Two T’s in a Pod

Episode 41: Votes & Voices

In this episode, CEA Political Action Committee Chair and Glastonbury teacher Scott Minnick talks with CEA President Kate Dias and Vice President Joslyn DeLancey about the upcoming election, early voting, and how teachers can make sure they are informed on all the candidates before heading to the polls.

Episode 42: Financial Planning for Teachers

LEARN Education Association President Kristin Gemaly discusses what teachers need to know when it comes to investing for retirement and planning for the future.
The episode covers the power of compound interest, pre-tax vs. post-tax retirement investing, dependent care flexible spending accounts, health savings accounts, the importance of knowing whether a financial advisor is a fiduciary, and more.
Resources mentioned in the episode are below.
Nerdwallet.com compound interest calculator
A tool from 403bwise.org for evaluating district 403(b) plans
Questions to ask before working with a financial professional

Episode 43: Processing the 2024 Election

In this episode, CEA President Kate Dias and Vice President Joslyn DeLancey discuss their own reactions to election outcomes and how other educators and labor union members might think about the election results.

Episode 44: Champions for Public Education

In this episode, parent Christine Rosati Randall shares how Killingly community members came together as Champions for Public Education to successfully advocate for the mental health center students desperately needed. Become a Champion for Public Education at https://ctedchamps.org.

Episode 45: Member Holiday Savings

NEA Member Benefits Affiliate Relations Specialist Mike Reilly and CEA Communications and Member Benefits Director Nancy Andrews discuss some of the many savings opportunities available to CEA members. Listen to find out how you can save when you shop online as well as on pet insurance, auto insurance, theater tickets, travel, skiing, sporting events, and more.

Episode 46: Going the Extra Mile

In the latest episode of CEA's podcast, Newington teacher Jennifer Rodriguez talks about CEA's new ad campaign, Teachers Go the Extra Mile, with CEA President Kate Dias and Vice President Joslyn Delancey. 
Learn more about the campaign: https://cea.org/go-the-extra-mile/
 

Episode 47: From Classroom to State Board of Ed

When Kristen Record was confirmed as a member of the State Board of Education last spring she became the first active teacher the Board had had among its members in many years. In this episode, the Stratford physics teacher talks with CEA President Kate Dias and Vice President Joslyn DeLancey about what her first six months on the Board have been like and what she hopes to accomplish as a member of the Board going forward.

Episode 48: Looking Ahead to 2025

In the last Two T's in a Pod episode of 2024, CEA President Kate Dias and Vice President Joslyn DeLancey take a lighthearted tone as they discuss their favorite holiday songs and food before moving on to a discussion of what they’re looking forward to in the year ahead.
Some of the events they’re anticipating include January webinars on teachers’ free speech rights and maximizing your HSA, the CEA Legislative Breakfast in February, and Read Across Connecticut in March.

Episode 49: Maximizing Your HSA

Do you have a health savings account? Do you know how to make full use of the account to save money and even invest?
In this episode, Tom Lally, CEA's insurance specialist, talks with CEA President Kate Dias and Vice President Joslyn DeLancey about what teachers need to know to take full advantage of their HSAs. To learn more about HSAs, CEA members can register for a free webinar at 4 p.m. January 14 with Lally. 

Episode 50: Grassroots Works

For decades, many thought repealing federal Social Securities penalties was a lost cause—yet in late 2024 both the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate passed WEP/GPO repeal, and President Biden signed it into law on January 5.
Doing away with the Windfall Elimination Provision and Government Pension Offset is a huge win for teachers and other public servants. In episode 50, CEA President Kate Dias and Vice President Joslyn Delancey talk with Bette Marafino, president of the Connecticut Alliance for Retired Americans, and Mary-Beth Lang, vice-president of CEA Retired, about celebrating the win, how we got here, and what's next.