Brookline Educators Union

Some things teachers do during prep or lunch– other than meeting with colleagues

BEU negotiators won prep periods and “duty-free” lunches at the bargaining table — and individual teacher control of them — apart from bargaining meeting or consult time.  Here are examples of teacher activity for which time is needed.  Note that none of these work activities include meeting with one or more colleagues.   Clearly, if all of the meetings are going to happen, more time is going to have to be reserved for it at the bargaining table. 

Can you think of other activities to add?

Lunch and Prep Period Activities

Lesson Prep

Organize classroom

New curriculum planning / piloting (individual)

Cross-disciplinary lesson planning

Grading

Canvas debugging

Read emails

Write emails

Reflection

Self-directed PD

Mindfulness Practice

Copying

Eating Lunch

Snack

Bathroom

College / private school recommendations

Elective contact with colleagues

Field Trip Planning and Paperwork

Learning new Technology

Reporting

  • Progress Reports and Comments
  • Grades and Comments
  • District and non-PSB behavior and psych assessments
  • EdB’s to prepare for IEP meetings
  • “Missing Work” reports for parents

BEU Members Address Devo Name Change

At their May 14 meeting, the BEU Representative Council will discuss and vote on whether to endorse an upcoming Brookline Town Meeting warrant article calling for a name change for the Edward Devotion School.  BEU members will be discussing the question in their buildings in the coming weeks so they can share their viewpoints with the reps who will decide on the BEU position.  

 

The call for a name change has been gaining momentum.  A growing number in the Brookline community are considering the implications of a history that a transition to a new building provides one reason to examine.  Edward Devotion rejected the anti-slavery creed and was a slave owner.  Wealth derived from the labor and treatment as a commodity of a human being became part of a bequest to the town that was later celebrated with the naming of the school for the slaveholder, Devotion. 

 

The campaign has become a powerful opportunity for the Brookline community to disclose the hidden exploitation of people of African descent in Brookline’s history and beyond, and to finally ask how this exploitation can be redressed and ended in our time.  The union has joined this effort.

 

HERE ARE MATERIALS FOR DISCUSSION CREATED BY MEMBERS OF THE CAMPAIGN TO CHANGE THE NAME OF DEVO:

Frequently asked questions about the name change

Historical Chronology of the Edward Devotion school name

Why a name change matters–presentation to the School Committee by Deborah Brown

Meet the challenge in the School Committee race!


 

Volunteer Opportunities 

Educator’s Day (join Newton MTA members)

Saturday, April 28

42 Russell St

Pick either 10AM Kickoff or 1PM Kickoff

Canvassing and Phone banking – 2 hours

*

Organize a team of 2-4 buddies – 2 hours

Evenings, 4-7pm; or Saturday or Sunday, Noon-5:00

*

Get Out the Vote!

Thu. May 3 – Tue. May 8

 

PLEASE CONTACT ERIN & LET HER KNOW WHEN YOU’LL VOLUNTEER

erinrstock@gmail.com   (508) 212-0712

 

Jennifer Monopoli is the parent of two children in the Brookline Schools. She is a public school teacher in Newton.

 

“Our students deserve excellence in education in a vibrant and caring learning environment that meets their needs. As a parent and teacher, I know we can achieve this by working together as a community to ensure equity and grow our safe, just, and caring learning environment.” – Jennifer Monopoli

 

David Pearlman grew up in Brookline, went to Devotion, graduated from BHS, and is now a child welfare attorney and Town Meeting Member.  

 

“The Brookline schools helped raise me, and now it’s time for me to give back to the schools. I feel we need a strong new generational voice (and ear) that will promote creativity, prudence, and transparency.” – David Pearlman

 

Jim Swaim is a long-time Brookline resident whose children went through the Brookline schools. He is a retired Brookline teacher and principal. 

 

“We must regain the trust of our expert teachers and prepare for 21st century learning by providing them the freedom and support to teach the whole child.” – Jim Swaim

Educators endorse slate!

The Alliance for Brookline Schools

is pleased to announce our endorsement of:
Jennifer Monopoli
David Pearlman
Jim Swaim   

for Brookline School Committee

Join us for our Campaign Kickoff Party

TUESDAY APRIL 10TH 
7:00 – 8:30 pm
11 Milton Road
(at the home of Susan and Joe Rothstein)

Sign Up Here to help with the campaign.

What do the Alliance-endorsed candidates stand for?

  • The School Committee must be a transparent and democratically engaged participant in our community.
  • We must pass the override so we can properly fund our schools and improve student-educator ratios across Brookline.
  • Teachers must have the time, support, and freedom to do their best work with children.
  • We must quickly, sustainably, and equitably address enrollment issues across Brookline.
  • Racial justice and equity must be a priority, and we must support all students and work to eliminate system-wide structural racism.
  • Brookline must promote a comprehensive curriculum that cultivates a joy of learning.

Jennifer Monopoli is the parent of two children in the Brookline Schools and is a public school teacher in Newton.

David Pearlman grew up in Brookline, went to Devotion, graduated from BHS, and is now a child welfare attorney and Town Meeting Member.  

Jim Swaim is a long-time Brookline resident whose children went through the Brookline schools. He is a retired Brookline teacher and principal. 

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