State Senate candidate Adam Hinds has won the endorsement of the American Federation of Teachers, he announced this week at his downtown Pittsfield convening of teachers, school committee members and administrators to learn about their education priorities and challenges.
The AFT, which represents teachers, paraprofessionals and other school-related personnel, higher education faculty and professional staff, federal, state and local government employees, as well as nurses and other healthcare professionals, joins the Massachusetts Teachers Association, which endorsed Hinds earlier this year.
What makes both endorsements unusual is that Hinds’ Republican opponent, Christine Canning of Lanesborough, is a former teacher in Pittsfield, Holyoke and Springfield and holds four professional teaching certifications, is earning her doctorate in educational policy from the University of Massachusetts and, she says, has been a MTA member since 1991.
Both candidates are running for the Berkshire-Hampshire-Franklin-Hampden seat now held by Sen. Benjamin Downing, D-Pittsfield. The district includes Ashfield, Conway, Shelburne, Buckland, Charlemont, Hawley, Heath, Rowe and Monroe in Franklin County.
“As state senator I will work closely with the people who educate our kids day in and day out,” said Hinds at Tuesday’s session. “Today was a start to that process.”
Canning, who describes herself as a whistleblower over problems she discovered at schools in Pittsfield and Holyoke, said she has complained formally to MTA about its endorsement, which she said was made as “a back-door political deal” despite the fact that she has been nominated three times as Massachusetts teacher of the year and has won four major grievances that have helped the MTA.
Among issues discussed at Hinds’ gathering, he said, were the importance of early education, addressing transportation costs, shared services and the role of technology.
“I look forward to continuing this dialogue as I work to improve funding and resources for our schools,” said Hinds.
“Adam Hinds will be an excellent state senator for the Berkshire, Hampshire, Franklin & Hampden District,” said MTA President Barbara Madeloni. “Adam is committed to advocating for students and for our schools, colleges and universities. He will do all he can to help working families and communities across our Commonwealth.”
You can reach Richie Davis at rdavis@recorder.com
or 413-772-0261, ext. 269