CEA_Summer 2023 Advisor

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

The CEA Advisor is mailed to all CEA members. 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 USPS 0129-220 (ISSN 0007-8050) is published in August, October/November, December/ January, February/March, April, May/June, and summer 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.

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Production date: 7-27-2023