What is the Mid-Atlantic/ Southeast Teacher Union Reform Network? (MASE TURN)
The Mid-Atlantic/Southeast Teacher Union Reform Network (MASE TURN) is a network of progressive local NEA and AFT teacher organizations and other stakeholders who are interested in education and union reform that brings the broad issues of teaching and learning to the forefront.
MASE TURN is one of five regional satellites of the national Teacher Union Reform Network with a specific mission of providing information and support for organizational and educational change for participating locals within the Mid-Atlantic and Southeastern regions of the United States. This includes (but is not exclusive to) locals in Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Tennessee, Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana.
The MASE TURN strives to provide information and a network of support that addresses “the what” and “the how” for increasing teacher voice, improving district/association collaboration, improving conditions of teaching and learning and ultimately improving student learning. There has been a focus on community organizing. Local teacher associations are encouraged to invite administrators from their districts as well as other important education stakeholders.
MASE TURN has received partial funding from the Ford Foundation.
Leadership: MASE TURN is run democratically with the agenda for MASE TURN conferences being directed by the participants at MASE TURN meetings, and organized by two co-directors:
David Schutten, the current president of the Organization of DeKalb Educators, an affiliate of the Georgia and National Education Associations. David is also a principal member of the national TURN and a member of the National Council of Urban Education Associations.
Rick Baumgartner, is a retired teacher and former president of the Fairfax Education Association, an affiliate of the Virginia and National Education Associations. While an active employee, he was a principal member of TURN, East Region Director of the National Council of Urban Education Associations and served in many Virginia Education Association leadership positions. Rick recently served on the Project Management Team of the NEA Foundations’ Institute for Local Innovation in Teaching and Learning.