On a bright but chilly Saturday in November, CEA Aspiring Educators rolled up their sleeves at two Connecticut middle schools, bringing color, creativity, and appreciation to the students and staff who learn and work there every day.
In Preston, AEs transformed an outdoor space into a classroom by planting trees and flowers and painting a wall with a projection-ready white panel to create an inviting area for lessons and presentations. Meanwhile in Naugatuck, AEs refreshed the school environment indoors, creating a new bulletin board near the main office featuring the school’s updated logo and painting a mural upstairs centered around the school motto. At both schools, the future educators capped off their work by writing heartfelt appreciation cards for teachers—small reminders that the profession they are preparing to enter is built on community, support, and care.
CEA UniServ Rep Greg Perry, who works with teachers in Preston and other towns in Eastern Connecticut, joined the college students planting and painting at Preston Plains Middle School.
“It was awesome to see a large group of our Aspiring Educators partner with teachers, local union leaders, administrators, and CEA staff to create something awesome,” he said. “Our AEs planted trees and bulbs, painted a screen on the wall, networked with local teachers and administrators, and wrote thank you letters to the teachers at the school for all they do every day.”
“One of the core pillars of our National AE program is community engagement,” says CEA AE Program Chair and UConn student Hannah Spinner. “Taking on these school projects is a great way to give back. Schools have these amazing ideas, but the funding and volunteer work is often not there, so it’s great to be able to step in and provide the supplies and manpower to help these schools and classrooms.”
“Our beautification projects provide an opportunity for students to build connections not only with other aspiring educators across the state but also with local union leaders, CEA staff, and administrators,” says CEA Educational Issues Specialist Elizabeth Sked. “The Preston superintendent told our AEs, ‘If you want to sub, we need subs, come sub. If you need a student teaching placement, we’ll find one for you.'”
“I am so appreciative of the CEA Aspiring Educators who spent their time helping to beautify our school (a place we take great pride in),” says special education teacher and Education Association of Preston Vice President Jennifer Flotz. “It was a wonderful opportunity to speak with these future educators about the profession and to share our passion for supporting students. Their energy and commitment were truly inspiring, and I enjoyed sharing my love for teaching with them!”
“It was a thrill to meet with aspiring educators and talk to them about their goals and about education in general,” says Preston Plains Middle School Principal Christopher Pickett. “They should be proud of the impact they have made on our district. I look forward to continuing our partnership.”
Naugatuck Teachers League President Catherine Lungarini said she and other members of her executive board were thrilled to welcome CEA aspiring educators to City Hill Middle School.
“It was a wonderful experience for our union members to have an opportunity to talk with so many young people who are going into education,” she says. “We are grateful for all the work Elizabeth Sked and Kate Green (CEA AE program specialist and Ledyard teacher) did to make this happen. I hope that we will be able to pay it forward and inspire others to create some beautiful spaces in their buildings.”
UConn Future Educators President Rebecca Singleton said that the beautification projects were a great opportunity for AE members. “This experience deepened our commitment to community involvement and helped create an outdoor learning space that students, staff members, and administrators can enjoy.”
Laila Wilson, an ECSU student and co-president of her school’s Aspiring Educator chapter, says she had never used a paint roller before taking part in the beautification project, but enjoyed learning something new and anticipating how excited students would be to see their newly refreshed school.
“My executive board and I really enjoyed helping the school, bonding with the other aspiring educators, and getting advice from the experienced educators at the school,” she says.
“The AE Program is preparing our next generation of CEA leaders,” Sked says. “It helps them find their voice and their place in community service, political action, educator quality, and social and racial justice.”
Annual membership in CEA’s Aspiring Educators Program—only $25—opens the doors to amazing professional development, social and mentorship opportunities, and other critical resources and connections. However, between student loans and student teaching, pre-service teachers often have tremendous financial responsibilities and few resources. Sponsor an Aspiring Educator today! Your $25 gift helps ensure a bright tomorrow for Connecticut’s public schools.
