Institutional School Teachers

Susan Southey - Chapter President

For the ISTs and Vocational teachers, particularly in the Department Of Corrections, 2011 ushered in a year of uncertainty. We had no directors,  and were down 2 principals and several teaching positions. There appeared to be no end in sight as the economy continued to look bleak and the assumption was that the DOC was trying to save money by not filling positions. The burden it placed on existing staff was large as principals had to try and anticipate how the directors would respond when problems arose and deal with them as they saw fit, and students’ needs went unmet when teaching positions were not filled. Therefore, we were all pleasantly surprised when the position for the deputy director for the Division of Inmate Education was filled over the summer, and two principals’ positions were posted and filled in the same period. We continue to be surprised, still pleasantly, as other positions which have languished on the back burner for a while are being posted and filled. This includes a possible O3 conversion which appeared to be stymied for many years, and now has a new lease on life, as will the teacher when it happens. We continue to meet over the extended school year to 52 weeks, still strictly voluntary, and contingent upon funds which the DOC does not have right now. Although we are close to an agreement, there are still a few issues to iron out. Your chapter board members will keep you posted.

I look forward to meeting with our fellow Chapter members at the Mass Hospital in Canton in the very near future and hope that we can learn how best to meet their needs.

Happy Fall everyone.