Summer-2020-Advisor

RE-EVALUATING

12 CEA ADVISOR SUMMER 2020

PANDEMIC FORCES TEACHERS TO CHOOSE BETWEEN HEALTH RISKS AND RETIREMENT CEA retirement expert helps educators navigate the system

congressional plans and challenges when it comes to school reopening. A member of the Senate’s Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, the son of a Connecticut ESL teacher, and the parent of two children who attend public schools, Murphy expressed his appreciation for CEA raising school reopening issues with the governor, commissioner, and other state leaders. “We have one of the most impressive delegations of representatives and senators here in Connecticut,” said CEA President Jeff Leake, “and we appreciate your fighting for public education and taking the time to update us.” “None of us wants to put students in schools that are not safe,” Murphy acknowledged. At the federal level, he explained, he and likeminded lawmakers are working to secure funding for safeguards that ensure schools are safer from a public health standpoint as well as better-equipped learning environments. “There are still shortages of PPE and cleaning supplies,” he explained, “and as demand grows, costs go up. The federal government has done Susanne Russell, president of the Education Association of Canton, often joked with her superintendent that when she retired from her position as a middle school special education teacher, she wanted a celebration that pulled out all the stops. “I told her I wanted Stevie Nicks and Fleetwood Mac there,” the 38- year veteran says with a smile. “I wanted it to be a happy occasion. You dedicate all this time to your profession—my whole heart and soul has gone into teaching—and now, I have this empty void feeling after all these years.” That’s because Russell’s retirement was unexpected. Russell, who lives with asthma and diabetes, visited her doctor in early June and was advised not to return to school in the fall, because of the coronavirus pandemic and the lack of a vaccine. “I have been hospitalized in the past for upper respiratory problems, and my doctor thought it best for me to retire,” she says. “I had no intentions of retiring this year. I resent having to do this, but I don’t want to take a risk. I love teaching. My heart is broken.” Not only did Russell need to make a quick decision that impacts her school and local association, but she also found herself having to swiftly navigate the State Teachers’ Retirement Board system. Fortunately, she has attended workshops hosted by CEA

retirement specialist Robyn Kaplan- Cho, most recently at the beginning of the school year. “As a local president, I attend these workshops to be helpful for my teachers. Robyn is a wealth of knowledge.” Still, Russell says, she had no intention of retiring for a few more years and was caught off guard. “Most people plan for their retirement,” she says. “I hadn’t even started. This was a shock, and I had to do it in three weeks. Luckily, CEA is helping me through the process.” Retired colleague and CEA-Retired Secretary Karen DiMenna helped Russell get the process in motion, and Kaplan-Cho’s workshops laid the groundwork for Russell’s decision-making. “CEA has always encouraged our members to start attending our free workshops early in their careers so that they can start learning about their pension benefits from day one,” Kaplan-Cho says. “You never know when circumstances might change that will cause you to retire unexpectedly. This pandemic is unfortunately an example of exactly that, and teachers who attend our workshops are better positioned to make decisions quickly.” Widespread problem In the midst of the global health crisis, Russell is not alone in having to decide between her well-being and her career. “I know a number of teachers who are thinking of leaving the profession either because of the difficulty and

to bail out businesses, teachers should not be sheepish about expecting the same for schools.” Part of the Senate Republican agenda, he noted, is to steer dollars dedicated to public schooling toward private education and homeschooling. “I just don’t see any support for that in Congress,” he told CEA members. “And there are plenty of funds that already flow to private and parochial education, so there is no reason to move public dollars there.” In response to questions from members, Murphy said, “Odds are very good that we get an education bill with more education dollars by stress of distance learning or serious health concerns related to in-person learning,” she says. The circumstances she describes are borne out by CEA surveys and concerns raised by members. Indeed, some districts throughout the state are reporting record numbers of unanticipated retirements—in some cases double or triple the numbers from last year. New Canaan, for example, which anticipated three to five retirements had 11 as of mid-July. More are expected throughout the state, and many teachers are waiting to see specifics on school reopening plans before making their decisions. Difficult decision “I have been so involved in my school community and town committees, with 25 years as our union president,” says Russell. “I have no immediate family, but I teach in a small town and know so many families here. My students are like my family, and I never got to say goodbye.” Russell says her district has been very supportive and has always worked to ensure her health and safety, including installing classroom air conditioners to alleviate respiratory issues. “Obviously our schools are doing their very best, and my administration is great, but the state is not really giving us the funding we need,” she says, adding, “In this challenging time, I’m so glad our union is doing everything in its power to protect teachers. I believe so much

Susanne Russell, at a past NEA RA, plans to stay involved in her union.

Arizona, which have experienced alarming surges in COVID-19— Murphy said, “Many of them saw that there was no way schools could reopen without additional dollars, and they returned to Washington with that understanding.” In terms of how CEA members can keep the pressure on federal lawmakers to ensure schools reopen safely and equitably, Murphy suggested, “Help us understand the right ways to get this done. Polls can be confusing and contradictory, and a lot depends on how questions are asked. So tell us what levers the federal government can press so that schools can reopen safely.” A second virtual “Washington Weighs In” meeting is scheduled for 4 p.m. on Wednesday, August 12. Open to all CEA members, it will feature updates from U.S. Representatives Joe Courtney and Jahana Hayes. (Register at cea.org .) “Jahana has become a real force in Washington,” Murphy said, “and Connecticut did a great job in electing her to the state’s delegation. She has become an influential voice in the House of Representatives on the school reopening issue.” in our union and all the things we’ve accomplished, through legislation and advocacy, throughout my career. From CEA Communications to our UniServ Reps, they have made a big difference for individual educators and the entire profession.” Russell plans to continue advocating for active and retired teachers outside the classroom through CEA committee work (she currently serves on CEA’s Public Relations Commission) and membership in CEA-Retired. “You will never realize what an impact all of you have made on my life,” she tells fellow teachers. “It is like ripples on a pond that follow the pebble one throws into the water; everything we do creates echoes. As teachers, your ripples have touched your students and me.”

WASHINGTON WEIGHS IN: SENATOR CHRIS MURPHY ON SCHOOL REOPENING More than 70 CEA members who are local leaders in their associations joined a virtual meeting with U.S. Senator Chris Murphy to hear nothing to nationalize the supply, keep costs down, or allow schools to reopen the right way.” While the feds have promised mid-August.” When fellow legislators returned to their home states—including Texas and

funding, Murphy notes, the money is “prescriptive—going only to schools that reopen fully, no matter the health consequences.” He adds, “We support the HEROES Act, which includes not only enough money for PPE and cleaning supplies but also enough to hire additional teachers and paraprofessional staff.” The challenges facing our students, he says—in particular those with special needs—cannot be remedied with current staffing levels. “If we are willing to spend money

Clockwise from top left: CEA President Jeff Leake, CEA Executive Director Donald Williams, and Senator Chris Murphy.