May-June Advisor 2021 web

RALLYING

MAY – JUNE 2021 CEA ADVISOR 11

FUND OUR SCHOOLS Hartford Education Association Associate Vice President Elise

Hendrix observes, “Our students are struggling with mental health needs like never before. They are lacking adequate nutrition. They are lacking technology. We need more social workers. We need to lighten the load of our special education teachers. All of this takes funding, but the current pool of Education Cost Sharing money is too small. We need a bigger pie, and we need to provide for public schools by raising taxes on those who can afford to pay.” Hendrix attended the May Day march on the governor’s residence with her husband, John. Bridgeport third-grade teacher and reading specialist Patricia Miller, who was accompanied at the May Day march by her young children, works in a district that has experienced chronic equity gaps. “We need our governor to support all schools and help us bring back reading coaches, math coaches, paraprofessionals, school counselors, and social workers and give students the help they need with social and emotional challenges,” she says. “A lot of children need help after being out of school for a year or longer.” Fellow Bridgeport educator Sheena Graham, Connecticut’s 2019 Teacher of the Year and a choir teacher at Harding High School, spoke to these issues in her remarks before the entire May Day gathering. Standing at the gates of the governor’s residence, Graham described similarly breathtaking mansions too tall to see over. “And outside of those gates, at the foot of the driveway? Indescribable, heartbreaking poverty,” she said, adding, “Connecticut is one of the wealthiest states whose average hides the extreme wealth of some compared to those of us outside the gates begging for a properly funded educational system.” (Watch Graham’s entire speech at youtube.com/ watch?v=2md-ytAxUuc .) Advocacy “We are so proud of our CEA members and staff for taking what precious little time they have to spend relaxing with their families during evenings and weekends and instead coming out to rallies, die-ins, and marches—many of them with their spouses and children—to stand up for our school

John and Elise Hendrix call for educational equity.

Sheena Graham’s powerful remarks remind marchers that deep poverty lies at the doorstep of immense wealth.

communities and demand a better future for all students throughout the state,” says Leake. “CEA members have long known the power of a collective voice and standing strong together. We have only weeks to go before the legislature closes down, and we need to get this done. We are into a conversation that should change the way we do business in Connecticut. In the wealthiest state, in the wealthiest country in the world, we can get this done. We can do better for all of our students and all of our citizens.” “Before I went into teaching, I looked at teachers as superheroes— which, in a lot of ways, they are,” Torrington teacher Michael McCotter recalls. “But a few years in, and I’m seeing that there is only so much we can do without funding. We need additional funding to really make it work.” East Hampton Education Association President Neil Shilansky

adds, “More funding from the state would relieve some of the pressure on our towns. Our towns and schools need help.” Legislative champions State Representative Jillian Gilchrest was one of a number of legislative champions who joined teachers at the May Day rally calling for a fair, adequate budget. “We need this funding, and we need to make sure it’s spent on our schools and other critical services. The money is there for us to invest.” State Senator Jorge Cabrera agreed. “We must not miss our moment to reform our tax system in a way that helps our public schools. This is a once-in-a-century opportunity, and that’s why I’m here. Unless we address these underlying structural problems, unless we invest in education, childcare, mental health, and more, we will do immense damage to our children.”

In addition to Gilchrest and

Cabrera, other legislators participating in the May Day march included Senator M. Saud Anwar and Representatives Anne Hughes, Robyn Porter, Edwin Vargas, and Michael Winkler. Recovery for All has identified more than 60 “legislator champions” who back the coalition’s efforts, and Recovery for All events have received widespread media attention, including coverage by all major TV networks—WFSB Channel 3, WTNH Channel 8, WVIT Channel 30, and FOX 61— which has helped communicate CEA

and the coalition’s message to residents and decision-makers throughout the state.

East Hampton Education Association President Neil Shilansky says state funding is critical to towns and schools.

A “die-in” at the rally illustrates the often crushing poverty that exists alongside great wealth in states such as Connecticut.

CEA members were among the hundreds who gathered at the State Capitol on May 17 to demand a recovery for all.

CEA President Jeff Leake addresses the media.