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Special Edition • August 2018• Volume 60, Number 8 • Published by the Connecticut Education Association • cea.org CEA SPECIAL EDITION

CEA STANDS STRONG AFTER JANUS DECISION

2 CEA ADVISOR SPECIAL EDITION • AUGUST 2018

Dear Colleague, With a new school year around the corner, we are facing many challenges and opportunities—some familiar, and some new. This year we are dealing with historic changes and serious threats to the future direction of public education and our union. The U.S. Supreme Court ruled against us in the Janus v. AFSCME case, a lawsuit designed to strip teachers and other union members of our freedom and silence our collective voice on behalf of our students, public education, and our profession. Together, we must stand strong and not allow the court’s ruling to jeopardize students and the quality of education. That means collaborating, advocating, organizing, and being full members of the Association to support our mission and vision of the future—for our students and our profession. Your CEA membership comes with a guarantee that you are never alone. When you stand together with your colleagues, you have the leverage to make a positive difference for public education and your profession. Now more than ever, it is critical to join together with CEA in advocating for issues that are important to all of us, including • Keeping the promise of a secure retirement and pension funding for every teacher • Advancing competitive salaries and benefits • Ensuring education funding for students in every community across the state • Elevating the teaching profession When we stand with a unified voice, we all win, because we are stronger together. Together we defend our rights and push back against federal, state-level, and local attacks on public education and

the teaching profession. We will continue to support our fundamental mission to promote student-centered priorities that reflect our passion and dedication to teaching. Your membership in CEA enables you to tap into a wide range of professional opportunities, including free, timely professional development and networking; access to statewide job postings, contract language, and other members-only information on our website; the legal expertise to answer your questions on everything from pensions and benefits to your rights in the classroom; and the backing of a powerful and knowledgeable legal team when and if you need them.

Jeff Leake CEA President

As a CEA member, you also have influence and buying power, with access to discounts on hundreds of products and services that you use every day, including CEA-endorsed auto and home insurance. We look forward to continuing to support and advocate for you, and I encourage you to take full advantage of all your CEA membership has to offer. Sincerely,

Jeff Leake, CEA President

THE UNION PAY ADVANTAGE STRONG UNIONS VS. WEAK UNIONS

The top average teacher salaries in the U.S. are all in states with strong unions: New York...................... $79,152 California.................... $77,179 Massachusetts............ $76,981 Washington, D.C......... $75,810 Connecticut................. $72,013 New Jersey................... $69,330 Alaska........................... $67,443 Maryland...................... $66,456 Rhode Island............... $66,197 Pennsylvania............... $65,151

Nationally, workers see a significant financial boost as members of a labor union. The states with the highest teacher salaries are all states with strong unions. In states with declining union membership, the average teacher salary is $50,301—about $8,000 less than the U.S. average and $22,000 less than the Connecticut average. Employees in states with weaker unions are also less likely to have health benefits or pensions through their employer.

Teacher salaries are $22,000 higher in Connecticut than in states with weak unions.

NY $79,152

MA $76,981

DC $75,810

PA $65,151

RI $66,197

TOP STATES FOR TEACHERS’ SALARIES

CT $72,013

MD $66,456

NJ $69,330

CA $77,179

AK $67,443

Special Issue • August 2018 Volume 60, Number 8 Published by CEA CEA Advisor

The CEA Advisor is mailed to all CEA members. Annual subscription price is $7.63 (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 UPS 0129-220 (ISSN 0007-8050) is published in August (twice), October/ November, December/January, February/March, April, May/June, and summer (online) 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

CEA Advisor Staff Nancy Andrews..............Communications Director Lesia Winiarskyj..............................Managing Editor Sandra Cassineri............................ Graphic Designer Laurel Killough...................New Media Coordinator

Production date: 8-2-18

SPECIAL EDITION • AUGUST 2018 CEA ADVISOR 3

CEA STANDS STRONG IN THE WAKE OF JANUS V. AFSCME Union, members refuse to let Supreme Court decision erode teachers’ rights

In its 5-4 decision in Janus v. AFSCME , the U.S. Supreme Court struck down nearly four decades of precedent and legal protections established by the unanimous decision in Abood v. Detroit Board of Education . Heavily funded by corporate anti-union groups, the Janus case was an attempt to suppress teachers from speaking out for their rights and the needs of their students. “ Janus was a ploy to take away the freedom educators have to speak with a unified voice about their workplace, their profession, and the well-being of their students,” says CEA President Jeff Leake. “The corporate funders behind this case have been seeking to lower workers’ pay, reduce or eliminate pensions and benefits, and make sure that power remains in the hands of the wealthy, not the workers. Essentially this lawsuit was designed to take away men’s and women’s rights to collectively bargain for fair salaries, benefits, and working conditions; to be treated as professionals; and to

“Teachers need a voice inside and outside the classroom to ensure the best learning and working conditions in our public schools,” Leake explains. “Unions provide that collective voice—something that the corporate backers behind Janus are hoping to silence.” In fact, prior to the Janus decision, states like Arizona and Wisconsin had already begun silencing teachers’ voices. Many teachers were tricked or persuaded to leave their union, and immediately after, salaries and benefits were cut, working conditions eroded, class sizes grew, and outcomes for students deteriorated. We can’t let that happen

retire with dignity.” While the Court’s ruling has the power to strip teachers of their rights, it doesn’t have to, says Leake—as long as teachers stand with their union. “The outcome of this case is no match for the collective power of teachers.” He adds, “When you stand with your state and local associations, those kinds of numbers and that kind of influence enable your union to fight back in the war against public education—a well-coordinated attempt by corporate interests to privatize schools; strip teachers of their pensions, their voice, and their professional-level salaries; and bring about the kinds of conditions teachers now face in Michigan and other states. What’s at stake? Janus v. AFSCME revolved around the issue of whether workers who don’t belong to their union should benefit from the wages, benefits, and protections negotiated by the union. The case was funded by corporate billionaires and special interest groups who see

What happens next? If you are a CEA member, you will remain a member. You’ll still receive all of the union benefits you have enjoyed over the years. If you were an agency fee member, that arrangement ended with the U.S. Supreme Court ruling in the Janus case. Agency fee members are now nonmembers, only covered by the specific terms of the collective bargaining agreements, and are no longer eligible for benefits of CEA membership, including • Legal services for DCF investigations, terminations, nonrenewal hearings, workers’ comp, unemployment, and more • Professional development, training, and workshops • Retirement planning • Advice on retirement and certification • Insurance coverage, including complimentary life insurance • Member discounts through CEA and NEA Member Benefits • Voting rights in union elections and contract ratification votes • Membership and leadership positions in CEA commissions and committees If you are a former agency fee payer, you may still become a member of CEA, receive all the benefits of membership, and ensure that your union remains a strong voice for your rights. Visit cea.org or call 1-800-842-4316. in Connecticut. “Our teachers feel strongly about their union, and they’ve witnessed— through the Red for Ed movement and their own personal experiences—what it’s like working in states where unions have been weakened,” says Leake. “They understand the consequences and the need to stand with their Association in spite of Janus , and maybe even because of Janus —because they know that we are stronger together.”

unions and workers’ rights as standing in the way of their profits. The fewer individuals who belong to unions, the easier it is to tear unions down.

Don’t let Connecticut become the next Michigan Teachers in Michigan no longer have traditional pensions. Thanks to funding from Betsy DeVos, the Koch brothers, and other corporate billionaires, the Mackinac Center stripped Michigan teachers of their rights and benefits, eliminating teacher pensions and reducing salaries and benefits. Now, they want to do the same to you and your Connecticut colleagues. And they are asking for your permission. Many Connecticut teachers have received friendly- sounding emails from groups like the Mackinac groups are funded by powerful corporate interests, including the Koch brothers, Betsy DeVos, and other billionaires interested in dismantling teachers unions and privatizing public schools. They are anything but friendly to teachers and public education. They will try to

Center encouraging them to explore other options to union membership. The emails include hotlines and links to websites “for more information.” Don’t be fooled by anti-union groups, like the Mackinac Center or the Yankee Institute. These

convince you to leave your union. Don’t fall for their message that you don’t need a strong union behind you. You do.

CEA IS HERE FOR YOU. WE ARE STRONGER TOGETHER.

HOWTO RESPOND TOANTI-TEACHER GROUPS Connecticut teachers are appalled that anti-public education groups like the Mackinac Center, Yankee Institute, and others are reaching out with friendly-sounding emails encouraging them to drop their union membership. These are bad apples, and teachers are biting back. Here is how some of them are responding.

Unsubscribe Anti-public education group

Please take me off your list. I categorically disagree with your organization. You oppose everything I believe in as a public school educator, and you have done nothing to help students, teachers, or public education in Connecticut. Unsubscribe me from your list. Do not solicit me; do not sell my contact information or share it with any other group, organization, company, or association; and do NOT contact me again.

For a complete list of “bad apples,” check out our May/June CEA Advisor at cea.org/advisor/2018/may-jun .

4 CEA ADVISOR SPECIAL EDITION • AUGUST 2018

Want Pay Equity? StickwithYour Union

bargaining agreements • Establish standardized rates of pay • Require transparency in compensation data— information about what similar workers are paid

college degrees or advanced degrees, the gap is actually worse, with women being paid only 73 cents on the male dollar. Women of color face the double penalty of racial and gender-based pay gaps; black and Hispanic women are paid only 65 cents and 59 cents,

While being in a union boosts wages for all members, the biggest advantages of union membership go to those who

94% Women’s hourly pay as a share of men’s hourly pay

make up the majority (77%) of our teaching workforce: women. The

National Women’s Law Service (NWLS) reported in March 2018 that the gender wage gap among union members is about half of what it is among nonunion workers. And those who make up the single-largest group of unionized women in the U.S. happen to be public school teachers. Ahead of the pack “When it comes to gender equity and equal work for equal pay,” says CEA President Jeff Leake, “teachers unions are far ahead of the pack.” Indeed, a number of Connecticut’s female public school teachers who have worked in other fields have noted that entering the teaching profession, and having the backing of union representation, made it possible for the first time in their careers to earn a salary comparable to that of their male counterparts.

78%

Hourly wages for women represented by unions are 23 percent higher than for nonunionized women.

• Include grievance

respectively, on the white male dollar. As the graph to the right illustrates, union membership provides a significant economic advantage. Union strength—the great equalizer Closing the gender wage gap is critical if women are to achieve economic security, and unions are a key factor in the fight for competitive and comparable wages. Hourly wages for women represented by unions are 23 percent higher than for nonunionized women, and the gender

procedures for workers and enforce antidiscrimination laws • Ensure benefits such as paid sick and family leave, which help balance home and work obligations “In order to strengthen pay equity and other

fundamental workers’ rights, teachers and other public service employees must defend their right to organize,” says Leake. “That’s what is under attack by corporate backers of Janus v. AFSCME .” How Janus threatens pay equity We need not look any further than the #red4ed movement to see what happens when a profession dominated by women—with weakened unions—is left vulnerable to politicians and their corporate backers. In state after state, unions have been under increasing attack, and these are the states where the grassroots #red4ed movement has taken hold. Since 2010, anti-union legislators in more than 20 states have introduced so-called “right-to-work” legislation designed to undermine collective bargaining. Janus v. AFSCME has done

Union

Nonunion

Economic Policy Institute (EPI) analysis of CPS ORG hourly wage data for workers age 18 to 64. The union coverage are workers covered by a collective bargaining agreement. Source: EPI analysis of Current Population Survey Outgoing Rotation Group data

Working women in unions are paid 94 cents, on average, for every dollar paid to unionized workingmen, compared with 78 cents on the dollar for non-union women as a share of nonunionmen’s dollar.

that on a national scale, attempting to weaken unions’ ability to advocate for pay transparency, fair scheduling, equal pay for equal work, paid parental leave, and anti-discrimination protections for LGBTQ workers. Even though Janus tilts the playing field against teachers and others seeking to bargain collectively, our power does not have to be diminished. “The best way to fight back is to stick together,” says Leake. “Anti-union forces are trying everything they can to tear down unions, but in the end, it’s up to us to stand together. If we do that, we win.”

wage gap is significantly smaller among both white and black unionized workers than their nonunion counterparts. Working women in unions are paid 94 cents, on average, for every dollar paid to unionized working men, compared with 78 cents on the dollar for nonunion women as a share of nonunion men’s dollar. How do unions narrow the wage gap for their members? Collective bargaining establishes policies crucial to combatting pay disparity. For example, collective

NWLS also reports that Latina, Asian, and African American women who belong to unions experience smaller race and gender wage gaps. What is the wage gap? The gender wage gap is a measure of pay disparity between men and women, and the research on it is conclusive: gender wage gaps exist across the spectrum of salaries and education levels. The median wage for female workers is 83 cents for every dollar earned by a male worker. Among workers with

Make Your Vote Count This Fall The candidates you elect can determine your salary, working conditions, and student outcomes. Data from the Connecticut Secretary of the State’s office shows that Connecticut residents are registering to vote at an unprecedented rate in a midterm election cycle. From the 2016 election through June of this year, 81,908 new voters registered as Democrats, and 43,390 registered as Republicans. Analysts say the surge in voter registration in the state during a nonpresidential election cycle reflects an increased interest in politics and strong grassroots activism in the wake of the Parkland school shooting. Efforts by groups such as CEA—which launched a student voter registration drive together with Connecticut’s registrars of voters across the state this spring—are having a major impact. Among the 18-to-29-year-old demographic, Connecticut experienced a voter registration increase of 4.34 percentage points—twice the national average. “It is crucial for all of us to vote,” says CEA Executive Director Donald Williams. “With so many attacks on teachers’ pensions and working conditions and growing threats to our state’s public education system, we need to work hard to elect a pro-public education governor and legislators—not candidates who want to eliminate collective bargaining, slash school funding, cut teacher pensions, and certify unqualified workers to teach as a way of lowering teacher salaries.” If you have not registered to vote in the November 6 election, do so today. The deadline is October 30. Go to cea.org/vote to register.

What does politics have to do with my classroom? Actually, everything.

The people you elect to lead your town, state, and nation make decisions that impact how you teach, what you earn, whether you can retire comfortably, and so much more. CEA also has a powerful influence on all of these factors. Your vote matters. Your union membership matters. Your Salary .............................................................................. Board of Education Health Insurance .................................................................... Board of Education FMLA Leave .................................................Board of Education, State Legislature, Governor, Federal Government School Budget ....................................Board of Education, Municipal Government, State Legislature, Governor Length of School Day/Year .................................................... Board of Education, State Legislature, Governor Due Process for Termination . .................................... State Legislature, Governor Retirement Benefits ................................................... State Legislature, Governor Testing .........................................Board of Education, State Legislature, Governor, Federal Goverment Hiring Practices/Teaching Credentials ................................. Board of Education, State Legislature, Governor Common Core .............................Board of Education, State Legislature, Governor, Federal Government Unemployment and Workers’ Compensation ........................... State Legislature, Governor, Federal Government

Vote on November 6

SPECIAL EDITION • AUGUST 2018 CEA ADVISOR 5

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your CEA membership works for you

WAYS

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SOME OF THE HIGHEST TEACHER SALARIES AND BENEFITS IN THE NATION

A COLLECTIVE VOICE FOR CHANGE A strong, united CEA allows teachers to have a collective voice on issues that

“I taught in Arizona before coming to Connecticut. It was a right-to- work state, where teachers really didn’t have any rights. What we had were lowwages and

“We are stronger together, and organization is the key to success. There is always someone at CEA to help you.” Cindy Rohr, first - grade teacher, Redding

CEA advocates for professional pay and good benefits. Connecticut teachers earn $22,000 more than teachers in states with weak unions.

large class sizes. I tried everything to make it work— coaching, tutoring, waiting tables, working as an adjunct professor while holding down a

matter to their students, their classroom, and their profession.

CRITICAL RESOURCES TO HELP YOU IN AND OUT OF THE CLASSROOM You are never alone. CEA has valuable resources to help you succeed in your classroom, in your career, and in your teacher evaluation. The Teacher Evaluation Made Simple guide provides specific, proven strategies to help you achieve a proficient or higher rating on your evaluation. 7

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job teaching a class of anywhere from32 to 41 students. Here in Connecticut, we have a very strong union, and I feel privileged to be a part of it. It’s vitally important that teachers get involved.” Eric Bergman, Clinton social studies teacher

SECURE RETIREMENT BENEFITS CEA fights to ensure a secure retirement for

every teacher. That means protecting your retirement by ensuring the long-term solvency, stability, and benefit structure of the state teachers’ pension fund. LEGAL RESOURCES WHEN YOU NEED THEM You have the power of CEA’s legal team in your corner. CEA’s legal experts are available to members at no cost for assistance with a wide range of issues that impact your career, including DCF investigations, unfair labor practices, dismissal cases, unemployment, and workers’ comp. 3

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SAVINGS AND DISCOUNTS Through CEA Member Benefits you receive exclusive discounts on insurance, cars, appliances,

“My wife and I are both educators, and we take full advantage of the discounts offered to us as CEA

members. We save on everyday items, like groceries, and on family outings, like baseball games. The

travel, attractions, sporting events, activities, and shops across the state, making it easy to keep more of your hard-earned money.

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“Having an advocate sitting at the table is my reason for belonging to CEA, 100 percent.” Tiffany Ladson - Lang, school librarian, Bridgeport

PROTECTING YOUR FREEDOM AND RIGHTS With CEA you have a voice to

benefits of membership translate to real dollars and cents.” Glenn Spencer, Bloomfield visual arts educator

advocate for good salaries and benefits, smaller class sizes, fewer standardized tests, input into curriculum,

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COMPLIMENTARY LIABILITY PROTECTION AND LIFE INSURANCE CEA members and their

“ If you’re new to CEA, or if you’ve beenwith the same insurer for a while, I would recommend looking into CEA and NEA’s

safe buildings, and more. Protecting your rights means better working conditions for teachers and a better learning environment for our students.

families have insurance protection. NEA offers complimentary life insurance and professional liability insurance through the Educators Employment Liability (EEL) Program.

insurance programs.

Membership has savedme onmy home and auto

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PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND LEARNING AT YOUR FINGERTIPS

“CEA offersmini workshops and in - depth training on everything from

insurance premiums. Plus, all members receive free liability and life insurance.” Connie Konya, Stamford preK - 5 librarymedia specialist

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STRENGTH IN NUMBERS When we work together, we can achieve great things.

teacher evaluations, culturally competent schools, trauma - informed practices, Section 504, andmore. As a newer teacher, I appreciate getting the tools I need to excel at my profession.” Michael McCotter, Torrington fourth - grade teacher

CEA helps you be the best teacher you can be. CEA’s Professional Learning Academy offers free professional

When we stand together, we are more effective advocates for our students and our profession. We are stronger together.

development and learning opportunities aligned with Connecticut’s professional learning standards to improve teaching practice and enhance student learning.

6 CEA ADVISOR SPECIAL EDITION • AUGUST 2018

Teachers rarely imagine themselves in a situation where their reputation is at risk or their career is in jeopardy. But it happens more than you think, to some of the best educators. Facing false accusations, workplace illnesses or injuries, DCF investigations, or potential termination can be among the most devastating and frightening experiences of your professional life. “These cases are like lightning strikes,” says CEA attorney Melanie Kolek, “and it is critically important to know where to turn and how to respond.” With CEA’s legal team behind you, you will never have to go it alone. Your Union Protects Your Job Real cases—resolved by CEA’s legal team

CEA’s Legal Team – clockwise from top, Rebecca Mitchell, Melanie Kolek, and Adrienne DeLucca.

WORKERS’ COMPENSATION RESOLVED ISSUE: After 34 years in the classroom, Naugatuck teacher Mark Callahan suffered a tragic school accident that caused a traumatic brain injury, putting an end to the career he loved. CEA’S RESOLUTION: CEA’s legal team took on this complicated case, guiding Mark at every step and advocating on his behalf. They successfully resolved his workers’ compensation matter for close to $300,000.

DCF SUBSTANTIATION REVERSED ISSUE: A teacher became ill in the classroom and proceeded to the bathroom in an emergency. Before doing so, the teacher left a student in the capable hands of a certified co-teacher, in a one-on-one situation. Nevertheless, allegations of physical neglect were brought against the teacher, and DCF investigators made a determination that the allegations were “substantiated”—a claim that can be devastating to an educator’s reputation and career. CEA’S RESOLUTION: CEA’s Member Legal Services team stepped in immediately, argued the case before the DCF principal attorney in the region,

“You don’t know howmuch you need the union until something terrible happens to you. I don’t knowwhere I’d be right now

and had the wrongful substantiation reversed, sparing the teacher the angst of filing a lengthy formal appeal.

without CEA.” Mark Callahan

“None of us imagines that our careers could be in jeopardy due to work-related matters, but bad things happen to good people. With CEA, we are never alone. There is peace of mind that in our time of need, CEA has resources to help us with any legal or professional issue we may face. It is a good feeling to know that as we are doing our jobs teaching, CEA has a team of top- notch professionals who can provide us with critical legal assistance.” George Macary, Naugatuck teacher CAREER RESTORED ISSUE: A highly regarded teacher and beloved coach in the midst of a family crisis was suspended after raising his voice to administrators. While the 20-year veteran teacher was on leave, the superintendent sought to have him fired from the job he loved. CEA’S RESOLUTION: CEA represented the teacher through the nearly 12-month termination process, conducting extensive interviews with fellow teachers, community members, and students. “They worked tirelessly combing through police and other investigatory statements,” he says, “finding discrepancies within those statements and preparing thoroughly for my case. They were caring, hard-working, honest, and ethical. Every decision in my case was a collaborative one and given serious consideration. Over the course of six hearing dates spanning four months, they cross-examined witnesses, showcased discrepancies and untruths, and questioned witnesses to highlight the important parts of the issue at hand to the impartial hearing officer.” CEA Member Legal Services brought dozens of character witnesses forward, using every instrument at their disposal to fight for the embattled teacher/coach and his career. After half a dozen hearings, CEA won the case for the teacher, who returned immediately to the classroom and his coaching duties. The teacher paid no attorneys’ fees, because CEA’s legal representation in cases like these is a free member benefit.

SUSPENSION REVOKED ISSUE: A veteran teacher with an unblemished work history and no disciplinary record was called to the principal’s office. With no written or verbal warning, she was hit with a five-day, unpaid suspension: a loss of $2,100. Her offense? Posting two humorous quips on Facebook poking fun at general workplace dynamics. CEA’S RESOLUTION: CEA sat down with the teacher, got to know her, discussed the specifics of her case, and successfully advocated on her behalf. Ultimately, CEA’s legal team was able to show that the district failed to satisfy the requirement of just cause, bypassed two levels of progressive discipline, and issued a penalty that was not warranted.

The teacher’s five-day suspension was overturned, all references to the suspension were removed from her files, and lost wages were repaid. “As devastating as this all felt, once I had CEA by my side, a weight was lifted off of me.”

“I can’t say enough good about our CEA lawyers. They are phenomenal. They explore all avenues, really go searching, and identify dozens of witnesses. You know they’re there to help you. I have never seen lawyers as compassionate and competent. They do not give up. When you look at the services CEA provides, and when you see CEA come to your service with everything they’ve got, it’s so powerful. You get the CEAmembership card every year, but you don’t always realize the sheer strength behind it. It blows me away how prepared CEA’s attorneys are, and I’m blown away that every CEAmember has that same support.” Mary Ann Sporcic, Oxford teacher

“CEA provided me with strong legal representation in my fight to maintain my teaching position,” he says. “I would urge all teachers to join and support your union. I would have lost my career if not for my union’s representation. Know your rights and understand that being a tenured teacher does not ensure that your superintendent cannot attempt to terminate you from your teaching position. In my case, in my 20 years of teaching, I had never been disciplined for any reason. And I found myself with my job on the line.”

SPECIAL EDITION • AUGUST 2018 CEA ADVISOR 7

Here are the facts about your union membership. CEAMEMBERSHIP IS CRITICAL TOYOUR FUTURE AND YOUR PROFESSION Don’t let Connecticut become the next Wisconsin or Michigan. Say no to anti-union forces and yes to a strong union.

Your voice.

Your rights. Your salary. Your benefits. Your pension.

Your working conditions.

CEA is your voice. Together, we advocate for public education, your rights, and the resources you need in and out of the classroom. As a CEA member, you are part of a strong union that fights for your salary, pension, and benefits; negotiates your contracts; and provides legal services when you need them. CEA works for you, your students, and your profession. CEA is on the front line to protect teachers and students against threats that would hurt public education and the teaching profession.

Ensuring That You Retire with Dignity CEA fights to ensure a secure retirement for every teacher. As educators, we dedicate our lives to public education, and the state has a moral obligation to provide us with the support we need to retire with dignity. Teachers do not receive Social Security benefits. Our teacher retirement benefits are our only retirement security, and CEA is committed to protecting them by • Ensuring the long-term solvency, stability, and benefit structure of the state teachers’ pension fund • Requiring the state to fulfill its obligation to funding the Teachers’ Retirement System • Advocating for appropriate funding for the Retired Teachers’ Health Insurance Fund Understanding and Planning Your Retirement It’s never too early to start planning for your retirement. CEA offers member-only retirement workshops that explain the State Teachers’ Retirement System and the steps all teachers should take to set up a smooth retirement in the future. Topics include • Retirement eligibility and benefit calculations • Purchasing additional service credit • Social Security issues • Retiree health insurance • Disability benefits

CONNECT WITHCEA

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Retirement workshops are free for CEA members. Visit cea.org/retirementworkshops for more information.

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8 CEA ADVISOR SPECIAL EDITION • AUGUST 2018

CEA Professional Learning Academy offers a wealth of professional development opportunities, aligned with Connecticut’s professional learning standards, to improve teaching practice and enhance student learning. Through the CEA Professional Learning Academy, members can attend free workshops, conferences, and trainings developed by experienced educators, administrators, and experts in law and special education. CEA offers workshops and seminars on dozens of topics, including CEAProfessional LearningAcademy: Your Source for Quality Professional Development From research to practice, personalized instruction for today’s educators Visit cea.org/pla for a complete list of offerings, which are

continually updated to include new strategies and address evolving needs.

• Classroom Management • Social Media Safety • Teacher Evaluation • Maximizing Your Time • Building a Culture of Empathy • Strategies to Help New Teachers Survive and Thrive • Strategies to Foster Social- Emotional Well-Being in School • The Gender Achievement Gap • Unconscious Bias: Its Powerful Effect on Instruction and Learning • Section 504

• Mythbusters: Understanding Your Legal Rights and Responsibilities in the Special Education Process • Teachers and the Law • Preventing and Responding to Assaults by Students • PDEC Strategies to Save Time and Promote Collaboration • ESSA: Implications for Your District – Title I Accountability • Complex Trauma • Bullying Prevention And more!

CEA’s Teacher Development Specialist Kate Field leads a teacher evaluation workshop.

Teacher discounts you never knew you had CEA members shop, travel, explore, and dine for less. Your CEA membership card saves you and your family as much as 60 percent on everything from groceries to vacation getaways.

As a CEA member you can save hundreds—even thousands—of dollars a year on everything you buy, including • Tickets to parks, shows, and sporting events • Groceries, gifts, and household items • School supplies • Health products and services • Fitness programs • Travel • Insurance • Automobiles • Appliances cea.org/mb

Followus on Facebook and Twitter and catch our Teacher Discount Thursday deals!

CEA communications staff is available to come out to your school, speak with your local association members about new and updated benefits, and hear your suggestions for new member benefits. Most of our discounts have come from ideas shared by teachers!

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Contact Lesia Winiarskyj at 860-725-6315 or lesiaw@cea.org to arrange for a visit and presentation.

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