Gardner Education Association
2023-2024
Gardner High School
Gardner Middle School
Gardner Elementary School
Welcome to the Gardner Public Schools, where you will make a difference in the lives of students every day. The GEA is driven by dedicated educators, just like you, who advocate for students, the profession, our classrooms, and our community.
With the GEA, you’re never on your own. When you join, you are also a member of the Massachusetts Teachers Association and the National Education Association, where three million educators across the country share your passion for public education.
As trusted professionals, educators are best equipped to make school and classroom decisions to ensure student success. It’s our mission to ensure educators have a seat at the table. As members of the Association, we have a powerful voice in creating education policies that enrich the lives of the
students.
Being an educator isn’t a job, it’s a calling. It’s also personally rewarding and professionally demanding. That’s why the Association strives to provide you with the support you need to be great at what you do.
Welcome to our union!
What does the MTA do?
The Massachusetts Teachers Association
is the strongest force for public education
in Massachusetts.
1. The 117,000 educators that are members provide a collective voice on the issues that matter most.
2. MTA is committed to the professional support and growth of educators.
3. They are advocates for conditions that foster student learning, growth and engagement and creating the public schools that they deserve.
4. The MTA is a powerful voice in support of public education, adequate funding, and equal education opportunities for all students on Beacon Hill.
5. By supporting collective bargaining that protects and advances working conditions, including salaries, hours, sick and parental leaves, union membership enhances and protects your pay and benefits.
6. The MTA provides support of legal counsel and organizing efforts to defend your rights.
7. Through MTA Benefits, you receive money-saving opportunities from more than 350,000 online and in-store merchants, as well as museums, restaurants, parks, ski areas, theaters, and many others.
8. Whether you are a beginning educator or a veteran, MTA will actively assist with smart retirement planning
Weingarten: The Right to Representation
What are Weingarten rights?
Employees do not have to be alone when they are questioned by an employer in a situation that might result in discipline. An employee’s right to representation in investigatory or pre-disciplinary meetings was stablished in a 1975 U.S. Supreme Court decision, NLRB v. Weingarten, Inc.
TheMassachusetts Department of Labor Relations has adopted the Weingarten rules for public employees covered by Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 150E.
It is your responsibility to ask for union representation. Employers do not have to inform you about your Weingarten rights before conducting a meeting or interview.
Your GEA Executive Board
President - Mark Hawkins
Gardner High School - History Teacher
Co-Vice President - Ashley Chicoine
Gardner Elementary School - 2nd Grade Teacher
Co-Vice President - Hilary Comeau
Gardner Elementary School - K Special Education Teacher
Secretary - Dina DiMuccio
Gardner Elementary School - Title 1 Tutor
Treasurer - Jennifer Coxall
Gardner Elementary School - Preschool Teacher
Contact us at:
Your Building Reps
Rebecca Anderson
Gardner High School - Science Teacher
Debi Ericson
Gardner High School - Special Education Teacher
Demetrios Tyros
Gardner High School - Technology Teacher
Joanne Landry
Gardner High School - Music/Drama Teacher
Josh Perkins
Gardner Middle School - STEM Teacher
Heather Friend-Francoeur
Gardner Middle School - 7th Grade Science Teacher
Ripp Charters
Gardner Middle School - Physical Education Teacher
Rebecca Fortin
Gardner Middle School - 7th Grade Special Education Teacher
Alexis Hriniak
Gardner Elementary School - Speech Language Pathologist
Jill Hay
Gardner Elementary School - Educational Support Staff
Dawn Murphy
Gardner Elementary School - Special Education Teacher (Sub-Separate)
Nick Roger
Gardner Elementary School - 2nd Grade Teacher
Misti Torres
Gardner Elementary Teacher - Art Teacher
Ron Muse
Gardner Elementary School - Preschool Teacher
Sam Davidson
Gardner Elementary School - 4th Grade Teacher
Derek Beauregard
Gardner Academy for Learning and Technology - Math Teacher