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Posts tagged ‘professional development’

Nov 19

Griswold Teacher Brings Back Key Lessons from Holocaust, Genocide Workshop

Materials distributed at a recent workshop show educators how to create thoughtful lessons from tragedies such as the Holocaust and help students draw meaningful lessons from them.

Two days after the mass shooting at a Pittsburgh synagogue that claimed the lives of 11 Jewish worshipers, Griswold High School social studies teacher Hannah McNeil found herself in a discussion with other teachers about the difficult and important lessons that arise from human tragedies fueled by bigotry and hate.

An early-career teacher, McNeil was one of many educators—including new and veteran history and English teachers, department chairs, and college professors—at a workshop titled Teaching Holocaust and Genocide, hosted by the University of Hartford.

Connecticut’s public school teachers have gained increasing access to professional development opportunities such as this one since the passage of Senate Bill 452 this past spring. Supported by CEA and signed into law in May 2018, the legislation has added Holocaust and genocide education and awareness to the required courses of study for Connecticut’s public schools. Read more

Oct 22

Jahana Hayes Delivers Inspiring Message at CEA’s New Teacher Conference

“You chose this profession because you wanted to make a difference, and that means standing on the front lines for democracy,” CEA President Jeff Leake told nearly 200 educators gathered for CEA’s 18th annual New Teacher Conference on Saturday. “It means protecting education for the common good; keeping schools safe for our students; fighting discrimination; and resisting political interference into our classrooms while acknowledging that politics affects our work, our livelihood, our communities, and our planet. Because we are on the front lines for democracy, we will always rise to our duty to educate for democracy, stimulate critical thinking, and shape global citizens.”

2016 National Teacher of the Year and Congressional Candidate Jahana Hayes gives the keynote address at CEA’s New Teacher Conference.

Pointing to a “CEA Stronger Together” button he wears every day, Leake added, “This reminds us that our collective voice is so much more powerful than just one voice and that the best way to improve the fate of our students, our profession, and our communities is through the collective action of democratic, independent unions.” Read more

Aug 23

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Quality Professional Development for You From CEA

CEA Teacher Development Specialist Kate Field leads a teacher evaluation workshop.

The CEA Professional Learning Academy offers a wealth of professional development opportunities, aligned with Connecticut’s professional learning standards, to improve teaching practice and enhance student learning.

Through the CEA Professional Learning Academy, members can attend free workshops, conferences, and trainings developed by experienced educators, administrators, and experts in law and special education. CEA is a State Department of Education designated provider of professional development.

CEA offers workshops and seminars on dozens of topics, including  Read more

Sep 20

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Professional Development Just Got Better

CEA is proud to announce we are a State Department of Education designated provider of professional development.

As part of a recent push to provide teachers with meaningful professional learning rather than strictly compliance-based training, CEA has developed a catalog of Professional Learning Academy workshops that can be incorporated into your school or district’s formal PD days or offered separately. These will be offered at little or no cost.

For more information or to schedule a professional development workshop, contact CEA’s Professional Learning Academy at 860-525-5641 or myprofession@cea.org.

Sep 6

CEA Testifies: Support Meaningful PD, Oppose Shortcuts to Teacher Certification

CEA Teacher Development Specialist Kate Field testified before the State Board of Education today on streamlining the state’s PD requirements.

CEA staff testified before the State Board of Education (SBE) today on two issues important to teachers and public schools: professional development and teacher preparation/certification.

CEA, which is now a State Department of Education designated provider of PD for members, schools, and districts, served on a task force that recommended changes to professional development legislation, allowing districts greater flexibility to offer more meaningful PD instead of strictly compliance-based training. Read more

Aug 2

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New at Summer Leadership: Mini Sessions

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Cheshire 30-year veteran teacher Tracy Ajello and Torrington teacher Michael McCotter, entering his fourth year, practice broaching tough topics in the mini session Difficult Discussions.

Sometimes good things come in small packages—and that was the case on the final day of CEA’s 2017 Summer Leadership Conference. Day 3 featured a packed morning and afternoon of 90-minute workshops on a wide range of topics, including student debt, teacher evaluations, educator autonomy, culturally competent schools, adult learning theory, engaging members in political campaigns, trauma-informed practices, legal rights in the special education process, Section 504, and more.

“It’s my first time at Summer Leadership, and I just came for the day of mini sessions,” said North Haven teacher Jennifer Frederick. “I’m especially interested in new laws and policies affecting our classrooms. As a regular education teacher with special education students in my classroom, I’m also seeking support in that area as well as using Google apps in my classroom—which is covered in one of the sessions I signed up for.” Read more

Mar 20

CEA Workshops Create New Opportunities for Teachers

CEA President Sheila Cohen welcomed members to PD workshops this Saturday.

Nearly 200 teachers turned out for free CEA professional development workshops in Rocky Hill Saturday, making good use of the opportunity to learn, engage, and connect. Educators who teach preschool through grade 12 in districts around the state attended.

At a workshop on the growing problem of student assaults on teachers, participants learned about their rights, reporting protocol, and how their local Association and CEA can help. CEA’s Robyn Kaplan-Cho, who specializes in teacher assault laws, fielded questions about everything from restraint training to how to write an IEP that includes the necessary student and teacher supports.
Read more

Mar 3

New Teachers: CEA Conference Just for You on April 1

ntc-brochureIf you are an educator with six years or less in the classroom and are looking to improve your skills, plan to attend CEA’s New Teacher Conference on April 1 at the Mystic Marriott Hotel in Groton.

From culturally responsive teaching to the intricacies of the teacher evaluation process to Google Apps for Education, the conference sessions will explore everything that beginning teachers need to know. The event will feature Waterbury teacher Jahana Hayes, the 2016 National Teacher of the Year, as the keynote speaker.

The cost of the conference is $20 and includes lunch. Your local Association may reimburse your cost.

Click here for the brochure.

Click here to register.

Read more

Feb 21

Coming March 18: Three Free PD Workshops for CEA Members

PD March 18CEA is providing three exciting professional development workshops to members free of charge this March 18.

The topics of the workshops are as follows:

  1. For K-3 educators—Common Core Standards and their impact on our youngest learners
  2. For all educators—Understanding your rights and responsibilities when handling aggressive student behavior
  3. For Association presidents and treasurers—Your role in managing local funds and protecting members’ dues dollars

Click here for more information on the workshops.

The three free workshops will run concurrently on Saturday, March 18, from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Sheraton Hartford South in Rocky Hill.

Click here to register for one of the three professional development workshops.

Registration and a complimentary continental breakfast begin at 9:30 a.m.

 

 

Nov 4

Free PD Sessions from Mystic Seaport

mystic-pdMystic Seaport offers a series of free, monthly professional development sessions for teachers. The upcoming workshops, and food, are free, but space is limited, so sign up now.

Connecticut’s Unsung Heroes Program
with Barbara Jarnagin, Associate Director of School & Family Programs, Mystic Seaport

November 16, 4-6 pm 

Connecticut was and still is a very inventive state full of ingenious people. There are many Connecticut citizens who have invented great things to make our lives safer, easier, and fairer. What was it about the small developing towns in this small state that produced such big thinkers? Read more

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