CEA’s Aspiring Educators work hard every day as they study to become teachers and learn about their profession and their union. At the NEA Aspiring Educators annual awards celebration in Orlando, Florida last week that hard work was recognized with awards for State Excellence and Distinguished State Organizer.
“What an amazing night for our Aspiring Educators,” said CEA Education Issues Specialist Elizabeth Sked. “CEA’s Aspiring Educators will always be winners to me but, it sure does feel good to be recognized nationally! I am incredibly proud of them and all we have accomplished this year.”
The State Excellence Recognition Award highlights the work of CEA Aspiring Educators and how they engage members in practicing the NEA Aspiring Educator Core Values—educator quality, community engagement, political action, and social justice. The Distinguished State Organizer Award recognizes Sked for her dedication and service to the NEA Aspiring Educators by serving as the organizer at the state level.
The awards celebration was part of last week’s NEA Aspiring Educators Conference, which takes place each year at the end of June, before NEA’s Annual Meeting and Representative Assembly. It offers future educators the opportunity to connect with their colleagues, learn about their profession, and take action on important education issues affecting public schools and communities.
Outgoing CEA Aspiring Educators Chair Kate Cummings said, “Attending the NEA Aspiring Educators Conference in Orlando reinforced my love for teaching and being a part of this powerful community. It was an honor to be nominated for Distinguished State Leader and to receive the State Excellence Recognition award from NEA! My work with CEA is not done as I will continue to be an advocate for educators while pursuing my master’s in Teacher Leadership and entering the field in the fall.”
