May-June 2019 Advisor

MAY–JUNE 2019 CEA ADVISOR 3

News Briefs

IN THIS ISSUE

2

LEADING CEA leaders celebrate important successes at the local and state legislative levels that would not have been possible without teachers’ strong, continued activism. REPRESENTING At the 171st CEA RA, delegates elect new leaders and adopt a budget and new business items. RECOGNIZING Local Associations and CEA members are honored for their achievements in education and effective communications. Read about initiatives implemented by CEA to diversify the teaching profession and increase minority teacher involvement at all levels of the union. CEA members scored major legislative victories, including solid plans for state funding of teacher pensions and public schools. Numerous other bills that impact you and your students also made it across the finish line. Read all about these legislative developments. PROTECTING Falsely accused of inappropriate behavior toward a student, a Fairfield high school teacher was on the brink of losing everything. CEA and his local union stepped in, fought hard, and returned the beloved educator to his classroom. Read his harrowing story— and his message about the importance of having CEA in your corner. DEFENDING It could happen to you! Learn what to do to protect yourself against accusations of inappropriate behavior, and meet a member of CEA’s legal team who provides invaluable advice and counsel. CEA-RETIRED This year’s victories for students, teachers, and public education were made possible in no small part because of the continued advocacy of Connecticut’s retired teachers. Read about their efforts at the Capitol as well as the leadership team they elected at their spring meeting. CEA recognizes members for their dedication to human and civil rights. Also, get a closer look at race, equity, and LGBTQ issues as they apply to teachers and students. UNITING The #RedforEd movement that gained national attention is growing at the grassroots level too. Read about Connecticut teachers from Stratford to Sprague who have rocked the red to demand fair funding for their schools.

CEA SUMMER CONFERENCE Mohegan Sun Earth Expo and Sky Convention Centers

AUGUST 5-6 • Conference attendance is free to all CEA members • Many new workshops to choose from • Details and registration at cea.org/ summerconference2019

4

5

6-7 DIVERSIFYING

Two Teacher Representatives Needed to Serve on State Advisory Council CEA is seeking two teachers to serve on the Connecticut Advisory Council for Teacher Professional Standards (CACTPS). The term will run from October 1, 2019, through September 30, 2022. Members interested in advancing the teaching profession by serving on CACTPS may request an application by emailing CEA Vice President Tom Nicholas at tomn@cea.org . The application deadline is July 12, 2019. Once all applications have been reviewed, finalists will be invited to participate in interviews conducted by a committee of state and local CEA leaders. CACTPS was created by the Connecticut General Assembly in 1990 to advance the teaching profession by advising state officials on a variety of issues impacting teachers. It meets approximately five times a year in Hartford during the day, so interested teachers should have a conversation with their school administrators regarding these school-day absences. CEA reimburses local districts for substitute expenses so that appointed teachers may attend these meetings.

8-9 UPDATING

10

Teachers to Hit Pavement, Links for Those in Need Summer vacation may be in full swing, but all across Connecticut, educators’ hearts and minds haven’t left the classroom. Nowhere is that clearer

than among the scores of teachers from every corner of the state preparing for two important fundraisers to help children and teachers in need: the Hands Across the Green golf tournament and Connecticut Education Foundation (CEF), CEA’s charitable arm. Established in 1991, CEF provides relief for teachers and students facing extraordinary or catastrophic personal circumstances; supplies basic necessities for underprivileged children; and awards scholarships to young people entering the teaching profession. Hands Across the Green CEF’s 25th annual golf tournament will be held Monday, July 15, at the Glastonbury Hills Country Club. Since its inception in 1994, Hands Across the Green has raised nearly $650,000 to help underserved children in public schools across the state. For more information about participating in the tournament or donating to CEF, visit cea.org/cef/ hands-across-the-green . Eversource Hartford Marathon For the seventh straight year, teachers are signing on to be runners, donors, or volunteers for Team CEF at the Eversource Hartford Marathon on October 12. If you would like to help with the race, contact marypats@cea.org . Interested in running the marathon, half- marathon, relay, or 5K? Save $5 on the registration fee at hartfordmarathon.com when you enter discount code CHARITYCEF19. the Eversource Hartford Marathon. Both events support the work of the

11

13

Hands Across the Green is CEF’s largest fundraiser of the year, with all proceeds supporting the Children’s Fund, which provides essentials such as clothes, eyeglasses, medicine, and school supplies for children in need.

14-15 HUMAN & CIVIL RIGHTS NEWS

16

ON THE COVER

Teachers prepare to run for Team CEF at last year’s Eversource Hartford Marathon.

Marci Marciniak, a teacher at Illing Middle School in Manchester, is a first-time NEA RA delegate.

CONNECT WITH CEA

cea.org

facebook.com/ CTEdAssoc

youtube.com/ ceavideo

blogCEA.org

twitter.com/ ceanews

instagram.com/ cea_teachers

flickr.com/ photos/ceapics