My husband teases me about my odd habit of watching school committee meetings on TV, no matter how long and tedious. I suppose I should have had my fill after teaching for 35 years. But through activism with my local as well as the Massachusetts Teachers Association and NEA, I have come to appreciate how important school policy is. And the union has given me a wonderful opportunity to have a voice in the future of our suburban Boston schools.
As an executive board member with the Newton Teachers Association, I have interviewed dozens of political candidates over the years, talking with them about education issues and bringing information and recommendations back to my union colleagues. Now when I walk around town, candidates stop me on the sidewalk and say, “Jane, so nice to see you. We’ll have to get coffee.”
I develop a relationship with them. Then, if the candidates get elected, they often seek my opinion.
I appreciate how the union has paved the way for me to do this meaningful work, but these efforts are really for the benefit of my students. They have always been a magnetic pull for me. I still love being a part of a school and seeing students grow and learn.
When I turned 60, I was ready to retire, but I was asked to stay on to teach English language learners. Now, at 73, I’m still doing it, teaching math in middle school three days a week. My students make small gains each day, but seeing the extent of their academic needs reminds me of the importance of local school policy.
So when I watch those school committee meetings so closely, it’s because I have the pleasure of seeing my ideas and the union’s position come to the floor and hopefully come to fruition.
