feb-mar

February - March 2018 • Volume 60, Number 4 • Published by the Connecticut Education Association • cea.org CEA

Teachers at the forefront of the battle for public education Push legislators for equitable funding § p. 4-5 Demand protection for teacher pensions and funding for TEAM § p. 5-6 Organize for a post-Janus world § p. 8-9

LEADING

2 CEA ADVISOR FEBRUARY - MARCH 2018

Protecting public education and the teaching profession: Together, we have the power

OUR PERSPECTIVE

The 2018 legislative session is in full swing, and because it is a short session, legislators are moving quickly to get things done in just 92 days. That means we have a short timeframe to advocate for the things we believe in. The coming year promises to be an important one for our union, our members, and the students we serve. The session began on February 7, in much the same way as last year, with the state’s public schools and the Teachers’ Retirement Fund under attack. While the governor did not mention education in his final State of the State address, he released several proposals that are detrimental to students, teachers, and public education. One would continue to reduce school funding, totally eliminating state aid for more than 30 school districts—a plan we adamantly oppose. The state must increase funding for our schools and get serious about investing in K-12 education and public school teachers. That means legislators must keep their promise to teachers who have dedicated their lives to public education and provide them with a stable, secure retirement fund. Protecting the Teachers’ Retirement Fund is a top priority for CEA, and together we are committed to repealing the increase in the teacher payroll tax and restructuring the Fund so that it is sustainable for both active and retired teachers for decades to come. (See story on page 5.) The State Board of Education is also doing its part to diminish public education with ongoing proposals that put charter schools, run by corporations profiting off our students, ahead of neighborhood public schools. Your colleagues, along with CEA leaders and staff, are standing up and urging board members to reject charter school expansion and to support the restoration of funding eliminated in last year’s budget for Connecticut’s Teacher Education And Mentoring (TEAM) program, one of the most highly regarded new teacher induction and support programs in the country. This month the board sided with public school teachers and rejected expanding three charter schools. In the coming months, we will remain vigilant and continue advocating for TEAM and school funding and fighting plans that divert public school funds to private reform profiteers. (See story on page 5.) We know there is no silver bullet when it comes to balancing the state budget and growing the economy, but we also know that attacking teachers and the middle class is not the direction

Connecticut should be taking. On this front, a legislative commission made up of wealthy business leaders is making recommendations on March 1 for moving the state forward. Their plan is expected to attack pensions and collective bargaining. CEA leaders joined other labor unions calling for the right reforms to truly move

protect our students. We will fight to protect our pensions. We need to make sure that our lawmakers understand they must lift up every student and every district with funding levels that improve public education for all students, not just some. We must work tirelessly, not only for our own well-being, but also for the

well-being of our students

Collectively we hold great power to bring about change.

and their families.

Sheila Cohen CEA President

Collectively we hold great power to bring

Connecticut forward—including a 21st century revenue stream that will sustain Connecticut and its residents without cutting vital services to public education or harming the Teachers’ Retirement Fund. (See story on page 5.) One of the major threats to the teaching profession comes in the form of a case currently before the U.S. Supreme Court— Janus v. AFSCME —which could change the

about change. When speaking together, we have always been a force for good in education. Our goal of providing adequate funding for every student is noble and just. Take action Our adversaries are vocal on issues that will impact us. We must be, too. As the weeks pass and legislators get to work on the issues, we must be ready to jump into action. When we send out Action Alert emails or the

Donald E. Williams Jr. CEA Executive Director

CEA members stay active and informed at County Forums.

way unions do business for decades to come. We were encouraged to see so many new faces at our County Forums last month— teachers gathering to learn how we can work together to ensure our freedoms are protected, our voices are heard, and our union remains strong. We will continue to work together to fight passage of any legislation that will take away the rights and freedoms of teachers to bargain for salary, health insurance, benefits, and good working conditions. (See story on page 8.) Together, these challenges may seem like the perfect storm, but we are educators, committed to doing what is right and fighting for what we believe in, and that is exactly what we will continue to do. We will not sit back and let things happen to us, but will fight to protect our rights. We will fight to

CEAgo, we encourage you to take a minute and send an email or make a phone call. You can also attend meetings and let legislators know what is important to public school educators and ask them to support public education and fight back against a battery of bad proposals. We encourage you all to join us and use your voice to create a positive narrative around the world’s greatest profession and the needs of all our colleagues and our students. When we are successful in organizing our members and the public in support of our mission, we make a difference in policies that impact the lives of our students and our members. We have the power to make good things happen.

February 14, 2018

FEBRUARY - MARCH 2018 CEA ADVISOR 3

IN THIS ISSUE

NEWS BRIEFS

2

“ One child, one teacher, one book, and one pen can change the world. Education is the only solution. Education first.” Malala Yousafzai q LEADING With the 2018 legislative session under way, CEA is fighting for public education and teachers’ rights on many fronts. MOBILIZING Advocating against budget cuts, furloughs, layoffs, and other drastic cuts caused by chronic state underfunding is a priority for every teacher. Read how your colleagues are mobilizing for long-term solutions. ADVOCATING CEA members and leaders testify on the need for pensions that allow teachers to retire with dignity; full and equitable funding for public schools, not CMO-run charters; and TEAM support for new educators. CEA members and leaders push for necessary resources for pre-service and early-career educators. Also, five steps to take if you get a nonrenewal notice. In a show of solidarity at CEA County Forums, teachers vow to stand stronger in the face of Janus and other anti-union threats. Hear what your colleagues are doing and how you can join them to protect your profession. The NEA RA is in the offing, and the governance structure is shaping up. Get the details on the candidates and newly elected delegates. Plus, CEA members in locals with 76 or fewer members can find out how to become a county cluster delegate to the 2018 NEA RA. CONNECTING From actions at the State Capitol to news on professional development, CEA’s blog, tweets, Facebook page, and more keep you in the loop. Like their colleagues around the state, Stratford teachers send a strong message: Don’t shortchange our students. See how teachers organized locally to address furloughs and others cuts and push for long-term solutions. Story, page 4.

CONNECTICUT EDUCATION ASSOCIATION NEW TEACHER CONFERENCE

MARCH 24 2018

4

5

Heritage Hotel and Conference Center, Southbury, CT

6-7 SUPPORTING

Keynote Speaker Erin Berthold 2018 Connecticut Teacher of the Year

8-9 COMMUNICATING

13-15 REPRESENTING

CONFERENCE WORKSHOPS § Breakoutedu: Unlocking a Key to Student Engagement § Culturally Responsive Teaching: Safe Conversations About Mindset and Pedagogy § Degrees Not Debt § Developing Interdisciplinary Project-Based Curriculum § Introverts in the Classroom § Google Basics: Google Classroom 101 § Managing Your Boss § Supporting Struggling Writers in Everyday Classrooms § Teacher Evaluation: Know Your Rights and What You Need to Do to Get a Proficient or Higher Rating § Teachers and the Law § What Is Behavior? How Can I Manage It?

8:30am Program 1:15pm Lunch Register at cea.org under Upcoming Events. While geared toward teachers in their first six years, the conference has expanded this year to include professional development for all CEA members.

16

ON THE COVER

CONNECT WITH CEA

cea.org

facebook.com/ CTEdAssoc

youtube.com/ ceavideo

blogCEA.org

twitter.com/ ceanews

instagram.com/ cea_teachers

flickr.com/ photos/ceapics

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, 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

February - March 2018 Volume 60, Number 4 Published by Connecticut Education Association 1-800-842-4316 • 860-525-5641 • cea.org CEA Advisor CEA Advisor Staff Nancy Andrews................. Communications Director Lesia Winiarskyj.................................Managing Editor Sandra Cassineri................................Graphic Designer Laurel Killough...................... New Media Coordinator

Production date: 2-22-18

MOBILIZING

4 CEA ADVISOR FEBRUARY - MARCH 2018

TEACHERS URGE SOLUTIONS TO CHRONIC SCHOOL UNDERFUNDING Locals organize to fight furloughs, shortsighted ‘fixes’ that shortchange students

From Stratford to Ledyard, Brooklyn to Fairfield, teachers have been at the forefront of efforts to end the chronic state underfunding that shortchanges students and communities. CEA leaders and teachers continue to work hard to ensure adequate ECS funding (see next page), minimize disruption to students, save public schools from massive cuts, and protect teachers’ jobs. In several districts, the shortage of state funds has prompted teachers to accept furlough days. While teachers’ sacrifices have not gone unnoticed, neither has the need for long-term solutions, says CEA President Sheila Cohen. “We cannot continue to force a choice between layoffs and furloughs while we ignore the real problem— chronic underfunding,” Cohen says. “Both layoffs and furloughs are disruptive for students, parents, teachers, and the community, and neither option addresses the kind of long-term budgeting solutions so desperately needed.” To address a budget deficit in excess of $700,000, Stratford teachers voted to accept two furlough days. Brooklyn teachers agreed unanimously to two furlough days to offset two layoffs, and Hamden voted to accept furloughs to avoid more than 20 layoffs. Although the magnitude of education budget cuts will still likely result in layoffs in Ledyard, teachers in that district were able to cut the number of anticipated layoffs in half by accepting furloughs. “Teachers voted to sacrifice for their students and colleagues,” says Stratford Education Association (SEA) President Michael Fiorello. “But addressing the gaping $700,000 shortfall in education funding should not be an either-or proposition. This vote was a short-term solution and underscores the fact that local government is not meeting the needs of its residents, especially its children. We can no longer downplay the long- term consequences of short-term thinking.” Though teachers accepted the unpaid furlough days, they united in calling for real, sustainable solutions to the town’s education budget. “Teachers sacrifice for our students,” Fiorello explains. “We buy books and bookcases for our classrooms. We make sacrifices of our time and money. We do not want larger class sizes to be the new normal, nor reduced services and opportunities for students.” Short-term fix, not a long-term solution Stratford—facing a loss of $2.89 million—was one of the public school districts hardest hit by the governor’s cuts in state aid. If SEA members voted against furloughs, dozens of teachers could have lost their jobs in January. “We want to be part of the solution,” says SEA Secondary Vice President Kristen Record. “But we need real plans that address the

town’s funding problems for years to come.” Fiorello adds, “SEA members should not be put in the position of putting out fires when budget problems ignite, disrupting the teaching and learning of hundreds of students in our public schools. That does not serve the needs of students and parents, who deserve a long-term vision to ensure high-quality public education.” In December, Stratford educators, families, and CEA leaders and staff turned out in force at a special budget meeting of the new town council to send a clear message to Stratford’s municipal leaders and superintendent of schools: no teacher layoffs. While the council ultimately voted 8–1 to accept a budget that includes $700,000 in education cuts, they denounced any plans to cut teachers’ jobs. At issue was the superintendent’s proposal to lay off 43 teachers, including half of the district’s reading specialists, in the middle of the current school year. One of those reading specialists, 21-year veteran Melanie Saxa, who teaches at Eli Whitney School, said, “The idea of losing teachers midway through the school year is so detrimental to our students. We are here showing solidarity with teachers who may lose their jobs, and with our students, who deserve better than this.” Saxa says reading specialists play a key role in student outcomes, especially at the elementary level. “We have advanced degrees and certifications, and we provide professional development for teachers on-site on a daily basis. Reading specialists build teacher capacity, and taking those positions away means setting our students and our teachers up for failure.” Cuts hurt kids “When students lose their teachers, that impacts their classroom environment and puts their learning at risk,” says Record. Although the special budget meeting did not allow for public comment, community members wore stickers and held signs protesting the threat of massive teacher layoffs as well as the potential elimination or reduction of valuable educational programs and services. Voicing their opposition were nearly 600 teachers, students, parents, and community members—a crowd that exceeded capacity in the town hall, forcing the budget meeting to relocate to Stratford High School. While teachers and parents say they understand the difficult decisions facing town leaders, they stand firmly against cuts to teaching staff and other actions that threaten to erode their students’ education. “We are already doing more with less,” says Fiorello, “and our schools can’t absorb more cuts that would result in even fewer resources, the elimination of programs for students, larger class sizes, as well as teacher layoffs and involuntary teacher transfers.”

Stratford teachers, parents, and students came out in force to decry the underfunding of public schools.

“We do not want larger class sizes to be the new normal, nor reduced services and opportunities for students.” Michael Fiorello, Stratford Education Association President

Stratford Education Association President Michael Fiorello talks to news media about his school district’s budget crisis.

CCJEF RULING FAILS CONNECTICUT STUDENTS Allows state to continue underfunding schools

students on the whole do well compared to those in other states and countries, high-poverty districts have continuing challenges and achievement gaps as well as fewer resources and local revenues to support their schools. The January 17 decision also rejected an attempt by the lower court judge to usurp the authority of the governor, legislature, and State Department of Education in setting educational policy and mandates on a variety of issues. The State Supreme Court found no legal or constitutional authority for the judge to assume such authority. “If Connecticut is to be an educational leader now and in the future,” said Cohen, “it will require that elected officials honor their duty to provide the equitable funding and resources all children deserve. CEA stands ready to work with educational partners toward this goal of fully funding our public schools. The future of our students and our state depends on it.” CCJEF submitted a 20-page document requesting that the court reconsider its decision regarding funding. On February 1, the state’s highest court denied that request.

The long-awaited State Supreme Court ruling in Connecticut Coalition for Justice in Education Funding (CCJEF) v. Rell delivered a mixed verdict. The decision was bad for school funding, but it also rejected burdensome schemes for testing, teacher evaluation, and education policy. The key issue in the CCJEF case was whether school funding in Connecticut is adequate. On this issue, the Court found that state funding meets the minimally adequate level required. This finding flies in the face of mounting evidence of poorly funded and resourced public schools throughout the state, especially in high-poverty communities. “This decision fails to protect education funding,” said CEA President Sheila Cohen, adding, “Communities all over Connecticut have already seen the state withdraw from its obligation to fund our public schools. Rather than protect the quality of education in our communities, this decision allows the governor and the legislature to continue to slash funding to our schools and children.” While Connecticut's schools and

ADVOCATING

FEBRUARY - MARCH 2018 CEA ADVISOR 5

CEA PRIORITIES: REPEAL TEACHER TAX, PROTECT TEACHER PENSIONS, RESTORE

CEA, Other Labor Unions Spearhead Bold Reforms for a Stronger Connecticut

In a strong showing at the State Board of Education (SBOE) meeting on February 14, CEA leaders, staff, and teachers successfully persuaded the SBOE to reject the expansion of charter schools that drain funds from neighborhood public schools. At issue were three charter schools that deliberately exceeded their statutory enrollment caps—at a cost to taxpayers of half a million dollars—and came back to ask for 57 additional seats at their schools. The request came at a time of regressive funding for traditional public schools already struggling under ECS cuts, as well as the elimination of state funding for Connecticut’s Teacher Education And Mentoring (TEAM) program— one of the most highly regarded new teacher induction and support programs in the country. “It would be unconscionable for the state to continue diverting precious education funds to expand charter schools at the expense of traditional public schools—and to the detriment of all students, but especially minority students in the state’s poorest school districts,” said CEA President Sheila Cohen. “We must strengthen laws on charter school accountability and transparency for the millions in management fees being pocketed by charter management organizations,” said CEA Executive Director Donald Williams. In this time of fiscal challenge, he noted, there are four reasons it makes no sense to spend $627,000 to reward charter schools for ignoring their enrollment limits. “First,” he said, “there are much greater needs. ECS dollars have been slashed. Schools have cut programs and services for students. The TEAM program—which is critical for new teacher training and retention—lost SCHOOL FUNDING Though his opening address to the 2018 General Assembly emphasized Connecticut’s tradition of fairness and the state’s future generations, the governor’s new budget proposal delivered mixed news for Connecticut students, teachers, and schools. On the plus side, his plan includes a proposal to restructure state payments to the Teachers’ Retirement Fund in a way that promotes the long-term solvency of the fund. “We support this initiative,” said CEA President Sheila Cohen, “but the plan must go further.” CEA is calling on the state to not only reamortize the teacher pension debt but also repeal the recent one-percent increase in the teacher payroll tax. “The state must keep its promise to teachers and fulfill its obligation to fund the Teachers’ Retirement Fund so that it will be financially solvent over the long term,” said Cohen. In a break from the bipartisan budget legislators passed last fall, and in spite of his repeated calls for a better, fairer Connecticut, the governor proposed a budget that denies

While a newly created group of wealthy Connecticut business leaders looks to attack collective bargaining and teacher pensions, CEA is calling for bold tax reforms that grow the state’s economy, create a stable revenue stream, and ensure that Connecticut remains a great place to live, work, and raise a family. The group, known as the Commission on Fiscal Stability and Economic Growth, was created by the legislature to recommend changes to state revenue and tax structures. Commission members are primarily CEOs of private- sector companies, and their recommendations are due March 1. In testimony before the commission, CEA Executive Director Donald Williams argued, “Connecticut has one of the best school systems in the country, but there are still pockets of significant need and inequality. We need the resources to support all of our

schools and students.” Williams called on the group to ensure that the state honors its commitment to keeping the Connecticut Teachers’ Retirement Fund solvent. “Teachers have always paid more than their fair share into their retirement,” he said. “They do not receive Social Security, which has saved cities and towns billions of dollars over the years.” Sal Luciano, executive director of Council 4 AFSCME, urged the commission not to recommend the elimination of collective bargaining. Highlighting the importance of workers’ rights in a robust and growing economy, he noted that states making the greatest progress today are those where the freedom to bargain is protected. “Business and labor are not enemies,” added Lori Pelletier, president of the Connecticut AFL- CIO. “We all share a common interest in a strong economy and safe, stable, livable communities.”

all funding. “Second, there is no legislative requirement to fund slots that break the enrollment cap. “Third, the three charter schools making this request broke the rules, ignored their enrollment limits, and expect the SBOE to be an ATM machine. “Fourth, there has been no examination of the finances of these schools, which carry over funds from prior years and spend them on exorbitant management fees rather than on students. “Our traditional public schools struggle with budget cuts and have accepted thousands of students in need from Puerto Rico without a dime in additional state education funding. The $627,000 requested for the unapproved expansion should be redirected toward TEAM and critical programs that affect many thousands of students across Connecticut.” Also testifying among a packed room of educators and parents were Ledyard science teachers Jim Wisniewski and Ted Allen, who is vice president of the Ledyard Education Association; Bridgeport teacher Michael Brosnan; seventh- grade math teacher and Plainfield Education Association President Janet Piezzo; and physics teacher Kristen Record, who is the Stratford Education Association’s vice president for secondary schools and the 2011 Connecticut Teacher of the Year. Said Record, “In his State of the State address, Governor Malloy spoke about Connecticut fairness—a theme that struck me as an ironic as I reflected on the devastation inflicted on Stratford schools. Imagine your elementary school no longer has a librarian, and you no longer have a school counselor. Imagine your school-to-career adequate and equitable funding for education—a move that threatens to cripple cities and towns scrambling to meet students’ needs in an environment of already reduced state aid and diminished resources. Earlier ECS cuts have prompted midyear furloughs, layoffs, and cuts to educational programs and services, creating major disruptions in schools throughout the state. “Connecticut must stop underfunding and endangering our students’ futures,” Cohen warned. “We must develop a new ECS plan that provides a fair, reliable, sustainable, and equitable funding source for all students, regardless of where they live. We are hopeful that legislators will work with the newly created Connecticut Achievement and Resource Equity in Schools (CARES) Commission to that end. We cannot fail our students.” CEA’s top legislative priorities are repealing the teacher tax, reamortizing the teacher pension debt, and restoring ECS and TEAM funding. Stay connected with the issues at cea.org and blogcea.org .

CEA HELPS BLOCK EXPANSION OF CMO-RUN CHARTERS Powerful testimony by CEA teachers, leaders sways State Board of Education

Stratford teacher Kristen Record was among many teachers urging the State Board of Education to reject charter school expansion.

pathway program in automotive technology gets completely eliminated. Imagine getting told you have to take a study hall instead of an academic class. Imagine getting six extra students added to your first- grade class. That was the reality in Stratford after we lost nearly $2.9 million in ECS funds. Is that fair? “At a time when such pain is being inflicted upon town school systems, sending more money to charter schools is absolutely not fair. By expanding a parallel system of schools that does not provide equal opportunity to all students, the children of my school district have become victims of a system that is neither fair nor equitable.” Brosnan recounted similar challenges. “ECS funding to Bridgeport was essentially frozen, adding to years of underfunding. Bridgeport now has no kindergarten paraprofessionals, long-term substitutes in place of certified faculty, and 500 students per guidance counselor—twice the recommended level. Siphoning money away from public schools in

favor of selective charter organizations is a reckless choice.” Allen also hit on the state’s often lopsided commitment to charter schools and the effects of diminished state funding on his own district, which serves a highly transient community with Navy families. “Even before the recent cuts, Ledyard struggled to maintain appropriate programs for our students. These cuts exacerbate an already dire situation. With the elimination of TEAM funding, Ledyard is no longer able to support our new teachers and effectively help them become the best educators they can be.” “Diverting money to charter schools is having a compound effect on my school district, which has a 45percent poverty rate,” Piezzo added, saying that Plainfield has had to eliminate dozens of programs and educator positions. The SBOE overwhelmingly rejected additional seats at the three requesting charter schools. Only one board member, Chairman Allan Taylor, voted in favor.

SUPPORTING

6 CEA ADVISOR FEBRUARY - MARCH 2018

CEA presses for TEAM funding Members, leaders call for state funding to be restored NEW TEACHERS: YOUR UNION HAS YOUR BACK

Congressman, CEA members speak out for educators, pre-service teachers

CEA is strongly advocating for funding to be restored to Connecticut’s Teacher Education And Mentoring (TEAM) program, one of the nation’s most highly regarded induction and support programs for new teachers. State funding for the program was unexpectedly eliminated from the budget last fall, which has many new and veteran teachers concerned. At State Board of Education meetings in January and February, CEA leaders and staff joined several teachers in calling on the Board to support the restoration of TEAM funding. Teachers who testified included Ridgefield teacher Liz Misiewicz, Bridgeport new teacher coordinator and TEAM facilitator Michael Brosnan, Plainfield’s Janet Piezzo, Ledyard’s Ted Allen and Jim Wisniewski, and Stratford’s Kristen Record. “It is absolutely imperative,” Misiewicz told the board, adding, “Connecticut is one of three states that has been nationally recognized by the New Teacher Center as having a high-quality induction program, because TEAM is an authentic mentorship program that guides new teachers in their professional learning. TEAM has benefited hundreds of teachers and directly contributes to the reason

Connecticut is a leader in education, ranking fourth overall out of 50 U.S. states. How do we expect our state to remain at the forefront if we do not restore funding to TEAM?” Misiewicz recalled her own early days as a teacher and the critical support that TEAM provided. “I remember the summer before I started my first year of teaching— the excitement and nervousness—a mix of emotions, as I’m sure you all have felt at the start of a new career. What helped settle my mind, so I could spend my summer focused on planning my curriculum to positively impact student learning, was TEAM—knowing I was going into this profession with support from a mentor, a relationship with a veteran teacher. I felt a sense of security knowing I could seek advice on questions related to teaching.” Misiewicz credits her students’ growth in critical reading and writing skills, as measured by various assessments, with the support she received from TEAM. Brosnan added, “The cost of shifting TEAM mentor stipends onto the districts has had a significant impact on large urban districts. It will cost Bridgeport an unforeseen $91,000 this school year. The bottom line is that we have an unfunded mandate from the state that continues to grow in cost.” Record has seen the impact both in Bridgeport, where she lives, and Stratford, where she is a teacher, TEAM mentor, and member of the TEAM Coordinating Committee. “At the same time ECS funds were cut, the budget also eliminated TEAM funding, which has decimated our ability to support our new teachers.” teachers, so MacCall says one of the very first things she did when she became a building rep was to put together a new teacher manual. “New teachers have so much on their plates. When I started teaching, I didn’t even know how to call the office. New teachers often don’t know where to turn with their questions, and people sometimes assume they know much more than they do.” The new teacher guide covers many aspects of the contract, including personal and sick leave, maternity leave, lunchtime, and planning minutes, MacCall says. In addition to summarizing parts of the contract, MacCall emailed the entire district, including administrators and secretaries, and asked for feedback on the things staff wished they had known when they started working in Ledyard. MacCall has been teaching in the district for 12 years and is in her

subsidized Stafford loan program, and more than 9,500 students use the unsubsidized Stafford loans. In December, a majority of Republicans on the House Education and Workforce Committee voted to prevent new student borrowers from participating in PSLF. The full House is expected to vote on the issue this year. Courtney, who says he is “proud to stand with students and local professionals who rely on federal loans as well as the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program,” encouraged voters—especially those who benefit from these important programs—to remain vigilant, vocal, and engaged in efforts to keep them intact. To learn more about Degrees Not Debt, contact your local Association president or UniServ Representative, or visit nea.org/degreesnotdebt .

CEA member Lindsay Aronheim joined U.S. Congressman Joe Courtney in speaking out against a plan being considered in Congress that would hurt teachers and college students pursuing careers in education. At a December news conference, Aronheim, a school psychologist at Terryville High School, explained why eliminating the federal student aid program that helps cover college tuition costs for millions of Americans, including Connecticut students entering the teaching profession, would be detrimental. Without the valuable program, which helped defray the cost of graduate school, Aronheim says she might not have been able to continue in the career she loves. “I went to graduate school for three years, which is necessary for my profession, and I took out loans in order to do that,” she explains. “When I finished, I realized paying back my loans was going to be a struggle on my salary. I was trying to figure out what to do and wondering if I needed to go into another profession. Public Service Loan Forgiveness allowed me to continue in this profession.” The Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program supports students entering professions with critical workforce shortages, including education. It allows teachers to have their debt forgiven after 10 years of payments made on qualifying federal student loans. Aronheim enrolled in PSLF’s income- workshop sponsored by the Plymouth Education Association and conducted by CEA Educational Issues Specialist Michele Ridolfi O’Neill. The dismantling of PSLF could impact tens of thousands of students and professionals in Connecticut. According to Courtney, at UConn alone nearly 9,000 students use the driven loan repayment plan after attending a Degrees Not Debt

How do we expect our state to remain at the forefront if we do not restore funding to TEAM? Liz Misiewicz, Ridgefield teacher

Terryville High School psychologist Lindsay Aronheim joined U.S. Congressman Joe Courtney to speak out in favor of the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program.

Ridgefield teacher Liz Misiewicz called on the State Board of Education to support restoration of TEAM funding.

Ledyard building rep designs manual for new teachers Second-generation union rep says being proactive is key in her role

third year as a building rep. Although she says she had a lot to learn in her first years as a rep, she was lucky to have a unique source of support.

into conversations with administration with a solution. When teacher morale is low, it’s a problem for the entire school community that we should all be invested in changing.”

B eing a building representative is a complex job, but Ledyard building rep Tiffany MacCall describes the essence of her role simply. “I try to make days better for teachers, because everything’s getting harder. I want to make sure teaching is a profession that still has joy.” The Juliet W. Long School third- grade teacher says, “Members really come to depend on you. It’s often the little things—questions about when the first paycheck of the year will be, or about the contract.” These routine questions can be especially overwhelming for new

AREYOUA NEWTEACHER? Go to cea.org , click member login, and make sure we have your home email address. You’ll receive our new teacher email three times a year, full of freebies, honest advice, and strategies for surviving and thriving in the classroom.

“My father, Neil Solar, is a teacher at Cutler Middle School in Groton and has been a union rep for 30 years,” MacCall says. “I’ve always been inspired by him. I bring questions to him, and he helps me with advice about challenging situations.” Teachers often feel that they are asked to do a lot more than they can, MacCall says, and they need to know there is someone who can speak up for them. “Having a voice is really important. Rather than framing issues as complaints, I try to walk

SUPPORTING

FEBRUARY - MARCH 2018 CEA ADVISOR 7

TEACHERS SHOW WHAT DEMOCRACY LOOKS LIKE Model civic engagement, peaceful protest at Connecticut Women’s March

KNOW YOUR RIGHTS

When it comes to social justice, teachers not only talk the talk in their classrooms—inspiring and empowering their students—they also, quite literally, walk the walk. Among the thousands of Connecticut residents who converged on the State Capitol on Saturday, January 20, for the second annual Connecticut Women’s March, teachers were well represented. “As a teacher of government, my favorite chant at these marches is, ‘Show us what democracy looks like? This is what democracy looks like!’” said East Hampton teacher Kristen Keska, who traveled to the Women’s March in Washington, D.C., last year. Keska says her students have a wide variety of views on today’s political issues, and she supports them in advocating for whatever causes they’re passionate about.

Because of uncertainty about budgets and state aid, school districts may be sending teachers more nonrenewal or reduction in force (RIF) notices than in the past. While many educators who receive these notices are back in their classrooms in the fall, the prospect of losing a teaching position you have worked so hard for can be extremely difficult. CEA is here to guide you through the process, protect your rights, and ensure the best possible outcome. Nonrenewal notices must be provided to teachers in writing no later than May 1. If you receive such a notice, talk to your local president or UniServ Rep about whether you should resign (in lieu of being non- renewed). Also ask about your eligibility for unemployment, getting references, and maintaining your union member benefits. 5 things to do right now: 1. Contact Your Union. Talk to your UniServ Rep or local president before signing any paperwork. 2. Reference Letters. Don’t delay! Ask at least two administrators if they will provide you with a reference letter. Keep your union representative in the loop. 3. Medical Coverage. Consider taking care of medical appointments and concerns before your deductible resets. 4. Personnel File. Now is a good time to contact HR and request a copy of your personnel file. If you have any disciplinary letters on file, discuss with your Association representative whether you should submit a rebuttal/response letter before your employment ends, to clarify gaps or inaccuracies. This is your legal right. 5. Association Membership. CEA legal services, member discounts, and other key benefits can be maintained during your layoff through your continued CEA membership. For questions about your membership options, NONRENEWAL NOTICES

Bloomfield teacher Mary Kay Rendock volunteered at the Women’s March.

“They believe in democracy and understand that peaceful protest is an essential part of good citizenship,” she says. East Hartford Education

Association Vice President Jill McNulty also marched in Hartford. “As a public school teacher, I find it’s important to advocate for our students. Last year I marched in D.C. with my daughter, who was a senior in high school, and it was an amazing experience. There was such positive and strong energy, and the diversity was inspiring.” East Hartford special education teacher Becca Thomson went to the 2017 march in Hartford and said the experience helped her feel re- energized and hopeful, so she felt it was important to attend again this year. “All of our kids deserve a well- funded education,” Thomson says. “I worry about attacks on special education at the federal level and want to make sure my students have the resources they need.”

East Hampton teacher Kristen Keska brought the Love Makes Great banner she carried in D.C. at last year’s Women’s March to Hartford this year.

Melanie Kolek, CEA Legal Counsel

First person When members need legal advice or representation, Kolek says, the first person they should speak to is their UniServ Representative. “Speak to no one else,” she adds. “If you’re not sure who your CEA UniServ Rep

Meet CEA Member Legal Services attorney Melanie Kolek. Kolek, who joined CEA in 2011, provides teachers with legal advice related to workers’ compensation matters, DCF investigations, terminations, certification appeals, unfair labor practices, duty of fair representation issues, and unemployment. She counsels teachers individually and offers Teachers and the Law workshops for educators (and administrators) regarding their legal rights and responsibilities. Her proudest moment over the last seven years with CEA, she says, was when she represented a member with a serious work-related injury. “His disability was such that he would never be able to work again,” she recalls. “Though it was very hard for him to give up the career he loved, I successfully negotiated a settlement that would adequately cover his wages and medical treatment for the remainder of his life. That’s just one example of the direct impact CEA Member Legal Services has on teachers’ livelihoods and careers every day.”

godmother, Joan Laskowski, recently retired after 40 years as a beloved teacher in Newington.” If she weren’t

practicing law, says Kolek, “I would be teaching.” Or, she

acknowledges, maybe performing on a bigger stage. “In 2014, I tried out to sing the national anthem at a Red Sox home game.” She didn’t make the cut, she admits, but she plans to keep trying! “I also play the saxophone,” she says. When she’s not working or spending time with her husband and their young son, Kolek often hits the pavement. Last year, she completed her 70th road race and has run through 53 towns. In addition to serving on CEA’s Member Legal Services team, Kolek is also staff liaison to the CEA Elections Committee, Constitution Revision Committee, and Professional Ethics Committee. She was also appointed to serve on the Executive Committee of the Workers’ Compensation Section of the Connecticut Bar Association.

is, your local president can put you in touch with him or her, and that person will contact CEA Member Legal Services.” Teachers rarely anticipate being involved in legal matters and often don’t know whom they should—or shouldn’t—talk to. Although talking to a trusted colleague might seem like a good idea, Kolek cautions, it rarely is, especially in cases where colleagues are later required to report anything you shared with them. All in the family Long before becoming a CEA attorney, Kolek developed a keen understanding of the challenges and rewards of being a teacher. “My mother taught elementary school for many years and still tells incredible stories of her local Association striking on the picket line to support teachers’ working conditions in our state. My sister-in-law, Jamie, is a first-grade teacher in Manchester, and my

contact Cheryl Hampson at (860) 525-5641 or cherylh@ cea.org.

CEA can help you prepare to interview for a new teaching position. Attend one of our free 1.5-hour workshops, open to CEA members only, and hear from superintendents, directors of human resources, and people who have served on district hiring committees. Brush up on your resume, cover letter, and interviewing skills. Email myprofession@cea.org .

COMMUNICATING

8 CEA ADVISOR FEBRUARY - MARCH 2018

JANUS, ALEC: MOUNTING THREATS, OPPORTUNITIES FACING TEACHERS CEA County Forums bring members up to speed, stress need to stand together

Teachers across Connecticut came out to their local CEA County Forums to stay on top of renewed threats to their profession and public education—and to learn how they can protect themselves. Top among those threats is a court case that aims to weaken teachers’ ability to collectively bargain for fair salaries, benefits, and working conditions. Janus vs. AFSCME , which will be decided in the coming months, is nearly identical to the Friedrichs case that teachers faced in 2016, said CEA Executive Director Donald Williams. Janus would do away with fair share fees, allowing those who don’t pay union dues to still benefit from union efforts. The lawsuit, which is an attempt to weaken unions, could mute teachers’ collective voice. In a “State of the Union” presentation, Williams explained what’s at stake in Janus (collective bargaining and all the rights and teacher freedoms that come with it), who’s behind it (so-called corporate “reformers” and profiteers), and what teachers can do now to ensure that their union stays strong (stay engaged and make sure your Janus vs. AFSCME , a case now before the U.S. Supreme Court, could have a major impact on teachers if they don’t stay engaged with their union. Janus would eliminate what is known as the fair share fee, which pay for the bargaining, negotiating, and administration of teacher contracts. Once the fair share fee is abolished, teachers could choose not to pay for these services even though they directly benefit from them. This is what has happened in other states, where teachers were convinced to leave their unions. As a result, unions there have become significantly weakened. Filling the vacuum are anti-union groups that quickly gain power, and the result is that teachers’ voices are silenced, In Wisconsin, when teachers were given the option to leave the union, and most left, their compensation quickly fell; it is now 8.2 % lower than it was just a few years ago. Saving membership dues of a few hundred dollars has cost the average Wisconsin teacher $10,843 in lost income each year. Right now, Connecticut teachers are near the top in the country when it comes to salaries and benefits— even after cost-of-living adjustments. In two recent rankings, Connecticut took fourth and second place in the country, based on criteria including salary (adjusted for cost of living), benefits and working conditions, and teacher voice. “But our place at the top is not guaranteed,” cautions CEA Executive Director Donald Williams, their salaries and benefits are reduced, and their working conditions are eroded.

groups, the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC), through which corporations hand lawmakers model legislation that benefits their business interests—often to the detriment of students, teachers, and public schools. “Think about Wisconsin,” Cohen said, referring to a state where teachers’ rights and public education were severely eroded. “You can thank ALEC for that. Think about Michigan. You can thank ALEC for that. Think about Betsy DeVos. You can thank ALEC for that.” At the combined Middlesex/New London County Forum, Madison teacher and building rep Danielle Fragoso described her colleagues as impassioned about their union. “We all see the value of our union,” Fragoso said. “But we also know there is a need to share that information with others. If you don’t get out and talk to people, they won’t necessarily understand. It’s so important to keep members abreast of what’s going on not just in your building but in your district and beyond. That’s how the dialogue starts. That’s how it continues. That’s how we stay connected.” field in their favor. Their aim is to hold down salaries and reduce pensions and benefits so that they can put more money in their own pockets. But why go after teachers? These groups, says Williams, not only see unions as standing in the way of their profits, but they also view public education as a resource to profit from. By privatizing schools, they are able to turn the teaching profession into a “low-paying revolving door where folks come and teach for one, two, or three years—not even long enough to collect a pension.”

CEA President Sheila Cohen shares sobering news about anti-union groups’ plans to infiltrate schools.

Your colleagues explain why union membership, engagement more important than ever

colleagues do too).

Williams and CEA President Sheila Cohen warned of the impending attacks on teachers unions by groups that often masquerade as friends of teachers or advocates for education—groups that try to convince educators that they don’t need their unions. “Connecticut is in the eye of the hurricane,” Cohen cautioned. She described, among other

What Janus Sets Out to Do And why it matters to teachers

“unless our union remains strong. When you talk to fellow teachers about this and explain what’s at stake, they get it. So talk to your colleagues.” Who’s behind Janus? Though the plaintiff is an individual employee from Illinois, the Janus case is being bankrolled by powerful corporate interests. Think those who brought us Betsy DeVos. The National Right to Work Legal Defense Foundation and the right-wing Liberty Justice Center are part of a network funded by billionaires and corporate CEOs who use their wealth to tilt the playing Take a look at your teacher contract. Now imagine it reduced to a single page. Picture your classroom. Now picture it with 70 students. “We are fortunate in Connecticut to have a strong union that fights for us,” says North Haven teacher Amy Alessi, who is featured in CEA’s newest video, Membership Matters . Now more than ever, she says, it’s important to understand the vital connection between teacher voice, fair salaries, good working conditions, and the strength of the union—and how union strength depends on member engagement. In states where union strength has been eroded—including Arizona, where Alessi once taught—so too have teacher salaries, benefits, and working conditions. Teachers in

“Belonging to the union is invaluable. Whatever we can do collectively will empower us to maintain fair working conditions and not to lose jobs. I would tell any teacher who is unsure about the value of union membership that we’re the ones who are fighting for your salary, your insurance, and your benefits. The union is fighting every unfair thing thrust upon you. I have friends in North Carolina who do not have the kind of strong union you see here, and I realize how very fortunate we are in Connecticut.” Bolton music teacher Dan Ayer

Watch It, Share It : Powerful New Video Features CEA Members Illustrates how strong unions protect teachers’ rights, freedoms

those states do not have a say in what or how they teach, and in the end—with high teacher turnover and huge class sizes—it’s the students who lose. Go to cea.org to watch the short, powerful video featuring Connecticut teachers. Hear their stories. Share them with colleagues. Make sure everyone understands the significance of standing Stronger Together.