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 tourname...
Jun 26, 2025•24 min•Ep. 61
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 availab...
Jun 05, 2025•37 min•Ep. 60
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 ...
May 22, 2025•30 min•Ep. 59
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 s...
May 08, 2025•26 min•Ep. 58
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.
Apr 24, 2025•42 min•Ep. 57
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 me...
Apr 09, 2025•24 min•Ep. 56
"This attack on the Department of Education—let's be clear about what it is—it's an attempt to dismantle public education as we know it here in America," Connecticut Attorney General William Tong says. Tong and CEA Political Engagement Coordinator Gus Melita are guests on this episode and discuss the impact of cuts to the U.S. Department of Education and what people in Connecticut can do to stand up for our public schools.
Mar 27, 2025•37 min•Ep. 55
CEA Racial & Ethnic Diversity Affairs Commission members Faith Sweeney and Luanelly Iglesias join CEA President Kate Dias and Vice President Joslyn DeLancey in this episode to discuss CEA's upcoming Summit on Diversity taking place Saturday, March 29, 2025, in New Haven. Find out why you should consider attending to hear from keynote speaker Dr. Miguel Cardona and learn about leadership opportunities, advocacy, and equity....
Mar 13, 2025•31 min•Ep. 54
Teacher certification in Connecticut hasn’t seen major changes since the 1990s, but that’s going to change soon. Jennifer Rodriguez and Elsa Batista are two of the four teachers who are sitting on the Connecticut Educator Preparation and Certification Board. In this episode they talk with CEA President Kate Dias and Vice President Joslyn DeLancey about the work of the Board and the importance of educators' voice in updating the certification standards.
Mar 06, 2025•28 min•Ep. 53
In this episode of CEA's podcast, Senator Bob Duff and school library media specialist Jenny Lussier, strong supporters of Senate Bill 1271 An Act Concerning School and Public Libraries , spoke with CEA President Kate Dias and Vice President Joslyn DeLancey about why this bill is needed and is receiving strong endorsements from educators, parents, and legislators alike....
Feb 20, 2025•25 min•Ep. 52
Listen to an exclusive conversation with Education Committee Co-chair Rep. Jennifer Leeper and Co-vice Chair Rep. Kevin Brown. They discuss this year’s top priorities for the Education Committee—and why your voice is key to getting good bills passed.
Feb 06, 2025•28 min•Ep. 51
For decades, many thought repealing federal Social Securities penalties was a lost cause—yet in late 2024 both the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate passed WEP/GPO repeal, and President Biden signed it into law on January 5. Doing away with the Windfall Elimination Provision and Government Pension Offset is a huge win for teachers and other public servants. In episode 50, CEA President Kate Dias and Vice President Joslyn Delancey talk with Bette Marafino, president of the Connecticut Alli...
Jan 23, 2025•26 min•Ep. 50
Do you have a health savings account? Do you know how to make full use of the account to save money and even invest? In this episode, Tom Lally, CEA's insurance specialist, talks with CEA President Kate Dias and Vice President Joslyn DeLancey about what teachers need to know to take full advantage of their HSAs. To learn more about HSAs, CEA members can register for a free webinar at 4 p.m. January 14 with Lally.
Jan 09, 2025•21 min•Ep. 49
In the last Two T's in a Pod episode of 2024, CEA President Kate Dias and Vice President Joslyn DeLancey take a lighthearted tone as they discuss their favorite holiday songs and food before moving on to a discussion of what they’re looking forward to in the year ahead. Some of the events they’re anticipating include January webinars on teachers’ free speech rights and maximizing your HSA , the CEA Legislative Breakfast in February, and Read Across Connecticut in March....
Dec 19, 2024•22 min•Ep. 48
When Kristen Record was confirmed as a member of the State Board of Education last spring she became the first active teacher the Board had had among its members in many years. In this episode, the Stratford physics teacher talks with CEA President Kate Dias and Vice President Joslyn DeLancey about what her first six months on the Board have been like and what she hopes to accomplish as a member of the Board going forward.
Dec 12, 2024•30 min•Ep. 47
In the latest episode of CEA's podcast, Newington teacher Jennifer Rodriguez talks about CEA's new ad campaign, Teachers Go the Extra Mile, with CEA President Kate Dias and Vice President Joslyn Delancey. Learn more about the campaign: https://cea.org/go-the-extra-mile/
Dec 04, 2024•24 min•Ep. 46
NEA Member Benefits Affiliate Relations Specialist Mike Reilly and CEA Communications and Member Benefits Director Nancy Andrews discuss some of the many savings opportunities available to CEA members. Listen to find out how you can save when you shop online as well as on pet insurance , auto insurance , theater tickets , travel , skiing , sporting events , and more....
Nov 21, 2024•21 min•Ep. 45
In this episode, parent Christine Rosati Randall shares how Killingly community members came together as Champions for Public Education to successfully advocate for the mental health center students desperately needed. Become a Champion for Public Education at https://ctedchamps.org.
Nov 13, 2024•32 min•Ep. 44
In this episode, CEA President Kate Dias and Vice President Joslyn DeLancey discuss their own reactions to election outcomes and how other educators and labor union members might think about the election results.
Nov 07, 2024•23 min•Ep. 43
LEARN Education Association President Kristin Gemaly discusses what teachers need to know when it comes to investing for retirement and planning for the future. The episode covers the power of compound interest, pre-tax vs. post-tax retirement investing, dependent care flexible spending accounts, health savings accounts, the importance of knowing whether a financial advisor is a fiduciary, and more. Resources mentioned in the episode are below. Nerdwallet.com compound interest calculator A tool ...
Oct 31, 2024•29 min•Ep. 42
In this episode, CEA Political Action Committee Chair and Glastonbury teacher Scott Minnick talks with CEA President Kate Dias and Vice President Joslyn DeLancey about the upcoming election, early voting, and how teachers can make sure they are informed on all the candidates before heading to the polls.
Oct 24, 2024•30 min•Ep. 41
In this episode Dalio Education Co-CEO Andrew Ferguson discusses the importance of coming together to invest in the state's youth. Ferguson is the co-chair of the Connecticut Conference of Municipalities' 119K Commission on At-Risk and Disconnected Youth, which recently released a plan to confront a crisis of disconnected youth by investing in education, social services, and job training.
Oct 17, 2024•29 min•Ep. 40
Chris DiPentima, the president and CEO of the Connecticut Business and Industry Association, talks with CEA President Kate Dias and Vice President Joslyn DeLancey about CBIA's new economic action plan and how education and economic growth intersect.
Oct 10, 2024•26 min•Ep. 39
It's election season, and that can lead to challenging conversations in the classroom. Whether it's questions from students or handling sensitive subject matter, teachers need to be prepared. In this episode, 2012 Connecticut Teacher of the Year and Berlin social studies teacher David Bosso talks about how to handle political or controversial topics that may arise in the classroom. From presenting students with multiple perspectives to focusing on critical thinking to ensuring support from admin...
Oct 03, 2024•23 min•Ep. 38
To start the school year off on the right foot, West Hartford Spanish teacher Dana Martin talks with CEA President Kate Dias and Vice President Joslyn DeLancey about a number of time management strategies, classroom routines, and technology tips especially useful for early-career educators. Check out her list of keyboard shortcuts.
Sep 26, 2024•29 min•Ep. 37
The 2024-25 school year is here, and that means new teacher evaluation guidelines are now in effect that focus on growth rather than compliance. In this episode CEA President Kate Dias and Vice President Joslyn DeLancey talk with Connecticut Association for Public School Superintendents Executive Director Fran Rabinowitz and CEA Teacher Development Specialist Kate Field about the shift that's taken place in teacher evaluation....
Sep 12, 2024•28 min•Ep. 36
The Connecticut Education Foundation supports children and teachers in need—and there are lots of fun ways for teachers to get involved. Register to attend the CEA Celebrates Gala on September 27—you can purchase individual tickets or get your local association to sponsor a full or half table —and it's also now time to nominate children to receive gifts through the Holiday Bear project. In this episode CEA President Kate Dias and CEA Vice President and CEF President Joslyn DeLancey talk with lon...
Sep 04, 2024•19 min•Ep. 35
What's new for Connecticut teachers this school year? Educators will see changes to teacher evaluation, play-based learning, kindergarten start age, DCF reporting, and more. Listen to CEA President Kate Dias and Vice President Joslyn DeLancey discuss the changes and how you can get involved to improve teaching and learning.
Aug 20, 2024•16 min•Ep. 34
Tolland Education Association President Kristen Deliman Grabowski and East Hartford Education Association President Paul Apostalon are among seven members who took part in CEA's new Because of Our Union campaign , and they talked about their own whys of union membership with CEA President Kate Dias and Vice President Joslyn DeLancey.
Aug 05, 2024•19 min•Ep. 33
CEA President Kate Dias and Vice President Joslyn DeLancey talk with Fairfield Education Association President Mick McGarry about scams that target teachers and then launch into a discussion of the many benefits they've personally gotten out of union membership.
Jul 19, 2024•23 min•Ep. 32
