The National Education Association (NEA) today released the results of a poll of its members, showing educators support laws to prevent gun violence. “The senseless tragedy in Newtown was a tipping point and galvanization for action,” said NEA President Dennis Van Roekel. “As educators, we have grieved too long and too often—for the children killed,…
DetailsSome assume all children today are digital natives — automatically able to learn and use new technology. Mary Beth Hertz, a K-8 technology teacher in Philadelphia, thinks this is problematic. It’s one thing to use a tablet computer and its apps to learn basic literacy skills; but learning to create, read critically, use online content responsibly…
DetailsNonnewaug High School Food Science Team members have a head start on their careers thanks to their first place finish in a national competition. Their Gold Team Medal earned them not only scholarships toward their college educations, but also job offers after graduation. The students’ coach, Nonnewaug Agriscience Director Bill Davenport, told the State Board…
DetailsThe 2013 legislative session got underway today. While legislators face a number of major issues, including a looming budget crisis, all thoughts were on the horrific Dec. 14 shooting in Newtown. During his State of the State Address Governor Dannel P. Malloy fought back tears while speaking about the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting that…
DetailsHow can educators better promote their profession? Julie Conlon, a Florida teacher writing for Education Week, says teachers need to brag more. I received an advertisement for a magazine in the mail today. It quoted novelist Arundhati Roy stating that change is possible, and that to achieve it, we must tell our stories. “Stories that are…
DetailsHow safe is the food at your school’s cafeteria? The Danbury News Times reports that Districts across Fairfield County — from Stamford to Shelton, Bridgeport to Bethel and everywhere between — have been cited for numerous health-code violations inside school cafeterias. Even well-to-do Greenwich had black marks on its record. And several schools have flunked repeated inspections,…
DetailsAt its last meeting today, the Education Cost Sharing (ECS) Task Force came to a consensus agreement on a report it will forward to the legislature and governor. The Task Force has been working for the last year and a half to to develop recommendations for possible ways to change how education funding in Connecticut is…
DetailsThe Connecticut Education Association (CEA) announced today that it has created the “Sandy Hook Memorial and Scholarship Fund” within the organization’s non-profit arm, the Connecticut Education Foundation (CEF). CEA President Sheila Cohen said, “We consider it a privilege to provide a platform to support the Newtown community. The grief and challenges the community face are…
DetailsThe United States House of Representatives last night followed the Senate in avoiding the so-called fiscal cliff by passing the Tax Relief Extension Act. The plan is designed to block tax hikes and delay spending cuts associated with the fiscal cliff. The final vote was 257-167, with all of Connecticut’s Congressional delegation voting in favor,…
DetailsThis holiday season it appears impossible to find anyone who isn’t grieving for the youngsters and educators who died in the mass shooting in Newtown. Friends who know that I work for the Connecticut Education Association have been calling and sending their condolences. But they are doing so much more. They are reliving wonderful childhood…
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