Representing school districts across the state, 362 delegates reconvened today at Mohegan Sun’s Earth Expo for the 2026 CEA Representative Assembly, CEA’s largest governing body.
“I have so many feelings today,” said CEA President Kate Dias in her welcoming remarks on day two of the CEA RA, where she was unanimously endorsed for the role of NEA president.
Approaching the final weeks of her run for national office, she noted, “If the NEA election we have all been working toward pays off, this will be my last RA as CEA president, and that is just one of the strangest, most bittersweet things I can say. When I was a local president, I never imagined I would end up as state president. I ran for office because I felt called to state advocacy in the middle of a pandemic. It was a wild time—everything felt like it was on fire—and I walked toward the fire. I wanted to help, and I have never regretted that decision. Now that the education landscape across the country is on fire, I am running toward that too.”
Highlighting the union’s long list of accomplishments during her tenure, she noted that many were on the “never gonna happen” list.
Avon Education Association President Jon Moss makes a motion to endorse Kate Dias for NEA president.
“You know the big ideas everyone said were just too much? Things like changing the kindergarten start age? We did it. Getting rid of ratings in teacher evaluation? We did it. Changing teacher termination statute? We did that too. Repealing WEP/GPO? Done.”
Together we rise
“The real lesson in all this winning is that I actually didn’t do any of it,” Dias clarified. “We did it together. Yes, I played my role as chief believer, cheerleader, and strategist. I worked the phone lines, and people took my calls—but that’s because of you. People know that where I show up, thousands of teachers do too. You did the heavy lifting. You had meetings, sent emails, riled people up, made the work feel personal and meaningful, and reminded your colleagues that the most powerful thing they possess is their voice. You leveled up your social media and made new community partnerships. It was your stories that compelled our legislators and state leaders to act.”
Glastonbury school social worker Marisha Davis is one of this year’s first-time CEA RA delegates.
She added, “I pride myself on being a leader who understands that power comes from the collective. I’ve got a squad. And you will be better leaders by working with each other, so I hope I leave you feeling that you can and should lead. Notice I didn’t say ‘ready to lead’; no one is ever ready to lead. In fact, this is for the women in the room—we sometimes sit back and let someone else we perceive to be more ready to lead. No—you are ready to lead.”
CEA’s successes over the past year were showcased in an 18-minute video, What a Year, featuring media coverage of local and statewide rallies, news conferences, and legislative and election victories as well as highlights from professional learning conferences, celebrations, fundraisers, and other events.
Down to business
Recognized with CEA’s Governance Excellence Award for 29 years of service as both a state and national RA delegate and mentor was CEA-Retired educator Dr. Natalie Lynne Smith (pictured at top with Dias and CEA Vice President Joslyn DeLancey), fondly known as “Dr. Fun.” Also garnering applause were the many delegates attending the CEA RA for the very first time, actively participating in debates and discussion around CEA business.
In a contested bid, Cheshire teacher Tanya Kores was re-elected as NEA Director in a race against East Hampton teacher Joe Holloway.
Delegates engage in discussion around a variety of topics important to Connecticut educators.
Delegates also voted to adopt the 2026-2027 CEA budget as well as a package of amendments to the 2026 CEA RA resolutions—advancing, among other things, the recruitment of underrepresented candidates to the profession, support for aspiring educators, including paid student teaching, retention of experienced educators, and initiatives promoting student health and welfare.
Delegates deliberated on amendments to the CEA Constitution and Bylaws as well, and voted to adopt several new business items, including CEA-developed toolkits, training, and policy briefs on issues related to technology, communications, and more.
A full report on the 2026 CEA RA will be published in the next CEA Advisor.
