Summer Advisor 2021

WELCOMING

SUMMER 2021 CEA ADVISOR 3

MANCHESTER TEACHER KATE DIAS AND DARIEN TEACHER JOSLYN DELANCEY TO LEAD STATE’S LARGEST TEACHERS’ UNION

CEA members elected Kate Dias and Joslyn DeLancey to lead the state’s largest teachers’ union for the next three years. Dias and DeLancey will assume the office of CEA president and vice president, respectively, beginning July 15. A voice for teachers A Manchester High School math teacher for the past 21 years, Dias has held numerous union leadership positions, most recently serving as president of the Manchester Education Association and as a member of the CEA Board of Directors. “As dedicated professionals, teachers deserve to be celebrated, respected, and rewarded,” says Dias, who, having worked as a classroom teacher and local leader during the pandemic, understands the chaos and stress facing educators and strongly believes in teachers having a seat at the table when it comes to setting state and district policies relating to public education. “While we have no idea what the future will look like for education,” she says, “in this time of tremendous change and challenge, I will be a bold, strong voice in the center of the conversation that demands educators are heard. I want members to know that I am excited about bringing voice to their concerns and ideas.” She adds, “This union is full of intelligent, vibrant members who really highlight the amazing strength of educators in our communities. It’s the role of our union to position those individuals in a way that brings them the respect they deserve. I’m confident we can organize around the issues that really impact our daily practice and improve our working conditions. We are going into a new year that will bring new challenges, and I’m confident that we can draw upon our own experience and expertise to develop solutions that meet our members’ needs and the needs of our students.” A top priority for Dias is

to fight for what is right was something I enjoyed,” she recalls. Over her six years as DEA president, she helped secure many victories for her colleagues and plans to bring that same commitment and success to her statewide role. “I’m very proud of our negotiations wins surrounding personal days, sick banks, and non- birth parent leave, as well as how strong, active, and involved my local association became.” She credits clear and consistent communication throughout COVID, and actions such as teacher rallies and media outreach, with maintaining a strong teacher voice and protecting educators and students throughout the pandemic. During COVID, she worked with other local presidents to pen an op- ed, published in The Hartford Courant , that encouraged superintendents to switch to fully remote learning during the weeks surrounding the holiday vacation. Words of wisdom As they begin their work this summer, Dias and DeLancey encourage teachers throughout the state to take time to relax and recharge their batteries. “The most important thing I am hoping members do this summer is take time for themselves,” says Dias. “Turn off the computer. Read, walk, or cook. Relax in any way that serves you—this is your time to refresh. This is even more important if you are one of the thousands of people working in summer programs this year. It was an exhausting school year, and everyone needs time to recover, because the next school year is going to be incredibly important as many students and staff return full- time for the first time in months. As we continue to pursue our work on racial and social justice, we will need the energy to commit to examining our institutions and efforts. For sure, this year was intense, but there is still much work to be done.”

Kate Dias (left) and Joslyn DeLancey

connecting with local teachers’ union leaders, empowering them within their communities, and ensuring that the work of CEA reflects the work being done at the local level. “We will be reaching out to local presidents and visiting representative councils, executive boards, and schools,” she explains. “Wherever teachers are doing the work, we will be there. Both Joslyn and I have always prioritized the time spent with members to support their work and build relationships; that attitude will permeate our work at CEA.” Ensuring safety, equity, respect “Kate and I are extremely excited and motivated to begin our work with members,” says DeLancey, a 17-year veteran who has taught third, fourth, and—most recently— fifth grade in Darien, where she was president of the Darien Education Association (DEA). “Having just left the classroom, we understand what teachers are facing every day, and we’re ready to begin the work of empowering members to advocate and organize around issues that have an impact on their everyday lives. We will work together to make teaching and learning in Connecticut safe, successful, and fun. CEA members have a union that hears them, appreciates them, and has their backs.”

DeLancey and Dias have discussed how to prioritize CEA members’ needs and the work of their union, agreeing that connecting with locals, communicating with local leadership, and getting into school districts are key. Tackling issues of equity is also a top priority for both incoming leaders. “We need to look at equity on many different levels,” DeLancey says, “and understand the issues we face surrounding equity within our organization, across school districts, within curriculums, within hiring practices and recruiting efforts, and in how we train and educate professionals. I truly believe CEA must fight for equity in resources, teacher salary, access to employment and leadership opportunities, and funding for all districts. We must also promote systemic change by creating diverse and equitable positions within CEA leadership and staffing. Fighting for statewide equity will allow teachers and students to have stronger, safer, and more supportive public schools.” Advocacy has long been an approach to problem-solving for DeLancey, who became a school building representative early in her teaching career. “I quickly learned that advocating for teachers and empowering others

CEA CAMPAIGN TAKES NATIONAL SPOTLIGHT

Your Card Is Your Exclusive Pass to Members- Only Information, Savings, Protection From effective retirement planning to teacher evaluation strategies, your CEA membership card is your pass to information that will help you succeed in the classroom and beyond. Unlock members-only content at cea.org , including videos, guides, Q&As, expert interviews, and discounts on hundreds of products and services. Watch the mail for your 2021-2022 card, due to arrive later this summer. Use it to access member-protected resources at cea.org and at business establishments and other venues that offer CEA member discounts. (See a complete listing at cea.org/discounts .) Your CEA member ID number, which is unique to you, is found on your card as well as on the mailing label of your CEA Advisor . Misplaced your card? Create a personal profile at mynea360.org . Once your profile is complete, you can retrieve your member ID anytime. ANNUAL GOLF FUNDRAISER RESCHEDULED Due to weather-related road closures and course conditions, the Connecticut Education Foundation postponed its annual Hands Across the Green golf tournament until Monday, July 19. For more information or to donate a raffle prize, contact chipk@cea.org .

CEA’s Vaccinate Educators Now campaign took the spotlight at this year’s NEA Representative Assembly, where it earned kudos not only for raising awareness of the need to vaccinate teachers in order to make schools safer but also for effectively pushing Connecticut to prioritize teachers and school staff for COVID vaccines and create school-based clinics to facilitate the effort. Developed by CEA’s Communications Department and featuring five Connecticut Teachers of the Year, the public awareness campaign aired on all of the state’s major network television stations as well as on digital media earlier this year.

Clockwise, Teachers of the Year Meghan Hatch-Geary, Regional School District 16; David Bosso, Berlin; Kristen Record, Stratford; Sheena Graham, Bridgeport; and Rochelle Brown, Windsor.