Summer Advisor 2021

2 CEA ADVISOR SUMMER 2021

LEADING

Leading: Our Perspective

We have been through an extraordinarily difficult year and have made tremendous progress in the fight against COVID-19. Now is the time to regroup, reflect, and ready ourselves for the challenges ahead. NEA President Becky Pringle summed it up best when she said, “In this moment, as we reflect on the obvious challenges and the often hidden, or yet to be discovered opportunities, we must imagine the possibilities.” And those possibilities are great because of you, CEA members. We have said it before, and we will say it again:

• Training educators to lead on equity and racial justice, leveraging the Leaders for Just Schools curriculum and model • Hiring school-based mental health providers trained to provide culturally appropriate services (such as school counselors, nurses, social workers, drug and alcohol counselors and psychologists) and utilizing

Looking back on achievements, ahead to challenges and opportunities

Jeff Leake, CEA President

trauma-informed, restorative justice practices, meditation/

peace centers, and other proven methods to address student health and well- being • Expand the development of trauma-informed schools and the implementation of trauma- informed practices in education communities to support learning, social and emotional well-being, and inclusive educational environments We hope that as a statewide union, as members of CEA, you continue to demonstrate your commitment, professionalism, and collective advocacy and work for a brighter future for all students and educators through campaigns that • Advocate for just funding formulas that remedy pervasive resource disparities based upon race, income, and geographic wealth patterns • Seek remedy to economic justice issues, including affordable housing, housing insecurity, food insecurity, and access to healthcare and childcare • Increase investments to expand community schools, leveraging the NEA Community Schools Model • Win transformative investments for racially just schools that include addressing the academic, social, and emotional needs of every student through their entire educational journey, including non-biased access to pre-K In the years ahead, we know there will be great opportunities for our

we are proud of you, our members, especially those who have taken on the mantle of leadership. CEA’s leadership team cannot thank you enough for the creativity, compassion, and strength you have brought to the task of navigating and rebounding from a pandemic that has forever changed our lives. After everything you have invested in your students and school community throughout the pandemic, we hope you are taking some much-needed time this summer to focus on yourself and your own mental health needs. (See story, page 9.) In this last column as your president and vice president, we want to express how very proud we are of our efforts over these past years and the opportunities we have had to strengthen public education and the teaching profession in Connecticut. Working with our members has been an honor, and we continue to be moved by your passion and dedication to your students, your colleagues, and your profession. In countless ways, we have worked to improve the lives of CEA members and provide well-deserved relief for educators, families, and students. (See story, page 4.) We put

Tom Nicholas, CEA Vice President

Donald E. Williams Jr. CEA Executive Director

CEA GOVERNANCE Jeff Leake • President Tom Nicholas • Vice President

greater emphasis on coalition-building and collaborating with other unions committed to social, racial, and economic justice issues. As we reflect on our achievements, we must also turn our gaze forward and focus on the road ahead: the “yet to be discovered opportunities” and the excitement as we

union and our profession. As we pass the gavel to our new president and vice president, Kate Dias and Joslyn DeLancey (see next page), it will be up to all of us—aspiring educators, retired teachers, and active members—to work together with them to fulfill our goals. We must continue to organize and mobilize our colleagues both within our union and those in other labor unions to achieve common goals. Becky

Stephanie Wanzer • Secretary David Jedidian • Treasurer

Tara Flaherty • NEA Director Katy Gale • NEA Director

CEA ADVISOR STAFF Nancy Andrews • Communications Director Lesia Day • Managing Editor Sandra Cassineri • Graphic Designer Laurel Killough • New Media Coordinator Eric Ahrens • Web Designer and Developer Summer 2021 Volume 63, Number 7 Publ ished by Connect icut Educat ion Associat ion 1-800-842-4316 • 860-525-5641 cea.org CEA Advisor The CEA Advisor is mailed to all CEA members. Annual subscription price is $5.72 (included in membership dues and available only as part of membership). Institutional subscription price: $25.00. Advertising in the CEA Advisor is screened, but the publishing of any advertisement does not imply CEA endorsement of the product, service, or views expressed. CEA Advisor USPS 0129-220 (ISSN 0007-8050) is published in August, October/November, December/ January, February/March, April, May/June, and summer by the Connecticut Education Association, Capitol Place, Suite 500, 21 Oak Street, Hartford, CT 06106-8001, 860-525-5641. Periodicals postage paid at Hartford, Connecticut. Postmaster: Send address changes to CEA Advisor , Connecticut Education Association, Capitol Place, Suite 500, 21 Oak Street, Hartford, CT 06106-8001.

“imagine the possibilities.”

CEA President Jeff Leake

Without a doubt, the possibilities and opportunities are within our reach as we

CEA Vice President Tom Nicholas

acknowledge the tremendous boost for our ability to build back better with $1.1 billion in federal education funding coming to Connecticut. It will be imperative for all of us to work with other stakeholders to ensure these funds are used wisely, guaranteeing lasting benefits for our students and public education. Educators must have a strong voice at the table during discussions with administrators and boards of education regarding how the money is spent. That is why CEA’s staff is ready to work with you as you help implement real change where change is needed in your local districts. The teacher delegates to the 2021 NEA RA passed new business items highlighting new initiatives educators can propose in their school communities. Some of the suggestions include: • Achieving robust staffing levels, including appropriate class sizes, access to electives, art, librarians, and ESPs

Pringle reminded us that we can and will “lead a movement that unites not just our members, but the nation, to reclaim public education as a common good, and transform it into something it was never designed to be—a racially and socially just and equitable system that prepares every student, everyone, to succeed in a diverse and interdependent world.” Thank you for your support, your dedication, your advocacy, your compassion, and your continuing membership in your local association, CEA, and NEA—making you members of the largest labor union in our great country. We will always be proud of our shared accomplishments, and we know you will continue to address the challenges and obstacles on the road ahead, deftly and boldly, because we truly are stronger together! July 9, 2021

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Production date: 7-12-2021

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