ADVOCATING FOR STUDENTS AND TEACHERS

Join educators from across Connecticut on Saturday, March 28, for a powerful day of connection, leadership, and storytelling focused on equity and belonging in education. This year’s Summit centers on elevating racially and ethnically diverse voices, and our keynote speaker is Congresswoman Jahana Hayes.

“I have seen a noticeable difference in my classroom since Torrington removed cell phones from schools,” teacher and parent Maggie McGillicuddy told legislators.

Although student teaching is a full-time professional commitment, student teachers receive no pay, forcing many to take on debt and work additional jobs necessitating long hours.

“Our current system for teacher termination is unfair and creates a culture of fear for educators,” Glastonbury Education Association President Kristen Basiaga told members of the legislature’s Education Committee during a public hearing.

Join us for an Immigration Know Your Rights webinar to learn what advocacy is, and is not, protected by the First Amendment, and how you may be able to expand those protections.

Speak out now on fairness for teachers, workers’ compensation protections, and paid student teaching.

Issues CEA members raised during an Appropriations Committee hearing included the need to increase ECS funding, maintain state magnet school funding, provide stipends for aspiring educators, ensure all teachers have a voice in Teachers’ Retirement Board elections, and enhance the disability benefit through the Teachers’ Retirement Board.

Educators who recently completed their student teaching are now entitled to student loan reimbursement up to $5,000 a year for 50 or more hours of uncompensated work necessary to earn their degree.

Connecticut leaders are stepping up to counter new federal caps on graduate student loans that could limit access to advanced degrees for future public service professionals.

Do you teach social studies to sixth, seventh, or eighth graders? Encourage them to apply to the National Civics Bee by submitting an up to 750-word essay addressing community issue, proposing a solution, and incorporating founding principles and civic virtues.

A number of significant changes were recently made to student loan borrowing and repayment that will affect many teachers. Join CEA member benefits partner Cambridge Credit Counseling for a webinar to learn how your existing repayment plan and any new loans will be impacted.

Connecticut Attorney General William Tong has secured an agreement to prevent the Trump Administration from withholding nearly $400 million in federal education funds from the state and local districts that are committed to promoting equal access to education in K-12 classrooms.