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.
In a conference room at Goodwin University in Hartford, new teachers were welcomed into the union by CEA staff with swag bags and were invited to engage openly, asking questions, sharing experiences, and discovering how the union will stand beside them as they begin their teaching journeys.
Mark your calendars for Friday, October 24, and join fellow educators and supporters at the third annual CEA Celebrates Gala.
“Union membership doesn’t mean we always agree on everything, it means that we understand that our power is in our ability to work together,” CEA President Kate Dias told 47 teachers gathered for the Manchester Education Association’s new member orientation.
If you’re working under a certification endorsement that is considered a shortage area you may be eligible for benefits such as loan forgiveness and deferral and mortgage assistance.
As we enter the second half of August, new teachers around Connecticut are heading back to the classroom to meet their colleagues, learn about their district, and get to know their union.
Today marks the 90th birthday of the Social Security Administration, and AARP, which resides in the same building as CEA on Oak Street in Hartford, held an ice cream social to celebrate.
As you stock up on classroom essentials and refresh your wardrobe for the new school year, be sure to take advantage of the many discounts available to CEA members.
“The best decision I made was joining the union,” says Bridgeport teacher Nicole Pond-Ferris. “Whenever members don’t understand something in our contract, miss a prep, have a disagreement with admin, or want to know when they can take a day off, our union is always there to answer our questions and support us.”
West Hartford teachers are heading to arbitration over a grievance about the consequences of special education staffing shortages after the Board of Education failed to address their concerns at a meeting last week.