April

REPRESENTING

18 CEA ADVISOR APRIL 2018

CEA’S 170TH ANNUAL REPRESENTATIVE ASSEMBLY MAY 18-19 CEA President Sheila Cohen will convene the 170th Representative Assembly (RA) at the Standing Rules, Constitution and Bylaws, and Resolutions.

and an NEA Director Alternate. The candidates for a three-year term for CEA President are Jeffrey Leake and Robert Smoler. Tom Nicholas is seeking election to a three-year term as CEA Vice President. David Jedidian is seeking the position of NEA Director, and Tara Flaherty is seeking the position of NEA Director Alternate. All candidate statements and photos are printed below, as received.

Mohegan Sun Convention Center in Uncasville at 8:30 p.m. on Friday, May 18. The RA adjourns the following afternoon, Saturday, May 19. Approximately 500 delegates, representing members in CEA’s 160 local affiliates, will vote on proposed new business items and adopt Association policies, including amendments to

Delegates will vote on CEA’s fiscal-year budget that supports strategic objectives, programs, and services for members. If the $20.9 million budget is adopted as proposed, annual active membership dues will remain the same at $499 for 2018-2019. Elections Delegates will also elect a CEA President, CEA Vice President, an NEA Director,

CANDIDATES FOR OFFICE AT THE 2018 CEA RA

PRESIDENT

NEA DIRECTOR

Jeff Leake

David Jedidian

Bob Smoler Related Background: Regional Health Insurance and Pension Manager: Lincoln National Corporation CEO: Oxford Health Plans, NY Math Teacher: Fairfield Public Schools

Jeff Leake is seeking election to the office of President of the Connecticut Education Association. Jeff has most recently served as Vice President and Treasurer of CEA, and as President of the Connecticut Education Foundation.

“Breaking Boundaries, Building Partnerships” I picked this slogan because I truly believe that together we can achieve more. When we are together we are unbreakable! I started my activism in 1998 as the writer of the Vernon Education Association’s newsletter. I had

He has served in a variety of capacities in his local, the Education Association of Cheshire. As president and negotiations chair, he worked tirelessly to advance the economic interests and working conditions of EAC members. Jeff’s extensive experience as a Connecticut teacher and union leader makes him uniquely qualified to be our next President. He continues to meet extensively with local leaders and members. Jeff listens to and understands the needs of teachers and is an effective advocate. He demonstrates an unwavering commitment to our profession and our union, knowing we must work together, with political boldness and accountability, collectively making a difference for our students and supporting them as they become thoughtful citizens and reflective human beings. Jeff’s clear understanding of our members’ concerns means he will continue to passionately support our members and public education. He knows our state must strengthen our pension system, properly fund our public schools, reduce student testing and provide for professionally staffed early childhood programs. We must galvanize our teacher voice to reverse the decline in the share of state funding devoted to children and families. Jeff is well aware of the challenges before us but is looking forward to leading our Association as we overcome those challenges and stand strong for our profession.

President: Fairfield Education Association Member: CEA Legislative Commission Teachers are remarkable individuals. In our many roles as listeners, innovators, role models, motivators, and mentors we have an enduring influence on student lives. As dedicated professionals, teachers deserve to be celebrated, respected and rewarded. Recently our profession has been the target of much public criticism. For-profit charters are targeting and discrediting our public schools and their teachers. Court cases are being advanced in an effort to break teacher associations and drain their resources. Government entities are looking to dilute teacher benefits and rights. I am running for the CEA presidency to accomplish 6 main objectives: 1. Protect teacher benefits, working conditions and rights 2. Reduce/eliminate burdensome regulations 3. Establish a public narrative that public school teachers are getting the job done for ALL students 4. Supercharge support of local associations, significantly enhancing the membership experience 5. Develop new revenue streams to reduce our dependence on dues 6. Educate the public about the threats to public education These goals can be accomplished. We are presently doing it in Fairfield where parents wear pins that say, “I Stand With The Teachers” during election time. We have a voice in shaping district policies and budgets. We mentor new teachers, provide PD and offer seminars on member benefits. I would appreciate your support in creating a better, stronger CEA

no idea that 13 years later I would be addressing the entire Vernon School district as the President of the VEA. I have continued my involvement as the Tolland County Director, a member of the Board of Directors, and several CEA committees, including, executive committee, Finance, Staff Personnel, and Constitution Revision. Along with my state involvement I have also participated on a national level as a National Education Association Representative Assembly delegate. This past year I participated on the New Business committee at the NEA RA. I am taking the next step in running for NEA Director. I cannot think of a better way to be involved then being a voice for CEA on a state and national level.

NEA DIRECTOR ALTERNATE

Tara Flaherty

Please consider electing me as NEA Director Alternate. I have worked in both urban and rural educational settings for the last 18 years, spending time teaching high school math in both Waterbury and Shepaug Valley. I have been honored to

serve teachers at the local level as a building representative in both Waterbury and Shepaug, executive board member and president of the Shepaug Valley Education Association. I have served on multiple committees for the CEA including as chair of CIPD and Resolutions. As a member of the NEA resolutions committee, I was nominated by the national Resolutions Committee for five consecutive years to serve on the Internal Editing Committee for the NEA. Having five children, working in multiple school districts and my union work at the state and national level offer me a unique perspective on how education impacts teachers and students. I have been able to forge relationships both locally and nationally and desire to take our message to Washington to our Congressional delegation. As an active member of the CEA for the last 18 years, I annually attend the CEA and NEA representative assemblies to represent teachers in my district and my state. I am passionate about education and the teaching profession; I want to bring this passion to the NEA Board of Directors and be a vocal advocate for Connecticut educators. I ask for your support in electing Tara Flaherty as NEA Director Alternate.

VICE PRESIDENT

families become collateral damage while legislators and corporate money mongers wage a war of ideological words in an attempt to dismantle public education Not on my watch! I wish to be your CEA Vice President to work with you, and for you, to

Tom Nicholas For me, being your CEA Treasurer, County Director, NEA Director, and local president has been about being a steward of this profession. As a CEA leader it is incumbent on me to leave this profession better off than when I entered it. With all the attacks on public education, it is a tall order to leave this profession better off than when I started. So, it will take meaningful conversations with legislators and the State Department of Education as well as concerted organizing efforts to improve our positions. Today must be our finest hour to advance our causes in the face of so much adversity. As a CEA leader I refuse to let children, teachers, and

make all of public education stronger. Please support me as CEA Vice President so that I may stand up for all that is just and good in public education. I thank you for this opportunity. Tom