May-June 2019 Advisor

RECOGNIZING

MAY–JUNE 2019 CEA ADVISOR 5

Teachers receive prestigious awards

LOCAL ASSOCIATIONS HONORED FOR OUTREACH, COMMUNICATIONS Good communication is essential to keeping teachers informed about everything from professional development opportunities to what’s happening in the community and at the Capitol. Each year, CEA’s Public Relations Commission recognizes local Associations that go the extra mile in reaching out to their members through their websites and newsletters. Meet this year’s winners. WEBSITE AWARDS First Place West Hartford Education Association Shannon McNeice, webmaster Second Place Torrington Education Association William Siss, webmaster Third Place Manchester Education Association Susan Schiavetti, webmaster NEWSLETTER AWARDS Best Overall Newsletter NHEA News – North Haven Education Association Krista Kaplan, editor First Place, Category 5 (locals with more than 450 members) MEA – Manchester Education Association Susan Schiavetti, editor Second Place, Category 5 WHEA World – West Hartford Education Association Joyce Bogdan, editor Third Place, Category 5 WTA Newsletter – Waterbury Teachers Association Raymond Santovasi, editor All local Associations are encouraged to enter this annual competition and showcase the great communications work they do. For more information, visit cea.org/about/grants-awards .

Each year, the CEA RA proudly showcases the wide range of activities and achievements of Connecticut’s exemplary educators. Human and Civil Rights: George I. Sanchez Memorial Award NEA Danbury EMAC Chair and Rogers Park Middle School teacher Luanelly Iglesias was recognized with the 2019 NEA Human and Civil Rights George I. Sanchez Memorial Award for her distinguished leadership in education and activities that have made significant improvements in educational opportunities and advanced the achievement of Hispanics. In her 15-year career as a bilingual teacher, Iglesias noted, “CEA has opened many doors for me.” Born in Puerto Rico, she had once worked in a factory to help support her family and was a bilingual student herself 30 years ago, when she moved from Puerto Rico. “I learned how to defeat many barriers through the power of education,” she said, reminding her colleagues of the incredible influence they have on their students. “Many of our students spend more of their time with us than with their families.” Iglesias will be honored by her peers across the country during a national ceremony celebrating educator excellence at the NEA Representative Assembly in Houston this July. “Throughout her career, Luanelly has been a champion for her students, creating a bilingual program for students recently arriving in the United States,” said CEA President Jeff Leake. “Her efforts in the school community through family engagement continue to reinforce students’ pride in their Hispanic heritage.” John McCormack Award New London teacher Elizabeth Sked was named the recipient of the CEA John McCormack Award for Teaching Excellence, which recognizes and promotes excellence in teaching and service to the profession. The award, which is highly competitive and puts Sked in the running for national recognition as one of the year’s most outstanding educators, examines teachers on five criteria: professional practice, community engagement, leadership in professional development, attention to diversity, and advocacy for the profession. “Elizabeth is dedicated, innovative, and an exemplary educator,” said Leake. “She mentors new teachers, advocates for resources that teachers and students need, facilitates professional development presentations, and speaks to legislators about issues that impact public education.” In accepting her award, the Jennings School instructional literacy coach spoke of being a proud public school educator, union leader, and the voice of many. “I am passionate about helping

from CEA. She will also be CEA’s nominee for a National Education Association/ National Education Foundation award for teaching excellence and will attend an all- expenses-paid trip to the Salute to Education Gala in Washington, D.C., in February 2020. Clifford Silvers Award Conard High School math teacher and former West Hartford Education Association President David Dippolino received one of CEA’s highest honors— the Clifford Silvers Education Advocacy Award, named for a former CEA manager, UniServ Rep, and tireless advocate for students, teachers, and public education. Dippolino, who came to teaching as a second career and announced he is retiring after 22 years, said not only that he was humbled and honored by the recognition but that the award belonged to all of Connecticut’s passionate, hard-working educators. “David has been a prime mover and shaker in the Future CEA President Jeff Leake recognizes Danbury teacher Luanelly Iglesias as the winner of NEA’s 2019 Human and Civil Rights George I. Sanchez Memorial Award.

Educators of Diversity (see page 6), whose mission is to attract, recruit, prepare, and inspire West Hartford’s high school students of color with an interest in education to pursue pathways to teaching,” said Leake, adding

Carrie Cassady (for William Siss), Theresa McKeown (for Shannon McNeice), Susan Schiavetti, and Joyce Bogdan take home some of this year’s public relations awards. ABCD, CEA SALUTES AWARDS CEA’s 2019 Above and Beyond the Call of Duty (ABCD) Award went to Manchester teacher Jill Kilgus, described as “an amazing ball of energy who brings joy and enthusiasm to her local Association.” Kilgus was recognized for her work outside the classroom, bringing teachers together through social events and fundraising efforts that advance public education and benefit her entire school district. This year’s CEA Salutes Awards, which recognize outstanding contributions to public education by individuals or organizations, also went to two Manchester Education Association members—Michelle McKnight, who has grown the Association’s Ethnic Minority Affairs Commission and continues to generate meaningful conversations about race in education and build a stronger, more inclusive community; and Catherine Mazzotta, whose passion for helping new teachers has led her to serve as a coach for the Early Leadership Institute, involving early-career educators in important dialogue about the teaching profession and the strength of the union.

David Dippolino earns one of CEA’s highest honors—the Clifford

Silvers Education Advocacy Award.

that Dippolino has been active in various union roles throughout his career, serving with distinction. Also addressing the crowd this year was Berlin teacher David Bosso, recently inducted into the National Teachers’ Hall of Fame, who noted that teaching “is not

easy work but is vital to who we are as a society. As we conclude National Teacher Appreciation Week, it often feels that the weight of the world is upon our shoulders. We take on the challenge of improving people’s lives. We stand at the forefront of making this world a better place. Our students will become what they aspire to be because of us. Thank you for carrying out this incredibly important work every day.”

teachers become the best educators they can be and in turn positively impacting many students,” she said. “Every decision I make every day starts and ends with students.” Sked, who has been teaching for 23 years, received a cash honorarium in the amount of $2,000

New London teacher Elizabeth Sked is the recipient of the CEA John McCormack Award for Teaching Excellence.

Jill Kilgus, Catherine Mazzotta, and Michelle McKnight pose with their award plaques.