Although I was still in the classroom, I was excited when the idea of formalizing CEA-Retired was brought to the CEA Board of Directors for approval in 2000. Although I wasn’t there to share the growing pains with leaders like Jon-Paul Roden and Greta Stanford, who worked so hard to take a plan and turn it into the real, relevant, respected organization that is now CEA-Retired, I followed their progress with interest. Once I retired in 2006, I knew I had to be a part of this group. I jumped in with both feet, and I became a member of the Advisory Council in my first year of retirement and ran for secretary the next year. Six years later, I am honored to have been elected President of CEA-Retired.
I have learned much during these seven years that makes me confident that I am ready to do this job. I have had two great mentors in Greta and Jon-Paul, and I know I will be able to count on them for advice when I need it. I am looking forward to working with the members of our Advisory Council and the other elected officers: Bill Murray, Vice-President; Pat Foley, Secretary; and Ina Smernoff, Treasurer. They are all experienced leaders who are ready to get to work for you.
I have thought a lot lately about the three groups that make up CEA: our student program, active teachers, and CEA-Retired. Each group has an important role to play in CEA. The students are the future of CEA; it is so important for locals to hire new teachers who are familiar with the Association and who are eager to get involved. The active teachers are the investors; every day they are investing in CEA and in the futures of their students. They depend on CEA for leadership and support—and they get it. We in CEA-Retired are the historians; but we didn’t just record history, we made it. We made history when we supported the Bridgeport teachers during their strike, when we pushed to get binding arbitration, when we got legislation passed for maternity leave so a woman doesn’t have to choose between being a teacher or being a mother, and when we helped get the Enhancement Act passed. The list of accomplishments is long.
There is more history to be made. It will be made by the three groups of CEA working together. We must continue to care about what is happening to public education—even though we are no longer in the classroom. We must work with CEA to fight against those who would destroy public education. Of course, we will also continue to fight to protect our pensions and healthcare benefits.
I urge you to get more involved this year. Read our communications. Come to county meetings. Come to our meetings at the Aqua Turf. Encourage a friend to come along with you. Lobby your legislators on our issues. Serve on a committee. Remember the bumper sticker CEA had a few years ago? ”We Do More Together.” I believe that is still true—now more than ever. We need you to keep our organization strong, respected, and relevant.
I look forward to working with you for the next three years.
Thank you for your support.
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