Dec 2021-Jan 2022_Advisor

DECEMBER 2021 - JANUARY 2022 CEA ADVISOR 3

IN THIS ISSUE

News Briefs

Spotlight on You, Your Colleagues, and Your Local Association

2 LEADING CEA’s leadership takes stock of recent progress for public education, the challenges teachers still face, and how their union continues to fight for what’s right. DIVERSIFYING Learn how a CEA-supported teacher residency program that started at CREC is bringing more educators of color into the profession. CELEBRATING Meet 2022 Connecticut Teacher of the Year Kim King, whose ideas about diversity, inclusion, creativity, and art inform her philosophy of teaching. From Space Camp to the White House, Connecticut Teachers of the Year Rochelle Brown (2021) and Meghan Hatch-Geary (2020) share highlights from the last two years of leading and learning. Educators are stretched and stressed, and the pipeline into the teaching profession is narrowing. See what challenges CEA is addressing head-on and the strategies in place for making lasting, meaningful change for your profession. REPRESENTING CEA members helped effect change by electing teachers to local boards of education and town councils across the state. Read about your colleagues and how they will ensure teachers’ voices are heard. CEA-RETIRED A landmark bill promises to bring significant retirement benefits to millions of teachers, and a longstanding CEA fund helps retired teachers in need. BUDGETING CEA Treasurer David Jedidian gives an update on CEA’s fiscal health. HUMAN & CIVIL RIGHTS Nominate yourself or a colleague for one of nine CEA Human and Civil Rights Awards, honoring educators whose contributions are making a difference in gender or racial equity, multiculturalism, and more. GATHERING Catch the highlights from this year’s CEA Teacher Appreciation Day at the UConn Huskies homecoming game and find out about upcoming opportunities to gather and root for your favorite teams. SAVE THE DATE EARLY CAREER EDUCATORS CONFERENCE Saturday, March 26, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Heritage Hotel and Conference Center 522 Heritage Rd., Southbury, CT 06488 Come meet other early career educators, as well as veterans in the field. Ask candid questions, learn how to make a difficult job easier, and lay a strong foundation for a long, fulfilling career. Geared toward newer teachers but open to all CEA members, CEA’s Early Career Educators Conference is a half-day, in-person event with opportunities for professional development in a variety of areas. Attendance is free and open to CEA members only, and continental breakfast and lunch will be served. 4 5 6-7 REFLECTING 8-9 ADVOCATING 10 11 14 15 16

Think about the work you’ve done. Consider that colleague who is indispensable to your school or your local union. Visit cea.org/grants-and- awards and nominate yourself, your local association, a fellow teacher, or a member of your community for one of these grants or awards: • ABCD Award (Above and Beyond the Call of Duty) • CEA Clifford Silvers Education Advocacy Award • CEA Newsletter/Website Competition • CEA Salutes Award • Charles B. Kelly Local Media Award • Thomas P. Mondani CEA Friend of Education Award • Norman E. DeLisle Public Relations GrantThe

Over the last two years, teachers have shown tremendous strength, creativity, grit, and compassion in the face of enormous challenges. They have navigated the pandemic classroom, helped one another and their students over countless hurdles, and worked to ensure that Connecticut’s public schools are the safe, well-resourced learning environments every child deserves. In times of uncertainty and change, connection and outreach are more important than ever, and CEA is proud to recognize teaching professionals and community supporters who have made those their priorities. Do you know a teacher who has gone above and beyond? A community member who elevates public education? A union leader who puts in the extra hours to ensure you’re informed and protected? Each year, CEA’s Public Relations Committee proudly recognizes and supports outstanding teaching professionals and advocates, association websites and newsletters, new public relations projects, best media coverage, and more.

The deadline for entries is 5 p.m. on Friday, February 25, 2022.

CALL FOR NOMINATIONS CEA’s John McCormack Award for Teaching Excellence and Association Activism CEA is seeking candidates for the John McCormack Award—teachers who are creative, culturally responsive, dedicated to lifelong learning, active members of their union, and strong advocates for public education. Consider applying, or nominate an outstanding CEA member you know. In addition to a $2,000 prize and an all-expense paid trip to the NEA Foundation’s annual Salute to Excellence in Education gala, in Washington, D.C., the winner automatically becomes CEA’s nominee for NEA’s Horace Mann Award—with a grand prize of $10,000. Nominations must be received no later than January 17, 2022. Visit cea.org/grants-and-awards/ or email katef@cea.org for an official nomination form.

2022 Dates, Fresh Format Announced for County Forums Mark your calendars! CEA and your county directors have re-envisioned how you can connect with colleagues as well as engage in the important business of CEA. The following county forums will be structured as networking/presentation events to allow more time for learning and socializing. As planned, they will be in-person gatherings, subject to change, should COVID cases increase.

Fairfield: January 10, March 28 Litchfield: January 11, March 21 Windham: January 12, March 16 New London and Middlesex: January 19, March 14 Tolland: January 24, March 22

Additionally, new business forums, held virtually from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., will address business items such as elections, budget, and constitution/bylaws changes. Although the counties indicated will host the sessions listed below, all members may attend any of these business forums.

New Haven: January 25, March 15 Hartford: January 28, March 29

February 8: Fairfield, Middlesex February 23: Hartford, Windham April 5: Litchfield, New Haven April 25: New London, Tolland

Register for county forums today at cea.org/events.

CEA PRESENTS STRESS-FREE SUNDAYS, MINDFUL MONDAYS YOGA As part of its Better Together: Taking Care of Educators initiative, CEA is providing free virtual yoga classes to all members in the weeks before and after the hectic holiday season. No matter your experience, each class benefits beginning practitioners and advanced yogis alike. Sign up for one, two, or all 12 sessions, which run on select Sunday and Monday evenings, now through February 7.

For details, visit cea.org/free-yoga-classes/ . Watch your inbox for other opportunities made available through CEA’s Better Together: Taking Care of Educators campaign.

Sessions will be announced this month, and registration opens in early 2022.