Connecticut Education Association News Release

July 10, 2012

Well-known teacher leader assumes CEA administrative helm

The CEA Board of Directors has appointed long-time classroom educator and teacher leader Mark Waxenberg as the organization's new executive director. Waxenberg retired from CEA in 2011, but decided to resume his service to focus on implementation of Connecticut's new education reform.

"Connecticut's new law has the potential to be a model for the nation. However, it can only reach its potential if it is carefully rolled out with full consideration given to every consequence for students and teachers," said Waxenberg. "I look forward to working with incoming CEA President Sheila Cohen, Vice President Jeff Leake, the Board of Directors, and our association's distinguished staff as well as teachers across the state," he added.

Waxenberg, a former East Hartford Middle School math teacher, is highly respected among education stakeholders and in political circles. He served as Governor Lowell Weicker's director of policy. His credentials as a teacher leader are well established, since he served as CEA president for two terms beginning in 1988. After serving in that position, Waxenberg joined the CEA staff, holding positions as a field representative and director of government relations.

Cohen's term as CEA president begins August 1. "Mark is the right person for the right job at the right time," she said. "I've known Mark for a great many years. I look forward to working with him at this critical time in education reform because his knowledge base is vast and his dedication to teachers, children, and public education is indisputable."

Leake's term as CEA vice president also begins on August 1. "I'm pleased with our board's decision to hire Mark. His tremendous experience with the legislative and political process makes him an important asset to the organization," he said.

Waxenberg has begun work at CEA. He replaces Mary Loftus Levine who retired at the end of June.

The Connecticut Education Association represents 43,000 teachers in Connecticut.

For more information contact Kathy Frega at 860-725-6315, kathyf@cea.org, or Nancy Andrews at 860-725-6317, nancya@cea.org