More than a dozen distinguished educators were guests of honor at a June 18 CEA reception celebrating excellence in education, communication, and community-building. Hosted by CEA’s Public Relations Commission and Human & Civil Rights Commission, the reception included a social hour, dinner, and awards presentations, with family members and colleagues present.
“We are so pleased to be able to take time to recognize the good work our educators do in so many spaces,” said CEA President Kate Dias. “Tonight we’re celebrating professionals who are teachers by day and webmasters or editors by night, putting together newsletters and online resources to help keep their colleagues connected and informed. We’re celebrating educators who are social justice warriors, who stand up for others, who—in some cases—have even stood in harm’s way to make sure their students were protected and safe.”
While award winners’ names were released at the CEA Representative Assembly, the reception provided additional time and space for honorees to connect with one another and be commended for their achievements.
PR Stars
Every year, CEA’s Public Relations Commission recognizes effective local association websites and newsletters as well as individuals whose actions shine a spotlight on the teaching profession.
“Websites and newsletters are often a go-to place for information on what’s happening within our unions, and behind every one of them is a full-time educator committed to making sure their union colleagues are informed, engaged, and celebrated,” said Dias. “We want to thank our wonderful members who do this good work, and we’re here to recognize those who wowed our judges.”
2026 Local Association Website Awards
(Winners pictured at left.)
- Gold: Nancy Sasso Janis, Naugatuck Teachers’ League
- Silver (tie): Jennifer Ledbetter, Stafford Education Association, and Mary Brandt-White, Glastonbury Education Association
2026 Local Association Newsletter Awards
(Winners pictured at top of page.)
- Gold: Stacey Pinto, editor, “GEA Newsletter,” Glastonbury Education Association
- Silver: Christine Distel, editor, “GEA Newsletter” Greenwich Education Association
- Bronze: Kim Jones and Sue Bourque, co-editors, “Stafford Sentinel,” Stafford Education Association
- Rising Star (first-time entry): Casey LaPlante, editor, “GEA Newsletter,” Granby Education Association
- Honorable mention: Carrie Frederick, editor, “Union Waves,” Shelton Education Association
The PR Commission also recognized CEA members with the ABCD (Above and Beyond the Call of Duty) Award and CEA Salutes Award, honoring individuals who go the extra mile in their commitment to students, teachers, and public education.
Bridgeport teacher Kristen Hollinger, pictured with CEA President Kate Dias and Vice President Joslyn DeLancey, was honored with the ABCD Award for the quick actions she took to protect a student.
This year’s ABCD honorees are two educators who literally saved the day. In November, when Dunbar Elementary Magnet School teachers and Bridgeport Education Association members Kristen Hollinger and Tashana Schmidt-Leehing were outside supervising third-grade recess, a stranger stepped onto the school playground, grabbed one of the children, shoved her against a fence, and attempted to assault her. Hollinger and Schmidt-Leehing quickly jumped into action, confronting the assailant, rescuing the child, and putting themselves in harm’s way as he turned in pursuit of them. Not only did their heroic actions prevent a worst-case scenario for a child and her family but they also managed to get all students indoors swiftly and safely. Thanks to their quick thinking and action, the perpetrator was immediately caught and arrested.
“Their willingness to place the safety and well-being of our students above their own concerns is the highest embodiment of the teaching profession,” one of their colleagues wrote. “In a moment of extreme duress, they both maintained a calm presence that prevented further escalation and provided a sense of security to those in their care. Their bravery not only protected our school community but served as a profound example of leadership to their colleagues and students alike. I am honored to have professionals of their caliber on our team.”
North Haven Education Association President Krista Kaplan was honored with the CEA Salutes award.
North Haven Education Association President Krista Kaplan, a 16-year veteran middle school social studies teacher, is the 2026 CEA Salutes Award winner.
“Krista has been recognized in the past for her contributions to her association website and newsletter, and her leadership has resulted in a strong local union marked by productive and positive relationships with her district and town leaders,” Dias said, adding, “For as much as she does in the public eye, she does even more behind the scenes. She’s been instrumental in mobilizing citizens and coordinating passage of school budgets every year while offering proactive solutions to the board of education for ways to save money without laying off educators. In addition to being an excellent teacher, union leader, and parent to four children ages 6 to 12, she’s an elementary school PTA president, organizing creative fundraisers and events that bring together the school community.”
Standing Up for Human and Civil Rights
The Gandhi–King Peace Award celebrates individuals whose work reflects the enduring principles championed by Mahatma Gandhi and the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.—principles rooted in justice, nonviolence, ethical leadership, dialogue, and the belief that lasting social progress begins with education and community engagement.
This year’s recipient is Westport educator and DEIB (diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging) facilitator Faith Sweeney, whose commitment to peace education shines through in her advancement of respectful, inclusive communities.
Following antisemitic and racist incidents in her community, Sweeney helped guide a response grounded not in division but in education and constructive dialogue. She has played a key role in expanding No Place for Hate programming throughout Westport Public Schools and assisted in the development of WestportDEIB.org, a resource that provides educators, families, and community members with tools to foster inclusive school environments.
As chair of the Bridgeport Charter Revision Commission, she led a diverse group of residents through a collaborative process to modernize the city’s charter. Among the commission’s most significant accomplishments was the creation of the first Office of Municipal Ethics in the State of Connecticut—an independent structure dedicated to promoting integrity, transparency, and accountability in local government.
Beyond her home and school districts, she is the founder and strategic architect of CEA’s Summit on Diversity, thanks to a grant provided by CEA.
“Across every role she takes on, Faith demonstrates a profound belief that education is one of the most powerful tools for building peaceful communities,” said Torrington teacher and HCR Commission Co-Chair Michael McCotter at the awards reception. “Whether she’s guiding students through conversations about belonging, supporting educators in creating inclusive learning environments, or helping communities strengthen ethical governance, she consistently advances the values of dialogue, learning, respect, and civic responsibility. Her work reminds us that peace is not simply the absence of conflict. It is the active creation of communities where people can learn from one another, engage with dignity, and work together toward a more just future.
Many educators turned out to celebrate the Public Relations and Human and Civil Rights award winners.
The 2026 CEA Award for Leadership in Hispanic Educational and Community Relationships went to Norwich Free Academy science educator Claudia Bouchard, who has dedicated her career to creating learning environments where all students—particularly Hispanic and multilingual learners—feel valued, supported, and empowered to succeed. Much of her teaching focuses on multilingual learners in grades 9-12, including many students who have recently arrived in the United States from Latin America and other Spanish-speaking regions.
“Throughout her work, Claudia has built bridges between schools, families, and communities while ensuring that students’ cultural and linguistic identities are recognized as strengths,” McCotter said. “She has developed bilingual and multilingual instructional materials that make rigorous science content accessible while strengthening students’ English language development. By integrating Spanish and other home languages into instruction, visual supports, and project-based learning experiences, she has helped students engage confidently with complex scientific concepts.”
Those resources have also supported educators across departments who work with multilingual learners.
A strong believer that representation matters, Bouchard intentionally incorporates culturally relevant content into science education, highlighting the contributions of Hispanic scientists, engineers, architects, and innovators. Through these lessons, students see themselves reflected in the curriculum and gain a deeper understanding of the important role Hispanic communities have played in advancing science, technology, and society. These experiences help students develop pride in their identities and confidence in their abilities.
Her commitment to education extends beyond the classroom, said McCotter, pointing out that she also serves as an interpreter, advocate, and cultural liaison for families navigating the public education system; is president of the board of directors for the Connecticut Parent Advocacy Center, advancing equity, inclusion, and educational access for students and families throughout Connecticut; is a board member of the Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center, advocating for inclusive educational opportunities and meaningful community engagement in environmental learning.
