CEA Spring Elections
CEA Spring Elections–Our Association’s annual elections are fast approaching. The following positions will be filled:
CEA President, CEA Vice President, Governors for Districts 1, 4, 5, and 10, Middle School Governor-At-Large, 2020 NEA Local Delegates, 2020 NEA State-At-large Delegates, and 2020–21 OEA Delegates.
Declaration forms are available and are due at the CEA Office no later than 4:30 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 7. Voting will begin on Tuesday, Mar. 3, and will end on Tuesday, Mar. 17. Ballots will be collected and tallied by the Elections Committee on Wednesday, Mar. 18. Call or text Neil Moore at (614) 264-2188 with any questions.
CEA Declaration Form: Click Here
OEA Declaration Form: Click Here
NEA Declaration Form: Click Here
NEA State-At-Large Declaration Form: Click Here
Your Dues Dollars At Work: Mini Grants
CEA is proud to announce the first-ever CEA Foundation Mini Grants available to ALL CEA members. The CEA Foundation’s mission is to empower CEA members to design and implement innovative opportunities that will ultimately lead to higher achievement for all students. There are three mini grants for members to choose from:
• Early Educator Mini Grant–20 total grants up to $300 each (for teachers in Years 1–5 of their career)
• STEM/STEAM Mini Grant–10 total grants up to $600 each (open to all CEA members)
• General Mini Grant–25 total grants up to $320 each (open to all CEA members)
Grants cover one academic year, and there will be one application window per semester. This will allow members time to reflect on the needs of their classrooms, programs, and students served. Members are eligible to receive one Mini Grant per year.
These Mini Grants are separate from the Teacher Dream Grant and all CEA Mini Grants are funded completely through the CEA Foundation. Only CEA members are eligible to apply for the Mini Grants. Your application and all supporting documentation is due no later than 4:30 p.m. on Nov. 11, 2019. Second Semester applications are due Mar. 13, 2019.
For more information, and an application form, click HERE.
CEA Delivers Open Letter to the Board re: RIMPs
On October 1, 2019, CEA President John Coneglio and third grade teachers delivered copies of an open letter to the Columbus City Schools Board of Education regarding serious concerns with a recent change to requirements for the placement of third grade students on Reading Improvement and Monitoring Plans (RIMPs). The union asked the district to immediately rescind it’s ill-informed directive, designed to avoid deductions on the flawed state report card, which will incorrectly label a vast majority of third graders in the district as “off track” and “reading deficient”.
Copies of the letter were signed by a majority of Columbus City Schools third grade educators.
Read the full Open Letter
Centennial Teacher, Jennifer LaPlace To Receive Prestigious Award
The NEA Foundation today announced that Jennifer LaPlace, a Social Studies teacher at Centennial High School, is one of 45 public school educators who will receive the prestigious California Casualty Award for Teaching Excellence at the NEA Foundation’s Salute to Excellence in Education Gala next February in Washington, D.C.
The California Casualty Awards for Teaching Excellence awardees are nominated by their peers for their dedication to the profession, community engagement, professional development, attention to diversity, and advocacy for fellow educators.
“I am happy to represent Columbus City Schools as teacher and thankful to former OEA President, Becky Higgins for having the belief that urban education is thriving in the state of Ohio,” said LaPlace.
Each year, the Salute to Excellence in Education Gala draws almost 1,000 supporters of public education, and thousands more online, to applaud these awardees. At the gala, the educators are truly the stars, celebrated throughout the night with music, performances, videos, and more.
“Ms. LaPlace is a teacher who always goes the extra mile,” said Centennial High School Principal Stephanie Porta. “She is continually looking at ways to improve her teaching and reach her students in a meaningful ways. She never gives up!”
“This year’s awardees are fulfilling the promise of public education in classrooms, schools, and communities from coast to coast,” says Sara A. Sneed, President and CEO, the NEA Foundation. “Each awardee has met a very high standard, and together, they are celebrated for a shared commitment to educational excellence, innovative approaches to student learning, and support for their peers. We are grateful to California Casualty for its recognition and celebration of the very best in education, and we look forward to honoring the 2020 California Casualty Awards for Teaching Excellence awardees.”
Of the 45 state awardees who were nominated by their National Education Association state affiliate, five finalists will be announced at the beginning of the school year and receive $10,000 at the gala. The nation’s top educator will be revealed at the gala on February 7, 2020 and receive an additional $25,000. The gala will be livestreamed at neafoundation.org.
The NEA Foundation and the National Education Association jointly present the awards. Find more information about the awards and a gallery of this year’s awardees