Two T’s in a Pod

After a whirlwind school year, summer offers teachers a chance to pause and refresh—but sometimes the season can be quickly filled with obligations that get in the way of a much-needed break. Jessica Smith, senior vice president of strategy and innovation at The Connection Institute for Innovative Practice , talks to CEA President Kate Dias and Vice President Joslyn DeLancy about how teachers can...

Joy Colon is an educator who serves and gives back to her students, colleagues, union, and community in many ways. The Greenwich High special education teacher talks with CEA President Kate Dias and Vice President Joslyn DeLancey about her experience in the classroom, her work as co-chair of the CEA Racial and Ethnic Diversity Affairs Commission, and the many other ways she serves her community in...

Connecticut's state budget dedicated millions of new dollars to public education this year, so why are so many towns struggling to fund their schools? CEA President Kate Dias and Vice President Joslyn DeLancey talk education funding with New Haven Federation of Teachers President and AFT Connecticut Pre-K to 12 Divisional Vice President Leslie Blatteau. They discuss why new approaches are needed w...

CEA President Kate Dias and Vice President Joslyn DeLancey talk with Massachusetts Teachers Association President Max Page about lessons that can be learned from our neighbor to the north, which, in 2022 passed a Fair Share tax on multimillionaires to generate funding for education and transportation.   Massachusetts' Fair Share Tax has allowed the state to provide free community college to every...

State Treasurer Erick Russell joins CEA President Kate Dias and Vice President Joslyn DeLancey to break down the current state of the Teachers’ Retirement Fund and what it means for educators’ long-term financial security. As the state’s chief financial officer and principal fiduciary for its pension assets, Russell offers a behind-the-scenes look at how the fund is managed and where it’s headed.

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. Li...

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 othe...

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. ...

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...

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...

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 vo...

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...

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...

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 me...

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 Techni...

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 Presi...

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 new...

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, teacher...

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...

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 Teacher...