CEA Aspiring Educators invited legislators, reporters, and others to gather at the State Capitol yesterday evening for the unveiling of an 8’ x 8’ art installation calling attention to issues important to preservice and active educators—from the need for paid student teaching to manageable class sizes.
The project, “Piecing Together for Political Action,” was the brainchild of UConn senior Hannah Spinner, a CEA Aspiring Educator who applied for an NEA CREATE grant that helped move her idea from concept to construct.
“We want to show the impact and power of aspiring educators’ voices and involve our state legislators in addressing the challenges that keep people out of the teaching profession,” Spinner said.
In attendance for the unveiling were Representatives Dave DeFronzo, Tom Delnicki, and Nick Menapace, a CEA member.
Legislators and CEA leaders and staff join Aspiring Educators at the unveiling of the State Capitol art installation.
Doing their part
Each of the nine chapters in CEA’s Aspiring Educators Program received a puzzle piece to decorate based on a specific issue they and their chapter members felt passionate about. Topics ranged from increasing teacher salaries to paying student teachers, reducing class sizes, improving school safety, and more. More than 130 participants from UConn Storrs, UConn regional campuses, Eastern Connecticut State University, Southern Connecticut State University, Central Connecticut State University, Western Connecticut State University, Quinnipiac University, the University of Saint Joseph, and Mitchell College participated.
In addition to artwork and written testimony, puzzle pieces include photos of CEA Aspiring Educators testifying and participating in press conferences.
“The project gave us a space to get involved politically, increase our knowledge of how the state legislature works, and amplify our voices,” Spinner said. “While testifying in person or even in writing can be daunting, this project allowed all students an opportunity to get involved, unite with one another across the state, and recognize the power of collective action.”
Aspiring Educators from various chapters described the project as helpful in opening up discussion at their meetings, creating a greater sense of community, encouraging creativity, and learning how to engage politically.
“I could not be prouder of our CEA Aspiring Educators,” said CEA President Kate Dias. “These are young people who are still in the process of getting certified to teach, and they are here not only as educators but also advocates. Their project highlights what’s on their minds, and I hope our legislators see these ideas as calls to action for the future of public education.”
AEs point to the puzzle pieces their chapters contributed.
The big reveal
“What you’re about to see is a unique form of testimony,” Spinner told legislators and reporters just before the installation was uncovered. “While you might be used to reading countless letters, postcards, short essays, or listening for hours to the voices of hundreds of people, this project provides the voices of many in a snapshot. We hope it inspires you to touch the lives of preservice teachers, active teachers, and, by proxy, students in this state by seeing our vision, hearing our voices, and piecing together this puzzle with us.”
She added, “Every day, we ask our students to be changemakers,” Spinner told legislators, reporters, and CEA leaders at the unveiling. “We ask our students to be upstanders, not bystanders. Far too often, in our focus in leading the future, we forget what we ourselves can do in the present. We may have started out as quiet students who were known as a ‘delight to have in class,’ but we are so much more than that. We are opinionated. We are decision-makers. We are fierce advocates. We hope to show you this today with our work as agents of changes in our lives—just like we ask our students to be.”
The installation will be in place on the first floor of the State Capitol through Monday, April 21.
