Two of the state’s largest school districts welcomed hundreds of educators into the fold during new teacher orientations this week, and union leaders were on hand to explain the joy and benefits of membership.
Together we win
Representing more than 1,600 of the state’s public school educators, the Stamford Education Association held its orientation at the Academy of Information Technology and Engineering, with 115 new members in attendance.
CEA Vice President Joslyn DeLancey and SEA President John Corcoran welcome more than 100 teachers to Stamford.
“You came to a great district, where you have tremendous support from your building reps along with all of your union colleagues and leaders,” said SEA President John Corcoran, a 19-year veteran teacher, who explained that SEA members automatically also belong to the Connecticut Education Association and National Education Association. “We are here to represent you. We’re a strong union of teachers taking care of one another.”
Longtime Darien teacher and CEA Vice President Joslyn DeLancey noted that Stamford, where she makes her home, is one of the most important districts for her personally.
“You work incredibly hard, and you deserve to have the best working conditions, which allow you to do your best for your students,” she said. “That’s CEA’s goal. We work for you so that you can enjoy working in your classrooms; we support you so that you can support your students.”
DeLancey, who has been speaking at new teacher orientations around the state along with CEA President Kate Dias, explained that CEA’s work authoring and lobbying for laws that support teachers has resulted in real, tangible, positive changes to educators’ working conditions and students’ learning conditions. Recent legislative achievements include new school climate legislation, streamlined and improved teacher evaluation, a return to play-based learning in the early grades, and more.
Stamford’s newest educators, including fourth-grade teachers Trinitee Mungai (above) and Peihong He (below, right) show off their new digital CEA membership ID and prizes for joining!
“Thanks to the work of CEA,” DeLancey noted, “Connecticut is the only state nationwide that doesn’t have ratings as part of its teacher evaluation plan, moving instead toward a growth model where you can set professional goals that work for you and where student learning outcomes are not the only measure of success. That is huge, and it happened because of the advocacy of your union. I sat in many spaces fighting for that and making that the model for our state.”
Another monumental victory for educators that came about this year because of strong union advocacy was the repeal of federal laws that had for decades reduced or erased Social Security benefits educators were entitled to either from their own jobs paying into the system or through survivors’ benefits from their spouses’ earnings.
“CEA and NEA are the groups that fought for teachers to get their Social Security,” SEA Membership Chair and Vice President for Pre-K–2 Bonita Maddox told Stamford’s new educators. “For everyone in this room like me who has worked a previous job or a second job, and I know that’s many of you, your union—CEA and NEA—were the ones who made those Social Security benefits possible.”
She added, “The world is open to you at SEA. When I switched careers 11 years ago, I sat here like you did. I signed up for union membership and paid my dues, but I was really passive and didn’t think about where my union dollars were going and what I could be getting out of my membership. Three years later, I got active. SEA and CEA have a lot to offer to you, and I encourage you to get involved. If you need anything, if you need a confidante, if you have a challenging situation, your union representatives are here for you, and there are learning and leadership opportunities available to you.”
Prizes were part of the mix for Bridgeport’s newest members, including Kannina Hampton, pictured with BEA Secondary Vice President Joe DeGroate, Vice President Jen Keleman, and President Jeff Morrissey.
Thirty-three-year veteran high school and middle school teacher Sharon Milano, who now serves as CEA’s UniServ representative for Stamford, recalled, “I remember sitting where you are as a brand-new teacher, and I remember the value of being a union member from day one. I had building reps coming to me as a new teacher and making sure I understood my rights, what was expected of me under our contract, and what was above and beyond. Please make sure you meet with your building reps.”
Milano explained that union leaders recently negotiated a “fabulous contract for Stamford educators” that includes not only double-digit salary increases (in excess of 13% over the next few years) but also a benefit unique in the state: ten days of immediate paid leave for birth and non-birth parents that does not come out of their sick time.
Welcome home
Among the 100+ hires at Stamford’s new educator orientation were recent graduates, career changers, and educators transferring from other districts, all of whom were given a new member packet featuring “It’s Your Union,” CEA’s guide to educators’ rights and opportunities as union members.
“I encourage you to get familiar with that guide and your contract and visit CEA’s website,” said Milano. “Explore the resources, professional learning opportunities, and other benefits that are now yours.”
Both Stamford and Bridgeport’s new teacher orientations were a homecoming for many faculty, several of whom are former students.
For Stamford public school graduate Jael Francois, who will be teaching at Westover’s kindergarten Social Training and Academic Readiness (STAR) program for children with autism, the reason for returning was simple: “There need to be more teachers of color. I missed that a lot during my K-12 experience, so coming back as a teacher of color—a neurodivergent teacher of color!—means I can see students who need to see more people like me.”
Also returning to her hometown was Kannina Hampton, a special education resource teacher at both High Horizons and Claytor magnet schools in Bridgeport.
“I’m a product of Bridgeport Public Schools, and I like that I can give back to my community.” Hampton said. “I also love being part of my union, which fights very hard to protect us and provides social opportunities like these. I’m very appreciative of that and feel very comfortable here.”
Bridgeport, which welcomed an estimated 80 new teachers to its district, was able to fill nearly all special education vacancies, persistently the toughest positions to fill.
“The world is open to you at SEA,” membership chair and VP Bonita Maddox told 115 new colleagues.
“We’re excited about that,” said Bridgeport Education Association President Jeff Morrissey, who hosted three days of new educator events, including breakfast, lunch, and a social at Brewport Pizza. “It’s a wonderful thing, because we all know teaching can be difficult, even if you’re experienced. We’re ready to mentor and support our new colleagues in any way we possibly can. With new membership come new faces in our union and new leadership potential, and we embrace all of it.”
Stamford welcomes students back on August 27, and Bridgeport’s first day of classes will be August 28.
