National Education Association President Becky Pringle echoed messages from Massachusetts Teachers Association leaders that the striking Newton teachers were fighting a larger fight for education. The NEA – the nation’s largest labor union – joined other unions, including The Teamsters and AFL-CIO — in endorsing the Newton Teachers Association (NTA) strike for a range of contractual issues. Today’s rally highlighted the NTA’s demands for higher salaries and greater support for teachers designated as Unit C in the NTA contract – i.e., those who work with students with special needs. The NTA is also calling for more social workers and psychologists to deal with students’ mental health issues. One speaker drew cheers when she described Unit C educators as “your children’s access to education.”
Defying freezing temperatures, hundreds of teachers — most wearing NTA blue hats — covered the front lawn of the Education Center at 100 Walnut Street and spilled onto the sidewalk in front of the building. Applauding and cheering the speakers, they frequently chanted “Pay Unit C,” beat drums and tambourines, blew whistles, and shook hand bells. Many carried hand-made signs supporting teachers and criticizing the Mayor and School Committee. Several blue, C-shaped, helium-filled balloons floated over the heads of the crowd. (See NewTV video.)
In addition to the NEA President, other rally speakers included these members of Unit C:
- Shawanda Steed (Behavioral Therapist in STRIDE at Newton North HS)
- Sherine Thelemaque (Behavioral Therapist, STRIDE at Newton North HS)
- Jess Wilson (parent for whom Unit C staff made huge difference in her child’s life)
- Stephen Lenane (Aide and Social Work Intern in the Community Connections program at the Education Center)
- Julie Dorfneilson (veteran Inclusion Aide at Burr)
- Loring Masters (SEL Interventionist at Bowen)
