It took me many years to see the Union in this light. As a member since the start of my professional career, I didn't look to the Union for professional learning support until last year when a colleague encouraged me to attend the MTA Summer Conference. At the conference I realized that there were hundreds of enthusiastic, dedicated educators outside of my district ready and willing to share their expertise, commitment, and inquiry related to teaching children well. Why hadn't I tapped this resource before, I wondered as I attended one wonderful workshop and event after another.
Then recently as I embarked on my reflection journey related to the new Massachusetts Education Evaluation system, I was invited to work with a group of MTA professionals and Massachusetts' teachers on a professional learning and teaching committee related to the new evaluation system. Yesterday was our first meeting. Throughout the meeting we shared story after story as we thought about the best ways to support Massachusetts' educators with this process. Meg Secatore, MTA's Director of Training and Professional Learning, Ralph Devlin, Professional Development Specialist, and Jennifer Freeling, Training and Professional Learning Associate led the way by describing the current MTA efforts related to training and professional learning. Tim Sheehan, a fourth grade teacher from Amherst, Miriam Kranz a Southbridge Middle/High School teacher, and I shared stories related to our systems' efforts and needs in this regard. Together we decided to poll MTA members specifically about their needs, and then get to work on meeting those needs with a number of online and offline supports throughout the year.
The day also led me to explore the MTA's resources with greater depth. Again, I wondered why I hadn't used these resources in the past. For example, new teachers are invited to attend the summer conference without cost which is a great opportunity to get to know other educators and learn about the MTA's services and support. I also took a look at The MTA Strategic Plan which further outlines the Union's mission to its members as illustrated with these statements from the plan:
- "Our power resides in our members – informed, unified and active members. Every day, they bring to life a vision of quality education through their great commitment, creativity and passion for their students, schools, colleges and communities. This is the basis for both our success and our renewal as a union. The more member-driven we can become in everything we do, the stronger we will be on all fronts .
- "Being understood by our members, the public and policymakers as a union committed to the highest standards of quality education and professional practice."
- "Involving members and staff in developing and delivering training programs based on the needs of leaders and members."
Personally, I'm very interested in all tools, strategies, organizations, and efforts that positively support educators' efforts to teach children well. As I've mentioned countless times, I believe that education holds great promise for the lives of the individual, community, country, and the world. To teach children well bridges the gap between promise and possibility. I'm delighted to belong to a Union that supports this mission as well.
