As we celebrate Education Support Professionals Day during American Education Week, it’s the perfect moment to spotlight the paraeducators and other school staff whose dedication makes an enormous difference in students’ lives.

This episode features special education teacher and Killingly Education Association Vice President Lisa Higgins, her partner in running their district's transition program paraeducator and AFSCME Council 4 Local 3698 president Michelle Pion, as well as Tricia Santos, a staff representative for AFSCME Council 4.

Listen to their conversation with CEA President Kate Dias and Vice President Joslyn DeLancey about their work in Killingly as well as how certified staff and paras can best work together to help students thrive.

CEA Aspiring Educators Program Chair Hannah Spinner, a UConn master's degree student, and Cole Brown, a sophomore at Southern and president of his university's AEP chapter, join CEA President Kate Dias and Vice President Joslyn DeLancey on this episode. They talk about the AEP's recent fall kickoff event and other community service, advocacy, and professional learning opportunities planned for the upcoming year.

Find out more about the CEA Aspiring Educators Program, including how to join.

CEA has 52 members running for local office this year, and two of them—South Windsor teacher and Enfield Board of Education candidate Kelsey McGuire-Bruce and Coventry teacher and Town Councilor Matthew Kyer—are guests on this episode of CEA's podcast.

Listen to find out why McGuire-Bruce and Kyer are running, and learn more about CEA members around Connecticut who are running for office.

This episode shines a spotlight on the upcoming CEA Celebrates Fundraising Gala taking place Friday, October 24, at Anthony’s Ocean View in New Haven.

Podcast hosts CEA President Kate Dias and Vice President (and Connecticut Education Foundation President) Joslyn DeLancey are joined by CEA Treasurer and CEF board member Stephanie Wanzer to talk about what guests can expect—from an elegant evening of dinner, dancing, and awards to the inspiring mission behind the event.

Ready to join the celebration? Individual tickets are available, and local associations can become Gold or Silver Apple Sponsors and reserve tables to show their support. Businesses and community partners are also invited to become sponsors. Reserve your spot today and help make a difference for Connecticut’s students and teachers.

A teacher's first year in the classroom is often the hardest, and many new educators face a steep learning curve. In this episode, Ledyard teachers Kate Cummings and Nikki Engel share what they learned during their first year teaching with CEA President Kate Dias and Vice President Joslyn DeLancey.

From how starting off year two compares with year one to some of the best and worst advice they've received as new teachers, Cummings, a second-grade teacher at Gales Ferry School, and Engel, a third-grade teacher at Juliet W. Long School, talk about how their teaching journeys have gone so far.

Connecticut Comptroller Sean Scanlon talks with CEA President Kate Dias and Vice President Joslyn DeLancey about how his office can help educators across the state and why he thinks it's so important for government to make sure people can afford to go into public service.

In honor of Labor Day, State Senator Julie Kushner and AFSCME Council 4 Staff Representative Tricia Santos talk with CEA President Kate Dias and Vice President Joslyn DeLancey about how they got involved in the labor movement.

Looking for a way to celebrate Labor Day? Join us for a rally in Hartford on Monday afternoon.

Why does union membership matter? In this episode, Southington teacher Shawn Grindle shares the value he sees in union membership with CEA President Kate Dias and Vice President Joslyn DeLancey.

From strong contracts, legal protections, and discounts to victories for Connecticut teachers—including improvements to teacher evaluation and WEP/GPO repeal—Grindle says every teacher benefits from CEA membership.

View the Instagram reel Grindle created for the Southington Education Association.