2-Oct-Nov 2020 ELECTION pp 12-20 Advisor

RE-ELECTING

OCTOBER – NOVEMBER 2020 CEA ADVISOR 5

FIFTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT CANDIDATE JAHANA HAYES “ I am so proud and take seriously the responsibility of carrying educators’ voices into Congress and into my

FOURTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT REPRESENTATIVE JIM HIMES

“ T eachers are the backbone of our communities. Now more than ever we are seeing the resilience of our educators in Connecticut, and I am proud of the work of our schools during this difficult time. Our teachers are on the frontline of COVID-19 and support from the Connecticut Education Association is crucial to protecting our classrooms. Thank you, CEA

Committee on Education and Labor. Now more than ever, it is critical that we have an educator with recent, real- world education experience in

the rooms where these conversations shaping

education policy are taking place. I am thankful for your support, and I will continue to fight for the resources necessary to provide quality public education for all.” Congresswoman Jahana Hayes

for advocating for public schools and supporting educators and students in Connecticut.” Congressman Jim Himes

“Living in Fairfield County in Connecticut, and having representation like Congressman Jim Himes is very assuring. I know that when serious issues arise concerning the students and teachers in his district, we can count on him. We can count on him to speak up about what is right and wrong and to let others know that his constituents will not be taken advantage of. Public education is important to Congressman Himes, and it shows in his dedication to the issues. This is why Congressman Jim Himes can count on my vote on November 3rd.” Tricia Conduah, Stamford teacher

“I will always support a candidate who supports teachers and kids. Education needs a strong voice that advocates for us. As National Teacher of the Year, Congresswoman Jahana Hayes understands teachers because she has experience in the educators’ arena. As a member of the Agriculture Committee,

Congresswoman Jahana Hayes is a proponent of food safety, the School Meals Program that has a great impact on children, and SNAP benefits to ensure that children and families have access to food. I support Congresswoman Jahana Hayes as the voice we need to represent us.” Lammia Agoora, Danbury teacher

HELP ELECT EDUCATION ALLIES How strong teachers’ voices are at the ballot box determines their strength at the bargaining table for their profession and their students. Many of the changes teachers want are tied to funding, and decisions about the amount of funding school systems receive rest with legislative bodies and the executive branch. Elected officials influence not only resources but also reforms, including vouchers, charters, and teacher evaluations. One of teachers’ best political tools is the NEA Fund for Children and Public Education, which helps run effective campaigns to elect education allies and remove those willing to sacrifice public schools to private interests. To achieve its goals, the NEA Fund relies on voluntary contributions from teachers—not dues dollars. Pooling together thousands of small contributions from teachers like you allows the NEA Fund to engage in direct voter contact and broad public awareness campaigns to ensure that public school teachers get

WATERBURY ART TEACHER WINS SECOND PLACE IN NATIONAL “GET OUT THE VOTE” POSTCARD CONTEST When the National Education

Association (NEA) launched a postcard contest on the theme “Get Out the Vote,” Crosby High School art teacher Sabrina Del Negro was inspired to capture the message. “When it comes to education,” the Waterbury educator says, “we have to keep advocating for better resources all around and for a strong public school system. I wanted to spread the word to remind people to share their voice and go out and vote. Voting is important at all

levels, especially when it comes to education, and especially this year.” Del Negro’s design took second place in the national competition. “We are so proud of all of our teachers, who—like Sabrina—are passionate advocates for a strong democracy and strong public schools,” says CEA President Jeff Leake. “I urge all our members to take her message to heart and vote—our students’ future depends on it.”

the pro-public education leaders they deserve. Learn more and contribute at NEAFund.org .