The document summarizes major policy changes in Massachusetts that will impact AFT MA members, including an overhaul of the state's teacher evaluation system and a new municipal health insurance reform law. It provides context on the negotiations between unions and lawmakers on these issues. The document also previews upcoming challenges and AFT MA's commitment to supporting members through political advocacy and education.

1. Boston, MA 02111
Suite 402
38 Chauncy Street
AFT Massachusetts
September 2011
Major Changes Ahead
date.”
From health insurance What do the new measures mean
to teacher evaluation, for you? Here’s a look.
new measures will Municipal Healthcare 101
have a big impact on When the Massachusetts House
of Representatives passed a bill that
the lives of AFT MA would have virtually eliminated the
members. ability of public employee unions to
bargain over health insurance, union
leaders knew they had to fight back.
A
t the end of June, the Board In the following weeks, they pushed
of Elementary and Secondary hard for changes to the legislation that
Education approved an would protect retirees, mitigate the
overhaul of the state’s teacher impact of cost shifting on low-income
evaluation system, capping off months members and provide employees with
of intense debate. A few weeks later, a greater share of cost savings gained
Massachusetts state lawmakers voted
in favor of another controversial
through insurance plan changes.
The end result, explains Andrew
WORKING TOGETHER President
of AFT Massachusetts,Tom Gosnell,
In This Issue
measure: a municipal health insurance Powell, an AFT MA field representative speaks on municipal health insurance
reform law that weakens the ability and an authority on municipal health at the State House. By working
together, public employee unions in
2 President’s Column
of public employee unions—including insurance, was a much better law Bold Print
teacher unions—to bargain over health than that passed by the House. “If the the state were able to fight for key
care. And while teacher evaluations unions hadn’t worked together we were protections in the health insurance
law enacted this summer.
3 Two complex policies alter
the landscape
and health insurance might not seem likely to get a far worse outcome,” says
to have much in common, changes to
both are likely to have a big impact on
Powell. “We were looking at losing
collective bargaining entirely, but
(or increasing copayments and
deductibles to the level of the GIC),
4 Diary of a New Teacher:
The challenge of reaching
the lives of AFT MA members. by putting our differences aside and they may still engage in traditional academically struggling
The two reform packages also working together for common solutions collective bargaining or in coalition students
share another important attribute. we were able to preserve a seat at the bargaining with all of the municipal
Both are immensely complicated—even table and secure some vital protections unions. And municipalities that 5 Behind the Scenes: Field
convoluted—and will be governed by for our members, especially the most do elect to pursue the new reform Representative Andy Powell
regulations that in many cases are still vulnerable.” option must negotiate through what
being written. Says AFT MA President Most importantly, notes Powell, are called local Public Employee 6 On Campus: The Vision
Project
Tom Gosnell: “These are incredibly the new law is not a mandate. While Committees. “The important thing is
complicated issues and we’re going cities and towns have the option of that we continue to have a voice in this 7 Retiree Corner
The Golden Apple
to do everything we can to keep our transferring employees to the state’s process,” says Powell.
members well informed and up to Group Insurance Commission (GIC) Continued on page 3
Amesbury Paras Fight Off Outsourcing Bid Did you know that your
T
he scenario has become AFT MA membership
education para and
distressingly familiar. An outside building representative entitles you to discounts
entity—often a private, for-profit at Cashman Elementary on insurance products?
company—rides into a strapped-for- School. “The town really
cash city or town offering a quick-fix
For more information see
saw this as a straight
solution to local budget woes. The financial issue. I don’t
the special ad on page 8
magic bullet: replacing some part of the think they ever thought or visit the benefits page
work force with non-union employees about how the kids and of our website:
who earn less, receive fewer benefits their families would be
and have few if any job protections. www.aftma.net/member-
affected.”
That’s exactly what happened in benefits/
Amesbury last spring when Futures Fact finders
Education, a so-called special The news sent
education turnaround specialist, shock waves through
promised local officials big savings if Amesbury’s classrooms.
they shifted paraprofessional jobs to The plan being PARA POWER When Amesbury proposed
the private firm. With Amesbury facing considered by the outsourcing special education paras, the paras
a $400,000 gap in next year’s school school committee fought back. From left: science teacher and union
budget, the offer sounded too good to would outsource 63 vice president Brian Hopkins, AFT Amesbury
turn down. For the paraprofessionals, of the district’s 91 president Cindy Yetman and paraprofessionals Deb
many of whom have worked one- paraprofessional Murphy and Priscilla Terry.
on-one with the same special needs positions. But even
If you’d like to receive an
students for years, the writing was on as their future employment lay in would they make and what kind of electronic version of the
the wall. doubt, the paras found it nearly benefits would they have? How would Advocate, send an email to
“This wasn’t just about protecting impossible to get basic information the new system be managed? How
much money could Amesbury really
advocate@aftma.net. Please
our jobs, it was about the impact that about the outsourcing proposal and its
outsourcing would have on the kids we implications. How many paras would expect to save? include your home mailing
serve,” says Priscilla Terry, a special be employed by Futures? How much Continued on page 6 address for identification.

2. BOLD
needs improvement, and unsatisfactory.
However, unions and cities and towns will
still collectively bargain over many of the
procedures in the evaluation process.
Those schools which the Department
PRINT
Thomas J. Gosnell of Elementary and Secondary Education
Print Material
President, AFT Massachusetts has labeled underperforming will have
Congratulations to Garret Virchick,
the new system in place for the 2011-12
editor of the Boston Union Teacher for
school year. For all the other schools the
winning an Award for Excellence in the AFT
More Challenges Ahead target date is the 2012-13 school year.
In this area also AFT MA shall be
educating its field representatives and
Communications Contest. Girchick received
the top prize for his story “Exposing the Man
G ood things do end. Summer is one negotiate about health reimbursement Behind the Curtain:What’s Behind Education
local presidents about what to expect in Reform?” Also recognized were Peabody
of those good things. The longer accounts which will provide assistance
upcoming negotiations. English teacher Michalene Hague, who
days, the warmer weather, the greater to those with significantly higher co-pays
The financial situation remains won a first place for best editorial for “Why I
opportunity to engage in outdoor and deductibles. No one will lose health
precarious. Although the recession has Am Union,” which appeared in the February
activities, and an interesting baseball insurance coverage.
not hit Massachusetts as severely as some 2010 issue of the Advocate. Hague shared top
season—all of these contribute to the AFT MA will be educating its field honors with Connie Clauson, a former
states, the damage is still significant.
good life. representatives, the local presidents, contributor to the Diary of a New Teacher,
Our public libraries continue to suffer.
Labor Day brings big change even for and local library chapter chairs about who wrote movingly of losing her teaching
Although those working in the libraries
those who work during the summer. The the complexities of the law and what to job in the November 2010 Advocate.
provide magnificent service, the cities and
remainder of 2011 and all of 2012 will expect in upcoming collective bargaining
towns continue to reduce their numbers,
immerse us in a sea of challenges. negotiations. A summary of the legislation
to cut back on hours open, and to
For the past several years public is available at www.aftma.net. Library Luminaries
purchase fewer books.
employee unions have worked mightily During the past school year the Several librarians and members of the
Massachusetts continues to fund public
to protect insurance coverage for their Department of Elementary and Secondary Massachusetts Library Staff Association
higher education at a level that other (part of AFT MA) were recognized by the
members. However, since health costs Education established a taskforce to
states would consider an overwhelming Massachusetts Library Association for their
have risen enormously, since cities and recommend a performance evaluation
embarrassment. great work in spreading the word about
towns are struggling with the recession, system for teachers. The Race To The
Although the federal stimulus package library programs in the commonwealth.
and since the private sector has Top grant which Massachusetts received
contributed mightily to the maintenance This year’s PR award winners include:
dramatically reduced health insurance mandated that the state establish a
of k-12 public education, that money is Susan Flannery of the Cambridge Public
coverage for its employees, the public and comprehensive system.
gone and will not reappear while the Library, Sharon Gilley of the Lucius Beebe
political atmosphere has hurt public sector The use of MCAS scores in the
composition of the current Congress Memorial Library in Wakefield, Kathleen
unions. Our colleagues in Wisconsin, New evaluation system was a dominant topic O’Doherty of the Woburn Public Library,
remains as it is. Layoffs have not been
Jersey and Ohio have lost their long held which provoked animated, and sometimes Kathleen Quinlan of Lexington’s Cary
multitudinous, but they have happened.
right to bargain about health insurance. stormy, discussion. Memorial Library and Libby Fox of the
School departments have chosen not to fill
In this state the health insurance AFT MA consistently opposed its Middleborough Public Library. Congrats all
positions opened by retirement. Students
legislation adopted in July will change use because we believed that teacher around and keep up the great work!
are not getting the resources they need.
how we negotiate about health insurance evaluation was not the purpose of the test
The elections in 2012 are important,
coverage. The public sector unions and that no data existed to prove that it
just as all elections are. Democrats
managed to prevent the most draconian was a proper evaluative tool. The task Tech Talk
have disappointed us. Republicans have
proposals that would have given cities force, despite our opposition, decided to Ted Chambers, a social studies teacher
assaulted us. Look at Wisconsin, Ohio and at the Edwards School in Charlestown,
and towns absolute control over health include it as one factor in the evaluation of
Florida where collective bargaining and was selected to represent the AFT at the
insurance coverage. Clearly it will be teachers. No numerical weight was given
unionism have been assaulted relentlessly. Democratic Governors Association
easier for cities and towns to enter the to the use of MCAS scores.
Battles will continue. Education Summit. Chambers, who is
Group Insurance Commission and to offer Of course currently only 17% of
AFT MA remains committed to fighting helping to design high-quality lesson plans
different plans. However, they must also teachers teach subjects tested by MCAS.
for its teachers, paraprofessionals, librarians for teachers with Edwards colleagues Tracy
A brazen inequity.
and all its members as well as the students Johnson and Kevin Qazilbash, participated
The Board of Elementary and
in Massachusetts. While the road on which in a panel on the ways in which technology
Secondary Education adopted this is transforming the teaching profession.
we travel will have plenty of obstacles,
recommendation and many others. For Chambers and his colleagues received a
the command is clear. Move ahead, fight
example, throughout the state the rating special shout out at AFT’s TEACH conference
tough and smart. If you have questions or
marks must be exemplary, proficient, in Washington this summer.The crew won
The official publication of comments, contact tgosnell@aftma.net
an Innovation Grant from the AFT last year
AFT Massachusetts, AFL-CIO
for their proposal to design and share lesson
Thomas J. Gosnell, President Local Educators Join ‘Save our Schools’ March plans, the first of which are being rolled out
Mark Allred, Sr., Secretary-Treasurer this school year.
By Garret Virchick, Boston Teachers
VICE PRESIDENTS Union
Patricia Armstrong
Deborah Blinder
Kathryn Chamberlain
O n July 30th the temperature in
Washington, DC was hot, topping
100 degrees. And almost 5,000 teachers,
Gold Standard
Apostolos Paraskevas, a professor in
the Composition Department at Berklee
Brenda Chaney parents, students, education writers and College of Music, was awarded a Gold Level
Kathy Delaney Award at the California Film Awards for his
supporters of public education were
Catherine Deveney
steamed. The impetus: ten years of the film “I Finally Did It!” Dr. Paraskevas, who
Patricia Driscoll
Marianne Dumont failed education policy No Child Left co-directed the film with filmmaker-director
J. Michael Earle Behind and the recent attacks on public Mathew Tucciarone, authored the script and
Margaret Farrell composed the score for the feature-length
education and public school teachers.
Mary Ferriter documentary that explores the power
Joining the Save Our Schools rally and
Jenna Fitzgerald of friendship, music, and death via a most
Richard Flaherty march was a contingent of 30 members of TIME TO MARCH A contingent of unusual, yet sympathetic character. The film
Paul Georges the Boston Teachers Union who took time Boston Teachers Union members at also features a soundtrack of Paraskevas’
Alice M. Gunning off from summer vacation to come to the Save Our Schools march and rally. original music.
Daniel Haacker DC. The group included veteran teachers his impassioned defense of the profession.
Joyce Harrington
and provisional teachers, substitutes and Damon, the son of a former Massachusetts
Susan Leahy
Rebecca McInnis retirees. Marching behind the BTU banner school teacher, had some reassuring words Silver Screen
Francis McLaughlin were other teachers from Massachusetts for the audience. “The next time you Boston teachers Robert and Yvonne
Bruce Nelson schools as well as graduate students encounter some simple minded punitive Lamothe screened their documentary
Catherine Patten from local colleges along with supporters policy that has been driven into your life “TEACH:Teachers are Talking—Is the Nation
James Philip
Bruce Sparfven
of public education from across the by some corporate reformer who has Listening” at the Save Our Schools march
Richard Stutman Commonwealth. literally never taught anyone anything, and rally in Washington, DC this summer.The
Gale Thomas A pre-march conference and please, please, please know that there are documentary features conversations about
rally featured some of the country’s millions of us behind you. We love you, we the art of teaching and learning by teachers
Jennifer C. Berkshire, Editor themselves. For more information about
preeminent defenders of public education, thank you, and we will ALWAYS have your
38 Chauncy St., Suite 402 how to see the film for yourself visit www.
Boston, Mass. 02111 including Jonathan Kozol, Diane Ravitch back.”
filmourways.com.
Tel. 617-423-3342 /800-279-2523 and former BPS principal Debbie Meir. But
Fax: 617-423-0174 the surprise star of the event may have Learn more about Save Our Schools
and hear Damon’s entire speech on our The Advocate loves good news. If you’ve
www.aftma.net been actor Matt Damon who wowed the got news to share, send us an email at:
2 advocate@aftma.net
crowd—and teachers—everywhere with website: www.aftma.net
advocate@aftma.net.

3. Big Changes Ahead
worked out. and educator to reflect the educator’s
“The primary goal is to create fair specific strengths and weaknesses, as
and workable evaluation systems that well as school and student needs. Each
Continued from page 1 Big picture are about support, not ‘gotcha,’ and plan must spell out the actions that the
Although the law lays out a process the regulations only provide a rough educator will take to achieve the plan
With two complex for municipalities to follow, many of the framework for that,” says Dan Murphy, goals, as well as the support, assistance,
AFT MA’s director of educational and professional growth opportunities
new policies, the details remain to be worked out, notes
policy and programs. “The hard work that will be offered by the district
Powell. “The law will be driven mostly
devil is in the by a set of emergency regulations will be done during bargaining and and school. The educator receives an
implementation when teachers and evaluation and overall rating at the end
details—and in the issued by the states Administrative and
administrators get into the nitty-gritty of the plan, and a new cycle begins.
Finance division. The regulations were
implementation. issued August 12th and are still being of protocols and procedures, tools and
Multiple sources of evidence
reviewed.” Locals are advised to not resources, checks and balances. AFT
Massachusetts stands ready to help with The new regulations are explicit that
Key components rush into implementing the new reform
evaluations and performance ratings
law as both labor and management that process.”
How will the new law work? If must be informed by multiple sources
a municipal governing body votes
officials are still determining how the System in a nutshell of evidence. Traditional classroom
new law will work. And while many of The new evaluation system is pegged
to exercise the local option given to observations, including unannounced
the details remain in question, the big to four performance standards and four
them by the law, it must notify public classroom visits, are one major source
picture does not, says Powell. “We’re all performance ratings. The standards
employee unions, propose a plan of evidence, but the regulations also
going to be paying more out of pocket. are: 1) curriculum, planning, and
design change or propose transferring allow evaluators to consider evidence
The reform law isn’t designed to lower assessment; 2) instruction/teaching
employees into the GIC. Any proposals of student learning and growth; so-
health care costs but rather to lower all students; 3) family and community
put forward by the municipality (public called artifacts of professional practice
government’s share of health care engagement; and 4) professional
authority), must clearly demonstrate (such as lesson plans); evidence
spending.” (For more on the new health culture. The ratings are exemplary,
estimated savings and the methodology of peer collaboration, professional
insurance law go to www.aftma.net). proficient, needs improvement, and
arrived at estimated them. The development, and outreach to families;
municipality and the employee unions unsatisfactory.
Operation evaluation Upon being evaluated at the end of
and, beginning in the 2013-14 school
then have 30 days to negotiate over the After months of feedback—and year, student feedback to teachers and
proposed changes. Twenty five percent an evaluation cycle, educators receive a staff feedback to administrators.
pushback from educators—the Board of rating on each standard and an overall
of savings from plan design changes Elementary and Secondary Education The new regulations will be phased
must go to help employees defray performance rating. The overall rating in over the next three years, beginning
voted to approve new educator then determines the educator’s plan
increased costs, while retiree premiums evaluation regulations at its June this school year in Level 4 schools and
cannot increase for the next three for the next evaluation cycle. Educators in a handful of “early adopter” schools.
28 meeting. Many educators agree rated proficient or exemplary are
years. In cities or towns that vote not that the final version is a significant All Massachusetts school districts
to use the new reform law, traditional placed on “self-directed growth plans” are expected to have new evaluation
improvement over earlier drafts, of up to two years, while those rated
collective bargaining remains in place. thanks largely to the input provided by systems in place by the 2013-2014
Municipalities are also prohibited needs improvement and unsatisfactory school year.
teachers in the field. Still, educators and are placed on “directed growth” and
from unilaterally increasing premium policymakers warn that the real test
rates; these rates must continue to “improvement” plans respectively that Note: the complete text of the new
of the new design will be how it plays may be shorter than a year. regulations and other relevant
be negotiated through collective out in the real world of schools and
bargaining. The goals and contents of each plan materials can be found at www.aftma.
classrooms, with many details yet to be are jointly developed by the evaluator net under ‘educator resources.’
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September 2011

4. Diary T
here is a perennial strain of
teacher-to-teacher conversation
with which you may be familiar.
It arrives in June and goes something
like this: “I can’t believe they’re
of a New Teacher letting Christina attend summer
school when she got a 45 in my
class.” When kids fail a class but are
By Bill Madden-Fuoco, eligible for promotion via summer
Humanities teacher, school, a teacher may perceive the
Urban Science Academy,
event as a blow to the integrity of the
West Roxbury, MA
education system. Others bridle at the
administration’s hijacking of teacher
authority and the travesty of going
soft on kids who “deserved” to be held
Meet the 2011-2012 back.
New Teacher Diarists What the next steps should be for
a student who fails a class is a worthy
topic of discussion, but the umbrage
The Advocate is pleased to introduce
that some teachers take as the school
a number of new contributors to this
year’s Diary of a New Teacher column— year closes strikes me as misplaced.
We know by October which students OPERATION ENGAGEMENT Humanities teacher Bill Madden-Fuoco says
and to welcome back some familiar
are at risk of lacking credit when June that the most important lesson he has learned in his first three years as an
faces.
rolls around. Yet, in my observation, educator is the difference between teaching and making sure that students
our conversations about student learn. “The work of making sure that every student learns—not merely
Bill Madden-Fuoco teaching them—is incredibly hard, but in the end, that’s the job.”
A humanities teacher at the Urban Science performance during the fall and winter
Academy in West Roxbury, Bill was also a rarely hit the urgent notes heard in here at school, I might as well just wrote about in the October 2010
semi-finalist in the state’s 2012 Teacher of the waning weeks of the year when it’s do the work.” “That’s it?” I asked, issue of Educational Leadership. It
the Year contest. too late. A bigger problem than easy disappointed. “That’s it, man.” involves establishing objective signals
bridges to promotion is the fact that In their book Reaching Boys, that trigger support actions before
Robert Tobio we fail so many students in the first Teaching Boys, Michael C. Reichert students are mired in failure. My goal
Robert teaches math and special education place. and Richard Hawley present is to tighten up the data tracking and
at the Mary Lyon Pilot School in Brighton. During my teaching residency compelling evidence that for many intervention part of my teaching game.
He previously taught at Monument High year, a ninth-grade student named students, an authentic teacher- My fear is that we are inured to
School in South Boston, which closed at Jonathan would shuffle into every student relationship is a prerequisite high failure rates and see them as
the end of the school year. class a minute or two late and slump for classroom engagement. I don’t inevitable. The work of making sure
into his seat as if he had just walked credit myself with Jonathan or Gio’s every student learns—not merely
Melissa McDonald all the way from Alaska. His classroom academic turnarounds, but my teaching them—is incredibly hard, but
A fifth grade teacher at the Parthum contributions proved his intelligence, experience working with them showed in the end, that’s the job. Students’
Elementary School in Lawrence, Melissa yet at the end of every class his work me that delivering strong curriculum statuses in June are wide-open but
is returning to teaching after a year of was half-completed at best. Forget is necessary but insufficient. It must taking shape now.
maternity leave. about homework or writing projects. be accompanied by actively reaching Let’s talk about that.
Substitute Jonathan’s torpor for flash, struggling students.
Joyce Melker and you had Gio, a similar case. With a When we think of the job as not
A paraprofessional at the Henry Lord Mid- penchant for wearing NBA warm-ups simply teaching, but making sure
dle School in Fall River, Joyce is currently and airing any joke that came into his every student learns, the importance
training to become a teacher through the
head, Gio exuded charisma, but little of personalized interventions becomes
JET program at UMass Dartmouth.
evidence of learning. clear. Under this framework, it is no
I found these students longer acceptable to deliver the best
Matthew Robinson
simultaneously endearing and classes possible and then place the
Matthew is beginning his second year
infuriating. Their lack of work onus for success solely on students’
teaching English and journalism at the
shattered my presumption that shoulders. Such an approach assures
Burke High School in Dorchester where
he also oversees the student newspaper. if teachers deliver accessible, four-year graduation rates in urban
challenging, and engaging curriculum, schools that remain around fifty
Riana Good student learning will take care of itself. percent. Yet, many teachers send
While Riana is technically no longer a new Further, the knowledge of the lives underperforming students the message
teacher, this Spanish teacher at the Boston that likely awaited them if they didn’t that “your education is here if you
Teachers Union School in Jamaica Plain says make it out of high school nearly drove want it.”
that she still feels like a ‘newby.’ me to depression. A mindset in which a teacher takes
My mentor teacher urged me responsibility for student learning is
to stay on both of them. I did, first critical. But again, while necessary,
making sure that they understood this mindset is insufficient. In each
the material. I scheduled conferences of my three years as a high school
with their families. Jonathan’s parents humanities teacher, I have had 100
came in one day in November and or more students in my care. My
several adults basically harangued approach to reaching for struggling
him for a half hour. I had no students is zealous but scattershot;
success arranging a conference with it lacks organization and systematic
Gio’s mom. Month after month, I rigor. Too many students fail my
encouraged these boys daily and tried courses, and many who should be
to prove to them that their success making the honor roll hover below it.
mattered to me and that I wouldn’t The start of another school year
give up on them. Miraculously and represents another chance to get it
without warning, Jonathan and Gio right. This past summer I read Isabel
started producing work sometime in Wilkerson’s amazing The Warmth
March and earned B’s for the third of Other Suns to bolster my content
quarter. knowledge about the Great Migration,
I ran into Gio on the subway one and researched ways to improve
day in June. I asked him what it was vocabulary instruction. In addition to
that made him start doing work. “I developing the curriculum delivery
don’t know, man,” he said, a smile side of my teaching, I also read
spreading across his face. “Wait,” about classroom-based systems for
he corrected himself. “There was tracking student data and providing
something.” The greatest mystery in personalized interventions. I plan to
education was about to reveal itself adopt an approach called “Flagged
to me. “One day I just figured, if I’m for Success” that Robyn Jackson
4
The AFT Massachusetts Advocate

5. BEHIND
as a field representative.
In 1995 Powell moved to Dracut
to become a full-time firefighter,
THE SCENES but his role as an expert on health
insurance was only beginning. He
quickly got involved in his union,
Andrew Powell, joined the executive board and was
asked to represent the firefighters and
Field Representative other public employees in Dracut in
negotiations with the town over—what
else?—health insurance. With costs
rising, Dracut officials wanted big
AFT MA’s newest staff changes in employee health benefits.
member got his start Explains Powell: “I think the local
union members knew that I had
as a firefighter—and their best interest at heart.” Powell
went on to become and other union leaders in Dracut
formulated a proposal to completely
an expert on the issue overhaul the town’s employee benefits
of municipal health package through a process known as
coalition bargaining. “We saved the DETAIL MAN New AFT MA field representative Andrew Powell spent the last
insurance. town substantial money and ended up five years advising Massachusetts public employee unions on health insurance.
strengthening the unions’ bargaining “Now my goal is to become an expert on all of the issues affecting AFT locals.”
A
position as a result,” says Powell.
s a young boy in the Merrimack a dramatic change. (See this month’s policy on his mind. Just two months
And while most union members
Valley, Andy Powell knew exactly cover story: “Changes Ahead”). ago he and his partner Eileen
might have been happy to put the
what he wanted to be when he Massachusetts lawmakers passed welcomed twin boys, Dillon and
experience of negotiating over health
grew up: a firefighter. “It was my a measure over the summer that James, to their family; Powell also
insurance behind them, Powell was
dream,” says Powell. “I was a big fan weakens the ability of unions to has an eleven year old son named
just getting started. In 2005 he joined
of the show ‘Emergency.’” He realized bargain over health benefits. And while Samuel. And after spending most of
forces with Boston Benefits Partners,
that dream at the ripe old age of 18 Powell is concerned about the financial his four decades in and around the
which advises public sector unions in
when he joined the volunteer fire burden members are likely to face— Merrimack Valley, Powell has made a
Massachusetts on employee benefits.
department in Merrimac, MA, but he notes that the new law was never major transition, to the South Shore
His job: working as a professional
Powell still had to earn a living. When intended to lower health care costs but community of Marshfield, or “Marsh
advisor to unions, including AFT locals
he wasn’t fighting fires or responding to shift those costs onto users—he also Vegas,” as he likes to call it in tribute
in Lawrence, Lowell and Chelmsford.
to emergencies in the small town near points to several important protections to its historic role as the gambling
“As an expert on municipal health
the New Hampshire border, Powell in the law. “There are protections center of the state.
insurance, my job was to educate
had a very different line of work, as for retirees and the law also requires As for hobbies, Powell loves
local leaders on an incredibly complex
a customer service representative for municipalities to offset some of the camping and the outdoors and is an
subject,” says Powell. “Now my goal is
John Hancock, a health insurance cost shift for the most vulnerable,” amateur musician who plays guitar
to become an expert in all of the issues
carrier. “I learned an incredible says Powell. “Now we have to figure as often as he can—which isn’t much
affecting AFT locals. I have a lot to
amount about health insurance and out a way to focus on the real problem: since the twins arrived. “My hobby
learn.”
I’ve been able to use that knowledge the cost of health care is out of control. right now is changing diapers,” says
Powell joins the staff of AFT MA
over the years to help municipal What are we going to do about it?” Powell.
at a time when the health insurance
employees,” says Powell, who recently These days Powell has more than
landscape in the state is undergoing
joined the staff of AFT Massachusetts the fine details of health insurance Welcome aboard!
Lesley University School of Education
5
September 2011

6. On Campus
Richard Freeland
Commissioner,
Mass. Department of Higher Education
A New Vision for Public Higher Education
nation. Our focus through the Vision public campuses intensify their work on
“Public higher Project will be to boost the readiness of Vision Project goals. Though the size of
those high school students least likely to this fund is modest, it constitutes a ma-
education has never enroll in college. Last spring the Board jor vote of confidence from Beacon Hill
been more important of Higher Education voted for a new in the importance of our work and the
to Massachusetts than standard requiring four years of high kind of effort that is likely to earn future
school math in order to qualify for ad- financial support.
it is today. Our state mission to the state colleges and UMass, The second reason is that we simply
is engaged in a fierce beginning in 2016. Research shows that cannot afford to hunker down and await
global competition for a rigorous high school curriculum is the better times. Public higher education
greatest predictor of college success. has never been more important to Mas-
talent, investment and Every Massachusetts high school student sachusetts than it is today. Our state is
jobs.” deserves access to such essential college engaged in a fierce global competition
preparation. for talent, investment and jobs. Our
I t is a privilege for me to be able
to share a few thoughts with AFT
members as we begin a new academic
Another focus of Vision Project work
involves STEM education. The needs of
the Massachusetts’ economy require us
primary assets in this competition are
the educational level of our citizens and
workforce, and the inventiveness and
year. This promises to be a busy year for to attract more students into the fields of competence of the creative individuals
those of us working at or on behalf of EDUCATED STATE OF MIND Science, Technology, Engineering, Math, and organizational leaders who drive our
the state’s 29 public college and univer- Richard Freeland, Commissioner of where some industries report near-zero innovation-dependent, knowledge-based
sity campuses, as we collectively pursue the Massachusetts Department of unemployment. A final example of Vi- economy. A state that has historically
an ambitious agenda called The Vision Higher Education, with some of the sion Project work involves the area of undervalued its public higher education
Project. students who attend the state’s 29 learning outcomes assessment, where institutions must begin to change course
This strategic plan for Massachusetts public colleges and universities. a working group of campus leaders has if it is to remain competitive. Collectively
public higher education was approved level of research linked to economic de- recommended an ambitious approach to our institutions now educate two thirds
by the Board of Higher Education in velopment and level of business activity documenting student achievement. of all residents who remain in state for
May, 2010. It seeks to focus the work of derived from academic research. Good intentions notwithstanding, post-secondary education. They need
our public colleges and universities on Through the Vision Project we will AFT members might well question the and deserve greater public support.
seven aspirational goals to assure that quantify our standing with respect to wisdom of proceeding with such a bold As educators, you play a critical role
Massachusetts has the best educated these goals, celebrate our achievements, agenda in the midst of a fiscal crisis. in helping students get to or graduate
citizenry and workforce in the nation and identify areas that need improvement, Indeed, with the stresses on our system from college. I welcome your ideas and
that we are a leader in academic research and document our progress. Next spring translating into a heavy workload for feedback. Please feel free to contact me
that drives economic development. The we will issue the first in a series of an- faculty, what is to be gained by compar- at commissioner.freeland@bhe.mass.
seven goals are designed to position nual reports documenting our standing ing ourselves to other highly competitive edu or visit the Department of Higher
Massachusetts for national leadership among the 50 states with respect to these public systems? Education web site: www.mass.edu.
in the following areas: college-going areas of educational achievement. The answer, I believe, has two key
rates, college completion, the alignment The good news for Massachusetts cit- parts. First, even in this time of severe Richard Freeland is a guest columnist
between degrees offered and workforce izens and taxpayers is that we are already fiscal constraint, the Governor and leg- this month. The regular “On Campus”
needs, student learning outcomes, prog- making strides in key areas. Our college- islature have found room in the budget contributor, Dan Georgianna, will re-
ress made in closing achievement gaps, going rates are among the highest in the to support a new fund that will help our turn to this spot next month.
Amesbury Paras Fight Off Outsourcing Bid
Continued from cover
The union is the solution
This fall the paras will go back to the
“We needed to find out what Futures
Parental involvement school committee remained steadfast in bargaining table to try to restore some
The paras also enlisted the help of a its commitment to the outsourcing plan. of the lost benefits. (The town’s financial
was all about and doing the research Explains Murphy: “The town’s message situation has improved somewhat
natural ally: the families of the children
helped us get a bigger picture,” says from the very beginning was ‘this is since the outsourcing plan was first
they cared for every day. “These were
Deb Murphy, a special education para not about the quality of the work—this announced). When they do return, says
the people who were going to be most
at Amesbury Elementary, who came is about saving money. They had a Murphy, it will be as the strongest, most
affected and we wanted to make sure
to be known to her colleagues as the financial goal in mind and the only way united force they’ve ever been. “This
that they had a say about who would
‘researcher in chief.’ Before long a squad they would budge is if we matched that,” was an organizing campaign for us. It
be caring for their kids,” says Cindy
of para researchers was delving deep says Murphy. changed the way we communicate, it
Yetman, president of AFT Amesbury
into Futures’ background. Matching the savings that the changed the way we think about local
and an education technology teacher at
The paras quickly discovered that town expected to realize through the politics and it made us realize the deep
Amesbury High School.
the company that proposed taking over deal meant that the paras would have support we have in the community.”
When the school committee met to
their jobs had no experience providing to make sacrifices—in many cases For AFT MA field representative
discuss the outsourcing plan, students,
special education paraprofessional deep sacrifices. “They gave up a lot to Dianne Heeley, the paras’ fight against
families, even concerned community
services. (Futures was hired by maintain their positions and to continue outsourcing was deeply personal. She’s
members packed the auditorium. For a
Amesbury last year to analyze the to deliver the quality of the services that retiring this month and the thought of
full three and a half hours they testified
town’s special education programs). the children of Amesbury need,” says seeing so many of the paras lose their
to local officials about the potential
And in communities where Futures Yetman. jobs was unbearable. “I couldn’t go out
impact of losing their paraprofessionals.
was providing outsourced therapy The paras don’t sugar coat the hit on that note.” She offers effusive praise
“The passion of the parents and
services, notes Murphy, former district that they took in order to continue to for the paras’ hard work. “They were
the community members was just
employees didn’t appear to work for do their jobs. “People who’d been here so focused and they really rose to the
incredible,” says Deb Murphy. “They
their new employer for long. The the longest lost the most,” says Terry. challenge,” says Heeley. And while the
had all the same concerns and feelings
financial data also painted a troubling Among the concessions the paras made: paras were forced to give up significant
that we did.”
picture. “There was no long term data giving up vacation pay, holiday pay, benefits, Heeley is convinced that the
showing how much money Futures A financial fight longevity bonuses, sick leave incentive ultimate agreement was a victory for
saved for these districts after the third But even as support for the pay and reimbursement for professional the paras—and for the union. “Not only
year,” says Murphy, who likens the paraprofessionals grew within the training and education. “We made sure did we save all of these jobs but we
arrangement to a credit card with a community—and questions about that the town understood that they were really showed that the union wasn’t the
special low introductory rate. “Futures Future’s ability to deliver the services taking money from the people who are problem, it was the solution. That was
had a very well-rehearsed sales pitch.” it promised continue to emerge—the already the lowest paid,” adds Terry. the most important thing.”
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
A Testament to the Power of Empathy
many issues involving probate, trusts,
Medicare Trusts, Benefits for veterans
and their spouses and much more.
W hat is empathy? According to special talent is portrait work. She is and becomes even harder when it is the When: September 24, 10 to noon
Wikipedia, the free online ency- special because of the select group she loss of a young person denied a full life Where Presidential Park, 314 Main
clopedia: “Empathy is the key corner- paints: those who have given their lives because of their willingness to serve our Street, Unit 105,Wilmington, MA (Main
stone in genuine human relationships. in service to our country. Her mission country. St. is Rt. 38.The entrance to the park is
Empathy is conscious. It means one with began with those who died in Iraq and MRU has spent time this past year across from the Wilmington House of
empathy feels compassion, while those Afghanistan, and has since extended to acknowledging our members and teach- Pizza sign.)
without do not take into account other include those who’ve made the supreme ers who have served. We honor Gina
people’s emotions.” Empathy is a capac- sacrifice in any war for our country. and her tribute to those who served and Living in Retirement as an In-
ity to feel with someone. It is common Gina will be the keynote speaker died for us by featuring her talent at our formed Retiree
knowledge that one must have a certain at the Massachusetts Retirees United annual meeting. Here is an inspirational This two hour seminar will help you
amount of empathy in order to feel com- Annual Meeting held at the Hillview woman who truly feels with and for understand eligibility for Medicare,
passion for another. Country Club in North Reading on Sep- others, a true testimony to the power of including the Medicare B penalty and
I don’t need to be poor to feel tember 22, 2011. Her Traveling Tribute empathy. surcharge. Also covered: new tax laws
compassion for the poor, nor must I Wall, Faces of Remembrance will be on Come join us on September 22, 2011 regarding the sale of a second home,
be diagnosed with a life threatening or display there. Gina’s commitment to our and bring a portrait of your loved one tax sheltered annuity distributions, laws
debilitating illness in order to feel for a military comes from deep within her for Gina to sketch. Details about the regarding working in retirement, and
person in that position. soul, as she believes in “paying forward” state meeting can be found in our July many other issues.
Nor must I think of myself as old in to the families of those who have died in 2011 Newsletter, MRU Matters or on
When: October 1, 10 to noon
order to feel the fears, the loneliness and service to our country. The long hours our website at www.retireesunited.org.
Where Presidential Park in Wilmington
the uncertainty of someone who is old. she spends giving of her time and talent,
(see above).
In too many instances empathy has while still maintaining a full time job
been replaced by greed, power and a and raising a family on her own make All the above seminars are free.To
smug belief that ‘that could never hap- Gina an inspiration for us all. register call Marie Ardito at 1-617-482-
pen to me.’ Some of us are too wrapped Gina presents each original detailed Attention MRU members:
1568 or e-mail mardito@retireesunited.
up in ourselves to imagine walking in pencil portrait to the military families. Our address was listed incorrectly in the
org. Make sure to specify which seminar
another’s shoes, much less trying to feel Not only does she do the portraits for most recent issue of MRU Matters. The cor-
you plan to attend and the number of
with them. free, she also bears the expense of mail- rect address is:
individuals who will be attending.
I recently encountered someone ing and supplies. Massachusetts Retirees United
who defies this attitude, whose whole She will share with us how she began P.O. Box 4015
life is a testimony to empathy. Let me this journey and some of the experiences Chelmsford, MA 01824-0615
introduce Gina Johnson, an artist whose she has had. Loss is always difficult
The
Golden A Friend and Mentor Inspires a Change
Apple see them learning to read, developing
social skills, sharing with their friends
and understanding the expectations
that a public school education brings.
By Marcy A. Winer, paraprofessional, I owe all of this to Paula Tye-
Greenhalge School, Lowell, MA Flagler, an amazing, inspirational
woman. Paula got her start in the
S ometimes the toughest jobs are
the most rewarding. Sometimes
you need someone to ‘shake you up’
Lowell Public Schools in 1982. She
began at the Laura Lee School and
later moved to the McAvinnue School
and help you realize that a profession where she teaches preschool to special
you’d never thought of entering, was needs children. She has also served as
in fact just what you needed after a mentor to new student teachers.
all. That is exactly how I became a Paula has an amazing way with
paraprofessional. I was due for a children. She lights up whenever she
change in profession after working sees little children at the park, at the
many years, first for the federal beach or in stores. At times when
government, then in business. I we are out together, she will stop
needed to find something that added to talk to children and they always CHANGE AGENT Paula Tye-Flagler (left), a teacher in the Lowell Public
zest and more happiness to my life. respond with smiles and giggles. Her Schools, inspired her friend Marcy Winer to take a leap of faith and become
My best friend, Paula Tye-Flagler connection with children is immediate a paraprofessional. “Paula’s confidence in me is the reason I took a leap into
suggested that I consider becoming a and long lasting. She has long-term education,” says Winer. “She has always been my biggest supporter.”
para. I took her suggestion seriously, relationships with former students
and within that very week I was hired and often visits them in the summer sounding board for me for many years. tried to remember that. I grew very
to work at the Greenhalge School in and goes on ice cream outings with One year, I had a very challenging little attached to him and felt a deep sense
Lowell. them. They love her so much! Paula boy who came from a broken family. of satisfaction at the progress he made.
The six years I’ve now worked as also takes the time to really understand He had behavior problems that could Paula’s confidence in me is the reason I
a para have been both rewarding and the unique family situations that often disrupt the classroom in an instant. took a leap into education. At the time
challenging. If I wake up in a grumpy occur in an urban school district such It was Paula I called on for help. I’d I had to trust that this would be a good
mood (a rarity!) I know that as soon as as Lowell. Many times she has gone vent that I was at my wits end with this change for me and she was right. She
I get to school, there will be 22 faces out of her way to educate the families student. Paula reminded me that he has always been my biggest supporter
smiling at me, ready for a brand new who may require additional readiness needed me to provide discipline and and I know that she always will be right
day. I know that I add value to these materials to help their children structure at school because he wasn’t there, lending me an ear when I need
children’s lives each day that I am succeed. During the school year, Paula getting it at home. She reminded me it. Her preschoolers are lucky to call
there. They need me and sometimes rewards her students with special gifts that this would benefit him in the long her Miss Paula and I am blessed to call
the only structure they have for the for their hard work. run. She was right. I remained tough her my friend.
day will be the six hours I spend with Paula has been a tremendous role yet loving. At the time, his mother
them in school. I get excited when I model, teacher, friend, advisor and was absent from the home and I
September 2011 7