20 Ashburton Place Boston, MA 02108
617-742-7950 or 1-800-392-6175
MTA Benefits: (800) 336-0990
MTRB: (617) 679-6877
MTA's Mission Statement
The Massachusetts Teachers Association is a member-driven organization, governed by democratic principals, that accepts and supports the interdependence of professionalism and unionism. The MTA promotes the use of its members' collective power to advance their professional and economic interests. The MTA is committed to human and civil rights and advocates for quality public education in an environment in which lifelong learning and innovation flourish.
Thanks to the many members benefits programs offered by MTA's Educators Services, MTA/NEA members can save their entire dues, and more, by simply purchasing one or more programs through ESC.
If you need Insurance, Buying, Travel, or Financial services, your MTA/NEA Member Card is the ticket to scores of ESC programs!
For additional information about the programs visit MTA's Educators Services home page www.mtabenefits.com
MTA Today Online
Past issues of MTA Today are available for viewing on massteacher.org.
MTA Numbers:
MTA Benefits (800) 336-0990
MTRB (617) 679-6877
MTA Retirement Consultant (Howard Crowley) (617) 742-7950
EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY
The MTA Center for Education Policy and Practice is offering four three-credit online courses to MTA members:
1.) DEVELOPING A STANDARDS-BASED UNIT OF INSTRUCTION - This course focuses on the development of two-week units of instruction aligned with the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks learning standards. The material and instruction are based on Wiggins and McTighe's Understanding by Design. Topics include identifying standards to be addressed, articulating major understandings, developing essential questions, determining the specific content and skills to be mastered during the unit, understanding the range of assessments that could be used and developing an instructional calendar.
2.) CREATING PERFORMANCE ASSESSMENT TOOLS - Focuses on the theory and practice of creating, teaching, and refining authentic performance assessments related to the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks learning standards and differentiating based on student learning profiles.
3.) DIFFERENTIATING INSTRUCTIONAL PRACTICES - Focuses on the decision-making by teachers about student readiness and level of independence as the basis for differentiating existing lessons and units of instruction. Topics include determining readiness and independence, low-preparation and high-preparation differentiated instructional strategies and differentiating student work by process and product to address learning styles, readiness, independence, and interests.
4.) BETTER BEGINNINGS: NEW TEACHER INDUCTION PROGRAM - Designed to support beginning teachers in establishing effective professional communities with one another to overcome the challenges peculiar to early career teaching. A variety of activities allow new teachers to learn the content of the topics and hands-on classroom applications.
If you would like more information on these courses and the graduate credit available, visit the MTA Website at www.massteacher.org.
MTA Annual Delegate Meeting
Nomination papers for delegates to the MTA Annual Meeting (May 9 & 10) will be distributed to all staff during March. The BEA is entitled to eight delegates. If there are more than 8 delegates nominated, the BEA Executive Committee will elect the slate at its April meeting. The BEA will pick up the cost of the two-day Annual Meeting. Delegates are entitled to take an Association Day (Article 32.4) for Friday, May 9.
Agenda for the Annual Meeting
Friday, May 9
8:00—5:00 Registration
8:00—12:30 Exposition
12:30—5:00 Business Session
Saturday, May 10
Business Agenda
Discussion and approval of MTA 2008-2009 fiscal budget, including MTA membership dues.
Looking for Auto Insurance??
Did you know you can get quality auto insurance from The Commerce Insurance Company, the largest insurer of private passenger auto insurance in Massachusetts through your local Horace Mann representative? As a member of Belmont Education Association, you are eligible for a 10 percent discount on your Massachusetts auto insurance premium. Get a free comparison quote. Just fax your current coverage page, or call for an appointment for a no-obligation quote that may save you money.
Barry Freeman
(617)630-5600
Fax (617)202-9201
Barry.Freeman@horacemann.com
