Nourishing Our Community

A visioning opportunity and tasting event with MMSD and community partners

Join us for a community discussion followed by an MMSD food service sampling at Badger Rock Community Center (501 E. Badger Rd.) on Sunday, October 8th from 1pm-3pm.

The event will begin with a community discussion with panelists which will include Josh Perkins - MMSD Director of Food and Nutrition, Dr. Jennifer Gaddis - UW Madison professor and author of "The Labor of Lunch: Why We Need Real Food and Real Jobs in American Public Schools, and teachers and students from MMSD,

We will take pre-submitted questions as well as questions from the audience (time permitting). Panel will take place from 1-1:45pm and will be followed by a sampling provided by MMSD Food Services with a chance to provide your feedback and suggestions.

RSVP HERE

Healthy School Meals for All Benefits Our Community!

Advocate for families to opt in 1-2 days a week and lobby your representatives

MTI believes that NO child should go hungry! Child hunger impacts academic performance, behavior, cognitive and physical development, social well-being and our workplace environment. Free school meals benefits our local economy, Wisconsin agriculture/farming, and facilitates a healthier Madison community.

When families opt into our school meal programs more funds are available to make our lunches better. Encourage families to opt in 1-2 days a week at minimum and contact your local representatives to let them know that you are in support of healthy school meals for all Wisconsin children!

Connect with your Faculty Representative for Equity and Diversity!

As MTI continues to ensure its structure, systems and bylaws allow for the full implementation of its mission and belief statements, MTI has expanded its faculty representative positions to include Faculty Representative for Equity and Diversity and Guaranteed Representatives for Staff of Color. The creation of these two positions are part of the unions’ mitigation of institutional racism or implicit biases within MTI as well as ensuring that all MTI members are fully and appropriately represented.

MTI’s mission and beliefs espouse to be “a member-led organization which advocates for its members and students in order to advance quality public education for all students…MTI is an organization that is dedicated to supporting and advancing the needs and interests of all members. We strongly believe that every member’s voice matters and our organization is committed to a structure that allows these voices to be heard.” It further establishes our commitment to equity in both professional support for our members and representation, “ MTI is committed to\ supporting staff members as they work to provide an educational climate that is inclusive, safe and values the many diverse facets of both our educational community and the greater community that we serve. We work for all of our students and respect and value their diversity of thought, culture, identity and ability.”

FRED training will happen monthly during our regularly scheduled United Representative Council meetings. Questions? Contact Natasha: nsullivan@madisonteachers.org

Celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month!

Sept 15 – Oct 15

Each year, Americans observe National Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15 to October 15, by celebrating the histories, cultures and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America.

Why is Hispanic Heritage Month in the middle of two months? 

The day of September 15 is significant because it is the anniversary of independence for Latin American countries Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. In addition, Mexico and Chile celebrate their independence days on September 16 and September18, respectively. Also, Columbus Day or Día de la Raza, which is October 12, falls within this 30 day period.

Hispanic Students in MMSD

Latinx students in Madison schools make up at least 24% of our student population! It is a growing demographic and many of these students contribute to the 20 Dual Language Immersion programs that operate in our schools. Take time during this month to celebrate their contributions to our school communities, explore their history, and appreciate their accomplishments! 

WHAT IS MTI EDUCATION JUSTICE CENTER?

  • At MTI, we recognize our pivotal role as a support for our members as employees, as well as professionals. The project offers ongoing support for members and attempts to increase teacher retention by addressing teacher satisfaction, efficacy, and success. MTI Education Justice Center ( formerly MTI CENTRS) is funded through an NEA grant funding.

WHAT ARE THE GOALS?

  • Developing teacher-centered induction programs – MTI Education Justice Center offers a series of professional development opportunities to strengthen teachers’ abilities to deliver instruction through a racially equitable lens.
  • In 2022-23 SY MTI  will continue to support MTI Education Justice Center Black Lives Matter Year of Action  by providing socially and racially just lesson planning resources centering on the13 principles of the Black Lives Matter Movement.
  • Also in 2022-23 SY,  through an MMSD Big Idea Grant, will collaborate with our community partners at Nehemiah to support fall and winter cohort participation in the Justified Anger: Black History for a New Day Course.
  • In  winter of 2023 MTI has initiated a community outreach effort to build  and participate in a community-based Education Justice Coalition
“Being part of this series has impacted my instruction in an amazing way. I have deeper relationships with students and families. My classroom is more inclusive and I have the same high standards for all kids. Students are sharing more. Learning is increasing and school is more fun for me and my students. It is a ton of work. And I am validated with every positive parent message, student hug, thank you note, and when they cheer as they achieve a new academic hurdle. I am making a difference with myself and a lot of people who have felt less acknowledged in other environments.”

MTI-CENTRS Photo Gallery of Events