Dec 2021-Jan 2022_Advisor

2 CEA ADVISOR DECEMBER 2021 - JANUARY 2022

LEADING

Stronger Together. Better Together. Leading: Our Perspective

It’s that time of year again, when we are both grateful… and exhausted! Let us start with gratitude. With the future of public education on the ballot this most recent election season—

communications crew for taking on this fun, new challenge. Feel free to reach out to them with anything you’d like to share. Speaking of fun, we’re grateful that we were able to enjoy a terrific day at UConn’s homecoming football game with a terrific teacher tailgate sponsored by CEA and California Casualty. (Story on back page.) The weather was

Kate Dias, CEA President

and potentially for years to come—teachers in cities and towns throughout the state ran for office, and many made successful bids for seats on their town councils and boards of education. (See story, page 10.) Every win is a victory for our students and our schools, as teachers have firsthand knowledge of the challenges in classrooms, and their insights are key to shaping sound education policy. We applaud all those who have begun this important work or continued to serve. It was a tough election season, and putting yourself out there is no easy feat. Kudos to all the active and retired teachers who carved out time to

beautiful, the food bountiful and delicious, and the company a joy. And…the Huskies won! We would venture to say that CEA members, including many UConn parents and alums, were the good luck charm the team needed that day. Those moments to relax and refresh outside the classroom are so valuable. Keep your eyes open for more opportunities from CEA. Of course, in spite of all there is to celebrate, we recognize that this is also an exhausting time. The public attacks on educators and our schools regarding

Joslyn DeLancey, CEA Vice President

campaign and engage in new ways with their communities. Every candidate who ran this year is a hero. Fixing the Social Security windfall elimination provision is another big win we are hoping for as U.S. Representative John Larson champions a landmark bill that would provide significant retirement benefits to Connecticut teachers. (See page 11.) As one of 11 states that still penalize teachers in their drawing on Social Security, Connecticut needs this federal assistance, and we are grateful to our congressman and other allies for stepping up to advocate for change.

honest lessons about race and equity have not slowed down— and they are taking a toll. That’s why we are going to keep talking about “What’s Real in Education” with our partners at AFT and CAPSS. (See page 9.) Teachers know what is being taught in schools, as well as how and why, and we are not going to let the uninformed co-opt the conversation or edit history. We are the professionals. Also exhausting—however rewarding—is the work of teaching itself. We hear daily from members who are bone- tired from the demands of the job compounded by staff shortages. We just can’t seem to find room to breathe. CEA is working on this in several ways. First, in the upcoming

Donald E. Williams Jr. CEA Executive Director

A CEA Podcast CHECK OUT CEA’S NEW PODCAST Two T’s in a Pod brings you the stories and conversations of the day when it comes to teaching in Connecticut. Listen and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.

CEA ADVISOR STAFF Nancy Andrews • Communications Director Lesia Day • Managing Editor Sandra Cassineri • Graphic Designer Laurel Killough • New Media Coordinator Eric Ahrens • Web Designer and Developer CEA GOVERNANCE Kate Dias • President Joslyn DeLancey • Vice President Stephanie Wanzer • Secretary David Jedidian • Treasurer Tara Flaherty • NEA Director Katy Gale • NEA Director

As always, we are grateful for the exceptional work you do in your classrooms and the quality instruction and support our students receive at your hands every day. Kim King, our 2022 Teacher of the Year, is an excellent representative of the good work going on in Connecticut schools. (See page 5.) Her emphasis on creativity and self-expression is just the right message at just the right time. We hope you all get a chance to cross paths with her. Her focus on the collaborative process of teaching—underscoring that we are all better working together—is demonstrated by so many of you. She is a great representative of our profession, and we look forward to cheering her on as she takes the stage next spring at the Connecticut Teacher of the Year awards ceremony. Our new podcast, Two T’s in a Pod (special thanks to retired Bridgeport teacher Gary Peluchette for the name!) is also something for which we are grateful. (See page 9.) If you haven’t had a chance to listen, catch up with us and our guests at cea.org/ podcast or on any major audio streaming platform, including Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, Audible, TuneIn, and iHeartRadio. As our recent interview with Greenwich Education Association President Lil Perone makes clear, this is a space to explore what’s important to all of us, share ideas about what’s happening in our classrooms and beyond, and talk candidly about what needs to change. Special thanks to our amazing

legislative session, CEA will put forth an agenda drafted by its Legislative Commission that is comprehensive and aggressive in looking out for teachers’ needs. (See page 8.)We will be advancing a major legislative package that allows us to pursue meaningful solutions to school-based issues as well as address teacher recruitment and retention concerns. Keep your eyes open for more information. We will need your stories to help push those efforts past the finish line. As always, we are stronger together. We have also started Better Together: Taking Care of Educators, an initiative that gives our members opportunities to reset, recharge, and feel supported. We may not be able to solve all the problems all at once, but while we work on them, we are committed to providing you with the care and relief you deserve. As we head into winter break—the days feel short, and the weather gets dreary—hopefully you find some time to refresh. Perhaps you will binge- watch a new show (we are looking forward to Catherine the Great ), or maybe you like to cook (yes, please!) or just need to nap (literally on the calendar). Whatever you need, it is our genuine hope that you indulge yourself. See you in the new year! December 3, 2021

CEA Advisor

December 2021-January 2022 Volume 64, Number 3 Published by Connecticut Education Association 1-800-842-4316 • 860-525-5641 cea.org

The CEA Advisor is mailed to all CEA members. Annual subscription price is $5.72 (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 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: 12-10-2021