-
Issues
-
Quick Links
CEA Members Join Labor Community at Hartford Women's March
Members of the labor choir, Solidarity Singers, performed a song written by Bridgeport teacher Sheena Graham (center) at the Women's March in Hartford on Saturday.
January 22, 2019
"We're your sisters, your brothers, your sons, and your daughters. Treat us like family," sang labor union members who came together for a choir performance at the Women's March in Hartford last Saturday.
The song they sang, which focuses on the need to raise the minimum wage and treat workers fairly, was written by Bridgeport music teacher Sheena Graham, Connecticut's 2019 Teacher of the Year.
"The children we teach, if they have parents who can take paid family leave, are going to be more supported," said Graham, who sees the need for teachers to get involved with their union and with their communities. "We're all tied together, we're all one community,"
Also singing in the choir was former Windsor teacher Lisa Bress, who said she was excited at the opportunity to join together with members of other labor unions. "It's an excellent way to share our gifts and talents," said the CEA-Retired member.
Bridgeport teacher Aimee Guerrero and Stamford teacher Cathy McElroy marched in Hartford with a group from Fairfield County while their daughters marched together in New York City.
(click image for larger
version)
Windsor teacher Lisa Thomas was one of the thousands in the crowd, cheering the choir on.
"I'm here for the kids that I teach," said Thomas. "I want them to live in a world where they are accepted for who they are and what they are, and for them to have the freedom to feel they can stand up and speak up."
CEA President Jeff Leake, who was at the march with a group of CEA members and staff, said that teacher activism is important because, "Every decision that is made about our classrooms is a political one."
"You're involved whether you want to be or not," said U.S. Congresswoman Jahana Hayes, a prime example of a teacher who stepped out of her comfort zone to become politically involved. "The only difference is, either you're speaking for yourself, or someone's speaking for you."
Check out our other stories
-
Rep. Jahana Hayes introduces Pell Grant Restoration Act
The National Education Association (NEA) and Connecticut Education Association (CEA) today applauded Rep. Jahana Hayes, longtime NEA and CEA member as well 2016 National Teacher of the Year, on her introduction of the Pell Grant Restoration Act, H.R. 4298. -
New London Educator Receives National Teaching Award
New London teacher Elizabeth Sked was recognized for dedication to students, public education, and the teaching profession. -
School Finance Expert Says There Are No Substitutions for Equitably Funding Schools
There are those, including current U.S. Education Secretary Betsy DeVos, who argue that spending more on public education doesn't lead to better outcomes. School finance expert and Rutgers Professor Bruce Baker begs to differ, and he has research to back his position up. -
CEA RA Video--The Year in Review
Year in review video. -
Two Connecticut Teachers Receive Prestigious Awards for Teaching Excellence
Two educators from New London and Danbury were recognized before more than 400 of their Connecticut colleagues for receiving two prestigious awards honoring educator excellence. -
Berlin Teacher to Be Inducted into National Teacher Hall of Fame
Teachers are a selfless group who choose their profession because of a love for children and teaching, not for any expectation of accolades or honors. And that makes those times teachers are recognized and have a chance to be in the spotlight all the more special. -
Teachers Speak Up, Share Stories With Legislators: Join Them
Teachers have a lot to say on issues from their pensions to classroom safety this legislative session, which is why local associations around Connecticut are meeting with their legislators and making their voices heard. -
Governor Wants to Recruit More Teachers of Color
Speaking to hundreds of students at Harding High School in Bridgeport today, Governor Ned Lamont encouraged his audience to pursue a career in teaching and be role models for the next generation of students. -
CEA President Jeff Leake on Congresswoman Jahana Hayes' Resolution
We are grateful to Congresswoman Jahana Hayes for standing up for students and her colleagues here in Connecticut and across the country and saying no to guns in our schools. -
Hayes Sponsors Legislation Against Arming Teachers
U.S. Congresswoman Jahana Hayes returned to the school in Waterbury where she taught for fifteen years to highlight legislation she has introduced to keep guns out of classrooms. -
Waterbury Teachers Union Stands Together Against Salary Freeze: 'No More Zero'
Wearing #RedForEd T-shirts, several hundred Waterbury teachers showed their strength as a union, their dedication to their profession, and their value to the community they serve when they packed a March 7 Waterbury Board of Education meeting. -
Education Community Saddened by Loss of State Representative
CEA sends condolences to the family, friends, and constituents of State Rep. Ezequiel Santiago. -
Teachers Urge Legislators to Support Community Schools, Minority Teacher Recruitment
Community schools, minority teacher recruitment and retention, the opportunity gap, and school literacy were just some of the issues members of the legislature's Education Committee heard public input. -
CEA Members, Leaders Support Teaching of African-American and Puerto Rican and Latino Studies
"Our students would only benefit from having more opportunities to learn about the culture, struggles, and contributions of African-Americans and Latinos throughout history," Waterbury teacher Sean Mosley told the legislature's Education Committee -
Co-Building Reps Work Together to Represent Members
"Teachers become teachers because we want to help kids," says Danbury building rep Lori Woodruff. "It's the same with our union—we are here to help each other. As teachers, when we're involved with the union we can do more to help one another." -
CEA Raises Concerns about School Regionalization, Teacher Pensions, ECS Changes, and More
Teachers' livelihoods and retirement security as well as educational outcomes for students are top priorities for the state's largest teachers union. -
Our Issues, Our Voice
What's on teachers' agendas this legislative session? Find out in the February-March edition of the CEA Advisor. -
All Aboard: Reading Bus Tour Rolls into Schools to Celebrate Literacy
Connecticut Education Foundation's (CEF) second annual Read Across America Reading Bus Tour kicked off on February 25, featuring a customized blue bus decorated with well-known Dr. Seuss characters and outfitted with bookshelves, benches, carpeting, and hundreds of new books. -
Teachers Share Powerful Stories of Classroom Violence, Diminished Learning with Lawmakers
At a public hearing of the legislature's Education Committee today, classroom teachers—along with CEA leaders and staff—gave powerful testimony urging lawmakers to address the crisis of violent student behavior in rural, urban, and suburban schools throughout the state. -
CEA Members, Leaders, Staff Testify Before Black and Puerto Rican Caucus
Teachers, CEA leaders, and staff testified before the Connecticut General Assembly's Black and Puerto Rican Caucus on issues critical to teachers this legislative session. These issues included school climate, classroom safety, the persistent shortage of ethnic minority educators, and funding for public schools. -
Statement from CEA President Jeff Leake on Governor Lamont's Budget Address
CEA supports sensible ways of assisting the state in its efforts to make up for decades of underfunding teachers' retirement, including the governor and treasurer's plan to smooth out the state's payments to the fund over a longer period of time and lower the investment earning assumption to a more realistic rate. -
All Aboard: Reading Bus Tour Rolls into Schools to Celebrate Literacy
Big Y World Class Markets and iHeartRadio join the Connecticut Education Foundation to bring the joy of reading to students. -
Crisis in the Classroom: Legislators Need to Hear From You
Many Connecticut children are losing out on learning time when disruptive behavior from another student continually interrupts the school day. -
Encouraging the Love of Reading With CEF's 2nd Annual Reading Bus Tour
The second annual Read Across America Reading Bus Tour will be heading off across Eastern Connecticut on February 25 for a week full of visits to elementary schools. -
CEA Joins Labor Community in Urging Alternatives to Austerity
"We reject the idea of cutting our way to prosperity. That has never worked," said Connecticut AFL-CIO President Sal Luciano. His remarks came at a press conference yesterday where members of the labor community, including CEA, called on the state to adopt a pro-growth, investment budget. -
Professional Learning Experience for Teachers!
Project Oceanology and New England Science and Sailing are partnering to offer "Sound Education: Working with NGSS and STEM in Long Island Sound". This is a FREE two-day PD event from April 5 - April 6 for teachers in grades 4-12, with overnight accommodations provided in Project Oceanology's waterfront hostel. -
CEA Members Join Labor Community at Hartford Women's March
CEA members were among the thousands taking part in the Women's March in Hartford, January 19. -
Are You Missing Out on These Educator Tax Deductions?
Legislation passed late in 2015 made many "tax extenders" semi-permanent, but there are still a few esoteric items that keep everyone on tenterhooks when, as once again this year, Congress fails to pass the tax bill by the end of the year. -
'We Have The Greatest Teachers In The World'
During his State of the State Address, Governor Ned Lamont received a standing ovation when he praised teachers and said, "Thank you for what you do." -
2019 Legislative Session Starts January 9, Brings New Opportunity
Marks the inauguration of a new governor and the beginning of the 2019 session of the Connecticut General Assembly. It's likely to be a busy session with many issues for legislators to tackle over these next five months.
