Recent changes to federal student loan policy are threatening to shut the door on graduate education for thousands of teachers, nurses, social workers, and other essential professionals. In response, Connecticut lawmakers are advancing a state-level solution designed to preserve access to affordable financing and protect the future of the state’s public service workforce.

One year ago today, teachers and public servants secured a historic win: the repeal of the Windfall Elimination Provision and Government Pension Offset. When President Biden signed the Social Security Fairness Act into law, decades of advocacy paid off—ending unjust penalties and finally delivering the full Social Security benefits educators had earned and long deserved.

As you head off to winter break, we hope you’re able to step away from the day-to-day demands of school and fully embrace a well-earned break.

For proof that educators are educators for life, look no further than CEA-Retired. “You can take the teacher out of the classroom—sort of, sometimes!—but you can’t take the classroom out of the teacher,” jokes CEA-Retired President Mary-Beth Lang.

From T-shirts, coats, and sweatshirts to hats, onesies, umbrellas, travel mugs, and blankets, CEA’s swag store has something for everyone. Shop for yourself, colleagues, and family members, and feel good knowing that your purchases support the Connecticut Education Foundation.

In a special year-in-review episode of CEA’s podcast, CEA President Kate Dias and Vice President Joslyn DeLancey reflect on the lessons of 2025—and look ahead to 2026.

A new survey and policy brief released by the CEA Aspiring Educator Program underscore the financial hardship and deterrent to becoming an educator that unpaid student teaching represents.

Educators play a critical role in keeping schools safe, and an upcoming virtual session offers a timely opportunity to learn, ask questions, and be heard. Connecticut’s Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection will host virtual School Safety Office Hours tomorrow, Wednesday, December 17, at 3:30 p.m.

Teachers can always use additional financial resources to support their work, and the NEA Foundation offers three different grants to educators looking to innovate and grow.