Hello MTA members and comrades,
Over the last two months, Deb and I have had the privilege of hosting regional conversations with local presidents across Massachusetts, beginning in Quincy, followed by Middleton and, most recently, West Springfield and Pittsfield. Admittedly, I don’t often appreciate the beauty of the fall foliage, but as we traveled across the Commonwealth, our conversations about artificial intelligence, ed tech and fully funding our schools reminded me that the beauty of education extends far beyond the classroom. It lives in our communities and the environment, in our dedication to our craft and in our shared responsibility to educate the whole student. It also embodies a commitment to civic participation and engagement.
Deb and I heard from educators who continue to carry out some of society’s most vital and often unseen labor. Every day, they show up for students, meeting their needs while preserving the authenticity and humanity that make education meaningful. As AI/ed tech companies aggressively attempt to embed in our schools and colleges, we must confront the consequences of this interference and what it means for our students’ ability to think critically, engage deeply and discover knowledge for themselves. Our fight to fully fund public education is inseparable from our responsibility to protect the human experience of teaching and learning. These are political and economic fights, so we must recognize that our work is part of a broader political and economic struggle. Take the time today to participate in this survey. How is AI/ed tech affecting your day-to-day experience? Remember, building power for our campaigns for real material change and prosperity always begins at the worksite and prepares us for the broader political landscape.
On the heels of the midterm election, I encourage you to stay the course in our work to build collective power and invite you to join our upcoming Bargaining Summit, and the LGBTQ+ Conference. In the meantime, please stand in solidarity with our union siblings in higher education who are leading the Fair Wages Now campaign. Sign up to join us at the State House on Friday, Nov. 20, where we will demand fair wages and the resources our public colleges and universities deserve. Deb and I look forward to continuing these conversations across Massachusetts in the weeks ahead.
In solidarity,
– Matt
