Dear
Colleagues:
Thank
you
for
electing
me
to
be
the
new
president
of
the
NTA.
I
appreciate
the
support
that
you
have
given
to
me,
and
feel
honored
to
be
your
next
president.
It
was
not
easy
for
either
Cheryl
or
me
to
engage
in
two
elections,
but
it
was
necessary.
We
know
that
the
results
of
this
last
election
are
beyond
any
reproach,
and
for
this
we
have
the
efforts
of
the
members
of
the
Election
Committee,
the
Executive
Committee,
and
the
building
representatives
to
thank.
Thanks
to
all
of
you,
who
were
so
conscientious
at
every
step
in
this
process.
I
would
like
to
extend
my
congratulations
to
Cheryl
for
running
a
formidable
campaign.
Thank
you,
Cheryl,
for
your
many
years
of
dedicated
service.
I
would
also
like
to
let
you
know
something
of
my
plans
for
the
next
few
months—at
least
as
much
as
I
know
right
now.
I
campaigned
on
a
promise
to
further
communication,
and
I
want
my
entry
into
office
to
be
my
first
installment
on
keeping
that
promise.
So
right
now
I
am
formulating
a
plan
to
meet
with
members
from
all
units,
city
representatives,
and
administrators,
so
as
to
gather
as
much
information
as
I
can
about
what
your
needs
and
expectations
are.
The
election
was
close,
and
it
brought
most
of
us
to
the
polls.
I
feel
optimistic
about
what
this
means
for
our
Association.
As
I
have
said
before,
I
think
that
this
whole
process
has
really
given
us
a
jolt
of
energy.
So
as
I
meet
with
you,
I
am
going
to
ask
you
to
help
me
find
ways
to
channel
this
energy
into
renewed
member
participation.
I
am
a
lot
excited
and
a
little
nervous
about
beginning
this
new
work.
But
I
am
buoyed
by
and
grateful
for
the
multitude
of
offers
of
assistance
that
I
have
already
received
since
the
election.
Thank
you
all.
Sincerely,
Michael
Zilles
President
Newton
Teachers
Association
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cheryl Turgel
97
Walnut Hill Road
Newton, MA 02461
Dear Friends and Colleagues,
As I sit here cleaning out my office to make room for our new president, I wanted to take a moment to reflect on the last 8 years of my term in office as the President of the Newton Teachers Association. It has truly been an honor and privilege to serve you, our members for these last 8 years. I know in my heart that I have worked tirelessly to do the best I could for all of you. It has been an extremely difficult time for all of us in the field of public education. We have been attacked on all fronts, nationally, statewide, and even locally. Funding has been difficult to find, due to both political and economic factors. But through it all, I knew that you were in your classrooms/buildings working harder than ever for the children of this community. That was what kept me going through all of the trials and exacerbations of this position.
I believe that I have done my best for all of you and for the children, who are the country’s most important resource. I hope that those of you who voted for me will now lend your support to Mike as he takes over this vital position. I know that it will be a steep learning curve for him as he acclimates himself to the many facets of the office. I know that we have a strong organization in place, and our officers will support him so that he can be successful.
I will treasure all of the opportunities that I have had to get to know so many of you. The friendships and relationships that I have developed will stay with me forever. Thank you all for allowing me to serve you for 8 years.
With sincerity and appreciation,
Cheryl Turgel
