Dec 19-Jan 20 Advisor

REFLECTING

DECEMBER 2019 – JANUARY 2020 CEA ADVISOR 5

requires universal background checks for gun sales, got voted out of committee. I watched the roll call vote and I could feel my heart pounding, and at the moment where the clerk read the roll and said that the amendment was adopted, I had a surge of all of these feelings over the past decade when the needle wasn’t moving and nothing was happening, that

American, and I take it back to that fundamental belief that good people identify with good people and really celebrate our diversity. This idea that we try to mash it all together and say we are all the same is detrimental. We have to have those difficult conversations, those uncomfortable conversations, and remind people it is OK to be different. It is OK to

when I meet young people, black and white, all walks of life, male and female, who are just saying, “You inspire me to at least try to pursue this as a dream, pursue this as an outcome.” I think what binds us together is this idea that as long as you have hope, as long as you’re still inspired, as long as you can believe that something is achievable, then it is. No matter how difficult things seem or feel, I will never surrender that idea.

I come from a state and a community where we can fully appreciate what our teachers union has done to elevate the voices of teachers.

finally we’ve broken through at least on some level on delivering for students and families. 10 ‌ The teaching profession is not as ‌ diverse as the student population it serves, and Congress is not as diverse as the constituents it represents. As a teacher of color and a Congresswoman of color, what insights would you share? What are your hopes for the future, and how do you think those goals could be realized? Just to empower people to take that first step. When I was considering being a teacher, I didn’t know a lot about the profession. Most of my colleagues were second- or third-generation educators. No one in my family had even finished college, so I didn’t really know what that looked like. I got a lot of bad information. I think just starting much earlier and celebrating the profession and talking to people and letting them know that, even though you may not check every box, or you check different boxes, that is OK. You don’t have to change who you are to enjoy this profession. That would have been helpful for me as a student. We need to do a better job of that moving forward, to attract young people much earlier by saying, “You have a gift in this particular area—have you ever considered teaching?” Even as a Congresswoman of color, my district is 73 percent white and only 5 percent African

have different cultures, different backgrounds, different religious beliefs. But we all operate in the same space, we all deserve to be here, and we all have value. The idea that we can’t say that, or we can’t speak to a specific group or

…especially now, it is critical to have someone with an extensive knowledge of classroom experience at the table.

legislate in a way that addresses the areas of the most need without it being offensive is part of the problem. We have to look at where those gaps are and work hard to close them. Particularly in Congress, it’s the same as in teaching, for far too long there have been people who did not see themselves represented and couldn’t imagine the possibility of what they could do if they were to pursue this as a career. That’s starting to change. At least, that is what I hear when people call my office,

CEA Vice President Tom Nicholas, CEA President Jeff Leake, and Waterbury Teachers Association President Kevin Egan with former Waterbury teacher Jahana Hayes, now a U.S. congresswoman.

GUILFORD TEACHER RIDES WITH A LITTLE HELP FROM STUDENTS, FRIENDS, AND COLLEAGUES School community comes together for teacher diagnosed with cancer

In 2018, very sick with stage 3B cervical and uterine cancer, Guilford teacher Heather Bradley saw a Facebook post that made her smile. One of her students was holding up a sign at the Smilow Cancer Hospital’s Closer to Free Ride. Cameron’s sign read, “I ride for you, Ms. Bradley.” “I was really moved by that,” the middle school English language arts teacher recalls. “I felt less alone.” At the time, a friend told her, “If you’re well enough, we’re going to do this ride next year.” During her treatment in 2018, Bradley’s weight plummeted. At 90 pounds, she couldn’t walk. But by the time September 7 rolled around this year, she had taken her friend up on her challenge. Captaining her own team of supporters—Heather’s Peddlers—at the Closer to Free Ride, Bradley and her fellow cyclists clocked 65 miles, with colleagues out on the Guilford green cheering them on as they passed. Heather’s Peddlers included friends and colleagues dedicated to raising funds for treatment and research at the Smilow Cancer Hospital in New Haven. “It was great,” Bradley says. “Seeing one of my students ride for

me last year inspired me to do the same for others.” HB Strong “Teachers really rallied behind Heather,” says Guilford Education Association President Regina Sullivan, who has known Bradley for more than 20 years—both are alums of Guilford Public Schools. “We see each other as friends and family,” Sullivan says of Bradley and their GEA colleagues. “We support each other, and we wanted to be there for Heather in good times and bad.” Indeed, throughout Bradley’s treatment, Guilford teachers visited her in the hospital; sent cards, texts, emails, care packages, and books; took care of her dogs; and cooked meals. “So much food came into my house!” Bradley says. “We do consider ourselves a family here,” says science teacher Kristen Meyerjack. “When someone is hurting or in need, it’s what we do. Whether it was meals, activities that she could bring to chemo with her, fundraisers, or emotional support— whatever she needed was what we were willing to give.” During her treatment, Bradley

Friends and colleagues rode with Guilford teacher Heather Bradley at this year’s Smilow Cancer Hospital Closer to Free Ride. Pictured are science teacher Diane Stevens, a cancer survivor; Heather Bradley; principal Mike Regan; and Guilford Education Association President Regina Sullivan.

missed 11 months of school, and in that time, faculty and staff not only helped her at home but also wore shirts at school that read, “HB Strong.” “We had 100 percent participation to honor Heather,” says Spanish teacher Eileen Buccaro, who ordered the shirts. At their annual faculty-student basketball game in February, everyone— teachers, custodians, cafeteria workers, secretaries, and the principal—wore the shirts. “It was really

down Fridays and presented Bradley with a photo album of everyone wearing the shirts while she was in the hospital. “It kept me going when I was in a dark place,” Bradley says. Back in the saddle Bradley was finally able to return to teaching in November 2018. “It was tough, because I didn’t start the year off with those students; they had a sub. This year it’s been fantastic to be with my students from day one.” Before her diagnosis, Bradley had been a long-distance runner but had never done any serious road cycling. She continues treatment at Smilow, has returned to running, and has kept up her cycling since the ride, usually getting out on her bike at least once a week. “Next year I’m trying the 100- mile ride,” she says.

powerful to see more than 100 people all in HB Strong shirts,” says English language arts teacher Mary Lamberton. Teachers also wore their shirts on dress-

All faculty and staff at E.C. Adams Middle School wore HB Strong shirts in support of Heather Bradley while she was out for 11 months, receiving treatment for cancer.