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CELEBRATING

FEBRUARY – MARCH 2023 CEA ADVISOR 11

BECAUSE OF A TEACHER

It’s the reward a teacher looks forward to on those long, stressful days—hearing from a former student about how that teacher’s efforts have made a lasting impact. In CEA’s Because of a Teacher campaign, educators are sitting down for video interviews with former students who share the profound impact and influence they’ve had. Scan to watch these and other interviews. REAL STORIES, REAL PEOPLE

Inspiring the Political Career of State Comptroller Sean Scanlon “I don't know that I'd be sitting in this office, I don't know that I would have wanted to run for election if it wasn't for somebody helping me channel what it was that I cared about,” says Sean Scanlon. “That's what a teacher can do for you. A teacher can show you a path even if you don't know what that path should be, and I just thank you for that.” Scanlon, a former state representative who was elected state comptroller in November, sat down with retired Guilford social studies teacher James Powers, who inspired his entry into politics. “I wasn't sure what I wanted to do with my life,” says Scanlon, who credits the Guilford Public Schools with helping him be the first in his family to attend college. “The book report you assigned to me was a book about Bobby Kennedy. My parents were not political, I didn't come from a political household, I really didn't know the

difference between Democrat and Republican, and for whatever reason this book spoke to me.” Scanlon was inspired by how Kennedy championed causes most politicians weren’t discussing, such as rural poverty, and how he visited places elected officials rarely went. “I remember you were a tad rambunctious at times but eager to learn,” Powers says. “One of the things I was always impressed with, and I think this

“A teacher can show you a path even if you don't know what that path should be.”

Taking the best care of your students means taking the best care of yourself. Join other educators for a day of professional learning and connecting on a variety of topics that will help you improve your practice, navigate career challenges, and give you the time and tools you need to succeed. Choose from sessions on education law, technology, social media, trauma-informed classrooms, time management, learning through inquiry, streamlining grading, support for BIPOC educators, children’s literature that empowers, play-based learning, and pension planning. TEDx speaker and mental include mindfulness and burnout, will deliver the keynote address. Designed especially for educators in their first seven years but open to all CEA members currently employed by a school district, the conference is free and includes breakfast and lunch. Attendance certificates are available upon completion. Register at cea.org/event/ecec2023 . EARLY CAREER EDUCATOR CONFERENCE Foxwoods Resort Casino, Ledyard | Saturday, March 25 | 8:30 a.m.–1:15 p.m. health counselor Jelan Agnew, LCSW, whose areas of focus Marquez says having a classroom of her own first-graders was scary at first but rewarding at the same time. “These kids are really looking at me to help them grow. Where I teach is predominantly Hispanic, so my purpose in going into teaching is coming to life, because they see themselves in me. I feel like that helps them want to learn, because I’m someone they can relate to.” Batista says she feels proud to see how Marquez is now stepping up to inspire the next generation of students. “Going to school and seeing somebody who looks like you makes a big difference. To know that she's doing that—it's just magical for any teacher to see any student succeed, and especially in the teaching profession. That's even more exciting.” “I have a teacher who looks just like me!” there was so much disparity in society.” “Teachers don't get enough recognition,” says Scanlon, who sees educators from a different perspective now that he’s a parent. “You have your own kids, and you have an even bigger appreciation for what they do.”

is one of the reasons you got into politics, was the fact that you, even at that point, saw things from a social justice perspective.” Powers continues, “I do remember having conversations with you, and you would at times become quite upset and angry about the fact that Attending Newington Public Schools a decade ago, Janyah Marquez says she didn’t see teachers who looked like her, until she walked through the door of Elsa Batista’s Spanish class. “She was Hispanic, and it was really cool to see that,” Marquez says. “That was a big thing for me. It was like, ‘Oh my goodness, I have a teacher who looks just like me!’ I remember in middle school she was always very bubbly, and her personality reminded me a lot of mine. I thought, ‘I see myself,’ and that's exactly what I want to provide for other kids.” Marquez, whose family is from Puerto Rico, is now in her first year teaching at S.A.N.D. School in Hartford and says a big part of her decision to go into teaching was the desire to be that same someone students could identify with. “To see a former student who is now a young adult in the teaching profession, it's just so exciting,” says Batista, adding, “To know that I had a piece in that is just awesome.”

Motivating the Next Generation of Educators

Helping a Musical Gift Flourish “I don't think I would be where I am today if I didn't have you in my life.” “I'm a real introvert, but for some reason, slowly Ms. Graham, with her presence and her ability to teach music, she invited me in through her strength of who she is,” remembers gospel artist, vocalist, producer, and songwriter Kentrell Ragin. “I felt like she was the queen at what she did, and she was the best teacher I've ever had.” Ragin’s natural musical talent was clear to his family from a young age, but when retired Bridgeport music teacher and 2019 Connecticut Teacher of the Year Sheena Graham met him toward the end of his high school career, he’d had limited experience with vocalizing, music literacy, lyric writing, or genres outside of the music he’d learned in church. “I was just hoping to broaden his musical world,” Graham says. She remembers things started to click for Ragin, and then suddenly, one day when she called his name for attendance, he wasn’t there. It turned out the school’s administration wanted him to switch to adult education classes because of his age. Graham went to bat for Ragin with an administrator who finally agreed to let him participate in her after school groups if he attended night school. “Not only did he do it, but that year Kentrell won two soloist awards for his musical ability on the piano as well as his singing ability, and that was in a competition in Virginia,” Graham says. “I've never been so proud of a student for sticking

it out when facing so many obstacles, and he took it all in and made the best of it.” “At that time I was so passionate about my music, and I had started traveling a lot with gospel artists,” Ragin says. “It was great that I had people who cared about me so much, like Ms. Graham and other people in school. They got me back on track, and I was able to graduate with my high school diploma.” Ragin is now touring the world as a musician and recently completed a three-month tour in Germany. He says he’s very grateful for what he’s accomplished so far and credits Graham with being an integral part of his success. “I have the ability to think classically and melodically because Ms. Graham taught me, and those are like secret treasures for me.” He tells Graham, “Literally, I don't think I would be where I am today if I didn't have you in my life. What you've shown me and taught me– you were like a mom to me, and I couldn't thank you enough.”