The Connecticut Education Association’s Student Program (CEA-SP) received several prestigious awards at the National Education Association’s (NEA) 151st annual summer leadership conference being held in Atlanta this week.
Left to Right: Alex Burgos of Washingtonville, NY (Treasurer of Quinnipiac University’s Future Teacher Organization), Stephanie Chaplin of Attleboro, MA (CEA-SP State Chair and UConn student), Emily Oaks of Tolland (Former CEA-SP State Chair, and Southern Connecticut State University student), Timothy Nott of Montville (Western Connecticut State University’s Education Club President), and Victoria Formica of Hamden (CEA-SP Vice Chair and Quinnipiac University student).
Alex Burgos of Washingtonville, NY (Treasurer of Quinnipiac University’s Future Teacher Organization), Stephanie Chaplin of Attleboro, MA (CEA-SP State Chair and UConn student), Emily Oaks of Tolland (Former CEA-SP State Chair, and Southern Connecticut State University student), Timothy Nott of Montville (Western Connecticut State University’s Education Club President), and Victoria Formica of Hamden (CEA-SP Vice Chair and Quinnipiac University student) accepted the awards on behalf of all CEA-SP members.
NEA recognized the CEA-SP future teachers for their hard work and commitment to improving public education with the following awards:
- Outstanding State Affiliate Award to Connecticut
- Outstanding Local Affiliate Award to Southern Connecticut State University
- Outstanding Local Leader Award to Timothy Nott (Western Connecticut State University)
- Membership Increase Award
NEA also recognized CEA Education Issues Specialist and CEA-SP Advisor Michele O’Neill, awarding her the Outstanding State Student Organizer Award.
CEA President Sheila Cohen congratulated the students for their commitment to the teaching profession and their desire to help improve the lives of students.
“These future educators will play a crucial role in our nation to make sure every student receives a quality education,” said Cohen. “Teachers are our nation’s heroes—they motivate and inspire young minds and enable students to achieve extraordinary things. I know these future teachers will make excellent educators, and I thank them for their commitment to making a real difference in students’ lives.”
The Connecticut students joined more than 9,000 public school teachers and future educators from around the country for the conference, titled “NEA: We Educate America,” at the Georgia World Congress Center.
Connecticut’s student delegation kicked off the conference with “Outreach to Teach,” an annual event started by NEA’s Student Program as a way to give back to the city hosting the NEA annual conference. Educators—current, future, and retired teachers—cleaned, painted, repaired, and beautified Thomasville Heights Elementary School in Atlanta, Georgia.
President of WCSU’s Education Club, Timothy Nott, was awarded the Outstanding Local Leader Award for the NEA-SP Program. Future educators in 43 states with student programs attended the NEA Annual Leadership Conference in Atlanta, Georgia. Photo: Left to right, Timothy Nott and David Tjaden, NEA-SP chair.
The conference, which ran from June 29-July 6, allowed attendees to collaborate, advocate, and organize to improve public education throughout the country.
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