchester. your coworkers while you sleep in, expectations, and those of us who do We are part of a union, we benet
and it is unjust to leave a class of not should be helped to improve. The from our fellow union members, and
Riana Good students without their regular teacher. most important part of teaching is we need to ask if they are beneting
While Riana is technically no longer a new It is very difcult to teach alongside learning. from us.
teacher, this Spanish teacher at the Boston a teacher who is slacking because it After my rst year, I still believe
Teachers Union School in Jamaica Plain says devalues the work the rest of us do. It we have a responsibility to our
that she still feels like a ‘newby.’
Web Site Gets Teachers Talking Would you like to travel abroad on
B oston teacher James Liou wants
to start a conversation. The
peer assistant for the Boston Public
to turn down the volume and allow
classroom educators to focus on what
they actually do—and how they can
an inexpensive trip designed
Schools has created a new website do it better. Each month Liou plans specifically for educators?
called The Teaching Pulse that to write a “Teacher Pulse” column for
he hopes will get teachers talking the Boston Union Teacher exploring GEEO is a non-profit organization that runs travel
about their profession. Says Liou: a topic that will then be discussed programs for educators. Detailed information including
“The hope is that the site becomes online. Additional materials, including itineraries, costs, travel dates, and more can be found at
www.geeo.org or call toll free 1-877-600-0105.
www.theteachingpulse.org aims to get
teachers talking and sharing ideas.
a forum for teachers from across case-study highlights of classroom
the Boston Public Schools to share teachers, will also appear on the site.
their opinions, learn from dynamic One such topic: How can teachers
practicing teachers and connect with in the Boston Public Schools model,
each other.” facilitate and practice a collaborative
And, once teachers get talking, relationship between labor and
says Liou, he hopes that district and management that is focused on
union leaders will listen to what they students, given the current context
have to say. “This is an opportunity and climate of scal tightening,
for district and union leaders to be accountability and national ‘anti-
responsive to the opinions and ‘pulse’ teacher’ rhetoric?
of what classroom teachers across the Says Liou: “Success will depend
city are feeling and saying.” upon the interest and participation
The site, www.theteachingpulse. of teachers from classrooms across
org, is a direct response to the the city, from art classrooms to AP
‘teacher bashing’ that seems to be classrooms, from early childhood to
everywhere these days, the harsh high school classrooms and from the
rhetoric directed at teachers and their small alternative ed programs to the
unions that has left many educators large comprehensive high schools.
feeling dispirited. Liou’s solution is I’m excited by the possibilities.”
4
The AFT Massachusetts Advocate

5. BEHIND M
ike Regan understands exactly NEW FACES New
the kinds of pressures that AFT MA eld
THE SCENES
educators in Massachusetts representative
are facing these days. Regan, AFT Mike Regan, with
Massachusetts’ brand new eld his wife Jane, has
representative, spent the past fourteen spent the past
Michael Regan, years as a social studies and history 14 years as a
history and social
teacher in the Medway schools. And
Field Representative while Regan, who also served as co- studies teacher
president of the Medway Federation in the Medway
Public Schools.
of Teachers, is thrilled about his new
That experience,
position, he already misses the students
says Regan, has
he taught and coached at Medway High. given him a clear
“I got into teaching for the kids and I’m perspective on the
really going to miss having that impact demands facing
in the classroom,” says Regan. teachers today.
It was Regan’s own high school
history teacher—in Medway no less—
who predicted that Regan would grow In 2003 Regan moved to Medway about,” says Regan. He also worries
up to become a history teacher too. High School—he already coached the that the ceaseless attacks on tenure and
The standout football player wasn’t so high school football team—where at last other workplace protections will hit
sure. “My dad was a history teacher in he found his dream job. “I taught US outspoken teachers hardest. “If there
Dover/Sherborne but my goal was to go history to some of the toughest kids in are no seniority protections it’s the
into law enforcement,” recalls Regan. the school and I loved it,” says Regan. teachers who speak out who will be the
But a stint as a sub after he graduated He also got increasingly involved in the most vulnerable.”
from Maine’s Colby College changed his Medway Federation of Teachers, rst Regan’s new position will take him
mind. “I just knew that that was where I as a member of the executive board, all over the state to AFT MA teacher,
wanted to be.” then as vice president and nally as co- paraprofessional and library locals
Back in 1995 Massachusetts was president with Meg Boland, a 6th grade but Medway remains his home base.
mired in recession, much like today, teacher at Medway Middle School. His three children all attend Medway
and it would take Regan years to break “Neither of us could have done the job schools, while his wife Jane formerly
into his new career. While he scoured alone,” says Regan. “We were both ran a daycare in the community and
the state for history positions he painted young teachers with busy lives.” now provides elder care for local
houses, worked for the concessions Regan’s years in the classroom have residents. And while his coaching duties
department at Foxboro Stadium as well given him a clear perspective on the at Medway High School are over, Regan
as for a Budweiser distributor. When a demands that teachers are subject to is more than happy to lend a hand at
job nally opened at Medway Middle today, including the relentless emphasis his kids’ sporting events. “I still help out
School, an administrator took a chance on testing. “We’re teaching to a test in with softball, baseball, ag football—
on him, hiring him to teach 7th and 8th order to produce a product and that whatever they need me for.”
grade social studies. “It was an awesome product is a score. You can’t quantify
Welcome aboard Mike!
experience. The kids could be tough but education like that without losing
they were just great,” says Regan. sight that these are kids we’re talking
Earn your Master of Arts in Teaching at Northeastern.
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Next classes begin January 9, 2012
5
November 2011

6. On Campus
Dan Georgianna, Political Director
UMass Faculty Federation, Local 1895
Established Order Meets ‘Generation Why’
always been the weapon of choice in
“The young are the KEY QUESTIONS
class warfare.
By asking a series of decep-
losers in today’s political tively simple questions young
With their slogan of representing
the 99 percent, the occupiers have
economy. More of this people are challenging the turned the absurd claims of taxing
group goes without political system. While an- the richest 1% in the nation as class
health insurance than swers may prove more dif- warfare right-side-up. The have made
cult to come by, and solutions obvious the nature of class warfare as
any other group and even more so, these questions the powerful 1% controlling everyone
student loan debt seem a good place to start. else. The usual goal of protests in the
U.S. is to attract the media in order
recently surpassed to move some issue forward on the
including immediate hand and voice by than questions, and solutions even
credit card debt.” signals from participants at the more so. But these questions seem a political agenda. While protests with
meeting. Google hand signals for good place to start. social goals such as the right to vote
T he Occupy Wall Street (and Occupy Wall Street for some lessons. TV and newspapers have drifted or political goals such as ending an
lots of other places) is the rst For the most part, the national away from the politics of the unjust war work better than protests
direct action in a long time that TV and print media has presented occupiers. TV news presents famous with economic goals, the occupiers
opposes U.S. government economic a picture of the occupations as people like Alec Baldwin defending may giving President Obama some
policy on a wider scale than taxes. disorganized and unfocused protests. banks to the Wall Street occupiers. support for his jobs bill or more
Old fashioned methods like sit-down The opposite seems true to me. The Soon TV and print media will turn its student nancial aid, or even the more
strikes transformed by young people occupiers have challenged the political attention to effects of cold weather ambitious goal of health care for all.
with modern technology are uplifting, system with some simple questions. on the occupiers. Political issues have The occupiers want more than
especially compared to what passes for Why are there no loans for people little place in the mainstream media. this; they want revolution. Their
political action in the U.S. these days, who need them but plenty for high The difference between the mostly recent calls for a national assembly
scripted soap operas aimed at the rollers, no health care for people who young occupiers and the old people mirror the demands of young people
lowest common denominator. need it with pre-existing conditions, (including me) who attend political throughout the world for democratic
The occupiers method of no jobs for people who need them functions is striking. Traditional change. The standard answer is that
organizing seems far advanced to while there is plenty of work to be political action has become old the U.S. doesn’t need a democratic
me, immediate social networks and done, no nancial aid for students people’s turf, fought over by both revolution. I’m not so sure. �
democratic decision-making. Having who need it, no housing for people parties, who ignore the young because
suffered through consensus in who need it while homes stand empty, they don’t vote. The occupiers argue Send comments to dgeorgianna@
decision making at seemingly endless and why do millions starve to death that there is no difference between umassd.edu
meetings during the 1960s and 1970s when there is plenty of food for Republicans and Democrats, which is
where the last two or three people everyone? difcult to argue against these days.
left at the meeting made decisions (These questions come from But the young are the losers
the majority opposed, I appreciate my grandson, a member of Occupy in today’s political economy. CAMPUS UPDATE
the occupiers method of consensus College Hill in Providence) Unemployment is high among the Movie time
building through focused discussion, Answers are more difcult to come young. According to the Bureau PHENOM, the Public Higher Education
of Labor Statistics, Network of Massachusetts, is sponsoring
nineteen million showings of a new documentary on the
16-24 year olds are student debt crisis.
unemployed. More of The group has shown the lm, “Default:
this group goes without the Student Loan Documentary,” at
health insurance than UMass Amherst and is planning other
any other group, and campus screenings in the coming months.
student loan debt has Student debt in this country exceeds total
recently passed credit credit card debt and recently reached a
card debt in the U.S. trillion dollars. That’s $1,000,000,000,000.
Unemployment Just how much money is that? Explain
rates are still lower PHENOM’s experts: “The height of a
for college graduates stack of one trillion one dollar bills would
than for people reach more than one quarter of the way
with less education. from the earth to the moon.” If you’d like
In the current to arrange a screening of “Default” write
recession, however, to phenom@phenomonline.org or call
unemployment 413.461.3300.
has risen sharply
� � � �
among recent college
graduates. College
graduates who take
Author, Author
Congratulations to UMass Dartmouth
jobs that don’t require
history professor and AFT MA member
a college degree Brian Glyn Williams on the publication
bump high school of his new book: Afghanistan Declassied:
graduates out of A Guide to America’s Longest War. Williams,
employment. Andrew who has traveled to Afghanistan frequently
Sum from Northeastern over the past decade, provides essential
University reports that background to the war, tracing the rise,
almost half of college fall, and reemergence of the Taliban.Wil-
graduates under 25 are liams was awarded the scholar of the year
unemployed or working award in 2007 by the UMass Dartmouth
in jobs that do not Faculty Federation.
require college degrees.
Unemployment has
6
The AFT Massachusetts Advocate

7. Retiree Corner SENIOR SEMINARS
How to Protect Your Nest Egg
Marie Ardito, Co-founder and Plan for the Right Outcome
Massachusetts Retirees United for Your Family
www.retireesunited.org This popular seminar, given by elder
law attorney Mary Howie, looks at
many issues involving probate, trusts,
Hunger a Growing Problem for Seniors Medicare Trusts, Benets for veterans
and their spouses and much more.
E ach time I go to the grocery store
these days, I am taken aback
by the weekly increases in the price
to eat; they are not the ones who skip
a meal, but it is those who must eat to
live who are most vulnerable.
allowed from one’s gross income to
get this net. They include medical
expenses, dental care, health
When: Saturday December 3, 10 to
noon.
of food. Not only is the cost of food The next time you stop into a insurance premiums, deductibles, co-
Where Presidential Park, 314 Main
increasing, but the weight of the Dunkin Donuts or comparable place pays (including Medicare), eyeglasses,
Street, Unit 105,Wilmington, MA (Main
products is decreasing. What was where a table of retirees sits talking home health aides, dentures, hearing
St. is Rt. 38.The entrance to the park is
formerly a pound of coffee is now over a cup of coffee, take note. aides, and just about all medical
across from the Wilmington House of
about twelve ounces. The size of a Conversely, a person sitting alone in expenses that are not paid for by Pizza sign.)
cereal box has also decreased while a restaurant very often is up and out insurance or someone else can be
the cost has gone up. Even vegetables in no time after having consumed a deducted. You may also deduct shelter
Preparing for Retirement
are being packaged in a way intended whole meal. costs including a certain amount of
Currently scheduled for the following
to drive up their cost. It is important If affordability is why you, or rent, mortgage, condo fees, property
dates and locations:
that we observe the unit pricing on someone you know, is not eating insurance and property taxes. There
shelves so that we get a true picture enough you may want to look into the are also deductions made for utility
• Amesbury High School library, 5
of what we are actually paying for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance allowances.
Highland Street, Amesbury, Monday
products. Program (SNAP), formerly known To learn more about SNAP November 14th, 3:30-5:30.
Affordability of food plays a large as food stamps. Unlike the previous call 1-800-221-5689. Those in • Stoneham/Melrose/Wakeeld—
factor in why seniors are not eating program in which you were given a Massachusetts can call the State date, time and location to be
properly. book of paper stamps to use in the Information Hotline: 1-866-950-3663. determined. Contact Marie Ardito if
Even when they can afford food grocery store, the new method uses Massachusetts residents may also call you’d like more information.
their meals are often not prepared a card similar to a credit card called Project Bread at 1-800-645-8333 to
nutritionally. They do not include an EBT card (Electronic Benet learn about sources of food within the Attention teachers: if you would like one
vegetables regularly as part of their Transfer.) On a monthly basis money state. of the above free seminars presented
diet. Their diets are often lacking in is deposited to this account and one Some say that they are in your school district, ask your union
variety and may not contain enough simply transacts business as if it were embarrassed to take part in these and president to contact Marie Ardito.
calcium, vitamin D, vitamin B, protein a credit card. A receipt reects the similar programs. Consider how many
or iron. balance in the account. As a senior years you spent working, paying taxes All the above seminars are free.To
For many people, eating is more you qualify for this benet as long as and taking care of the needs of others register call Marie Ardito at 1-617-482-
than just a way to fulll nutritional your net monthly income is $903 or with your tax dollars. Now is your turn 1568 or e-mail mardito@retireesunited.
needs, it is also a social event. Eating less. If the amount is slightly above to be on the receiving end for your org. Make sure to specify which seminar
alone may lessen the desire to eat. this amount you may still qualify for lifetime of giving. you plan to attend and the number of
Many times meals are skipped because some assistance. The amount one individuals who will be attending.
the social atmosphere eating together has in savings is one of the only other Send comments and suggestions
provides is not available. Hunger is factors considered. for future columns to mardito@
not the motivator! Some people live There are a number of deductions retireesunited.org
The
Golden On Veteran’s Day, A Salute to Service
Apple of Advanced Study from Harvard
University. At Boston College Lister
took still more college, many of
the noisiest?”
As president of the Leominster
Education Association, Lister
which he credits for helping him to negotiated their very rst contract.
By Patricia Delaney, Massachusetts Re- navigate the winding road of collective Many a teacher who works in that
tirees United, retired teacher, North bargaining. district has Lister to thank for paving
Reading, MA, Lister put all of this knowledge to the way to a fair and equitable
work as a teacher, with a career that contract.
spanned 27 years. When he began We thank you Victor for your
M eet Victor Lister: the oldest living
World War II veteran in the
Massachusetts retirement system.
teaching in Stockholm, Maine, Lister
earned $2,400 a year. As a classroom
service to our country and for your
service to our beloved teaching
teacher, a curriculum coordinator in profession.
As a member of the U.S. Army’s First North Attleboro, a department head in
Infantry Division he served in North Manchester, New Hampshire, and an Victor Lister lives in Athens, Maine.
Africa, Sicily and elsewhere in Europe. administrator in both Massachusetts
After his LCVP landing craft hit a and New Hampshire, Lister saw
mine en route to Omaha Beach, Lister teaching evolve into a 21st century
swam tirelessly just to stay alive. profession. His students in the schools
Lister volunteered for the army where he taught honored him by
in 1940, just before the draft was dedicating their year books to him.
initiated. At the time there was no While reviewing his past, Lister
such thing as Basic Training; he also looked to the future. When asked
learned the skills he’d need on the job. what advice he would give to young
To this day Lister remains a big fan people choosing a teaching career
of the military. “Thank God for the today, he quipped: “Be sure not to
army,” were his exact words to me. be eaten alive by the kids.” He also
He credits the army for building his expressed concern about threats to
character as well as preparing him for seniority and the possible corrupting
his next career: as a teacher. inuence of merit pay. “It’s difcult
At age 30, with the backing of to tell who the best is and who the
the GI Bill, Lister entered Boston worst is,” says Lister, who warned that
University. A life-long learner, he teachers that veer from the “beaten
would go on to earn an MA in history path” could be punished. “Is the best
from Northeastern University as SALUTE TO SERVICE World War II veteran and retired North Attleboro
[teacher] the quietest and the worst history teacher Victor Lister, the oldest living veteran in the Massachusetts
well as an MA and a Certicate
retirement system.
November 2011 7

8. ‘Occupy’ Strikes a Chord
VIVID STATEMENT
A teacher
participates in the
Continued from cover Mira Brown, a physics teacher in growing protest
While none of the executives Boston, joined her colleagues in the movement against
behind the nancial crisis has gone symbolic grading of papers and tests. income inequality
to jail as a result of their actions, the “People think I have an easy deal and corporate greed
effects of the recession—the worst because I get summers off,” Brown in the United States.
since the Great Depression—linger on. told the Globe. “But I work 78 hours a Teachers, nurses and
In Massachusetts, cities and towns week.” other public sector
employees have been
continue to battle a rising tide of red The contract covering some 6,300
regular participants
ink, leading to layoffs and reductions teachers and paraprofessionals
in the protests. “It’s
in services. Kelly’s own community of expired more than a year ago and have hard for teachers
public librarians has been especially stalled over the issue of compensating to ignore inequality
hard hit, with one library after another educators for extra time worked. The when we see the
losing staff and operating hours. In BPS has proposed that teachers be effects of poverty in
Franklin, the nation’s rst public paid for the additional time on the our classrooms,” says
library has lost nearly half of its staff basis of student performance but has teacher Jessica Tang.
due to budget cuts. And with the provided few details about how such a “The parents of our
nancial forecast predicted to be bleak plan would work. students don’t have
for the forseeable future, there is little jobs and education
hope that things will get better in the The poverty problem suffers as a result.”
near term. For Kelly, the disconnect In addition to their recent “grade-
between bank bailouts and shuttered in,” members of the Teacher Activist
libraries is too big to ignore. “I fully Group have been regular participants Teachable moment The demands of the protesters
expect to be responsible and pay my in Occupy Boston events. TAG co- should serve as a wake up call, says
The future of the sprawling
fair share of taxes; I want corporations founder Jessica Tang says that American Federation of Teachers
Occupy movement remains unclear.
and the wealthy to do the same.” the issue of income inequality in president Randi Weingarten.
Protesters in Boston maintain that
particular is one that resonates with “We need to listen to what the
they plan to continue their ‘camp-
Classroom contradictions many teachers. “Teachers are a large individuals camped out in Liberty
in’ despite winter’s looming arrival,
In Boston, the members of the part of what’s left of the middle class,” Plaza for Occupy Wall Street—and
while in cities from Chicago to
newly formed Teacher Activist Group says Tang. “We really are the 99%,” those marching in the streets from
Cincinnati, police have forcibly evicted
got the idea for their “grade-in” from she says, citing a popular protest Boston to Denver to Los Angeles—
demonstrators from city centers.
colleagues in New York and Los slogan. Even
Angeles. But their protest, intended more important “Teachers relate to Occupy Boston because we’ve been
to make visible the work that teachers may be the
put in outside of the classroom, had effects of poverty used as scapegoats to account for this economic crisis.”
a distinctly local target. The Boston that teachers
Public Schools want teachers to confront in —Riana Good, Spanish teacher,
agree to work an additional half their classrooms
hour per day—but with no additional everyday, says
Boston Teachers Union School, Jamaica Plain, MA
compensation. For months, the BPS Tang, who
has maintained that its teachers work teaches sixth have to say. And then we need
Whatever the long-term outcome
just six hours a day, a claim that has grade humanities at the Young to get serious as a nation about
of the protests, they have already
been ceaselessly echoed in the pages Achievers Science and Math Pilot working together to create economic
had an impact. Across the country,
of the Boston Globe. School in Mattapan. “The biggest opportunities for all Americans,
income inequality is now a hot topic of
single cause behind the achievement including young people, so we can get
conversation, while the national policy
gap is poverty. Teachers can have a our country back on the right track.”
debate seems to have shifted, at least
huge impact on our students but we
for now, from austerity and budget
have to address just how signicant Join the conversation—send
cuts to the desperate need to create
a factor poverty is.” For teachers in comments to advocate@aftma.net
new jobs.
the urban schools in particular, the
extent of the Great Recession’s reach
is undeniable. Unemployment in
Boston’s minority neighborhoods is
more than 15 percent—a gure that
doesn’t include people who’ve given
up on the prospect of nding a job.
“The parents of our kids don’t have
jobs,” says Tang. “Education suffers as
a result.”
Blame game
Spanish teacher Riana Good made
her rst trip to the Occupy Boston
encampment for a Yom Kippur service
organized by local Jewish community
leaders. Since then she’s been making
regular visits, bringing other teachers
with her. For Good, who teaches at
the Boston Teachers Union School
in Jamaica Plain, the Occupy cause
feels deeply personal. She feels that
teachers and other public employees
have been unfairly blamed for the
nation’s economic woes. “Teachers
relate to Occupy Boston because
we’ve been used as scapegoats to
account for this economic crisis.” One
need not look far to nd evidence
of Good’s claim. As the economy
has deteriorated, the harsh rhetoric
directed at teachers and their unions
has grown ever more pointed. In state
after state, teachers, librarians and
other public employees have seen
their rights curtailed and their benets
slashed.