Good day to you!
Since I was, again, not allowed to make an opening day welcome speech this year, I thought I would send out a letter to make up for what I am sure would have been a very inspiring speech. No match for Falconize, to be sure, but maybe, just maybe I would have, um, well, you know, delivered a, um, well-rehearsed and lively speech that could have injected a little more spark into an otherwise technologically faulted affair. In any case, here is the bulk of what I would have liked to talk about:
How ‘bout those t-shirts?! As part of the “Bring Your Own Device” campaign, I really wanted to bring in a t-shirt cannon to deliver those all to you. And what do you think of those new contracts, upgraded printing, a back page insert of the Appendix, what could be better? Both of those, by the way, were made possible by programs through the MTA. See what those dues dollars get you?! In all seriousness, now is a difficult time for public schools, teachers’ unions, and really unions in general, around the country. It is more important than ever to band together and work in collaboration for the success of our schools, our students, and our community.
With the assistance from the National Education Association, the Massachusetts Teachers Association, and all of you, the members of the Danvers Teachers Association, the cap on Charter Schools will remain in effect, for now. That was an incredible exhibit of uniting under a common goal, and achieving success through collaboration and hard work. Last year’s lessons, will go a long way toward helping us in this present and future world of an ever-more politicization of education. It will take positive, impactful leaders around the country to deliver the type of direction in education that our students deserve; and it would be no surprise to me if many of those leaders were members of a teachers union.
To that end I want to spotlight the members of the Executive Board of the Danvers Teachers Association, those who are “Building Representatives” in each of our schools. For those new teachers this year, we welcome you with open arms and hope you live many happy years educating the future leaders of Danvers. Building Reps reach out to those new teachers, make yourselves known, show them the ropes. New teachers ask your colleagues, your mentors, your building reps questions, ask them lots of questions, “stupid” printer questions and profound pedagogical questions alike. You have many incredible resources available to you, take advantage of them.
Lastly, I want to invite you ALL to our first DTA social of the year! Come welcome new teachers and hang out with some of the best “old-timers” in the business (insert emoji wink here)!
I wish you all the very best in the year ahead, only 177 or so days to go! (Because we’re so awesome we work 184!)
~Glenn Farrell – DTA President
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