Why Teach For America loves Gen Z

Also: What's open and closed on MLK Day; John Kerry to step down as Biden's top climate diplomat [Donate ❤️]( [View in Browser](  January 15, 2024 ☀️ Mostly sunny, with a high near 33. Good Morning Boston, It's Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Whether you're headed to the Common to see the Embrace sculpture or taking advantage of "[$1 Chowda Day]( be sure to check out this list of what's [opened and closed]( today in the Boston area. (Heads up, MBTA riders: Buses and the T will be operating on a [holiday schedule.]( Now, let's get into the news: - Shaping the minds of tomorrow: Although many schools across the state are dealing with [teaching staff shortages]( the number of educators in the Teach for America program in Massachusetts has grown by 40% over the last year, according to Shannah Varón, executive director for TFA Massachusetts. That's thanks in part to "new tactics" employed to attract Gen Zers. Of the currently 192 Massachusetts educators working for Teach For America in Boston, Chelsea, Lawrence, Fall River and Springfield, Varón says a "vast majority" are Gen Z. - The carrot(s): It starts with some small financial wins in a field that doesn't have many, according to Varón. TFA offers a $5,500 transitional award signing bonus (and it's $8,500 for those who were Pell Grant recipients in college). Through both the AmeriCorps Education Award and a partnership with Boston University, TFA also offers master's degree programs at "an extremely low cost," as well as free licensure, said Varón. - Why the focus on recruiting Gen Z? Varón says students can better relate to Gen Z educators: "When students see teachers who look like them ... who are digital natives the way they are, we see them engage more. [And] by having teachers who inspire young people to come to school in the first place, we'll be able to get them to do the learning that they need to do." Varón also notes the youngest generation of adults have a zest for [civic engagement](. - An uphill battle: Still, the demand for teachers across Massachusetts is "far outstripping" the number of applicants. (In June 2020, the state even authorized an [emergency teaching license]( to keep educators flowing into the system, but those first licenses are set to expire this year.) Varón said many of the teachers in the TFA program receive four or five job offers while interviewing. - PSA: If you know someone who would like to work with Teach for America Massachusetts in the next school year,[the deadline to apply is Feb. 5](. - Trader Joe's drama: Tomorrow, the National Labor Relations Board is expected to hear complaints against Trader Joe's by union members working at the retailer's Hadley, Massachusetts, location, according reporting from the New England News Collaborative. - The complaints: Workers represented by the store's union allege there has been retaliation for union activism. Union spokesperson Maeg Yosef says they're hoping to reach an agreement that would reinstate an employee the union says was improperly fired, and boost a retirement plan considered lesser-than for union workers than non-union workers. "The fact that the NLRB found merit in our charges ...is, I think, in itself, a victory," Yosef said. - The bigger picture: In July 2022, the Hadley store was the first Trader Joe's to unionize. Since then, only four other locations across the country have unionized. - ICYMI: The New England Patriots have appointed former player and [assistant coach Jerod Mayo as Bill Belichick's successor.]( Mayo, 37, played eight NFL seasons with the Patriots, and since 2019 has served alongside Steve Belichick as one of the team's linebackers coachs. The promotion makes Mayo the first Black coach in the Patriots' 64-year history and the NFL's youngest coach ever. - What players are saying: Linebacker Ja'Whaun Bentley and former Pats safety Devin McCourty sang Mayo's praises. “Players love him. I love to play for him. He gets the best out of his players," said Bentley. - Not done yet: Belichick was both coach and general manager for the Patriots. With Mayo as coach, team owner Robert Kraft [still has another spot to fill.]( In the meantime, Mayo will be center stage at Gillette this week when he's formally introduced as coach during a press conference Wednesday. P.S.— Curious about ways to get involved this Martin Luther King Jr. Day? [Click here]( for opportunities to volunteer, museums to visit and celebrations to attend across the Boston area. Hanna Ali Associate Producer, Newsletters Meagan McGinnes Assistant Managing Editor, Newsletters  Support the news  The Rundown [How Harvard Crimson journalists delivered ‘indispensable’ coverage of the university’s leadership crisis]( On churning out story after story and scooping many national news outlets: “We have a perspective as student journalists at Harvard that really nobody else has,” says managing editor Miles Herszenhorn. [Read more.]( [How Harvard Crimson journalists delivered ‘indispensable’ coverage of the university’s leadership crisis]( On churning out story after story and scooping many national news outlets: “We have a perspective as student journalists at Harvard that really nobody else has,” says managing editor Miles Herszenhorn. [Read more.]( [John Kerry to step down after 3 years as Biden's top climate diplomat]( John Kerry, who has led the Biden administration's international climate efforts, is leaving his role. He's been central to Biden's efforts to establish the U.S. as an international climate leader. [Read more.]( [John Kerry to step down after 3 years as Biden's top climate diplomat]( John Kerry, who has led the Biden administration's international climate efforts, is leaving his role. He's been central to Biden's efforts to establish the U.S. as an international climate leader. [Read more.]( [The Iowa caucuses are today. Here's what you need to know]( Republicans in Iowa convene today on a potentially record-breaking chilly night — that could affect turnout — to commence the 2024 presidential contest. Follow NPR for updates, analysis and results. [Read more.]( [The Iowa caucuses are today. Here's what you need to know]( Republicans in Iowa convene today on a potentially record-breaking chilly night — that could affect turnout — to commence the 2024 presidential contest. Follow NPR for updates, analysis and results. [Read more.]( [Service helps on MLK Day, but some say it's not enough]( U.S. groups will gather for community service projects to honor Martin Luther King Jr., but some say more is needed. [Read more.]( [Service helps on MLK Day, but some say it's not enough]( U.S. groups will gather for community service projects to honor Martin Luther King Jr., but some say more is needed. [Read more.]( [Lawsuit filed against Harvard, accusing it of violating the civil rights of Jewish students]( Several Jewish students have filed a lawsuit against Harvard University, accusing it of violating civil rights of Jewish students, “who are subjected to a severe and pervasive antisemitic hostile educational environment.” [Read more.]( [Lawsuit filed against Harvard, accusing it of violating the civil rights of Jewish students]( Several Jewish students have filed a lawsuit against Harvard University, accusing it of violating civil rights of Jewish students, “who are subjected to a severe and pervasive antisemitic hostile educational environment.” [Read more.]( Anything Else? - Movie lovers, rejoice: Through the winter and into the spring, there will be several [film festivals and showings in Boston]( including the previously postponed Palestinian Film Festival and a screening of the documentary "Israelism" at Emerson. [Get the full guide here.]( - This Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Cognoscenti revisits one of Dr. King's most timeless writings, ["Letter from Birmingham Jail."]( - After being delayed during the Hollywood strikes last year, the Emmy's will air tonight at 8 p.m. [Here's how to watch.]( - Have you ever wondered why young children want to do the same things over and over again? [It turns out, repetition has a lot to do with the way they learn.](  What We're Reading 📚 - Frederik X proclaimed king of Denmark after his mother Queen Margrethe II abdicates ([PBS NewsHour]( - The Billionaires Spending a Fortune to Lure Scientists Away From Universities ([The New York Times]( - The Quest to Ban the Best Raincoats in the World ([HeatMap](  Tell Me Something Good [Here & Now | One man's journey from illiteracy to reading 100 books in 2023]( Oliver James pledged to read 100 books in 2023, and he succeeded. [Read more.]( [Here & Now | One man's journey from illiteracy to reading 100 books in 2023]( Oliver James pledged to read 100 books in 2023, and he succeeded. [Read more.]( Listen: The Common [talks triple-deckers]( and discusses why Somerville recently re-legalized this type of housing unit. Play: [WBUR's daily mini crossword.]( Can you keep your streak going? Before you go: Fresh Pond's "maddening" rotary,[years ago.]( 😎 Forward to a friend. They can sign up [here](. 🔎 Explore [WBUR's Field Guide]( stories, events and more. 📣 Give us your feedback: newsletters@wbur.org 📧 Get more WBUR stories sent to your inbox. [Check out all of our newsletter offerings.]( Support the news    Want to change how you receive these emails? Stop getting this newsletter by [updating your preferences.](  I don't want to hear from WBUR anymore. 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