Category: Recent News

Wear Orange and Attend the End of Day Rally at the State Capitol at 4:30pm!

MTI has joined WEAC and NEA in supporting and encouraging local sites to organize around the April 20 National Day of Action to Protect Students and Schools from Gun Violence, calling on our communities to take action against gun violence.

MTI, WEAC and NEA leadership have not endorsed any one particular action, rather members have been encouraged to plan participation in ways that are meaningful and empowering at their sites.  We have shared this message and resource list with Faculty Representatives and MTI members over the past month and have heard back from a number of schools relative to their plans.

Some educators are organizing legislative letter-writing campaigns, other educators have organized collective “walk-ins” at the beginning of the day, other educators are holding age-appropriate peace-building activities, other educators are planning a 13-minute in-school observation during the school day, and other educators are planning to be absent from school to march to the Capitol with a day-long schedule of activities.  All of these actions are intended to demand action to protect students and schools from gun violence.

While MTI continues to encourage all members to plan and participate in those activities that they find meaningful and empowering at their sites during the day, MTI calls for all MTI members to participate in an end of day of action rally on Friday, April 20 at 4:30pm at the State Capitol.

MTI respects and honors the rights of all staff and students to join the Day of Action on Friday, April 20.  As such, we expect that no student or staff member who chooses to participate in these events will be disciplined.

Please PRINT AND POST this rally flyer in your staff area.

WEAR ORANGE APRIL 20th

Order your shirt for Friday’s (April 20) Day of Action to Protect Students and Schools from Gun Violence.

ENOUGH

T-Shirts ($12) are a fundraiser for W.A.V.E., Wsconsin Anti-violence Effort

($5 of every shirt donated)

Thank you East High organizers for your design and leadership!

(IF YOU PREVIOUSLY ORDERED AT EAST HIGH THIS IS A DIFFERENT ORDER.)

Orders will be ready to pick-up at MTI on April 19th. Shirts are standard unisex.

ORDER ELECTRONICALLY WITH THIS LINK by TUESDAY.

Or print this form and return by TUESDAY to MTI

Make checks payable to MTI

For sites planning activities for April 20, see this link.  Sites that would like support, should contact Kerry Motoviloff.

Attention MTI Members!

Steve Pike is a retired MTI teacher and current Member Benefits Consultant for WEA Member Benefits. Steve will be onsite to meet with staff.

WHAT:  FREE Financial Consultation

WHEN:  April 25, 26,  May 1, 3, 15, 22, 24 and June 18, 19 and 20 (click on the links below to register)

WHERE:  33 Nob Hill Road, Madison, WI

This is ideal if you are just getting started, have specific questions, or would like a quick check-in.  Because these are held onsite, it’s a convenient way to meet with someone face-to-face to get some general help or guidance.

Steve can answer your specific questions on a wide range of financial topics such as:

• Reasons to start a 403(b) or IRA savings account and how to enroll
• Wisconsin Retirement System basics
• Retirement Savings strategies; Pre-tax vs. Roth, 403(b) vs. IRA
• Investment/Account Fees
• Budgeting
• Tips for purchasing personal insurance

Some things to bring along to your consultation include:

• Recent paycheck stub
• Recent 403(b) and/or IRA account statements
• WRS statement
• Other financial information you would like reviewed

Spouses/partners welcome.

Sign up here for a consultation in April

Sign up here for a consultation in May

Sign up here for a consultation in June

Can’t make it to a consultation but want to talk to someone? Sign up for a 30-minute phone consultation and speak to a Retirement and Investment Consultant. Find a time and day that’s convenient for you at www.weabenefits.com/consults.

MTI is a member-led Union built on the core belief that an active and involved membership, led by democratically-elected leaders and supported by highly-qualified staff, can best promote the interests of public education, the education profession, and the members of the Union.

The MTI Faculty Representative is a critical position in fulfilling this mission.  Every school/work location should have a team of MTI Faculty Reps working together to represent their colleagues and build their Union.  Schools and work sites are entitled to one (1) Faculty Rep for every fifteen (15) Union members at the school or worksite.

MTI Faculty Reps build solidarity and promote union membership at their work location and work to resolve building-based problems with building principals in a Collborative Problem Solving process encouraged and supported by MTI and the MMSD.  Faculty Reps also serve to unite teachers across the District, bringing the concerns and interests of MTI members at their work location with MTI members district-wide via the MTI Faculty Representative Council, the policy forming body of the MTI teacher unit.

If you are interested in advocating for your profession, building your Union, representing yoru colleagues, and being a part of making positive change, send an email to MTI@madisonteachers.org or contact your Senior MTI Faculty Rep to let them know you would like to be nominated for one of the Faculty Rep positions at your school/work site.

See this link for additional information.

The Board of Education has heard from staff, students, and the community that immediate changes are needed to address school climate and student behavior issues, and is scheduled to discuss policy changes and staffing needs on May 7.

The MTI Board of Directors will be meeting Tuesday, April 10, to draft an educators’ platform for the School Climate Our Students Deserve, a series of specific recommendations to advance to the BOE by May 7.

We are offering multiple opportunities for members to contribute to this discussion:

1. Help the MTI Board draft the platform by e-mailing your recommendations to improve school climate and increase school safety by Sunday, April 8.
2. Complete the member survey that will be distributed to all MTI members seeking feedback on the platform after it is drafted next week.
3. Attend the MTI Faculty Representative Council meeting on Tuesday, April 17, to review member feedback and finalize the platform.
4. Wear red and attend the Regular Board of Education meeting on Monday, April 30, where MTI will be sharing the School Climate Our Students Deserve with the Board of Education.

Also, in case you missed it.  See this update on actions which have occurred the past two weeks on these issues.

Teachers in Oklahoma and Kentucky Walk Out: ‘It Really Is a Wildfire.’

West Virginia, Oklahoma, Kentucky, and Arizona teachers and support staff across the nation are “wearing red for public ed,” standing up and walking out for their students and their profession.  Years of austerity budgets, underfunded classrooms, increasing class sizes, stagnant wages, pension attacks, and failed political leadership have fueled the protests.

MTI stands with striking teachers everywhere and anywhere, and has relayed our message of solidarity to the educators in West Virginia, Kentucky, Oklahoma, and Arizona.  Join the #RedforEd movement, wear your MTI Solidarity shirt every Monday, and show your solidarity with your sisters and brothers here and around the country.  If you are in need of an MTI solidarity shirt, click here to order.

Interested in building your Union leadership skills, connecting with colleagues about important issues, and strengthening MTI?

Training, support, and solidarity will be provided. 

Your Union needs you!

Want to learn more?  Click here!

Sign up, as an individual or team by clicking here!

For further information contact MTI President Andy Waity at awaity@madisonteachers.org

Every Saturday and Sunday in April, Barnes & Noble

is offering extra savings for educators. 

Save 25% on books, toys, games, music and more. 

Click here for more details.

MTI CENTRS is hosting a series of evenings to welcome and support teachers in their first 3 years in MMSD. These events are open to members and non-members.  BONUS- attend 3 or more and get a $25 reward! Limited to 35 participants ( in years 1-3 in MMSD).

LAST MEETING: Wed April 11 Learn About Your ETF and Other Savings Available to You

SIGN UP HERE!

4:15-6:00

Snacks provided

At the WEAC/MTI Building (33 Nob Hill Road)

MTI-CENTRS sponsored series for New Educators

Saturday, February 24- 1:00 p.m., State Street and Capitol Lawn, Madison, Wisconsin

On February 24, workers around the country will be taking a stand against the continued assault on the rights of working people! AFSCME Wisconsin, MTI, and other partner organizations invite all working people to participate in this Madison event at the State Capitol. Speakers at the rally will address the power workers have to demand fair treatment, the proud history of labor, and the pending U.S. Supreme Court Janus decision, which is within days of the rallies. Spread the word at your work location, wear your MTI red, and join us in solidarity! For us in Wisconsin, this event also marks the 7^th anniversary of the historic Act 10 uprising and provides us an opportunity to reenergize for fall elections in order to reclaim the progressive tradition of our state.