When it comes to showcasing teachers’ dedication to their students and members’ work together as a union, CEA Communications is always ready to make an impact. That work is now being recognized nationally by the State Education Association Communicators and with a Telly Award.
“From Because of a Teacher TV commercials seen by hundreds of thousands of Connecticut residents to press conferences on the teacher shortage that drew the attention of the media and lawmakers, bringing us important wins this legislative session, our communications efforts are essential to CEA’s success,” says CEA President Kate Dias.
The State Education Association Communicators awarded CEA top prizes for three campaigns as well as for the CEA Advisor, which won overall for best newspaper, as well as taking home first place awards for editorial layout and for the special 2022 election edition.
CEA’s three campaigns, What You Don’t See, Because of a Teacher, and Stop the Shortage, were also recognized with a best in show award in recognition of our Communications Department’s “extraordinary talents and expertise,” according to judges.
- What You Don’t See – Shared widely on social media, this campaign featured videos of educators, parents, and students relating their personal stories about the mental health crisis in schools. It helped to successfully convince lawmakers to pass a state budget in 2022 that invested $28 million for mental health supports in schools.
- Because of a Teacher – With an ongoing teacher shortage and partisan attacks against teachers and schools, CEA launched Because of a Teacher, Every Profession Is Possible to showcase the important influence teachers have on the lives and careers of Connecticut residents.
- Stop the Shortage – Ahead of the 2023 legislative session CEA wanted to draw attention to the vital need to improve teacher salaries and working conditions. CEA shared surveys of members and voters at several news conferences that were well attended by legislators and the media, gaining us 50 in-depth articles, TV news segments, and radio interviews.
The video below, put together by the State Education Association Communicators, highlights the successes of these three campaigns.
CEA’s Because of a Teacher campaign was also recognized with a prestigious Telly Award, the world’s largest honor for excellence in video and television across all screens, judged by national leaders in the industry.
“These awards bring national recognition and respect for Connecticut’s educators at a time when it is sorely needed,” Dias says. “I am thrilled that these awards shine a spotlight on your great work and on what we can accomplish together.”
