Join MTA Retirees each first Wednesday of the month for the 2025-2026 MTA Retired First Wednesday Speaker Series. This spring webinar series will be held on April 1, May 6, and June 3 from 3:00 PM to 4:30 PM, featuring guest speakers discussing a range of topics relevant to retirees.
Spring sessions:
- Gardening for Biodiversity with Native Plants: Providing Habitat for Pollinators, Birds, and other Essential Wildlife
- Community Schools: a Whole Child, Whole-School Transformation Strategy
- MTA Retirees Statewide Organizing Gathering
Don't miss the opportunity to connect, learn, and engage with fellow MTA retirees and distinguished speakers.
All sessions will be on Zoom.
April 1, 2026
Gardening for Biodiversity with Native Plants: Providing habitat for pollinators, birds and other essential wildlife
Featuring Amy Meltzer
In this talk, Amy will focus on the current biodiversity crisis, the evolutionary history among native plants, insects, birds and fungi, and how these interdependent relationships among diverse species are necessary for their survival. She will show how growing native plants and using ecological landscape practices can simultaneously reverse biodiversity loss, increase resilience in our landscapes, and slow climate change - all while creating a beautiful garden!
May 6, 2026
Community Schools: a Whole Child, Whole-School Transformation Strategy
Featuring Drew King, Ariana Foster, and Christine Mulroney
Community schools are public schools that partner with families and community organizations to support the whole child and family - academically, socially, emotionally, and physically. They are guided by shared leadership, bringing together families, educators, students, and community partners to shape priorities and solutions.
The MTA has launched an initiative to educate our members about the community school strategy and support the development of community schools in target districts across the state. Join us to hear how one school in Framingham is piloting this holistic approach to address root causes of absenteeism and underperformance and create a sustainable model for equity-driven school improvement.
June 3, 2026
MTA Retirees Statewide Organizing Gathering
As our 2025-2026 speaker series wraps up, this workshop is both a reflection and a launchpad. We'll share highlights from this year's work, then turn the conversation to you - how retirees can support one another and help move the MTA forward. Retired Members Committee members will briefly report, followed by an interactive discussion to gather ideas, feedback, and priorities as we shape goals for the year ahead.