Last fall Central Connecticut State University’s chapter of CEA’s Aspiring Educator Program was down to just two members. This fall those two members, who stepped up to serve as president and vice president, have been honored by the State Board of Education for their leadership at the local and state levels and have grown their chapter by leaps and bounds.
“We had zero membership, no leadership experience, and we were like deer in the headlights,” Giovanni Mason-Brookes told the State Board of Education at their October meeting. “With amazing guidance and so much hard work and perseverance we have seen a 500% increase in membership, and we have been recognized nationally. ”
CEA’s AEP supports students as they navigate their teacher preparation programs and centers on professional development, advocacy, community service, and social and racial justice and includes a wide variety of networking and leadership opportunities.
“Over the past two years, the program has flourished, and our membership has doubled each year,” CEA Educational Issues Specialist Elizabeth Sked told the Board. “We went from six chapters to ten. At the state level, our students have participated in press conferences, provided written and oral testimony at the legislature, held back-home meetings with legislators, completed community service projects in several districts, and facilitated literacy activities for Read Across America at Mystic Aquarium.”
The CEA AEP was recognized by the National Education Association with State Excellence and Distinguished Organizer awards in 2023, and this past July CCSU leaders Mason-Brooks and Michaela De Los Cientos were honored with the National Emerging Chapter Award. Mason-Brooks was also one of five nominees for the National Emerging Leader Award.
“I feel like every time I go to a CEA event I come back feeling more inspired and more devoted to the teaching career,” De Los Cientos told the Board. “Even though I’m still a preservice teacher and I don’t start student teaching until next year, I’m so devoted and I’m so excited to be part of the teaching profession.”
State Board of Education member Kristen Record, a Stratford physics teacher and 2011 State Teacher of the Year, congratulated De Los Cientos and Mason-Brooks on their hard work and recognition.
“I hope you come to the Stratford Public Schools for a job when you’re ready,’ she said. “I would love to be your colleague.”
