It’s back-to-school season around the state as districts welcome new and veteran teachers to their classrooms to prepare for their students. In Stamford, 85 new teachers are joining CEA’s largest local association this year, and they heard from local and state union leaders during a new teacher orientation and luncheon that offered raffle prizes and lunches packed in CEA-branded cooler bags.
Some of Stamford’s new teachers are veterans switching districts, but many are new to the profession and union membership. Stamford Education Association President John Corcoran and other members of the SEA executive board spoke to members about the many values of union membership and what it means to join a union.
“We don’t do things alone in this profession,” Corcoran said. “We may be alone in the classroom, but we have support from our union, from our teacher colleagues who surround us, from administrators—teaching has always been a team effort. The union supports that team effort and steps in when a teacher is unclear about something or unsure of anything. What’s great for me as local union president is I also have somewhere to go. I have the Connecticut Education Association to turn to, and we work hand in hand to support our teachers and their endeavors every day.”
Other members of the SEA Executive Board and building reps from across the district were on hand wearing #RedforEd to help explain to new teachers how to join the union. They also shared their union stories, explaining why they’ve found engaging with their union to be so rewarding.
Mariana Lopez taught previously at a private school but teaching at Rippowam Middle School is her first public-school job, and she’s excited to be able to join the SEA and have the strength of a union in her corner. “Coming from a private school to a public school, that’s the biggest difference, having that support,” she said.
“Having some protection, a little safety, making sure there’s always someone who has my back—that’s something I’m really looking forward to having as I start a new career and new job,” said Kaden Bouldin, a graduate of the Stamford Public Schools who is beginning his teaching career at Stamford High this year. “Just having that support system, having a group I can trust for help with any situation that may arise is so important.”
“The SEA is boots on the ground here in Stamford, making sure that your needs are being met so you can do the important work of serving your students,” CEA President Kate Dias told the new teachers.
She continued, “I’m excited that you’re here in Stamford. This is a wonderful place to be and I’m excited to get to know you. I hope that we have the opporunity to engage in work together as the year goes on. Reach out and let me know what ideas you have. I love to absorb what you are thinking and figure out how we can turns those ideas into action.”
Are you a new teacher in Connecticut? Join tens of thousands of teachers across the state and become a member of CEA.
