Special to the Transcript
Winthrop educators packed the stands at Winthrop Middle School Thursday night for the “Full Court Frenzy,” a spirited basketball event where teachers and staff came together to cheer on their colleagues and celebrate the community they serve. The event also highlighted one of the many ways Winthrop educators volunteer their time outside the classroom in support of their students, and why they feel so demoralized by their 193rd day without a contract.
From academic enrichments and school social events to mentoring students after hours, educators across Winthrop devote countless unpaid hours to making schools vibrant places for student learning. Thursday’s event served as both a celebration of that commitment and a reminder of the many ways teachers show up for students every day.
“Events like this show what our community already knows,” said Chris Beckvold, a sixth grade Early World History teacher at Winthrop Middle School. “We give so much time to our students because we care deeply about their success. What we are asking the School Committee and the Town Council President to do is simple. Respect the will of the voters and use the override money to invest in our schools and the Winthrop students we serve.”
Across the district and at every level, educators regularly go far beyond their contractual responsibilities to make possible events and opportunities that are central to the student experience in Winthrop. High school teachers write hundreds of college recommendation letters each year to help students pursue their futures. Teachers lead educational trips during their own vacation time to give students opportunities to learn beyond the classroom. Elementary school staff organize dances and community events that bring families together.
Educators say their commitment to students and the community is not being matched by town leaders in negotiations to ensure that Winthrop’s schools remain strong for years to come. While Thursday’s Full Court Frenzy highlighted the joy and dedication that define Winthrop’s educators, many educators say ongoing contract negotiations have left them feeling undervalued and taken for granted.
“Educators feel deeply disrespected by the current offer on the table,” said Meg Schultheis, a sixth grade English-Language Arts teacher at Winthrop Middle School. “It is only going to make recruiting and retaining dedicated teachers more difficult. We love working in Winthrop, but it feels like they’re trying to make us leave.”
Despite those concerns, the atmosphere inside Winthrop Middle School on Thursday night reflected the same enthusiasm and care that educators bring to their classrooms each day. For many in attendance, the event served as a reminder that the heart of Winthrop’s schools remains the educators who continue to show up for their students, on and off the court.
“What we are asking here is for the School Committee to roll up their sleeves like educators do every single day and work with us and get this done,” said Daniela Foley, a Fifth Grade Teacher at the A.T. Cummings School. “Our students and schools need them to do the right thing and settle a fair contract.”