April

APRIL 2018 CEA ADVISOR 3

IN THIS ISSUE

NEWS BRIEFS

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LEADING Teachers share their stories and stand up for themselves and their students to keep schools safe. Through social activism and legislative outreach, they strive for change. For too long, student aggressions against teachers have been swept under the rug. Teachers are now sharing their stories of assault and administrative inaction, and legislators are taking notice. Learn how you can join your colleagues to ensure schools are safe places to work and learn.

PENSION PLANNING FOR EARLY-CAREER TEACHERS CEA helps members prepare for the future You may be years away from retirement, but it’s never too early to start planning. Join us at one of four upcoming workshops that give an overview of the Connecticut Teachers’ Retirement System, with a particular emphasis on issues relevant to teachers in the early phase of their career (less than 15 years of service). Workshops are free and open to all CEA members, regardless of years of service. Light dinner will be served. Workshops run from 4:30 to 6 p.m., with check-in at 4 p.m. Register at cea.org/members/events/pension-issues.cfm . Open to CEA members only.

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ADVOCATING CEA teachers and leaders continue pushing back on the teacher tax.

Monday, April 30 South Windsor High School Thursday, May 3 The Academy of Information Technology and Engineering (AITE), Cyber Café, Stamford Tuesday, May 8

6-7 LOBBYING

A number of proposals before the legislature can help or harm public education. Stay up to date on key

proposals this legislative session and make your voice heard. Read how CEA is leading the charge on legislative initiatives that support teachers and students. One out of eight Connecticut teachers will be at the center of a DCF investigation at some point in their careers. Would you know what to do if this happened to you? ADVOCATING Connecticut union members explain how the federal court case Janus v. AFSCME has serious implications for every union member. Meet this month’s Building Rep Superhero—as well as CEA’s legislative coordinator, who tracks every piece of legislation that could affect your profession. In Connecticut’s capital, the nation’s capital, and cities and suburbs throughout our state, teachers are standing up with students to demand meaningful action for safe schools. See photos and highlights from multiple walk-ins and marches, where educators joined their students in saying #Enough. The Connecticut Education Foundation celebrated the year’s biggest literacy event with a six-town Read Across America bus tour across northeastern Connecticut. CEA-RETIRED Save the dates for the CEA-Retired Spring Annual Business Meeting and Spring County Meetings. REPRESENTING See who is running for the office of CEA President, Vice President, NEA Director, and NEA Director Alternate at the 170th annual CEA RA, May 18-19. immigrants, read the inspiring stories of immigrants who have been supported by teachers and students in their Connecticut communities. Learn more about CEA professional development on this timely topic. Teachers were among those marching in Hartford as well as Washington, D.C., standing with students to demand safe schools. Hartford panorama photo credit: Clarice Silber, CTMirror.org . Used with permission. INSPIRING In a climate that is often hostile to

Cheshire High School Wednesday, May 9 Kelly Middle School, Norwich

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TEACHER LEADER INSTITUTE TO BE HELD MAY 22 2018 theme: Enabling creativity, collaboration, and innovation

CEA is pleased to partner once again with Central Connecticut State University on the Teacher Leader Fellowship Program Institute (TLFPI), which will be held on Tuesday, May 22, from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at CCSU’s Student Center Alumni Hall. The theme of this year’s program is teacher leaders as enablers of creativity, collaboration, and innovation in their classrooms and beyond, and the program is open to all public school teachers. Two internationally known education thinkers, Ottawa’s Dr. Peter Gamwell and Finland’s Dr. Pasi Sahlberg, will deliver morning keynote addresses. Their work has been influential on the structure of education in their respective countries, which are recognized as education superpowers and supporters of teachers as professional leaders. The day will include breakout sessions featuring TLFPI teacher leader fellows and

their administrators, and it will end with a panel of Silicon Valley startup entrepreneurs, many educated in Connecticut schools. They will weigh in on what it takes to conceive of and implement a startup—and how schools can nurture innovators, collaborators, and problem solvers in their classrooms. Offered by CCSU in partnership with CEA, AFT-CT, and Duke University TeachHouse, the program is open to 400 public school educators. Admission is $75, and space is limited.

10-13 RALLYING

Dr. Peter Gamwell

14-15 CELEBRATING

Dr. Pasi Sahlberg

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Register at ccsu.edu/seps/TLFP/TeacherLeaderInstitute.html .

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CONNECT WITH CEA

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The CEA Advisor is mailed to all CEA members. Annual subscription price is $7.63 (included in membership dues and available only as part of membership). Institutional subscription price: $25.00. Advertising in the CEA Advisor is screened, but the publishing of any advertisement does not imply CEA endorsement of the product, service, or views expressed. CEA Advisor UPS 0129-220 (ISSN 0007-8050) is published in August, October/November, December/ January, February/March, April, May/June, and summer (online) by the Connecticut Education Association, Capitol Place, Suite 500, 21 Oak Street, Hartford, CT 06106-8001, 860-525-5641. Periodicals postage paid at Hartford, Connecticut. Postmaster: Send address changes to CEA Advisor , Connecticut Education Association, Capitol Place, Suite 500, 21 Oak Street, Hartford, CT 06106-8001

April 2018 Volume 60, Number 5 Published by Connecticut Education Association 1-800-842-4316 • 860-525-5641 • cea.org CEA Advisor CEA Advisor Staff Nancy Andrews................. Communications Director Lesia Winiarskyj.................................Managing Editor Sandra Cassineri................................Graphic Designer Laurel Killough...................... New Media Coordinator

ON THE COVER

Production date: 4-5-18