NEWS & INFO

The start of the school year should be a time of excitement and possibility, but instead is turning into a nightmare in many of our communities where the return to school is being overshadowed by a surge in ICE detentions that have taken place at school dropoffs, bus stops, and other places where children are left to witness a parent or loved one being taken away.

Our schools should be places of safety, stability, and belonging. Check out resources to support your students and their families.

The latest episode of CEA’s podcast covers everything from the legacy of icon Dolly Parton to debate about CEA’s most controversial swag item.

The start of the school year, a time of excitement and possibility for Connecticut students as they return to their teachers, friends, and familiar routines, is instead turning into the…

The landmark $17.1 billion multistate settlement with Meta Platforms, Inc. enforces sweeping new social media safety reforms for children.

Retirement may be years away, but it’s never too early to start planning. The CEA Advisor Retirement Issue, published at the start of every school year, will be online-only this year, so watch your inbox in September.

CEA’s comprehensive workshops on understanding and planning your retirement are being offered in locations around the state this fall. Register for one today.

In a demanding profession such as teaching making space for gratitude is not always easy, but research by Ridgefield Spanish teacher Dr. Allyson Power shows that gratitude can help educators feel happier and calmer and builds resilience.

Meet this year’s recipients of Connecticut Education Foundation scholarships that support students who are planning on becoming educators.

As school districts across the state welcome new educators into the fold, local teachers’ associations are on hand to ensure every educator knows where to turn for professional development, camaraderie, and union support.

Your head may be in back-to-school mode, but we hope you’ll take a moment to reflect on an amazing summer. Catch the highlights in your CEA Advisor.

The U.S. Supreme Court’s 2026 term ended with major decisions involving Title IX and affecting LGBTQ+ students and their rights in school settings. At an information session this summer, CEA experts reviewed what those decisions could mean for students and educators.

This Election Day, join other teachers and educator and viral sensation Gerry Brooks for a free day of professional learning centered around reimagining education.

Take three minutes to help shape career pathways so students can explore their interests, understand career options, build skills, and connect classroom learning to future education, training, and employment.

Changes by Connecticut lawmakers mean that back-to-school season may be a little less expensive for teachers and parents this year. Sales tax-free week, August 16 – 22, has been expanded, and nonelectronic school supplies are no longer subject to Connecticut sales tax at any time.

Teachers make a lasting difference in the lives of their students—and iHeartRadio wants to hear about those educators who have made an impact. One special educator will win an unforgettable prize: a weekend getaway to Smugglers’ Notch!

The State Board of Education has adopted an updated position statement and policy guidance on personal and purposeful technology use in schools.

Day two of CEA’s Summer Conference opened with the laughter of more than 500 teachers listening to keynote speaker Devin Siebold, a former Florida teacher and member of the Bored Teachers Comedy Tour.

More than 500 educators came together for the first of two days of professional development and connection with colleagues ahead of the 2026-2027 school year.

More than 200 CEA members and public education supporters turned out at Glastonbury Hills Country Club for a day on the links at the annual Hands Across the Green golf tournament to benefit the Connecticut Education Foundation, CEA’s charitable arm.

Attorney General William Tong announced that a U.S. District Court judge has granted a temporary restraining order that blocks the U.S. Department of Education from unlawfully terminating congressionally approved school-based mental health grants.

CEA has announced the endorsement of Governor Ned Lamont for a third term.

Hundreds of educators came together to take part in the Connecticut Teacher of the Year Council’s annual symposium, Empowered to Lead, a day of camaraderie, inspiration, and professional learning. The theme of this year’s event was Rooted in Purpose: Catalysts for Change.

AI tools offer teachers a number of ways to save time, but they come with risks that educators need to evaluate carefully. This summer, CEA is offering an AI Summer School with pop-in virtual sessions designed to help educators explore the opportunities, challenges, and realities of Al in education.

Join Reps. Jennifer Leeper and Aimee Berger-Girvalo and Senator James Maroney for a conversation on the impact of classroom technology on students’ learning with renowned neuroscientist Dr. Jared Cooney Horvath, the author of The Digital Delusion.

Come to the Asian American Pacific Islander Education Symposium for important dialogue about what inclusive education looks like and what it takes to build it. Topics will include youth violence prevention, multilingual learner experiences and updates, and the use of student data.

This August through September, the CT State Department of Education is offering a free Paraeducator Preparation Academy that includes six weeks of in-person instruction with Spanish language assistance, test preparation materials, test-fee waivers, and mentorship following program completion—all at no cost.

As a member of a CEA commission or committee you can share your ideas, work with other members from around the state, and help shape the Association and your profession for years to come.

Tom Nicholas, a dear friend and colleague to many teachers and a former CEA leader, passed away on July 14. A Manchester school social worker, Nicholas held numerous union positions at the local, state, and national levels.

Nothing says summer like a day at the beach or a night at the ballpark—exactly the agenda for more than 100 fans who turned out for CEA’s Teacher Appreciation Day Party Deck at the Yard Goats home stadium last weekend.

We’ve all seen the budget battles that divide towns, threaten educators’ jobs, and drain precious resources our students need to succeed. Here’s your chance to create lasting change in how school funding decisions are made.

This July, NEA Member Benefits is giving 10 members a $500 Visa gift card to help stock their classrooms for the upcoming school year. Enter the giveaway today.

Thanks to NEA advocacy, a federal judge has ruled against a move to deny student loan forgiveness to educators and others who stand up for diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility, gender-affirming care, immigrant rights, and more.

When it comes to summer, reading may not be the first thing—or even in the top 10 things—kids have in mind! But reading can be the ideal summer activity. Use these resources to launch a summer of reading.

More than a dozen distinguished educators were guests of honor at a CEA reception celebrating excellence in education, communication, and community-building.

After a year of hard work you’ve earned a summer of fun—and CEA is here to help you make the most of it. As a member, you have access to exclusive discounts on everything from amusement and adventure parks to athletic events and museums.

In the two years since new state guidelines have gone into effect, most aspects of teacher evaluation are running smoothly, but in some districts, the tiered support structure and its implementation have caused confusion.

When one parent took issue with a lesson by a Trumbull social studies teacher and a social media witch hunt ensued, the Trumbull Education Association and CEA stepped in to defend the teacher and push back on the superintendent’s public criticism.

For CEA-member delegates to the NEA Representative Assembly, the holiday weekend was a special one with elections for NEA leadership positions, speeches from educators and NEA leaders, and consideration of New Business Items.

One hundred and twenty-five CEA members are joining nearly 7,000 educators from around the nation in Denver, Colorado, this week for the 2026 NEA RA. Connecticut delegates are traveling across the country to take part in the world’s largest democratic deliberative body and the top decision-making body for NEA’s nearly 3 million members.

To help educators incorporate more literature reflecting the viewpoints and experiences of the more than twenty percent of our population with visible or non-apparent disabilities, NEA has curated a searchable booklist of more than 150 titles. 

Join one or all four sessions of CEA’s virtual AI Summer School designed to help educators investigate the opportunities, challenges, and realities of Al in education.

Hosted by the Teacher Leader Fellowship Academy in partnership with CEA, the 10th annual Teacher Leader Forum brought together educators and administrators for a day of learning, connection, and collaboration.

The Connecticut State Department of Education is offering discounts at a variety of local businesses to all school staff again this summer. 

The administration’s continued shift of the U.S. Department of Education’s key functions to other agencies draws sharp criticism by educators, parents, and others concerned that students with disabilities could lose critical support and protections.

In an Eyewitness News interview that aired this week, CEA’s president discusses the complex role of an educator, the state of education in Connecticut, and the work that needs to be done to keep our schools strong.

If you’re a first-time home buyer or purchasing in a targeted area of the state, check to see whether you qualify for the Connecticut Teachers Mortgage Assistance Program.

During the school year, you’re laser-focused on your students and your work responsibilities. But come summertime, you finally have a chance to focus on you.

Teachers can always use additional financial resources to support their work, and the NEA Foundation offers three different grants to educators looking to innovate and grow.

Whether you’re looking for books to read with students or have children at home to read with, try these titles to learn more about the history of the holiday.