Oct-Nov 2019 Advisor

CEA RETIRED NEWS -

OCTOBER - NOVEMBER 2019 CEA ADVISOR 13

ACTIVISM AND INVOLVEMENT THE FOCUS OF CEA-RETIRED CONFERENCE Connecticut’s active and retired teachers turned out in force for last

“In the upcoming legislative session, I will strongly advocate to increase the likelihood that in a good year retired teachers can see a cost- of-living adjustment (COLA) above one percent.” “Our work is not done, but because of Shawn Wooden and his efforts this past legislative session, the teachers’ pension system has been taken out of the bullseye, and that’s a tremendous step forward,” said CEA Executive Director Donald Williams. “Electing education-friendly ensuring a stable future for teachers’ pensions,” said CEA President Jeff Leake. “That’s why we all need to stay involved in the political process.” Leake thanked retirees for their involvement with CEA and reminded them that their continued political advocacy will be essential with next year’s election. “We need to make some changes in Washington, D.C.,” he said, “right from the White House to the Department of Education. If any of you are sitting here wondering, ‘Should I be involved in politics,’ the answer is yes—yes you should.” Inspiring words Retirees also heard from Connecticut Teacher of the Year Sheena Graham, whose inspirational story of her own journey from student to teacher is a tribute to the power of teachers in a child’s life. “This is my 37th year teaching, and I am still smiling,” the Bridgeport Harding High School candidates, including Shawn Wooden, has been crucial to

music teacher said. After some early negative experiences with school, Graham recalls quietly doing all of her schoolwork and trying to remain invisible to her teachers. “Fifth grade was when my invisible shield stopped working,” she said. “Mrs. McGrath was my superwoman. She accepted me for who I was and wouldn’t give up.” The importance of connecting with students was a lesson Graham took to heart and exemplifies in her own classroom. “I share my life experiences with my students because they face struggles every day, and they see their teachers as people who have it all together. Life is about choices, and I let my students know that despite what they’re going through, I still have high expectations for them.”

year’s state elections and put a number of pro-public education candidates into office—people who understand the value of teachers’ pensions and unions. Among those is State Treasurer Shawn Wooden, who spoke at the CEA-Retired Fall Conference. “We elected a treasurer who successfully fought to reamortize the Connecticut Teachers’ Retirement Fund while preserving pension benefits,” said CEA-Retired President William Murray. “I’ve always believed the state has a duty to honor its promise to workers and taxpayers,” Wooden told retirees. “I wouldn’t be standing before you today without the many teachers who made me who I am. I want you to know you have a treasurer who respects your service and is willing to fight for your retirement security.” Wooden said he has heard concerns from some teachers that the state might replace the current pension system with a defined contribution system (403b/401k) for active teachers. “Let me be very clear—this is not something I would ever support,” he said. “Shifting to a defined contribution system would make it nearly impossible to support pension benefits for those currently in the system.” Pointing to multiple signs of economic strength in Connecticut, the treasurer added that he plans to continue to fight for teachers.

CEA-Retired President William Murray introduces State Treasurer Shawn Wooden, a speaker at the 2019 CEA- Retired Fall Conference.

State Treasurer Wooden pledges to keep fighting for teachers’ retirement security.

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