AFT Massachusetts

What does ‘Stand’ Really Stand for?

AFT MA — Tue, 15 May 2012 19:13:45 +0000

Golden Apple: The Phantom Tollbooth Turns 50

AFT MA — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 20:12:30 +0000

PHANTOM AT 50 Norton Juster, a long-time teacher, says that his writing has been inspired by the problems he had as a student.

Though perhaps best known for the award-winning book The Phantom Tollbooth (which recently celebrated its 50th year as a favorite of young and old alike), Norton Juster spent many years teaching. As such, the architect who once designed homes and curricula has a thing or two to say about education and how it has changed.

After receiving a Ford Foundation grant for what was supposed to be a book for children on cities and urban planning, Juster began work on a book about a fantastical world where words and numbers lived in harmony.

“It is a story about a kid who didn’t like school,” he explains, noting the similarities between his hero and himself. “I see things differently,” he says. “I start with images and do things differently than the way most writers do.” Though he attributes his unique approach to his architectural training (which, he suggests, makes you look at everything from different points of view), he says that he felt the need to write his book because, even 50 years ago, he was seeing how so many students were not allowed to shape their own perspectives.

“In school today, you learn one way to do a thing,” Juster suggests, recalling the “deadly” dictum he learned in the Navy of “tell ‘em what you gonna’ tell ‘em, tell ‘em and then tell ‘em what you told ‘em” and noting that both his daughter and granddaughter both scold him for trying to suggest alternate ways to deal with problems and ideas. “They say they can only do things one way. That makes me angry because the essence of why [people] go to school is to develop a way to look at things from various points of view.” TTWhen he wrote and tried to publish his book, Juster was told that it would not work for children because the ideas were too advanced and complicated. “It was general opinion of editors that it was not a children’s book,” Juster recalls. “The vocabulary was too difficult and the ideas were well beyond kids and they would never get the word play and punning….And to top it all off that fantasy was bad for children!

Five decades later, children of all ages continue to get happily lost in the wonderful world Juster created.

“All my learning since I was a kid was fantasy,” explains Juster. “It was the only way I could learn or get my head around things….Everything I did in school was based on doing things totally different than other kids were doing…so I make sure to this day that when I go to schools and talk to kids that it is what they think that is important.
There is no one meaning,” Juster emphasizes, “even if it is what the author wanted it to say!”

Decrying standardized testing and other one-sided systems, Juster supports a more open-minded, cross-pollinating way of looking at and dealing with the world. It is such open-minded practices that allowed him to write and teach and achieve all that he has.

“I started having fun and messing around with ideas that I had misunderstood or had problems with in school,” explains Juster, “like what letters and words ‘taste’ like and what music ‘looks’ like in color and taking expressions like ‘jumping to conclusion’ literally.” And though editors and colleagues and even his own family may take issue with how Juster experiences and expresses his world, he says contentedly, “it all worked out.”

Phantom Tollbooth fan Matt Robinson is an ELA teacher at Burke High School in Boston and a regular contributor to the Advocate.

AFT MA Endorses Elizabeth Warren

AFT MA — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 16:52:05 +0000

AFT Massachusetts, which represents over 22,000 teachers, librarians, nurses, custodians and college faculty, has endorsed Elizabeth Warren, the Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate. “Elizabeth Warren promises to be a strong voice for education in Washington,” said Thomas Gosnell, president of AFT Massachusetts. “She is committed to preparing students with the best possible education and supporting the dedicated teachers and professionals of Massachusetts.”

Warren is running for the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate against immigration attorney Marisa DeFranco and Boston attorney Jim King. The primary winner will meet U.S. Sen. Scott Brown in November in a race that’s attracting attention for the impact it could have on control of the U.S. Senate in 2013.

“AFT Massachusetts is a unifying voice for a variety of education professionals throughout the Commonwealth,” said Gosnell. “Elizabeth Warren vows to advocate for our concerns and the many issues facing Massachusetts families.”

For more information about Elizabeth Warren, visit her website.

Take the Pledge

AFT MA — Sun, 29 Apr 2012 13:30:05 +0000

I pledge to help keep Massachusetts schools on the right track

Massachusetts schools are on the right track. Working together, educators, parents and students have helped make our schools number 1 in the nation. And while we still have plenty of work to do, together we can reach our goal of a great school for every Massachusetts students. Now, some people want to derail our progress with a harmful ballot initiative that hurts our students.

I PLEDGE to join with teachers, parents and community members to keep Massachusetts schools on the right track by opposing any efforts that would undermine public education.

Take the pledge today

Northeast Summer School for Union Women

AFT MA — Sun, 29 Apr 2012 13:27:04 +0000

UMass Amherst
July 28-August 2, 2012.

This five-day residential program provides an in-depth, engaging, energizing, educational and networking experience to union women members, activists and leaders. Women come from public and private sector unions from all over the Northeast – New England, NY, PA, RI, NJ, DEL and sometimes Canada and Bermuda! This year we are hoping to welcome domestic workers from NY and Massachusetts, who are organizing non-traditional unions.

What happens at summer school? Participants take a leadership skills workshop daily, sign up for 3 different multi-day skills workshops, and participate in plenary sessions and evening programs. The theme this year is The Rising of the Women: Organizing for Bread and Roses Today, commemorating the 100th anniversary of the Lawrence, MA Bread and Roses strike. Plenary sessions, evening events and resource material will connect today’s union issues and struggles with those of the Lawrence millworkers – largely immigrant women – in 1912. And don’t forget that we have FUN!

It is truly a life-changing experience and I hope you can join us. Partial scholarships are available and we are hoping to have some scholarships dedicated to bringing young women to summer school.

For more information visit umasslep.org/summer-school-union-women.

MA Students and Schools are #1!

AFT MA — Sun, 29 Apr 2012 13:10:45 +0000

Massachusetts schools are on the right track. Working together, educators, parents and students have helped make our schools No. 1 in the nation. While we still have plenty of work to do, together we can reach our goal of a great school for every Massachusetts student!