Members of the HTA,
The time is right for a general membership meeting of the Holyoke Teachers Association. It’s been incredible to see all of the organizing work that has taken place over the past few weeks, and it’s important for all members to come together and share what they have learned through this experience.
We have a committed team fighting the state takeover of our public schools. We are working collaboratively with the Holyoke School Committee and Superintendent Sergio Paez to keep public schools in public hands. Parents, students and local leaders have expressed their faith in our work, as evidenced by the incredible turnout at the Holyoke Senior Center on April 2nd. Getting the community together to support our schools is something that we can be proud of and can help us to ensure that Holyoke educators are at the table when decisions about our schools and our work are being made.
I took my election as president of the HTA as a message from all of you to push for schools that teach the whole child, schools that are not data driven, schools that address the larger issues weighing on students entering our classrooms. Well before Mitchell Chester’s maneuvering, I’ve considered it my mission to work with you and members of the community to transform Holyoke public schools so they best serve all students attending them.
I alone do not have the answer for creating those schools. The HTA Executive Board alone does not have the answer for creating those schools. But I do believe that the answers are among the entire membership of the HTA.
I will leave you with a thought from one of my very first President’s Message:
No matter what anyone says, OUR students are awesome. No matter what anyone says, OUR city is awesome. No matter what anyone says, OUR teachers are awesome. Hold your heads up high. Walk with confidence. You’re a Holyoke Teacher. Be proud.
Please attend the General Assembly Meeting at HHS auditorium on Monday, April 13th at 6pm.
In Solidarity,
Gus Morales
HTA President
Holyoke Teachers Association 