MAY 2 -- Public school teachers from across Connecticut re-elected Phil Apruzzese, a Wethersfield teacher, to a second term as president of the Connecticut Education Association (CEA) at their annual meeting at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Cromwell.  

Apruzzese will begin his new term August 1, 2009.  He defeated Cheshire educator Jeff Leake.    

Apruzzese has been a classroom teacher for 35 years.  Reacting to his re-election, Apruzzese said, “I’m honored to have this opportunity to represent public school teachers.  My entire career has been spent advocating for teachers and public schools.”  

Apruzzese has a long history of involvement with CEA.  Before his first term as CEA president, he served as CEA vice president. He has also served on the CEA Board of Directors, as president of the Connecticut Education Foundation, as co-chair of the CEA Substance Abuse Task Force, and in several local association positions.  Additionally, he serves on the National Board of the Science National Honor Society as a Fellow for his contributions to mathematics and science education. 

Apruzzese has a B.A. from Central Connecticut State College and a M.S. from Central Connecticut State University.  He lives in Torrington with his wife, Margaret.  They have four children. 

CEA Vice President Re-Elected

Also on May 2, Orange teacher Sheila Cohen was re-elected CEA vice president.  She will begin her new term August 1.  Cohen ran unopposed.      

Before becoming CEA vice president in 2006, Cohen served as CEA secretary starting in 2004.  She serves on numerous CEA boards and committees.  From 1997 to 2003, she also served on the board of directors of the National Education Association, representing two million teachers nationwide. 

Commenting on her election, Cohen stated, “I am absolutely dedicated to constituency representation and firmly believe that the grassroots membership is the cornerstone of our organization.  Membership needs and the needs of our public school children must be listened to, addressed and defended.” 

Cohen holds a B.S. from Southern Connecticut State College and an M.S. from Southern Connecticut State College.  She resides in Hamden and has been a teacher in Orange for the past 37 years.    

Other Posts Filled

Members also elected Thomas Nicholas to the position of NEA Director. He defeated Jai Wrighten-Kelly of New London.  Nicholas takes over the seat held by Rae Baczek, who has served nearly six years, and who is ineligible to run again because of term limits. Kathleen Flaherty ran uncontested and was re-elected to the position of NEA Director Alternate.  Gwendolyn Montgomery ran unopposed and was re-elected as one of the three Ethnic Minority Directors At-Large on the CEA Board.  The terms for NEA Director and NEA Director Alternate begin September 1. The term for Ethnic Minority Director At-Large begins July 1.

Nichols is a social worker at Bentley School in Manchester. He has served on the CEA Board of Directors and in many leadership roles for the Manchester Education Association.   

Currently teaching at Edison School, Flaherty has been a Bridgeport teacher for 18 years.  She has held several posts at the local and state level, including serving on CEA’s Special Services Commission and Political Action Committee.  Flaherty holds a B.A. from Western Connecticut State University.

Montgomery is a teacher at New London's Winthrop Elementary School and is a past chair of CEA’s Human and Civil Rights Commission.  She serves on the board of the New London Education Association.