dec-jan

December 2018–January 2019 • Volume 61, Number 3 • Published by the Connecticut Education Association • cea.org CEA

What’s being done to keep you safe Seepages 6-7

2 CEA ADVISOR DECEMBER 2018–JANUARY 2019

LEADING

Together, We Can Do Great Things Leading: Our Perspective

“Don’t tell me I don’t know anyone. I am union. I have brothers and sisters in every part of this state. We are important, and we have a voice.” With that message, Waterbury’s own Jahana Hayes defied naysayers and used her teacher voice to spur her campaign and get elected to the U.S. Congress in Connecticut’s 5th Congressional District. The 2016 National Teacher of the Year, who speaks openly of

education stakeholders on the governor-elect’s transition policy committees, offering input on the state’s future (see story, page 5). We look forward to our continued collaboration with the new policymakers to ensure that Connecticut’s public education system is a top priority and that all students and schools have the support and resources they deserve. But even with key victories and many education-friendly candidates in office, we know

Jeff Leake, CEA President

her own struggles—growing up in poverty and becoming a teenage mother—credits her teachers with being the driving force that helped her move forward, finish school, and become an educator herself. It was her teachers who lifted her up then, and her teaching colleagues, as well as her students, who helped buoy her to victory on November 6. (See story, page 5.) Thousands of pro-education candidates seeking office for the first-time—many of them educators, like Hayes—were inspired to run for office by the #RedforEd movement, which started from massive teacher walkouts, protests, and strikes across the country. The movement

that we will still face challenges in the future. Through its report card, CEA will continue to track legislators’ voting records and co-sponsorship of bills that either advance or hinder our education priorities. This important tool will hold legislators accountable when it comes to issues critical to teachers; it will help us distinguish between friends and foes when we go to the polls in future elections. Educators aren’t backing down As we turn our attention from the election to the 2019 legislative session, we must keep education on the front burner by harnessing the energy from the #RedforEd movement, continuing to advocate for

Tom Nicholas, CEA Vice President

what our students and schools need most, and meeting our challenges head-on. We must seize the opportunity that lies ahead to create change that we all deserve. Teachers on CEA’s Legislative Commission have been meeting to identify key issues that could be raised in the upcoming session. Educators’ concerns being addressed include ECS funding, the unfunded liability of the teacher pension system, ensuring a safe learning environment in our schools, and preventing aggressive classroom behavior.

changed the conversation by raising public awareness of the issues facing educators. Education-friendly candidates made support for students and public education part of their platform. By engaging educators, students, and parents, they garnered support in the election process and swept into office at the local, state, and federal levels. We were gratified and

We must get everyone involved, because standing strong together, we have the power to strengthen public education and help our students succeed.

Donald E. Williams Jr. CEA Executive Director

CEA GOVERNANCE Jeff Leake • President Tom Nicholas • Vice President

inspired by the parents, teachers, and community members who rolled up their sleeves to enhance community outreach efforts, foster relationship-building, and promote meaningful involvement. We received support from Washington, as NEA Vice President Becky Pringle joined us in Danbury going door-to-door encouraging teachers to vote for their colleague Jahana Hayes and other education champions in their district. We are thankful for all our members’ activities during this election season—especially our retired teachers, who after a lifetime of service and dedication, are still in the trenches fighting along with their active colleagues to advance the profession. Active and retired teachers stepped up their advocacy by texting, phone banking, tweeting, posting, canvassing door to door, and finding other ways to support candidates who care about students and teachers. (See stories on pages 4 and 17.) This was one of the greatest opportunities for us, as public school educators, to change our fates—and we succeeded. In key districts where races were close, teachers’ activism and votes were critical in electing dozens of CEA honor roll candidates who support public education, including Ned Lamont for governor. Thanks in part to the new CEA Legislator Report Card, teachers educated themselves about the candidates who pledged to protect public education, the teaching profession, and educators’ ability to retire with dignity—as well as those who planned to strip teachers and students of their rights. Teachers were instrumental in electing more allies to the state legislature—leaders whose vision for the future is aligned with educators’ goals, and who will advocate for students and stand up for CEA members. (See story, page 4.) Two weeks after the election, CEA leaders, members, and staff were already working with other

Stephanie Wanzer • Secretary Kevin Egan • Treasurer

On January 9, 2019, candidates will take the oath of office, infusing our state legislative ranks with dozens of education champions. These education- friendly legislators could have a profound impact on Connecticut’s classrooms, but only if we continue the unprecedented level of political activism that got us this far. In the year ahead, we have the opportunity to make changes that elevate the teaching profession by standing together with a unified voice. We must tap into the groundswell of energy and support for public education that has already had an enormous impact. We must continue to organize, advocate, and unite to wield our collective strength and power. That requires us to be actively involved and well organized. We’ve seen what we can do when we get everyone focused on our common goals. Congresswoman-elect Hayes summed it up in her victory speech thanking supporters and reminding them that people said she couldn’t win. “I want to tell you when I started this I knew I couldn’t do it alone,” she said. “You know who I am. You know what I stand for. You know what I believe in, but the votes show that you also believe that we are so much better together.” We know that we are stronger together and that our strength comes from us, a collective voice that speaks loudly and clearly for students, teachers, and public schools. We must get everyone involved, because standing strong together, we have the power to strengthen public education and help our students succeed. We must continue to use our strength. Our success depends upon it. We are ready to take on the future, and together we will do great things. December 7, 2018

John Horrigan • NEA Director David Jedidian • NEA Director

CEA ADVISOR STAFF Nancy Andrews • Communications Director Lesia Winiarskyj • Managing Editor Sandra Cassineri • Graphic Designer Laurel Killough • New Media Coordinator December 2018–January 2019 Volume 61, Number 3 Published by Connecticut Education Association 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 UPS 0129-220 (ISSN 0007-8050) is published in August, 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. Production date: 12-12-2018

DECEMBER 2018–JANUARY 2019 CEA ADVISOR 3

News Briefs

IN THIS ISSUE

2 LEADING

Showcase Your Local Association and Members! Each year, CEA recognizes

Teachers scored decisive victories at the polls on Election Day, but the hard work of strengthening public education continues as CEA looks ahead to the new year and start of the legislative session. MOBILIZING Grassroots activism, from phone banking to doorknocking, was instrumental in electing legislators who care about students and teachers. REPRESENTING Teachers will be well represented at the State Capitol and in D.C. as key positions are filled by public education advocates such as Jahana Hayes in Congress. Read how teachers are already playing a big role in policymaking. Uncovered in a growing number of schools, mold is making teachers sick. Find out what CEA and local associations are doing to keep you safe in your classroom. Meet 2019 Connecticut Teacher of the Year Sheena Graham and distinguished colleagues from school districts throughout the state and find out what earned them the state’s highest honor. Azerbaijan to Mozambique—all the world’s a classroom for Connecticut teachers who were granted fellowships that let them travel the world to bring global experiences back to their students. LEARNING Catch all the highlights from CEA’s 18th annual New Teacher Conference. Hear from your colleagues about the importance of professional development and why the conference is beneficial to early, middle, and late career teachers. BUDGETING An update on CEA’s fiscal health from Treasurer Kevin Egan. INFORMING From negotiating the terms of your contract to securing resources for your students, your union is your eyes, ears, voice, and guide to your rights and responsibilities. Read about UniServ organizers, local building reps, and other teacher allies available to help you. CEA-RETIRED NEWS Even outside the classroom, retired teachers are tireless advocates for public education. Learn how their activism is helping you. 18-19 HUMAN AND CIVIL RIGHTS NEWS Get expert advice on responding to aggressive student behavior, creating LGBTQ-inclusive classrooms, and handling difficult topics, such as hate crimes. 20 VOLUNTEERING 12 13 16 17 For the fifth year in a row, teachers lend a hand and shake a leg at the Eversource Hartford Marathon to benefit the Connecticut Education Foundation. ON THE COVER Pushing back ceiling tiles reveals a pervasive mold problem plaguing Stamford schools, as well as school buildings throughout the state. CEA and local teachers associations are working hard to remove teachers and students from unsafe environments and provide assistance with workers’ compensation claims. 4 5 6-7 INVESTIGATING 8-9 HONORING 10-11 EXPLORING

Nominating yourself, your local association, or a colleague is easy. Visit cea.org/about/ grants-awards and learn more about the following awards: • ABCD Award (Above and Beyond the Call of Duty) • CEA Clifford Silvers Education Advocacy Award • CEA Newsletter/Website Competition • CEA Salutes Award • Charles B. Kelly Local Media Award • Thomas P. Mondani CEA Friend of Education Award • Norman E. DeLisle Public Relations Grant

local associations, individual members, and community stakeholders who make the teaching profession shine. Awards and grants are given for best association website and newsletter, outstanding teaching professionals and advocates, new public relations projects, best media coverage, and more. The annual competitions are open to all local associations across the state, and the deadline for entries is 5 p.m. on Friday, February 22, 2019. Award winners will be recognized at the CEA Representative Assembly in May.

Nominated by a colleague, Enfield first-grade teacher Emily Hulevitch was honored with the 2018 CEA Salutes award.

Teddy Bears on Ice Benefit Connecticut Students Amid the usual cheers of the hometown crowd when the Bridgeport Sound Tigers scored their first goal of the night on Black Friday, hundreds of fans’ hearts. CEA Recognizes Teaching Excellence Nominate yourself or an outstanding colleague for the John McCormack CEA Award for Teaching Excellence. This award, which includes $2,000 and an all-expenses paid trip to the NEA Foundation’s Annual Salute to Excellence in Education Gala in Washington, D.C., honors teachers who are creative, student-focused, culturally responsive, dedicated to lifelong learning, and strong advocates for public education. The winner of the McCormack Award goes on to become CEA’s nominee for two additional prestigious honors: the Horace Mann Award and the NEA Member Benefits Award, with prizes up to $25,000. Apply by January 28 at cea.org/about/grants-awards .

In a new video at BlogCEA.org, Wallingford teacher and former McCormack Award winner Christopher Stone encourages teachers to apply for this prestigious award.

Watch a fun, 30-second video of the teddy bear toss at blogcea.org .

“We’re very grateful that the Sound Tigers are donating the bears they collected—more than 300 of them—to our Holiday Bear project,” said Nicholas. Each year, Holiday Bear delivers gifts and

teddy bears rained down onto the ice. Hockey fans that evening brought—or bought—stuffed animals of every size and color to donate to children nominated for this year’s CEF Holiday Bear project. “It was a lot of fun. Fans were excited about the bear toss,” said CEA Vice President Tom Nicholas, who serves as president of the Connecticut Education Foundation (CEF), CEA’s charitable arm. Even though the Sound Tigers lost 3-2 to the Hartford Wolf Pack, the teddy bear toss warmed

holiday cheer to Connecticut’s neediest children— students who have been nominated by teachers aware of their families’ needs. This year, thanks not only to Sound Tigers fans but also teachers and other sponsors throughout the state, gifts were

collected for 800 Connecticut children from preschool through twelfth grade. “We loved being a part of Holiday Bear,” says Dan Tamburro, director of group sales for the Sound Tigers and Webster Bank Arena. “We are very involved with our community, and it means a lot to us to expand our reach throughout the state.” The Bridgeport Sound Tigers and Webster Bank Arena host numerous CEA Teacher Appreciation events throughout the hockey season and year-round, with discounted tickets and themed games for CEA members. Don’t miss December 27, Union Night, where you can take advantage of a special package and get a complimentary beverage and beanie!

Sound Tigers forward Kieffer Bellows and goalie Christopher Gibson help make the holidays brighter for Connecticut schoolchildren through CEF’s Holiday Bear project.

CONNECT WITH CEA

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facebook.com/ CTEdAssoc

youtube.com/ ceavideo

blogCEA.org

twitter.com/ ceanews

instagram.com/ cea_teachers

flickr.com/ photos/ceapics

MOBILIZING

4 CEA ADVISOR DECEMBER 2018–JANUARY 2019

EDUCATORS, PRO-EDUCATION CANDIDATES SWEEP CONNECTICUT’S MIDTERMS Public education was a clear

margin, teacher turnout was a significant factor in putting pro- education candidates over the finish line. “Key races where a victory was decided by the narrowest of margins also turned out to be races where teachers were most engaged in talking to their colleagues about the issues at stake—from teacher pensions to school funding,” he says. “Teachers helped provide the decisive votes. They came out in force, and thanks to CEA’s report card, they came armed with information about who supports them.” “After many months of engaging their colleagues, knocking on doors, and turning out to vote, teachers helped democracy work for public education,” adds Leake. “CEA’s mission was to put education on the ballot and put strong advocates in office. Across the state, teachers succeeded. We look forward to working with our new governor and legislators on ensuring that Connecticut’s public education system is a top priority and that all students and schools have the support and resources they deserve.” While these victories don’t mean that teachers won’t still have challenges at the State Capitol or in Washington, D.C., they do mean that teachers will have more allies working for them, and that their challenges won’t include fighting a life-or-death battle to preserve their fundamental rights and their union.

winner at the polls this November, and grassroots engagement by CEA members made it happen. “Thanks in large part to teachers determined to make their voices heard and their votes matter, pro- education candidates chalked up significant victories in the midterm elections this year,” says CEA President Jeff Leake. One of the biggest wins went to political newcomer Jahana Hayes, a former Waterbury, Connecticut, and National Teacher of the Year and an outspoken advocate for public school teachers. (See story on next page.) Major wins were scored in the state Senate and House as well as in a close gubernatorial race, where education advocate Ned Lamont defeated a challenger whose agenda favored privatization of schools, caps on teacher salaries, anti-union initiatives, and an unrealistic economic plan that threatened to decimate school budgets. Information is power In the run-up to the elections, CEA developed its first-ever legislative report card—a comprehensive system of evaluating candidates based on their voting records, interviews, willingness to engage with CEA members, responses to questionnaires on education issues, and recommendations by teachers in their districts. Top pro-education candidates were named to CEA’s honor roll, which was published online and in the CEA Advisor Special Election Issue earlier this fall.

Former Vice President Joe Biden stumps for pro-education candidates Ned Lamont, Jahana Hayes, and Chris Murphy at a rally in Hartford this fall.

“From the time it was launched in September, CEA’s report card and honor roll were viewed nearly 75,000 times, in wave after wave—a testament to how engaged our members are and how deeply this election mattered to them,” says CEA Executive Director Donald Williams. “Indeed, CEA members went to the polls in unprecedented numbers, knowing which candidates pledged to protect public education, the teaching profession, and educators’ ability to retire with dignity—and whose plans would unravel teachers’ and students’ rights.”

Every CEA honor roll candidate for a top state officer position prevailed in the midterm elections, as did all pro-education candidates running for Congress. Overall, 80% of candidates on CEA’s honor roll in the 2018 election were declared winners, and 100% of CEA’s identified pro-education candidates running for constitutional offices, including Ned Lamont for governor, were elected. Teachers cast decisive votes “Teachers had a huge impact on this election,” Williams emphasizes, explaining that in some races where candidates won by a very narrow

GETTING OUT THE VOTE Teachers reach out to colleagues, candidates, community

Torrington teachers Tom Ethier and Michael McCotter introduce themselves to Jahana Hayes at a legislator meet-and-greet hosted by the Torrington Education Association and CEA.

Southington Education Association President Dan Hart and Greenwich Education Association President Carol Sutton participate in a phone bank encouraging teachers to vote.

CEA members join forces with AFT-Connecticut members for a door-knocking campaign in Danbury to get pro-education candidates, including Raghib Allie-Brennan and Julie Kushner, elected to the state House and Senate.

Teachers Marion Richard (Fairfield), Jerome Manning (Portland), Miles Lubben (Glastonbury), and Jesecia Miller (CREC) visit CEA members

Senator Steve Cassano talks with teachers in his district, including Manchester Education Association President Kate Dias and Manchester teachers Martha DiGiovanni, and Corinne Coleman.

in Cheshire to get the word out about congressional candidate Jahana Hayes.

REPRESENTING

DECEMBER 2018–JANUARY 2019 CEA ADVISOR 5

CLASSROOM TO CONGRESS HAYES IS IN THE HOUSE

“This history teacher is making history,” 2016 National Teacher of the Year Jahana Hayes told her supporters at a victory celebration in Waterbury after the polls closed on Election Day. “I am honored to be your next congresswoman.” Five months after announcing her candidacy, the former Waterbury teacher won her bid for Connecticut’s 5th Congressional District seat—defeating opponent Manny Santos, 148,000 to 116,000 votes. She will be the first African American woman to represent Connecticut in Congress. Drawing on tremendous support from fellow educators, Hayes was proudly endorsed by both CEA and NEA. In the run-up to Election Day, NEA Vice President Becky Pringle traveled to Danbury for a door- knocking campaign in support of Hayes and other teacher-friendly candidates. At a breakfast to kick off the campaign, Pringle captured the current education struggle with the words of W.E.B. Du Bois: “The freedom to learn has been bought by bitter sacrifice. So whatever you might think about the curtailment of other civil rights, you must fight to the last ditch to keep open the right to learn.” A middle school science teacher with 31 years of classroom experience, Pringle had high praise for Connecticut teachers for helping

Jahana Hayes delivers her acceptance speech.

elect education candidates. “Thank you for leading the way,” she said. “These are the people who are going to stand up for working families. These are the people who understand that unions make us all stronger. These are the people who will fight for us every single day, and you are the people who are going to go out and get those votes. Remind them of Plato’s words: ‘If you think you are too good or too smart to be involved in politics, then you will be ruled by those who are neither good nor smart.’ Every decision in our classrooms, in our worksites, in our

lives is a political decision, and so we must stand up, and we must vote. Our children are depending on us to be worthy of them.” CEA President Jeff Leake added, “Jahana is a shining example of exemplary educators who never give up. She has advocated for herself, has made a career advocating for her students, and is now advocating for all of us. We know she will have our best interests at heart, and our students will benefit greatly from her service. In Congress, she will stand up for public education and the rights of teachers and children. She is

exactly who we need in Washington. Jahana’s win is a victory for all of us.” “Jahana is a nation builder and a community builder; she is the exact prescription we need for our country’s ills,” says CEA Vice President Tom Nicholas, who was present at Hayes’ celebration in Waterbury when the election results were announced. Hayes begins her term on January 3, 2019.

CEA Speaks Up to Secure Teachers’ Retirement CEA members who have devoted decades to the future of our students and our state deserve a secure retirement. To ensure that’s what they get in their golden years, CEA Retirement Specialist Robyn Kaplan-Cho is the voice for teachers on the Connecticut Pension Sustainability Commission, which has been meeting this fall. The Commission is officially charged with studying the feasibility of placing state capital assets in a trust and maximizing those assets for the sole benefit of the state pension system. CEA took a lead in promoting a transfer of the state lottery to shore up the Teachers’ Retirement Fund during the 2018 legislative session. The union has continued to work toward that goal to ensure the fund’s solvency. Other potential options have been considered by the Commission, but no final recommendations have been made yet. Kaplan-Cho says, “Placing a state asset, such as the Connecticut lottery, into the Teachers’ Retirement Fund would dramatically reduce the state’s unfunded liability, thus allowing the state to reduce its yearly payment into the fund.” The Commission has a January 1 deadline to submit its report to the General Assembly.

Hayes is championed by NEA Vice President Becky Pringle and CEA President Jeff Leake.

Teachers Are Well Represented on Governor-Elect’s Policy Committees CEA members were instrumental in electing pro-education candidates this fall, and now, with a new governor taking office January 9, CEA is making sure teachers’ voices stay front and center. CEA President Jeff Leake and CEA Research and Policy driving education policy in the state of Connecticut. Our teachers in Waterbury and Bridgeport aren’t any less committed or hard-working than teachers in wealthier communities, but the obstacles that are put in their way are incredible.” Another committee member, involved can work together to give students the education they need. Other members of the Education Policy Committee include AFT President Jan Hochadel, public education researcher and Director of

property taxes, incentivize sharing of municipal services among towns, and ensure stable state public education funding to towns. Rodriguez stresses the importance of CEA members having a voice on that committee. “CEA adds a real-world perspective from our members and an in-depth knowledge of K-12 education funding that is vital for good policymaking.” As of press time, the policy committees were each expected to develop a two-page policy memo and report on it to the public by mid- December.

Urban Educational Initiatives at Trinity College Robert Cotto, and Connecticut Association of Public School Superintendents Executive Director Fran Rabinowitz, who co- chairs the committee. CEA’s Rodriguez is serving on the Shared Services Committee, which is analyzing town-level policies that reflect the governor-elect’s focus on creating jobs, spurring economic growth, and reducing government expenses. The group is discussing specific policies to reduce local

Development Specialist and Chief Economist Orlando Rodriguez are serving on transition policy committees for the Lamont administration, bringing teachers’ positions to important policy discussions. Leake, who is serving on the Education Policy Committee, told his fellow committee members, “I’m here to make sure that teacher voice is part of the conversation that’s

Manchester’s Illing Middle School teacher Mike Pohl, said that social and emotional learning is a priority for him, and he’d like to be able to increase the number of counselors and social workers available to work with students. “As somebody in the classroom, I feel we have a lot of top-down policies right now,” Pohl said, adding that he’d rather have professional relationships where all adults

INVESTIGATING

6 CEA ADVISOR DECEMBER 2018–JANUARY 2019

IS YOUR SCHOOL MAKING YOU SICK?

What a local teachers union uncovered, and how CEA is helping keep teachers and students safe

As school buildings age and school budgets shrink, the problems facing teachers and students have begun to multiply—literally. Earlier this fall, teachers and students in various districts began complaining of headaches, respiratory ailments, and rashes. At least two Connecticut schools were shut down because of dangerously high mold spore counts; many more buildings are being investigated. Everyone from school building reps and local association leaders to CEA’s UniServ representatives and Member Legal Services team has galvanized into action—packing board of education meetings, contacting government agencies to investigate concerns and enforce health and safety standards, providing legal guidance on workers’ compensation, gathering and reporting evidence, and conducting Q&A sessions with teachers to inform them of the risks associated with mold and the rights to which they are entitled. Teachers’ involvement has unmasked a growing problem, and a wave of union advocacy is moving hundreds of Connecticut educators and students out of harm’s way. “Our teachers have gone above and beyond to provide the best possible instruction in spite of serious health concerns,” says fifth-grade teacher Heather Stramandinoli, a building representative at Stamford’s Westover Magnet Elementary School, which was shut down this fall. “We want our teachers and students to be in safe schools, where instruction can be effective.” Early warnings When Stamford teachers returned to school this year after a sweltering summer, many noticed something off about their

whose school picture day was cancelled when the auditorium was sealed off, coined a term for the vicious cycle: “getting molded.” Though Westover’s situation was arguably more severe and widespread, similar problems turned up at about a dozen other schools throughout the district—nearly half of Stamford’s public schools—where inspections confirmed high levels of mold. Classrooms, music rooms, instrument closets, storage facilities, and portable buildings were shut down in school after school while students and teachers were shuffled to other wings and spaces. Sometimes they returned; other times, their old rooms were closed indefinitely. The scene was repeated at Newfield Elementary School in Stamford, where five second-grade teachers and an art teacher were relocated from portable classrooms to other sections of the school due to water leaks, drainage issues, moisture accumulation under the building, mold in the maintenance garage below the portables, and elevated mold counts in the classrooms. The portable classrooms were closed not only because of mold and moisture but also because of the discovery of animal feces, as well as mice, birds, and squirrels inhabiting the walls and ceilings. Public outcry from teachers and parents was intense, and remediation to the decades-old portables—which were well past their useful life span— stopped. A decision was made to demolish the portable classrooms and replace them, at least temporarily, with newer ones. In meeting with teachers in her local association, Phanos discussed their current and future health concerns related to mold exposure. She referred teachers to a workers’ compensation first treatment center, as well as to CEA attorneys, such as Kolek. “An important benefit of CEA membership,” says Kolek, “is the full legal representation we provide for workers’ compensation cases—a service that is completely free to all members.” At a December workshop, she told Stamford teachers, “There is strength in numbers. That’s why you’re part of a union.” Stronger Together For Stramandinoli and other union leaders, the initial response to Westover’s chronic mold problems— remediate and return, or relocate to another part of the building—was insufficient. They started digging, asking questions, and getting CEA fully involved. “We found out that 14 rooms in our school alone had tested positive for elevated mold spore counts,” Stramandinoli says. “Even though some of those areas had been remediated, the problems seemed to persist and grow. Many teachers and students with no history of health concerns were suffering the ill effects of constant exposure to mold—and some of our teachers who had allergies, as well as a teacher

It took teachers standing together and speaking up to close down a Stamford school inundated with mold.

classrooms. For some, it was a peculiar odor. For others it was discolored walls or ceilings that looked warped. Several teachers felt ill. Some experienced all these problems—and more. “One of my colleagues wasn’t feeling well and thought maybe it was just an issue with dust,” Stramandinoli recalls. “Over time, it became obvious that the problem was something else, something much bigger.” One teacher who had been moved to a ground-level classroom noticed the floor tiles in her room were constantly wet. “Westover is only a 20-year-old building,” Stramandinoli says, “but the floors were buckling.” The problem, it turns out, was mold—an issue that has been plaguing schools throughout the state. Increasingly, teachers, staff, and students exposed to mold were getting sick. People who had never needed inhalers were starting to have to use them, and symptoms were exacerbated for children and adults with allergies and asthma. Those with longer-term mold exposure tended to have more severe health issues. “As teachers started coming to me and talking about

has already held two workshops for Stamford Education Association (SEA) members explaining the ins and outs of filing claims. From bad to worse Westover sits on a wetland. Because of drainage issues, water had been seeping up through the floors into classrooms. It was also pouring down the windows and entering the building because of problems with the gutters, seams, window sills, and caulking. Teachers were seeing buckled moulding and signs of mold where the walls connect to the ceilings. SEA President Diane Phanos recalls one teacher who described coming in after the weekend and finding halos around the floor tiles where the water had been. As they pushed up on ceiling tiles, teachers made an even more startling discovery: pipes covered in mold above the ceiling. Pulling baseboards and wallpaper away from the walls uncovered hidden areas of mold underneath. Allison Klein, who has taught at Westover for 17 years, said the presence of mold displaced her students and raised serious concerns among parents and faculty. The combination of being in a moldy classroom, relocating to computer labs, auditoriums, and other rooms, having technicians come to test and remediate, and often starting the process all over again was affecting educators’ ability to teach and students’ ability to learn. And the problem, said Klein, “was not subsiding.” In addition, remediation crews often worked while school was in session. “Technicians wearing masks and suits were using harsh chemicals while children and staff were walking around unprotected—a huge concern, even with abatement barriers up,” notes Phanos. Not an isolated problem At first, Westover teachers were advised that the moisture and air quality problems in their building were temporary—a seasonal issue related to the hot summer. “But my colleagues were showing me what they were finding in their classrooms, and they were getting sick,” Stramandinoli says. “They were dropping like flies.” Issues popped up in classroom after classroom, displacing teachers and students so that rooms could be remediated. Westover students,

what they were experiencing,” Stramandinoli says, “I knew I had to organize.” She involved her local union leaders, CEA representatives, and parents. The mold problem in Stamford schools has grown so pervasive—forcing many teachers to go out on leave—that CEA attorney Melanie Kolek, who has been meeting with teachers individually and holding informational “crisis.” With the number of teachers who have either filed workers’ compensation claims or need to file, Kolek group sessions, describes it as a

Teachers demanded more than cursory visual inspections; peeling back wallpaper revealed hidden health hazards.

INVESTIGATING

DECEMBER 2018–JANUARY 2019 CEA ADVISOR 7

and teachers and the safety of their environment is the focus. So we got a huge team together, including SEA members and parents, and we started

involved a lot more than

students lost only four days of school. This outside support, and the way teachers stood together, really built up our school community.” Westover remains closed, and all 700 students and 100 faculty and staff have been relocated to a refurbished office facility for the remainder of the year—a space that Stramandinoli describes as bright, airy, clean, and healthy. In a matter of days, the office building was reconfigured for classroom use, new bus schedules were created, and 265 students who formerly walked to school were now put on buses. Contaminated objects from the old building were destroyed; others were cleaned, tested, and shipped to the new location. New supplies were ordered. “Teachers will be reimbursed for materials they purchased and lost due to mold exposure,” says Phanos. Once they finished packing and unpacking their own rooms, teachers went from room to room helping their colleagues set up. After hosting a four-hour evening orientation for parents at their new site, Westover teachers got up the next morning and welcomed their students back to school. It was November 14, just over a week before Thanksgiving. The task force set up an email address and encouraged all Stamford teachers to report evidence or suspicions of unhealthy working conditions—with photographs, if possible. A link on the city’s website directs teachers to information about affected buildings, including test results, work plans, and daily meeting minutes of the task force, which is committed to testing and reporting results and remediation plans. SEA continuously communicated with its members the importance of reporting suspicions or evidence of mold to SEA’s president and the task force—generating hundreds of emails and photographs. Phanos also shared protocol to follow for those who suspected they were suffering symptoms of mold exposure. Broader impact Kolek says the mold problem plaguing the city’s schools is not unique to Stamford. Mold has been reported in cities and towns across Connecticut. In September, Westport’s Coleytown Middle School closed for the remainder of the school year because of an ongoing mold problem. “Last year, many school budgets were slashed because of the threat of drastic ECS funding cuts,” says Kolek. “In town after town, we saw the effects on staff, students, and critical programs. Now we’re seeing the impact, very literally, at the building level. As buildings get older, this is only going to happen more frequently. If education is going to be a priority, then we need to invest in the health and well-being of our students, teachers, and schools.” “The health and safety of our students and teachers must always be a top priority,” says Quinn. “Without that, teaching and learning are not possible.”

simply relying on indoor air quality tests.” Kelly Lane, a reading teacher at Westover for the past 13 years, was one of the many educators who spoke up at board of education meetings. Lane

attending board of education meetings. We were telling our stories.”

“SEA Chair of Grievance Sandra Peterkin and I also made contact with administrators to see what their plan was and to advocate for change,” says Phanos. “We met with the superintendent and deputy superintendent, and I laid out all the safety and health issues I was made aware of by teachers in many schools throughout the district. Because of the significant number of teachers and classrooms affected, I also contacted the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, CONN- OSHA.” Meanwhile, Kolek and CEA UniServ representative Sharon Quinn gathered additional information and fielded teachers’ calls. Many of the teachers Kolek has spoken with have filed or are preparing to file workers’ compensation claims with CEA’s assistance for their exposure to mold and the health problems that resulted from that exposure. Teachers speak out Taking their concerns to their union representatives, who, in turn, took

Members of Westover’s fifth-grade team, including building rep Heather Stramandinoli (far left), find relief in their new location.

asked to have every room in the school inspected.

that send her to Greenwich Hospital three times a week for rehabilitation and require daily hour-long regimens to strengthen her lungs. “This is not exactly how I pictured my golden years,” she told the board. As a result of teachers standing together, all 90 rooms at Westover were tested. A community rallies On Saturday, October 26, Phanos, Quinn, and Stramandinoli accompanied a professional hygienist and his colleagues who did moisture readings, air quality tests, and a visual inspection of every room at Westover. The mayor, board of education president, deputy superintendent, principal, and president of the paraprofessionals’ association were also present, and discussions revolved around the possibility of closing the school. Three days later, test results started coming back, with many readings revealing amplified levels of mold spores. Immediately, a special task force was formed, and the investigation of Westover went beyond air quality tests and cursory visual inspections. At Stramandinoli’s urging, drywall was cut out, wallpaper was peeled back, and air vents were examined. The mold and water intrusion were far more serious than school officials had realized. “It was a much bigger deal than anyone thought,” Stramandinoli says. “The HVAC system was broken. There were problems with the drainage system. A water pipe was broken and backing up onto the first floor. It was a multitude of issues, and they knew now it was something they couldn’t just put a Band-Aid on.” Further test results made it clear that Westover classes could not be relocated in their current building because of widespread mold. The task force moved to close the school for the remainder of the school year. It was an important victory for teachers. “When we teamed together, we were no longer one voice,” says Stramandinoli. “We were many.” Ensuring a brighter future In the wake of the school closure, says Stramandinoli, “There was also an outpouring of support from the community: How can we help? What can we do?” In the days between the closing of the old Westover building and relocation to a new site, she says, “Field trips were organized for our students. They were welcomed into the nature center, historical society, and arboretum. The library took in many of our students, and Chelsea Piers Sports Complex housed us for a day. Because of this,

“We desperately need two things restored,” she said. “One, peace of mind. And two, trust. We have no peace of mind that where we work is a safe place. As someone who’s in almost every room, I literally find myself looking up at the ceiling tiles, wondering if there’s mold behind there.” During nearly two hours of public comment at one board of education meeting, parents joined teachers in describing their fear for the safety of their children and their anger over the district’s perceived lack of timeliness. Children, they said, would arrive home from school with

CEA attorneys Adrienne DeLucca and Melanie Kolek (at right) help Stamford teachers understand the workers’ compensation process.

those concerns to every entity from the Stamford Board of Education to CONN-OSHA and the Workers’ Compensation Commission, teachers formed a united front and made a difference for their students and their own health and safety. “With CONN-OSHA’s involvement,” Kolek says, “Stamford began a comprehensive analysis of the problems plaguing Westover and other schools in the district. This

migraines that left them unable to eat dinner. Some had coughs during the week that disappeared over the weekend, when they were away from school. In a heart-wrenching account of a retirement very different from the one she had imagined, former Westover teacher Terry Lohmeyer described the pulmonary disease she suffers from after a 27-year teaching career—with respiratory problems

LOOKING AHEAD: A GROWING PROBLEM AND A LEGISLATIVE FIX Stamford and Westport aren’t the only school districts experiencing sick buildings. Concerns have recently been raised in Bridgeport, East Hartford, Manchester, Naugatuck, Orange, and Ridgefield, and the list is growing. To head off problems such as these, CEA is developing legislative solutions that would ensure a timely, appropriate response to health and safety issues in schools, including the presence of mold, lead, and extreme temperatures. CEA is also researching school construction policies that could prevent new or renovated schools from becoming unhealthy. CEA’s Legislative Commission, which is comprised of teachers from across the state and helps determine CEA’s legislative agenda, has identified this issue and raised it to the highest priority. CEA leaders have also begun to inform Connecticut’s newly elected governor and legislators about this critical issue. In doing so, CEA has further drawn attention to the devastating cuts to ECS funding under the previous administration that ultimately undermined facilities, programs, and staffing levels at many of Connecticut’s public schools.

HONORING

8 CEA ADVISOR DECEMBER 2018–JANUARY 2019

MEET 2019 CONNECTICUT TEACHER OF THE YEAR SHEENA GRAHAM Bridgeport music teacher speaks to the gifts and challenges of teaching

some of the greatest gifts you can give to humanity.” Deep roots The importance Graham places on education has its roots in her family tree. While her grandmother could not attend school, she learned to read and always believed that literacy and education were the foundation for achieving your dreams. Graham’s aunt—a teacher—nurtured her desire to be a great educator, and her parents taught her that applying the knowledge she gained through education would always be the most valuable tool she possessed.

State Capitol in recent years— though she acknowledged, “These are heavy topics I will save for another time.” She noted, “Today’s educators continue to be surrounded by issues that must be addressed in order for us to offer students the best education possible, and to make sure it is equitable. How do we create schools that are safe for students without them resembling prisons? How do we properly budget for education without bankrupting cities? And how do we re-engage our disengaged students?”

“I believe every child deserves the best that we, as educators, have to offer,” says Bridgeport’s Harding High School performing arts and choir teacher Sheena Graham, whose beliefs are fueled by her own experiences as a young learner, and later, as a rising teacher. “Due to the very positive influences of my family, education for me was like a gift just waiting to be opened. And so I believe my greatest contribution to students is providing them with opportunities to discover their passions, develop their voice, create community connections, and see that they have the ability to impact others positively,” she says. “I teach music, but the more important goal for my students is to leave my classroom with positive connections to life.” Graham—or, as many of her 145 current students call her, “Mama Graham”—has been named Connecticut’s 2019 Teacher of the Year. An honor earned, and shared Addressing her colleagues at a Harding High School ceremony where her award was first announced, Graham said, “Being selected as Connecticut’s Teacher of the Year is not something I take lightly. My career here in Bridgeport has been spent working with some of the most talented, creative, resourceful, and dedicated educators in the world. To represent you, along with so many more like you across the state of Connecticut, is truly an honor.” “Sheena is a generous educator who has high expectations for her students and is passionate about reaching each and every one of them,” says CEA President Jeff Leake, who attended the ceremony. “Her commitment to her students and her willingness to challenge herself represent all that is great in

the teaching profession. Sheena instills compassion and empathy, making sure her students understand the need to take care of themselves, one another, and their community.” Graham, who is in her 36th year of teaching in Bridgeport, has taught choir, theater, piano, and performing arts at both Harding High School and Central High School. She was chosen from among four finalists, 15 semifinalists, and more than 100 district-level teachers of the year. CEA Vice President Tom Nicholas, who was part of the statewide Teacher of the Year

Bridgeport’s Sheena Graham is Connecticut’s 2019 Teacher of the Year.

In addition to her teaching responsibilities, Graham leads a number of extracurricular activities, including running a poetry club; coaching cheerleading, softball, drill team, and dance troupe; and providing free piano lessons and drama classes. As Connecticut Teacher of the Year, she will serve as a teacher- ambassador for public education, working in an advisory capacity on statewide education issues, serving as a consultant to Connecticut’s Commissioner of Education, and representing Connecticut at national education forums, National State Teacher of the Year Program planning and networking sessions, and meetings of the U.S. Department of Education. She will travel to Washington, D.C., meet with the president, and represent Connecticut in the National Teacher of the Year Program, sponsored by the Council of Chief State School Officers.

Now in her 36th year of teaching, Graham (center) has taught the parents—and in some cases, grandparents—of some of her current students.

selection committee, says, “Sheena epitomizes what a great teacher is. It starts with

“I had four of the greatest educational influencers in the world,” she says. “They watered, weeded, and nourished me so that I would bloom long after they were gone.” Graham’s teaching career also has deep roots in the city of Bridgeport, where she has taught the parents— and in some cases, grandparents—of some of her current students. At the announcement that took place at her school in October, Graham spoke to the many challenges teachers face every day in our public schools—issues that CEA has brought before legislators at the

love for your students and community, along with excellence in your craft and knowledge of your subject area. Sheena goes even further, teaching that compassion and caring are

Graham directs her school choir, leading off the award ceremony.

Graham leads students in an exuberant, three-part, a cappella, African-style song that requires them to learn new vocal harmonies, rhythms, and a new language.

Congratulating Graham are Bridgeport Education Association President Gary Peluchette, CEA Vice President Tom Nicholas, and CEA President Jeff Leake.