UTL495 Straight Talk Podcast: Recent Episodes
United Teachers of Lowell
Each week we publish a podcast interview on a topic we think will be of interest to our members. That topic may be informative - but it also will be a place to celebrate the accomplishments of our members.
The Podcast Twins chatted with exemplary educator and UTL Building Rep, Nancy Chakarian who reflects on her 50-year career in education.
We spoke, remotely of course, with Tom Raiche about how the United Way is responding to needs of families in the Merrimack Valley during the COVID-19 pandemic.
We had the opportunity to chat with CPS ED Lisa Guisbond about the Student Opportunity Act AND to chat about an exciting event CPS is sponsoring with Diane Ravitch, Barbara Madeloni, and Maurice Cunningham.
The Podcast Twins are speaking with Chief Equity and Engagement Officer, Latifah Phillips, about Lowell Public School's Site Councils.
We're speaking today with four terrific student athletes who are members of Lowell High's Indoor track team.
The Podcast Twins go on the road to the MVFB to learn how this outstanding organization addresses food insecurity throughout the Merrimack Valley, but especially in our schools.
In this episode, the Podcast Twins chat with LHS AP Teacher Pat Smulligan about his collaboration with Mass Insight Education and Research and the AP program at LHS.
We are speaking with AFTMA Secretary/Treasurer Brant Duncan about an upcoming Member Benefits Workshop -- and MORE!
The Podcast Twins chat with UTL President Paul Georges to learn how advocacy by the City Unions resulted in a fund to help lessen the impact of a switch to GIC.
In this episode we give a brief explanation about the UTL's email blasts and how to resolve commonly occurring issues.
The Podcast Twins asked our UTL Retirees a question: What advice would you offer to our new and active members?
The Podcast Twins chat with United Way Liaison Tom Raiche about the upcoming events and most importantly about the Thanksgiving Project.
The Podcast Twins spoke with AFTMA President Beth Kontos about the newly passed Student Opportunity Act and what's next for this important legislation.
The Podcast Twins learn about the LNHP's first Teacher Ranger Teacher, Wang Teacher Kathy Clark and catch up with Kristin Gallas from Tsongas Industrial History Center.
In this episode the Podcast Twins talk about some of the ways we reach out to members to keep them informed.
We're here with Marianne "Mickie" Dumont, UTL's Chief of Operations who explains Steps and Lanes or Columns and how those impact salary.
Each year, we remind our Members about Weingarten Rights. This podcast offers a FAQ about those rights and how to access them should a member need to do so.
The Podcast Twins recently attended and offered testimony regarding 4 recess bills at a hearing held by the MA Joint Committee on Education.
The Podcast Twins had a chance to talk with Rachel Margaglione and Andrea Regina, both of the Lincoln School, about their experiences as a 21st Century School and about Lego Robotics.
The Podcast Twins sit down with UTL's President, Paul Georges to chat about some good news and some things we're keeping our eye on this school year.
The Podcast Twins speak with Director of Education Policy, Dan Murphy to learn about updates to the Fund Our Future legislation.
In this episode, we continue our conversation with Dr. Joel Boyd, LPS Superintendent of Schools and learn more about the career path that has led Dr. Boyd to Lowell, MA.
In our season opener, the Podcast Twins chat with Lowell's new Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Joel Boyd.
At the end of 2018-19, we asked Paul Georges, our UTL495 President to reflect on the past year and take a look into the future.
Mickie and Amy chat with 2018 Finalist for Massachusetts Teacher of the Year - and Laura Lee teacher - Sarah Foster.
On May 16, 2019, educators, parents, teachers, students and community allies from Lowell were present for a Day of Action and Rally supporting the Promise Act and the Cherish Act.
The cast, crew and theater advisor of LHS's Shrek the Musical sat down to chat with us about this year's musical performance.
We had an opportunity to sit down with Beth Kontos, AFTMA President, and Mickie Dumont, UTL495's Director of Operations to talk about why it is so important that everyone turns out to the May 16 Statewide Rally.
We speak with retired educator and Union activist, Margaret "Midge" Farrell about the United Teachers of Lowell's annual Scholarship awards for the children of members graduating from high school.
In this episode, UTL Office Manager Nancy Giblin reviews the contact information for members who may need to use Family Medical Leave.
In Episode 37, the Podcast Twins chat with 3 of Lowell's finest paraprofessionals about their experiences.
We met Jack Bove, a junior at UML and member of PHENOM at our recent Legislative Forum. Jack explains why underfunded public higher education is hurting students and their families.
In this podcast, we explain the importance of Funding our Future to our students and families through commentary from Lowell Legislative Forum attendees
In this Episode, we are chatting with Amy Pessia, Rotary Club of Lowell President, about the Rotary's annual Celebration of Teaching and recognizing inspiring educators and paraprofessionals in Lowell.
We had an opportunity to sit down with TIHC's Kristin Gallas & Syeda Nizami to talk about this wonderful resource for history and science education right here in Lowell, MA.
We chat with UTL President Paul Georges about past and present Lowell Public School's search for a new school leader/.
Amy & Mickie continue our conversation with Beth Kontos & Jeremy Shenk. We know that the need to fix the funding is urgent. Now what?
We spoke with AFT-MA President Beth Kontos and AFT-MA Engagement & Campaign Coordinator Jeremy Shenk about the importance of the Fund Our Future Campaign.
In this Episode, Mickie and Amy introduce members to the heart of United Teachers of Lowell 495: our Office Manage, Nancy Giblin.
In this Episode, the Podcast Twins learn about Mariana Athayde's work not only as an educator here in Lowell but also as an Educator Ambassador. Mariana is joined remotely by Lowell's Kara Wilkins and WGBH's Carolyn Jacobs.
The Podcast Twins are joined by UTL Executive Board member, Martha Leary to provide an update as to proposed GIC plan changes for 2019=2020.
Mickie and Amy talk with AFTMA Director of Organization, Brian LaPierre as we gear up for the 2019 Fund Our Future Campaign
Mickie and Amy highlight some of what UTL has been working on over the holiday break INCLUDING moving along the issue of HVAC impacts in our facilities.
Mickie and Amy talk with Lowell parent and LEJA member Darcie Boyer about the power of community members working together to strengthen public education.
We talk with Paul Georges about the effects that decades of "benign neglect" have had on our school facilities.
In this episode, we are joined by LTA Facilitator Pina Maggio to clarify some important and time-sensitive information about teacher evaluation and artifact uploads for Developing status teachers.
In this Episode, we speak with Rachel Crawford & Laura Schofield about their collaboration and making connections between music and mathematics.
In this episode, the Podcast Twins speak with newly elected AFT-MA President Beth Kontos.
In this Episode, Number 18, we talk with STEM Academy teacher Holly Fleury about her newcomer classroom, technology integrations and about a welcoming website Holly created for parents.
Massachusetts has a new system for rating students and schools. What does that looks like and how it concerns educators? We ask Mickie Dumont to break it all down for us.
In this Episode, Mickie and Paul Georges speak with Superintendent Salah Khelfaoui about developments since the July 18, 2018 School Committee Meeting during which he was placed on administrative leave.
Mickie and Amy talk with Marybeth Casey of UltraBenefits about an HRA and how our members can access this benefit.
In this episode, we had a chance to sit down with AFT-MA Secretary-Treasurer Brant Duncan. Brant talks to us about some new ways to keep in touch with our UTL members.
The Podcast Twins sit down with Marti Cohn and Patty Myers to discover some of the exciting things happening in LPSD Science, Social Studies & STEM.
The Podcast Twins talk with Vero Roberts, Artie Santos & Kara Williams, LPSD's Technology Integration Specialists about some of the innovative ways technology is infused throughout our schools and classrooms.
In this Episode, the Podcast Twins talk about some important reminders for all members - new and not-so-new.
What a privilege to speak with Lowell's Katie Budinger about her experiences this summer at Honeywell Educator Space Academy. Katie talks about the HESA program and how she has incorporated experiences from the program into the classroom.
In this Episode, we catch up with Paul Georges about what has happened since the Supreme Court Decision on the Janus Case and about the Mackinac's Center.
In this Episode, Mickie & Amy discuss what happened to the Foundation Budget bill in the final days of the 2018 Legislative Session - and some things we all can do moving forward.
In this episode, we speak with Mike Neagle, Pyne Arts Magnet School 7th and 8th grade social studies teacher about the renowned social studies, civics and service programs at the Pyne Arts School
In this episode, we speak with Field Rep and Negotiator Caryn LaFlamme who breaks down the responsibilities of a Field Rep in supporting members.
In this Episode, Pina Maggio, Interim Facilitator for LTA talks with us about some of the professional development opportunities available in the Lowell Public Schools.
In this episode, AFT-MA Political Organizer Jeremy Shenk gives us an overview of the Foundation Budget and the impact that under-funded and under-calculated Chapter 70 funds have on school districts like Lowell.
Lowell's Teacher Academy, led by Interim Facilitator Pina Maggio, is one of the best and possibly the only teacher-driven, teacher-led Induction/Mentoring and professional development programs in the United States.
Welcome to Episode 2 of UTL's Straight Talk Podcast. In this Episode, Mickie and Amy talk to Paul Georges, UTL President and AFT-MA Vice President, about the Janus case. While this podcast was recorded prior to the Supreme Court Decision favoring Mark Janus, the background and information continues to be relevant.
The case, as we heard in our last episode, will have lasting and damaging effects on unions and their ability to advocate for members not only in terms of salary and pension, but also regarding working conditions and fidelity to contract terms.
Over the last six months, news outlets have documented work-related actions in "right to work" states across the US. Educators in one of these states, Oklahoma, were recently interviewed as to the affect right-to-work has had on them personally. The link to that interview can be found here.
Thanks again for listening and for your patience while we work through a few minor technical issues. We do hope you'll press the subscribe button and comment below to let us know your thoughts. We're always open to new ideas, so if there is a topic you'd like to hear more about, please let us know in the comment section below.
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