CEA_Summer 2023 Advisor

CEA Summer 2023 • Volume 64, Number 7 • Published by the Connecticut Education Association • cea.org

2 CEA ADVISOR SUMMER 2023

LEADING

Our Perspective

The summer is supposed to be full of lazy days and relaxing. That has not been the experience here at CEA! We have had a very busy and full summer, and it shows no signs of slowing down.

chairs the council, ran an amazing event with all his council leaders. Congresswoman Jahana Hayes spoke and reminded us all that education is political. If we are not at the

A Busy Summer

Kate Dias, CEA President

Just after school let out, we began preparing to take our delegation to the NEA Representative Assembly. We took an amazing group of people to Orlando to do the important work of setting the agenda for our national association. There, we had the chance to support teachers in Florida, who are facing tremendous political pressures, as well as debate agenda items that included lifting up our LGBTQ+ colleagues and students. We talked about the need to bring together people from both political parties to strengthen our ambitious goals of uplifting public education. We also raised money for the NEA Fund for Children, which supports pro-education politicians and policies. While the days are long and challenging, the work is essential, and our opportunities for fellowship were amazing. When we focus and work together, anything is possible! (See pages 6-7.) Two days later, we were ready to go for our annual Hands Across the Green golf tournament to benefit the Connecticut Education Foundation—but the weather didn’t cooperate. After two weeks, however, a record-breaking fundraiser was in the books. Teachers and allies from around the state came out to golf, laugh, and fundraise. It was a true joy to get together with our members and sponsors to celebrate the opportunity our foundation creates to support teachers and students in need. (See pages 8-9.) On the same day, we enjoyed elevating our profession with the Connecticut Teacher of the Year Council at their annual Empowered to Lead conference. (See pages 10-11.) David Bosso, who

table, she pointed out, then we are on the menu. So pull up a chair, people! The day was a true celebration of education leaders and how the work we are doing improves communities and makes a difference. Special thanks to Beth Regan and the Mohegan Tribe for their support and love for our profession. Teachers also came together for baseball! On one of the most glorious summer nights, we gathered to cheer on the Yard Goats, enjoy the party deck, and spend a little time together with each other and our families. This is a wonderful reminder that while working hard is important, so is playing hard. Our members spent their night celebrating one another, laughing at stories, and sharing in the love we have for education. And yeah, the baseball was fun too! (See page 12.) Summer never slows down our efforts to elevate our profession. Conversations with stakeholders, legislative planning, goal setting, and committee forming go on all summer long. The work of building a strong union is work we do together, and we do it year-round. (See page 5.) Our union is the backbone of every win we have. It is our negotiations teams fighting for salary increases and benefits protections. It is our local leaders working with administration to address your needs. It is our state leadership never losing sight that it is you we are fighting for when we take that fight to state legislators and agencies. Because of our union and our combined efforts directed at the same goals, there is nothing we cannot accomplish. We are, now and forever, stronger together.

Joslyn DeLancey, CEA Vice President

Donald E. Williams Jr. CEA Executive Director

CEA ADVISOR STAFF Nancy Andrews • Communications Director Lesia Day • Managing Editor Laurel Killough • New Media Coordinator Stephanie Boccuzzi • Graphic Designer Eric Ahrens • Web Designer and Developer Marcus Patterson • Administrative Assistant CEA GOVERNANCE Kate Dias • President Joslyn DeLancey • Vice President Tara Flaherty • Secretary Stephanie Wanzer • Treasurer Tanya Kores • NEA Director Katy Gale • NEA Director

IN THIS ISSUE

4 SUPPORTING Celebrate the special bond between CEA-Retired and Aspiring Educators, and see this year’s recipients of CEA’s Racially and Ethnically Diverse Educators Scholarship—students who are eager to follow in the steps of teachers who inspired them. ADVOCATING Persistence and planning paid off for local teachers’ unions—like East Hampton—that organized to pass their school budget. See how else union strength is protecting teachers’ resources and rights. 6-7 REPRESENTING What do you get when you bring 6,000 educators together in one place? Big names, big ideas, and big gains. Check out some of the famous and familiar faces at the NEA 2023 Representative Assembly. 8-9 FUNDRAISING Teachers hit the links this summer to raise funds for children and educators in need. See who came out to the 28th annual Hands Across the Green golf tournament, and lend your support to this worthy cause. 10-11 EMPOWERING Educators came together to talk about what it means for them to lead not just in their classrooms—where it comes naturally—but also in their schools, communities, and beyond. RELAXING CEA Teacher Appreciation Days are fan favorites at Yard Goats baseball, and it’s not too late to grab a seat at the final event of the season. Bring your friends and family out for a fun outing, complete with fireworks. 5 12

Summer 2023 Volume 64, Number 7 Published by Connecticut Education Association 1-800-842-4316 • 860-525-5641 cea.org CEA Advisor

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Production date: 7-27-2023

SUMMER 2023 CEA ADVISOR 3

New Teacher Evaluation Means More Freedom, maintains existing Protections Guidelines take effect in 2024-2025

Teaching is one of the world’s most rewarding professions but also among the most difficult. “Unfortunately, what makes a teacher truly great is often hard to measure and, therefore, not part of a teacher’s evaluation rating,” says CEA Teacher Development Specialist Kate Field. “Connecticut’s evaluation guidelines, created in 2012, were based on the fundamental misconception that children’s progress is standardized and can be reliably linked to teachers’ classroom performance. The guidelines were convoluted and overly burdensome for both teachers and administrators, but their most egregious flaw was reducing the transformational work of teachers into a numerical score at the end of the year.” Fortunately, thanks to strong CEA advocacy, teacher evaluation is changing. On June 14, 2023, the State Board of Education approved sweeping new teacher evaluation (TEVAL) guidelines to be

implemented in 2024-2025. The week before, Connecticut’s legislators voted to eliminate the annual educator performance rating requirement from state statute, making Connecticut among the first states in the country to do so. The new TEVAL guidelines, coupled with elimination of the rating requirement from statute, means your school district’s Professional Development and Evaluation Committee (PDEC) will need to create a new TEVAL plan for 2024-2025. The new guidelines are simple, they focus on support rather than mathematical calculations, and they offer districts more freedom to design a TEVAL plan that meets the needs of their teachers rather than follow a one-size-fits-all statewide approach. While the new guidelines give more autonomy to districts, they also maintain existing protections to guard against arbitrary or punitive TEVAL practices. Indicators or measures of accomplishment must be mutually agreed upon. Three conferences are still required each year (fall, mid-year, summative) to ensure opportunities to progress and provide feedback. The PDEC must include teachers selected by their collective bargaining unit. The PDEC must make decisions through mutual agreement. The TEVAL plan must be approved by the SDE, and the superintendent must indicate mutual agreement was reached. Beginning teachers must be provided a TEAM mentor and interactions between the mentor and beginning teacher remain strictly non-evaluative . Teachers may not be arbitrarily placed on a support plan, and the plan must be created in collaboration with the collective bargaining unit. A neutral dispute resolution process must be mutually agreed to by the PDEC and included in the TEVAL plan; this process must involve the collective bargaining unit. Teachers may grieve any misstep in TEVAL process or procedures. All teachers must be assigned a primary evaluator with an 092 certificate; all evaluators must be trained. PROTECTIONS FOR TEACHERS STAY THE SAME Ongoing, regular, and timely feedback is required. A narrative report is required in lieu of a summative rating. Goals must be mutually agreed upon.

For Educators, Some Debt Relief Still in Place Supreme Court decision impacts other loan programs In a widely criticized decision, the Supreme Court on June 30 struck down the Biden administration’s Student Debt Relief Plan, which would have offered $10,000 to $20,000 in student loan forgiveness for borrowers. The court’s decision, however, has no any bearing on teachers’ eligibility for Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) or the Income-Driven Repayment (IDR) adjustment that ends December 31. Both opportunities are still available to educators. The IDR adjustment opportunity that lasts until New Year’s allows federal loan holders to receive retroactive credit for payments made on ineligible loans or through an ineligible repayment plan. “In essence, it’s like last year’s waiver in that it clears away two of the biggest obstacles that prevented CEA members from receiving the loan forgiveness that had been promised,” says Martin Lynch, director of education at Cambridge Credit Counseling. In addition, the Biden Administration’s newest and best income-driven repayment plan, SAVE, will be available this summer and could offer you substantial savings. If you enroll in the REPAYE plan now, by simply contacting your loan servicer you will automatically be transitioned to the SAVE plan, which will result in a lower monthly payment than any other income-driven plan currently available, and any unpaid interest will be erased monthly. What to Expect When Payments Resume • Your servicer will contact you about payments resuming. • You will receive an invoice at least 21 days before your first payment is due. • Your loans will start accumulating interest September 1. A CEA Member Benefits partner, Cambridge Credit Counseling offers free webinars and counseling to every CEA member looking to take advantage of the IDR payment adjustment and qualify for PSLF, including members who may still be far short of 120 payments. For upcoming webinar dates and times, visit cea.org or contact Cambridge student loan counseling manager Todd Friedhaber ( tfriedhaber@cambridgecredit.org , 800-757-1788, ext. 5373) or Marty Lynch ( mlynch@cambridgecredit.org ) directly.

NEW AREAS OF FLEXIBILITY

No ratings are required.

No student learning objectives (SLOs) are required. No standardized learning indicator is required.

Goals for tenured teachers may span up to three years, they may be collaborative in nature (groups of teachers may share the same goal), and the focus may be on professional learning. PDEC determines the number, length, and type of observations required; these requirements may differ for teachers in different roles and years of experience.

Beginning teachers may select TEAM-related goal.

A tiered support plan process is required for teachers with a pattern of documented performance concerns. This tiered process is written by the PDEC. Observation rubrics must be standards-based but may be simplified or otherwise modified by the PDEC. TEVAL process may be differentiated for teachers in different roles and years of experience.

CEA Welcomes CFO Lovel Cassells On July 5, CEA welcomed Chief Financial Officer Lovel Cassells, who works closely with CEA’s executive director, managers, and governance team to provide vision, direction, and guidance for CEA’s fiscal growth and success. His responsibilities include finance, budgeting, oversight of membership registration, property management, and information technology. Cassells previously served as director of finance for the Connecticut Science Center, finance manager for InterCommunity Health Care, and accounting manager at SS&C Technologies. He earned his bachelor’s degree in business information from Eastern Connecticut State University and an M.B.A. from Springfield College.

Join fellow educators and supporters for a gala event celebrating 175 years of elevating the teaching profession. A fundraiser for the Connecticut Education Foundation (CEF), the evening includes a cocktail reception, awards, dinner, and dancing. All proceeds support CEF’s many charitable programs. Single tickets, tables, and sponsorships are available. RSVP at cea.org/2023gala .

CEA CELEBRATES

anniversary

Friday, September 29 | 6–11 p.m. Doubletree Hotel, Bristol

SUPPORTING

4 CEA ADVISOR SUMMER 2023

For CEA-Retired members, one of the highlights of the NEA Retired Annual Meeting—which takes place at the same time as the NEA Aspiring Educators Conference each year—is connecting with the next generation of teachers. (See more on both events, pages 6-7.) “Nurturing those relationships is so important,” says CEA-Retired President William Murray. “Our hope is that we inspire young people entering the profession as much as they inspire us.” The two groups traditionally meet for dinner while attending their respective conferences. “The entire experience was amazing and made me feel more connected with the union,” says University of Saint Joseph psychology major and incoming CEA Aspiring Educators Secretary Brandon Scacca. “I felt like I was surrounded by people who support me in my future in education. The union feels like family, where we all support one another in various aspects of our lives.” The Connecticut Education Foundation will offer a new scholarship for Aspiring Educators with a demonstrated commitment to their future profession and their union. The scholarship will be named for longtime CEA-Retired member and leader Gloria Brown, who was passionate in her support of active, retired, and aspiring teachers. GENERATIONS OF Educators

Top: Each year before the NEA Representative Assembly, CEA-Retired members host a dinner with CEA Aspiring Educators. Right: CEA-Retired President William Murray and CEA Aspiring Educators Chair Emma Sands both hail from Danbury.

CONNECTICUT EDUCATION FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIPS HELP STUDENTS PURSUE TEACHING CAREERS

Two Connecticut students this year have been awarded Racially and Ethnically Diverse Educators Scholarships from the Connecticut Education Foundation (CEF) to help them pursue teaching careers. They will receive $2,000 for every year of undergraduate study leading to their Connecticut teaching credentials. “We know how important it is for all children to see themselves reflected in their teachers, and we’re committed to growing and diversifying our profession to ensure that happens,” says CEF President and CEA Vice President Joslyn DeLancey. “We are so pleased to award opportunities to students who are interested in becoming professional educators, and we look forward to seeing them lead their own classrooms.”

“I had a lot of support from my ESL teacher,” she says, “and it was by seeing her work that something lit up inside of me. I knew I was meant to do that job one day. My first ESL teacher is

biology. Without his belief in my abilities, I would not have taken a course that taught me to persevere through difficulties. I want to be the teacher who inspires students to take initiative in their learning

one of the reasons I know what I want to do with my future now. I want to guide non-English speaking students to success.” After two years, Nazareth’s family relocated to Westbrook, where she completed an internship tutoring Spanish- and Portuguese speaking middle school students and started a high school club—The Welcoming Committee—as part of a civics project. “It turned into something much bigger than I could ever imagine,” she says. “The club’s purpose is to help non-English-speaking students

journey and recognize their potential.” Earth and marine science teacher Anthony Wasley says, “Grace is a student I will remember for the rest of my career.” Wright-Goodison has spent weekends and summer breaks in academic settings mentoring and supporting middle school and younger students—and assisting their teachers. “My role was to run activities that motivated students to learn, and I found myself looking forward to my time there, because I connected with students through games and activities while seeing them improve their literacy, math, and problem solving skills. Through these interactions, I provided safe spaces

“We are so pleased to award opportunities to students who are interested in becoming professional educators, and we look forward to seeing them lead their own classrooms.”

Lavinnia Nazareth, whose family moved to the United States from Brazil four years ago, hopes to make a difference for English learners like herself. “I started high school with barely any knowledge of the English language,”

with enrollment in school, translations, and more.”

CEF President and CEA Vice President Joslyn DeLancey

Both the club and internship confirmed her desire to become an ESL teacher, she says. “The first step toward this dream is majoring in Spanish and pursuing my teacher certification, and this scholarship will help me be the first person in my family to obtain a college degree.” A 2023 graduate of Westbrook High School, Nazareth joins UConn’s class of 2027 this fall. Katherine Grace Wright-Goodison, a 2023 graduate of Hall High School in West Hartford, will also begin her freshman year at UConn this fall. Her goal is to become an English teacher. “Throughout my life, I have had role models in teachers,” she says. “In seventh grade, my English teacher encouraged me to break out of my comfort zone and take on challenges in my academic career instead of settling for being good at what I enjoyed. She is the person who opened my eyes to teaching as a career. In ninth grade, my earth science teacher urged me to sign up for AP

for students to take risks and learn from their mistakes. Students sometimes came in feeling apprehensive and not interested in stretching their skills, but working with them one on one helped them become more invested in their learning.” Wright-Goodison also founded her school’s Student Equity and Diversity Council (SEDC), which provides a platform for students to share ideas for school improvements and implement solutions. Outside the SEDC, she has been involved in multiple extracurriculars where, she says, “I collaborate with my peers to improve our school environment for people of color and other marginalized groups, and I am the voice asking how to involve those who are not represented. I am passionate about equity work, and I hope to teach with diverse texts and in a manner that empowers my students to be leaders, influencing the world around them through written and spoken word.” Do you know a deserving high school senior who plans to pursue a teaching career? Learn more about scholarship opportunities at cea.org/cef .

she explains. “I was scared, confused, and lost. As an immigrant, everything is twice as hard for you, and high school is no different. Upon my arrival to the United States, I had no direction on where to go with my life. I always thought I had no talent for anything. Since I had little to no English experience, I took English as a Second Language (ESL) classes my freshman and sophomore year.” Nazareth’s family first moved to Old Saybrook, where English language tutor Erin Reid described her as positive, kind, and brave, and her rapid grasp of the English language as “nothing short of amazing,” adding, “Her academic success was in large part due to her incredible work ethic. Despite her lack of knowledge of the English language, Lavinnia enthusiastically jumped headfirst into her academics and never skipped a beat.” She also joined extracurricular activities as a means of learning the language and culture, in addition to a busy home life that included responsibilities for younger siblings.

ADVOCATING

SUMMER 2023 CEA ADVISOR 5

Union Advocacy Restores Vital Education Funding The East Hampton Education Association’s efforts paid off this summer when voters turned out on a hot July day to pass the education budget. Teachers and community supporters had been organizing and rallying for months, strongly objecting to cuts the town council and board of finance tried to make to the education budget. They successfully rallied the community to vote “no, too low” in a budget referendum, resoundingly defeating a budget that would have eliminated teaching positions and increased class sizes. “Because the budget passed, we can move forward to the next school year without laying off any teachers,” says East Hampton Education Association President and middle school music teacher Neil Shilansky. “We’re very pleased that student class sizes will remain at a favorable level.” Shilansky says that EHEA, with the help of CEA, mobilized teachers and others to speak up at board of education, board of finance, and town council meetings. On school days when there were important

BECAUSE OF OUR UNION Curtis Darragh IV NEA Danbury social chair and Westside Middle School Academy counselor 2021 Connecticut School Counselor of the Year ‘We can fight for what’s best for our kids’

It’s been a huge battle to get appropriate supports for students’ mental health, but our union has been fighting every step of the way. Last year, funding for mental health resources was a major legislative achievement in our state, and this year, CEA succeeded at getting that funding extended in order to expand counseling and social emotional services. I can’t overstate how badly this is needed. In my district, we have no elementary school counselors, and my own caseload is 375 students. We need better counselor-to student ratios. We can do a lot better.

As the 2021 School Counselor of the Year, I’ve heard a lot of what teachers and students were going through. Having worked through the pandemic, I’ve seen it firsthand. There has been a rise of depression and anxiety among students, and in younger children, a lot of this manifests itself in

board of finance or town council meetings, EHEA members wore #RedforEd as a reminder to attend that evening’s meeting. CEA Communications created signs to hold at busy intersections in town, reminding the community to get involved, while CEA Government Relations staff, emailed and texted action alerts to all CEA members who live in town. EHEA also

aggressive behavior—often directed at teachers. This is happening in elementary schools and not only to special education teachers in self-contained classrooms but also to general education teachers. Our school psychologists and social workers are feeling the brunt of this as well. Being involved in my union has been key to making important social and professional connections and agitating for change in education policy and funding. I’ve been a school counselor for eight years, and to every new single teacher, I say this: Your union has your back! When you need help or representation, fighting this fight yourself you can easily lose. I work in a large district, and being active in your union helps you know what’s going on. I’m very thankful for our union, because it means we can fight for what’s best for our kids.

Marquis Johnson Glastonbury High School science teacher 2020 Windsor Teacher of the Year and Connecticut Teacher of the Year finalist ‘They have our backs’ During my time as Teacher of the Year, I talked with a lot of fellow educators about why we entered the field, but in the years since, we’ve seen a deepening teacher shortage. Societal influences that demonize our profession have made it increasingly challenging to do our work. Many excellent educators, both newcomers and experienced veterans, have made the difficult decision to take their talents and energy elsewhere—where they know they will be respected and rewarded. My colleagues and I need to be able to focus on education, pedagogy, making connections with the children in our classrooms—all those rich things we understand lead to better outcomes for our students. To that end, the unions that support us are more important than ever. They have our backs, they advocate for us behind the scenes, they take up the slack, and they push for strong protections and sound education policy so that we can concentrate our attention where it matters most: on our students and their future. Teachers come into this profession because we love making a difference. We have a passion for educating and helping young people.

L-R: East Hampton Middle School math teacher Shawn Quinn, Granby Memorial High School choral director Mindy Shilansky, and EHEA President Neil Shilansky encourage voters to support the school budget.

communicated with the their board of education and administrators about how to pass a budget that retained staff and resources. “We stood side by side holding signs before the initial referendum in May, encouraging residents to vote ‘no, too low,’” Shilansky says. “Passing this budget means students will not have their ability to learn affected by larger class sizes or fewer course offerings,” says EHEA Vice President Richard Storrs, a social studies teacher. “It also demonstrates what can happen when a teachers’ union works with townspeople to defeat underfunding.” What’s Your Plan? When it comes to school budgets, time is of the essence. Members of your boards of education, finance, and selectmen have the power to increase or cut funding and are likely up for election this fall, so get organized now. Find out who’s running for key seats in your city or town, support education-friendly candidates, and get out the vote in November. Fall is typically a time when the following year’s school budgets are drafted. Reach out to your local leadership about getting involved in the process so that you can fight for what you need—and win. Many teachers’ unions with uphill battles this year fought successfully for better budgets. How? They met early and often— and made a plan. They reached out to CEA Government Relations and Communications staff as well as their CEA UniServ Rep to help with messaging and organizing. The sooner your union begins working on the budget, the more you can impact what the final product looks like. You can do this. CEA can help.

Kate Tobin Stamford Education Association treasurer Westhill High School English teacher and building representative ‘We are always stronger together’

As a teachers’ union representative and executive board member, I know firsthand the kind of support our union provides. I am ever grateful we have a union our educators can turn to as a source of comfort and support, and to right wrongs. This job is hard enough. In states where teachers don’t have the same union protections we have in Connecticut, it’s so much harder. I’m happy to be someone whose role is to help organize and pull together our membership in support of common goals and against obstacles to truly effective teaching and learning. When it comes to education, our members are the experts. They need to be respected as such. And when they are not, I help them find their collective voice. We are always stronger together.

REPRESENTING

6 CEA ADVISOR SUMMER 2023

of you,” the President said. “I want you to know I see you, we see you, and we thank you. Our job is to make sure you have what you need to do what you do best. That’s why through the American Rescue Plan we delivered critical support for schools, including funding for after-school programs and summer programs and hiring more teachers, counselors, and school psychologists.” Aside from the largest-ever investment in public schools, the Biden administration also ensured educators and their unions were included in local decisions regarding how that $170 billion would be spent—actions that earned Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris NEA’s endorsement for the 2024 presidential election during a vote at the NEA RA. Delegates also re-elected NEA President Becky Pringle, Vice President Princess Moss, and Secretary-Treasurer Noel Candelaria. Investments matter Several NEA RA delegates were invited by NEA President Becky Pringle to share their stories about how the massive infusion of resources has made a profound difference in their professional and personal lives in areas such as tackling the educator shortage, diversifying the profession, addressing the mental health crisis and gun violence, and receiving relief from crushing student loan debt. Chastity Baccus, a member of the South Carolina Education Association and president of the York County Education Association, described how President Biden’s commitment to fixing Public Service Loan Forgiveness changed her life. The hardworking 22-year veteran elementary educator, who has two master’s degrees and a Ph.D., was carrying nearly $130,000 of student loan debt. “As we all know, our profession is one that is severely underpaid, and to advance, we must continue our education, which usually means incurring more debt,” Baccus said. But that debt was forgiven when the Biden administration jumpstarted the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program, because Baccus had met all of the program requirements. Thousands of other educators are among the 615,000 public servants whose student debt was cancelled. “We have never had stronger partners in the White House than President Biden and our NEA member Dr. Jill Biden,” said Pringle. “They listened to us, and they worked since day one to support not only public education in this country but also the people who have dedicated their lives to educating our students.” Freedom to teach Against a backdrop of book bans, curriculum constraints, and other attacks on teachers and students, thousands of educators braved the heat and gathered outside the convention center on July 5 for a Freedom to Learn rally, rising up against attempts to silence educators and interfere with students’ right to an education. “You are showing what it means to fight against out-of-touch politicians,” Pringle told participants. “As this nation’s largest, most powerful union, we will protect our democracy

Ninety CEA members joined nearly 6,000 educators from around the nation in Orlando, Florida, over the July 4th week for the 2023 National Education Association Annual Meeting and Representative Assembly (RA). CEA MEMBERS JOIN THOUSANDS OF COLLEAGUES FOR 2023 NEA Representative Assembly

“That disrespect comes from so called leaders that complain about public education but sleep well at night knowing their teachers are making less than $40,000 a year. It comes from those who want to privatize education and starve public schools of the resources they need, and from those seeking to divide our nation by politicizing equity and inclusion. There is a toxic disrespect from demagogues who attack the safety and belonging of LGBTQI+ students and students of color, banning books and whitewashing our history. There’s a toxic disrespect from those who want to perpetuate privilege by standing against affirmative action and from those who have gotten millions in debt relief but throw a tantrum when we try to give teachers $10,000.” Sadly, he pointed out, “There is even toxicity creeping in from those who would rather ban books than assault weapons.” “I keep hearing talk about a teacher shortage issue,” he added. “When are we going to talk about the national teacher respect issue? Better yet ... let’s see action.” Cardona spelled out what he called the ABCs of education: A for agency, where educator voices are woven into the school’s work; B for better working conditions, where we are not normalizing schools built for the last century; and C for competitive salaries. “Let’s pay teachers what they deserve! When we invest in the profession, we invest in our students, and we invest in our nation,” he said. After his speech, Cardona met with NEA delegates about actions to raise educator pay, move from standardized testing to instruction driven assessment, and create better working conditions. From the White House to the schoolhouse Also addressing NEA’s Representative Assembly were President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden, who reaffirmed their commitment to educators and public schools. “I know the last three years have been so difficult—we asked so much

suggested he display it in the school cafeteria. He did, and his work was featured in the local newspaper. “That lifted me up,” Cardona recalled. Later, that same teacher tapped him on the shoulder and told him that he, too, could be an educator— an idea that put him on the path to becoming one. “Ms. Ransom saw something in me that I did not even see, and when I look out at this room, I don’t just think of it as a room of 6,000 incredible people,” Cardona said. “You represent tens of millions of taps on the shoulder. You change lives!” R-E-S-P-E-C-T Emphasizing that the country owes its educators a debt of gratitude and respect for changing as well as saving lives, Cardona criticized what he called “a culture of toxic disrespect” aimed at public education.

The RA is the world’s largest democratic deliberative body and the top decisionmaking body for NEA’s nearly three million members. Every year, delegates come together to draft and debate new policies, adopt a strategic plan and budget, hear from NEA leaders and other prominent educators and activists, and elect new leaders. Nation’s top education champions address teachers In powerful speeches heard by thousands of educators at the NEA RA on Independence Day, the nation’s top public education advocates pledged their continued support for teachers. U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona led by sharing how his own life’s trajectory was shaped by a Meriden teacher. After she saw a racial-justice-themed mural he was painting, his high school art teacher

CEA delegates make a great showing at the 2023 NEA Representative Assembly over the Independence Day holiday.

REPRESENTING

SUMMER 2023 CEA ADVISOR 7

Advocacy in Action

CEA delegates make a great showing at the 2023 NEA Representative Assembly over the Independence Day holiday.

NEA RA new business items strengthen public education Nearly 100 new business items were brought before the delegation, more than a third of which passed, with several others referred to their appropriate committees for further consideration. Among the key new business items adopted during the 2023 NEA RA were initiatives to • Recognize anti-LGBTQ discrimination and violence directed at people identifying or perceived as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning, or intersex and develop political strategies to defend public education and the rights and dignity of LGBTQ+ people and combat anti-LGBTQ+ legislation and rhetoric, especially at the local school board level; improve school climate and culture, particularly addressing LGBTQ+ youth homelessness, suicide, and the need for access to gender-affirming care; expand partnerships and grant opportunities for educator led professional development, particularly in areas of using pronouns, supporting transitioning students, and LGBTQ-inclusive practices and policies; update bargaining guidance around LGBTQ+ issues, including access to gender affirming care • Elevate culturally responsive pedagogy by engaging members, developing a resource bank of curricular resources across multiple disciplines and digital platforms, and examining culturally responsive pedagogy in educator prep programs

and preserve public education. And we will win, because we must. We will win because we know our students are depending on us to be worthy of them.” In the past year alone, she pointed out, many politicians who have failed to address the educator shortage and gun violence in schools have instead banned books about Martin Luther King Jr. and Anne Frank, attempted to erase and dehumanize the LGBTQ+ community, blocked students from learning AP African American Studies, and restricted educators’ freedom to teach and students’ freedom to learn. For teachers in the crowd working in states where such freedoms have been restricted, the rally was a powerful, validating experience. “I feel this is a space where I’m supported and where I can get the knowledge and tools to move forward,” said Jorje Botello, a civics teacher in Okeechobee, Florida, who also taught U.S. history for more than 20 years. “It’s hard to teach history and civics in Florida today,” he said, adding that teachers are fearful for their jobs. “One hundred percent, we feel limitations on what we can do and teach.” National Teacher of the Year in the spotlight “Every day, as we unlock the doors of our classrooms, we swing wide the doors of opportunity. Each time we open a book, we open a space to grow.” That was the message Oklahoma high school math teacher and 2023 National Teacher of the Year Rebecka Peterson delivered to her

colleagues and fellow NEA RA delegates, celebrating their role in ensuring educators’ freedoms and inspiring students, and emphasizing that the fight to protect democracy must continue. “As an Iranian-American woman, I stand acutely aware that liberty for all is no guarantee. Rather, it’s a product of a nation’s people insisting that we belong to each other. Teachers, you are the ones carrying that banner.” Community schools movement A panel discussion on day three of the NEA RA looked at progress and success within the community schools movement, part of an initiative spearheaded nationally by NEA and taken up by CEA at the statewide level to help establish and grow public schools that provide services and support that fit their particular neighborhood’s needs. These often include wraparound services, integrated into the fabric of the school, that provide meals, healthcare, mental health counseling, and other services before, during, and after school. NEA launched the Community Schools Institute with a $10 million investment to help communities start and grow community schools, and thanks to the union’s advocacy, the federal government now provides $70 million in federal funding to support these initiatives. CEA successfully lobbied its own state legislature in recent years to adopt statutory language acknowledging community schools as a viable component of education reform. That work—including advocating for community school investments and pilot programs—continues.

SPOTLIGHT ON CEA-RETIRED

• Enact gun safety legislation through statewide task forces addressing safe storage of firearms, red flag laws, universal background checks, gun purchase waiting periods, and limits or bans on the purchase of assault rifles • Strengthen public education as the cornerstone of democracy through shareable, NEA-developed advocacy tools related to recent critical Supreme Court rulings • Disseminate best practices for educators of newcomer students, those whose first language is not English, and those who have not attended schools in the U.S. for more than three cumulative years • Develop a strategic program to help Republican members advance a pro-public education agenda within the Republican Party. CEA-Retired was recognized with three top communications awards—the NEA Spotlight Award for coverage of retired teachers’ issues and events in the CEA Advisor , the Hall of Fame Award, and best website award. “Our CEA-Retired members are powerful advocates for active and retired teachers alike, and we’re proud to shine a light on their efforts and accomplishments,” said CEA Communications Director Nancy Andrews. “The work of CEA-Retired members has been integral to our union’s success at the legislature, at the polling booths, in the classroom, on CEA’s committees and commissions, and everywhere in between. It’s gratifying not only to publicize their work but to have those communications recognized as standard-bearers on a national level.”

ASPIRING EDUCATORS TAKE HOME NATIONAL AWARDS

At the NEA Aspiring Educators annual awards celebration in Orlando, just ahead of the NEA RA, CEA’s Aspiring Educators program was recognized with awards for State Excellence and Distinguished State Organizer. “What an amazing night for our Aspiring Educators,” said CEA Education Issues Specialist Elizabeth Sked. “CEA’s Aspiring Educators will always be winners to me, but it sure does feel good to be recognized nationally. I am incredibly proud of them and all we have accomplished this year.”

The State Excellence Recognition Award highlights the work of CEA Aspiring Educators and how they engage members in practicing the NEA Aspiring Educator Core Values—educator quality, community engagement, political action, and social justice. The Distinguished State Organizer Award recognizes Sked for her dedication and service to the NEA Aspiring Educators by serving as the organizer at the state level. Outgoing CEA Aspiring Educators Chair Kate Cummings said, “Attending the NEA Aspiring Educators Conference in Orlando reinforced my love for teaching and being a part of this powerful community. It was an honor to be nominated for Distinguished State Leader and to receive the State Excellence Recognition award from NEA! My work with CEA is not done, as I will continue to be an advocate for educators while pursuing my master’s in teacher leadership and entering the field in the fall.”

FUNDRAISING

8 CEA ADVISOR SUMMER 2023

CHAMPIONS TEACHERS ARE FOR CHILDREN At the 28th Annual Hands Across the Green Tournament

Under blue skies, with a warm breeze across the green, more than 150 Connecticut teachers, supporters, and CEA leaders and staff hit the links at Glastonbury Hills Country Club on July 24 as part of CEA’s largest fundraiser of the year to benefit public school students. The Connecticut Education Foundation’s (CEF) 28th annual Hands Across the Green Golf Tournament raised thousands of dollars to help disadvantaged children and provide relief for teachers facing extraordinary hardships. “So many of our members know students whose families can’t afford the basics,” says CEF President and CEA Vice President Joslyn DeLancey. “We have students who need eyeglasses, sleeping bags, uniforms, hearing aids, school supplies, and more. The absence of those essentials can be a real barrier to a child’s learning and development, and educators are often the ones reaching into their own pockets to ensure their students are cared for. Hands Across the Green raises money to make that kind of assistance possible.” DeLancey points out that all school districts—even in the most affluent communities—have children in need, and educators are in a unique position to know where those gaps exist and reach out to CEF for help. Among the day’s players were special education teachers, preK through high school classroom educators, school social workers and counselors, and physical education and health teachers, all of whom know students in different ways. “Working together in our schools and out here, we make lives better for so many children,” says DeLancey, who credits the tournament’s players, sponsors, and volunteers for making Hands Across the Green a success each year. In its 28-year history, the tournament has raised more than a million dollars for needy children in Connecticut’s public schools.

Good company, good cause “I love supporting the good work of the Connecticut Education Foundation,” says Greenwich Education Association President Lil Perone. “Taking care of teachers and students is what CEA is all about.” “It’s such a great cause, and I’m proud to represent Suffield,” says social studies teacher Mike Barile. Shelton High School social studies teacher and building rep Mike DeFelice agrees. “It’s a nice way to give back.” Recently retired teacher Theresa McKeown, who served as president of her local union, adds, “It’s the right thing to do. In West Hartford, we have a lot of kids who have benefited from The Children’s Fund. Our district and so many

CEF

others have families newly arrived from other countries who may not have all the resources they need. Eyeglasses and winter coats are a big need we’ve seen every year.” The West Hartford Education Association was a major sponsor of this year’s tournament. “Our local has been participating in the tournament since its inception, and we’re happy to carry the torch,” said Ashford teacher Chris Busse. “This fund has helped a child in our district whose glasses were broken and has come to the aid of a family who lost their belongings in a house fire.” Some of this year’s players—like fellow Ashford educator Bernie Schreiber, now retired—have never missed a year, like other decades-long veterans who plan summer vacations around the tournament. Cheshire eighth grade science teacher John Runte and Waterbury Teachers’ Association President Kevin Egan have been coming out to Hands Across the Green for more than 20 years. “It’s a great time,” says Runte, “and I look forward to it every summer.” “They add new elements every year to make it more and more fun,” says Egan. “It just keeps getting better.”

Top: CEA President Kate Dias and Vice President Joslyn DeLancey welcome players to the 28th annual Hands Across the Green. Above: East Hartford and Windsor teachers bring their A game and energy to the tournament.

SUMMER 2023 CEA ADVISOR 9

In addition to familiar faces, the tournament continues to draw new participants. “Our union treasurer reached out to see if I was interested—I play a little bit of golf—and I said, ‘Sure!’” Manchester High School English teacher Steve O’Reilly shares. “After a few weeks off in the summer, it’s fun to hang out with teachers in a social setting and see how everyone’s doing.” “This was my first outing,” says Manchester High School social worker Gary Cesca. “It’s an opportunity to be with colleagues in a different way that we can’t really do once the school year is under way, so I’m really happy I was asked to come.” “It’s a blast!” says East Hartford math specialist Laura Corpora, who won this year’s long drive for women after playing as part of a women’s foursome for the first time last year. “We’re friends who teach in districts all over the state, and it was such a fun time that I organized another foursome this year with a fellow teacher and our husbands. When it comes to supporting children, teachers are always in.” Glastonbury special education teacher Stacey Pinto, who also organizes foursomes each year, says, “It’s great to bond with colleagues in an atmosphere outside of school.” Teachers score for students Teachers and supporters competed for overall scores as well as prizes in several categories, including closest to the pin, a chipping contest, long drive, and fantasy golf. First-place gross winners, with a score of 60, were the silver sponsor CBRE team of Jim Bonfiglio, Todd Ruder, Gary Schless, and Steve Zajac. Second place went to the Waterbury Teachers’ Association foursome of Carl Brault, Kevin Egan, Jeremy Klein, and Jason Batch. Hebron Education Association’s team of Darin Aloia, Mike Corona, and Alex and David Lefevre took third. First-place net winners, with a score of 53, were Shepaug Valley Education Association’s team of George and Tary Flaherty and Bryan and Lori Bishop. In second place was Stonington Education Association’s foursome of Michael Freeman, Adam Phaiah, Scott Smilinich, and Billy Yuhas. Third place net went to Region 16 Education Association’s team of Brett Gagliardi, Ryan Kinne, Kathleen Tranquillo, and Dustin Waldron. Winners of the long drive were Trevor Piecewicz (men’s) and East Hartford teacher Laura Corpora (women’s). Closest to the pin went to Ed Blumenthal on the 3rd hole, Manchester teacher Marco Pizzoferrato on the 6th hole, retired educator Don Hansen on the 11th hole, and Cheshire teacher Steve DeFalco on the 18th hole. BOX: Donations to the Connecticut Education Foundation not only help children and educators in need but also support scholarships that enable new generations to enter the profession. Learn more at cea.org/cef.

TITLE SPONSOR Capital Wealth Advisors of Janney Montgomery Scott LLC (pictured) THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS

GOLD SPONSORS Atlantic Wealth Advisors West Hartford Education Association SILVER SPONSORS All Waste CEA Treasurer Stephanie Wanzer Consolidated Computing, Inc. R M Bradley CBRE BRONZE SPONSORS ACES Education Association Bayard Printing CBIA CES Education Association CEA Executive Director Donald Williams CEA-Retired Secretary Pat Jordan Ryan Business Systems Sked Electric USI Consulting Special Association Patrons Ashford Education Association Avon Education Association East Hartford Education Association Education Association of Cheshire Hartland Education Association Hebron Education Association Manchester Education Association New London Education Association Region 4 Education Association Region 16 Education Association Shelton Education Association Shepaug Education Association Stonington Education Association Suffield Education Association Waterbury Teachers’ Association

Donations to the Connecticut Education Foundation not only help children and educators in need but also support scholarships that enable new generations to enter the profession. Learn more at cea.org/ cef .

West Hartford Education Association Westbrook Education Association In addition, dozens of individuals, local teachers’ associations, and other organizations sponsored holes and contests and donated raffle prizes and auction items. See the complete list of sponsors, patrons, and contributors.

See a gallery of photos