Two T’s in a Pod

On this episode, CEA President Kate Dias and Vice President Joslyn DeLancey are joined by a special guest, Dr. Miguel Cardona. The former U.S. Secretary of Education and Connecticut Commissioner of Education was recently named by Governor Lamont as chair of the Connecticut Career Pathways Commission, which is tasked with helping create a system to connect students to jobs in high-demand fields. Listen to learn what career pathways can provide for Connecticut as well as Cardona's thoughts on the need for investments in public schools, the role of testing in education, and more.

Educator legislators State Reps. Patrick Biggins and Ron Napoli talk with CEA President Kate Dias and Vice President Joslyn DeLancey about priorities this legislative session and how CEA members can best get their message across to lawmakers. CEA's Lobby Day on April 8 is the perfect opportunity to connect with your legislators. Register today.

Read Across Connecticut Week offers a great chance for educators to celebrate reading with their students—but how do we keep encouraging reading year round? In this episode, Simsbury library media specialist Jamie Sepa talks with CEA President Kate Dias and Vice President Joslyn DeLancey about the importance of school libraries and how to sustain that joy of reading in children—and adults—the other 51 weeks of the year. Did you celebrate Read Across Connecticut with your class? A contest is currently being held, open to all Connecticut public school classrooms, offering a chance to win one of four $500 classroom libraries. Submit photos of your class showing how they made reading a llama fun during Read Across Connecticut week now through March 20 for a chance to win. To enter visit readacrossct.org.

Every teacher deserves to be treated with fairness and respect. On this episode of CEA's podcast Glastonbury Education Association President Kristen Basiaga and 2020 CT Teacher of the Year and Woodland Regional High teacher Meghan Hatch-Geary talk with CEA President Kate Dias and Vice President Joslyn DeLancey about proposals before the legislature that would ensure a fair process for educators. Per Connecticut statute, teachers who are facing termination are entitled to a hearing before a neutral hearing officer, but this officer’s decision is only a recommendation to the local board of education. Unlike for other school employees, it is the board of education, not a neutral third party, who makes the final decision in the event of an appeal. For educators, the threat of arbitrary treatment creates a climate of fear that Basiaga and Hatch-Geary say colors the entire teaching environment. Listen to this episode to find out more about why teachers are pushing for legislation that would ensure a fair process and binding arbitration, and join us Saturday, February 28, to share your education priorities with legislators.

In this special year-in-review episode, CEA President Kate Dias and Vice President Joslyn DeLancey reflect on the highs, challenges, and hard-earned lessons of 2025—and look ahead to a packed calendar of opportunities for educators in the year to come. Check out CEA's upcoming 2026 events at https://cea.org/master-calendar/.

Meet the Connecticut educators who serve on the NEA Board of Directors and help shape national education policy. On this episode CEA's NEA Directors, Katy Gale and Tanya Kores, join CEA President Kate Dias and Vice President Joslyn DeLancey to share how they advocate for students, collaborate with union leaders across the country, and take Connecticut’s voice all the way to Capitol Hill.

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 Lisa 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. Early voting kicks off October 20 at 10 a.m. in every town across Connecticut and runs through November 2—or you can vote as usual on Election Day, November 4. Early voting is open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. most days, with extended hours from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, October 28, and Thursday, October 30.

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.

The Connecticut Education Foundation (CEF), CEA’s charitable arm, is hosting its 30th annual golf tournament to benefit Connecticut children in need on July 14, and, whether or not you golf, all CEA members are invited to participate and support CEF. CEA President Kate Dias and CEA Vice President Joslyn DeLancey, who also serves as CEF president, are joined on this episode by CEA Production Technician Chip Karkos and Political Engagement Coordinator Gus Melita—both big supporters of the tournament. Sign up to play or sponsor the CEF Golf Tournament: https://cea.networkforgood.com/events/82784-hands-across-the-green-golf-tournament

How are you celebrating Pride Month? On the latest episode of CEA's Podcast, CEA Pride Committee members Danbury teacher Kimberly D’Auria and Tolland teacher Tiffany Bardos share what the Pride Committee has been up to this year and how teachers can make sure their district, school, and classroom are welcoming and inclusive places for students and staff alike. In their conversation with CEA President Kate Dias and Vice President Joslyn DeLancey, D'Auria and Bardos highlight the resources available to CEA members on the CEA Pride webpage—which include information on how to be an ally to LGBTQ+ youth, CEA LGBTQ+ collective bargaining model language, a CEA model LGBTQ+ resolution for boards of education, a link to purchase Safe Space badges, and much more.

In the latest episode of CEA's podcast, early-career educators Ashley Beal (Hamden) and Emily Gunzburg (Manchester) join CEA President Kate Dias and Vice President Joslyn DeLancey for a powerful conversation about what it means to be a new educator today—and why union involvement is important from the very beginning. The CEA Early Career program provides workshops and social opportunities for newer educators to connect with one another and learn more about the union and the support available to teachers. There will be opportunities to get involved during CEA's Summer Conference, which takes place August 6-7—registration opens in early June. Know an early-career educator who demonstrates a strong commitment to unionism and advocacy for teacher rights? Nominate them for a CEA Education Champion Award!

There's been a lot going on in recent weeks, from CEA Lobby Day and May Day to town budget battles and Teacher Appreciation Week. In this episode, CEA President Kate Dias and Vice President Joslyn DeLancey discuss recent events and reminisce about teachers who were instrumental in their own lives. This week is the perfect week to remind Connecticut lawmakers that appreciation isn't enough, teachers need action. Remind them of the importance of ensuring fairness in the workplace, addressing the special education crisis, investing in educators, and supporting retired teachers before the legislative session ends on June 4.

With six weeks left in the legislative session there is still time for legislators to pass bills to improve teaching and learning. In the latest episode of CEA's podcast, CEA President Kate Dias and Vice President Joslyn DeLancey talk with State Rep. Jillian Gilchrest and Hamden teacher Cinzia Letieri about education issues the legislature has been considering and discuss why an investment in the teaching profession is long overdue.

To ensure our elected officials understand why properly supported staff and well resourced schools are vital to students’ futures, teachers need to speak up and share all they do for their students. As part of CEA’s public awareness campaign, Teachers Go the Extra Mile for Their Students Every Day, teachers who speak at board of education and other town meetings this spring are receiving a Teachers Go the Extra Mile T-shirt. Manchester is one local association that has already had a number of members attend board of education meetings to share what goes on in their classrooms. On the latest episode of CEA's podcast, Manchester president James Tierinni and CEA Training and Organizational Development Specialist Katie Grant talk about the new campaign with CEA President Kate Dias and Vice President Joslyn DeLancey. Click here to find out more about participating in the campaign.