Next week is Teacher Appreciation Week, and one Connecticut educator is already feeling very appreciated. Erin Palonen, a Griswold Middle School special education teacher, has been selected as a finalist in the “Top Teacher Search” on the TV show “Live with Kelly and Michael.” Palonen will be the star of a segment aired on the…
Details“They’d never get an opportunity like this in the classroom,” Liza Escott said as she looked around at the hundreds of students sharing and learning from one another at Lyman Memorial High School’s Diversity Fair. A student committee planned the fair that involved the entire Lebanon school’s community last week. Students ran the majority of the…
Details“Connecticut needs to stand up, do the right thing, and feed our children — because hunger hurts,” CEA President Sheila Cohen told participants at today’s second annual Connecticut School Breakfast Summit. “An equal opportunity for all children is essential, and balancing the scales for the poorest children begins with fulfilling one of our basic needs—food,”…
DetailsYesterday the U.S. Department of Education released a blueprint for RESPECT (Recognizing Educational Success, Professional Excellence, and Collaborative Teaching), representing a critical first step in ensuring quality schools for our students. NEA President Dennis Van Roekel said the Obama Administration’s blueprint for RESPECT offers a positive agenda for change by elevating and transforming the teaching…
DetailsAcross the state of Connecticut, there are thousands of teens doggedly in pursuit of high school completion outside of traditional high schools in alternative and adult education programs. Some have left high school by choice; others have been counseled, coerced, or otherwise forced to leave school. You have the opportunity to join your CEA colleagues…
DetailsThe first Earth Day, held on April 22, 1970, helped kick off the modern environmental movement. This Monday there are a wide variety of possibilities for incorporating learning about the Earth and the environment into your day. Below are links to resources that may generate some ideas. If you have additional resources to share, please…
DetailsThe legislature’s Appropriations Committee today released its budget, which includes a 25% state contribution to the Retired Teachers’ Health Insurance Fund for fiscal years 2014 and 2015. State law requires the state to make a 33.3% contribution to the fund, but the governor and legislature can override this law. The original budget proposal would have…
DetailsOur thoughts are with everyone affected by the tragedy in Boston yesterday. Whether you’re with your students or your own children or grandchildren this week they may have questions that are challenging to answer. Below are some resources for talking with children about traumatic events. • Talking to Children About Violence: Tips for Parents and…
Details“It’s extremely helpful to hear from the pilot districts as we all plan for implementing the new evaluation guidelines next year,” said Shelton High School Principal Beth Smith. The sentiment was shared by the other members of the Connecticut Advisory Councils for Administrator and Teacher Professional Standards who gathered recently for a joint meeting. The…
DetailsMore than 400 teachers with one to six years of classroom experience attended the CEA New Teacher Conference at the Mohegan Sun Conference Center on April 6 to get training to help them be the best teachers possible and improve student performance. CEA President Sheila Cohen welcomed the teachers to the conference and reminded them…
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