This week, we are talking to Caryn Laflamme. As most of us realize, our union, the United Teachers of Lowell, is affliliated with AFT and AFT-MA. Within both of these larger organizations are many folks working quietly and diligently on our behalf at the local, state, and national level. One such person is Field Rep. … Continue reading Episode 6: AFT-MA Field Rep & Negotiator Caryn LaFlamme →

In today’s podcast, we continue our conversation with Pina Maggio, Interim Facilitator for Lowell Teacher Academy or LTA. As we learned in our last conversation with Pina, LTA began as an induction and mentoring program for new teachers. But, LTA has developed into a much more comprehensive and valuable resource for Lowell’s teachers, paraprofessionals, and … Continue reading Episode 5: Continuing the LTA Conversation →

In today’s episode, we are speaking with AFT-MA Political Organizer, Jeremy Shenk about the impact of the Massachusetts legislature’s failure (to date) to update the Massachusetts Foundation Budget.  As you will hear, the failure to update the Chapter 70 formulas used to support education in our schools here in Lowell has had a detrimental effect … Continue reading Episode 4: A Brief Primer About the Foundation Budget →

The United Teachers of Lowell’s commitment to its members can be demonstrated through the creation of Lowell’s Teacher Academy and Induction program. Originally conceived by UTL President Paul Georges as a contracted benefit, since 2005 Lowell has supported educators through a unique program of mentoring, guidance, and professional development known as Lowell Teacher Academy, or … Continue reading Episode 3: All About Lowell’s Teacher Academy, Part 1 →

Welcome to Episode 2 of UTL’s Straight Talk Podcast. In this Episode, Mickie and Amy talk once again to Paul Georges, UTL President and AFT-MA Vice President, about the Janus case. The Janus case was argued before the Supreme Court last February, and we are awaiting the Court’s decision. It is a case that, as … Continue reading Episode 2: History Lessons-Janus vs. AFSCME →

Welcome to our very first United Teachers of Lowell Straight Talk Podcast! This is the place to go to find education news and important information that impacts us here in Lowell. Our plan is to publish a new podcast every Wednesday so our members can listen at their convenience. Each episode will feature one (or … Continue reading Hey! We are live with our first Podcast! →