Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley, among others, spoke in support of the Newton Teachers Association (NTA) at its rally outside the Education Center amid ongoing negotiations inside, Wednesday, Jan. 24.
Pressley addressed the crowd in a speech in which she spoke about the importance of educators. “You can’t say public education is a public good if you don’t invest in our educators,” she said.
The congresswoman has previously shown her support for the NTA through a statement posted on the NTA’s official Instagram account. “I urge Mayor Fuller and the Newton School Committee to immediately come to the table, invest in our educators, and fully fund the schools Newton deserves,” she said.
According to Pressley, her decision to stand with the NTA was motivated by a call for urgency in contract negotiations. “What we’re asking for here are not ‘nice to haves.’ These are must-haves,” said Pressley. “These sorts of robust investments are long overdue, and that’s why I am here in solidarity.”
Despite Newton not being directly in Pressley’s congressional district, she believes it is important to support the union. “I don’t think justice has any geographical boundaries. This is a matter of justice and centering the humanity and dignity of our educators,” she said.
Another speaker, South Dean Marc Banks echoed Pressley’s sentiment of education’s necessity. “Education is not just the filling of a bucket, it is the lighting of a fire,” said Banks.
Students who attended the rally were enthusiastic about Pressley’s defense of the NTA. According to senior Jack Eagan, “It was really exciting to see a politician as respected as Congresswoman Pressley out in the cold with the teachers, families, and other supporters.”
Pressley was not the only one met with excitement from NTA supporters. During the rally, the NTA’s negotiating team walked out of the Education Center and was met with roaring applause from the crowd.
The rally concluded with NTA members walking laps around the Education Center, where negotiations continue, to surround the building.
“I know these teachers take great pride in what they do. They have been a lifeline to our students. They’ve assumed so many roles, especially during the pandemic and in the residual aftermath of it,” said Pressley. “Again, this is not an appeal for charity or benevolence. This is about reciprocity. This is about what our teachers are owed.”
