Ellington Education Association

 

Per our bylaws, each candidate for office must submit a brief statement of intent in order to run.  Each candidate and their statements are listed below:

 

President: 

Mark Mahler – I’ve been teaching English at EHS since 2010 and I’ve been proud to serve as EEA president these past two years.  In this position, I’ve worked to ensure that we improve the transparency of our finances and our decision-making process, as well as revising our bylaws to make it easier for members to vote in our upcoming elections.  Next year I hope to further expand upon the progress we’ve made.  I look forward to working for you in 2018-19.

 

Vice-President/Membership Chair:

Amy Bernabe – I have been teaching French for 12 years and have been at EHS the past 6 years. I am currently the co-VP and membership chair of the EEA. This year, I have learned a lot about the union and have organized an EEA social as well as the upcoming EEA End-of-Year party (which I hope you will attend). Next school year, I plan on continuing to help assist our members and our President as the Vice President and Membership Chair.

 

Treasurer:

Rachel Dio-Rand – I am a 7th grade social studies teacher at Ellington Middle School and I’m running for Ellington Education Association Treasurer for the 2018-2019 school year. Since gaining tenure in Ellington, I have been the EEA Vice President and Membership Chair for ten years.

 

Over the years I’ve taken an active role in EEA and CEA. It is important for each of us to band together for the greater good of the teaching profession and our students. Together we stand a much better chance of seeing change, and I want to continue to help lead the change.

Since 2000,I have attended countless CEA / NEA conferences, workshops, and meetings; CEA summer leadership, CEA-RA, Tolland County President Meetings, Tolland County Forum Meetings, CEA new teacher conferences. Currently, I sit on the CEA Human Rights Commission in which we’ve worked hard to understand the impact poverty has on student learning and provide solutions. In short, I have been a dedicated member of the union for over 15 years, and I am looking forward to fulfilling the position of Treasurer for the 2018-2019 school year where I can continue to serve on behalf of the wonderful teachers of the Ellington Education Association.

 

Secretary:

Katie Herrity – I am interested in continuing as EEA’s Secretary. I believe my 13 years as your EEA President more than qualifies me for the position. I am extremely organized and will be able to perform the secretary’s responsibilities well. As an elementary teacher, I look forward to sharing my perspective on issues that affect elementary teachers at Executive Board meetings. I ask for your vote and hope to serve you as EEA Secretary.

What CEA did for you this year:

At the end of the session, we restored most of the Education Cost Sharing (ECS – the state’s primary education grant to cities & towns) cuts, stopped the $400 million shift of retirement costs to local towns, defeated the collective bargaining attacks, and blocked the 2% teacher tax that went to the General Fund in the Republican budget.

We are not happy with the 1% increase that goes to the Teacher’s Retirement Fund, but our staff and members succeeded in defeating almost all of the major attacks on our schools and members.

Your membership funding made this possible.

Continue reading “Summary of 1% pension cost shift & 2017 Legislative Season”

What Teacher Contracts Look Like in “Right to Work” states: Kenosha Wisconsin contract 2016-17.

State-by-state breakdown of Union Pay Advantage.

 

 

Check out April’s CONNTACT report from CEA

In this month’s issue:

• Major Victory for Connecticut Teachers!
• Teachers Stand Up for Public Education, Talk Priorities with Legislators.
• Call to Action: School Funding, Retirement at Risk.

CEA’s annual New Teacher Conference offers workshops for educators in their first six years of teaching, and provides networking opportunities with your colleagues.  Check out the flyer for more details.

If you’re interested, please contact your building rep. today.  EEA will reimburse you for the cost of the conference ($20), which includes lunch.

April 1, 2017
Mystic Marriott Hotel, Groton
Keynote speaker: Jahana Hayes, 2016 National Teacher of the Year

Check out March’s CONNTACT report from CEA

In this month’s issue:

• Connecticut Teachers Continue to Stand Up for Transgender Students.
• 5 Questions Educators Are Asking About ICE Raids and Supporting Immigrant Youth.
• It’s Never Too Early to Plan for Retirement.

Check out February’s CONNTACT report from CEA

In this month’s issue:

• How Will Gov. Malloy’s Budget Impact Students and Teachers?
• Who Stands Between Fake News and Students?
• CEA Members: Complimentary Dinner, IMAX Movie, and More at Norwalk Maritime Aquarium