Connecticut Education Association-Retired

08/05/2026

CEA-Retired officers and members of the CEA Board of Directors are participating in the CEA Summer Conference at Foxwoods today and tomorrow. Leading the way in retirement!

07/27/2026

CEA-Retired spent the morning preparing materials for new members to the profession. Great work! Great company!

07/20/2026

We are saddened to share the news that our dear friend, colleague, and former Connecticut Education Association leader Tom Nicholas passed away on July 14.

Tom was a public education and student champion, serving as a school social worker in Manchester for many years. Prior to becoming a social worker, he taught elementary and middle school for 12 years. He held numerous union positions at the local, state, and national levels, including serving as CEA vice president and the Connecticut Education Foundation president for three years and CEA treasurer for six years. Tom held multiple leadership positions within the Manchester Education Association, including president and vice president. He served as an NEA Director for many years and an NEA RA delegate for more than two decades, where he was an active member of the LGBTQ Caucus.

Tom understood that strong public schools and strong unions are key to achieving the American Dream. He was inspired by his family’s advocacy and often spoke with pride about his parents, both teachers, and his grandfather, who was fired for his efforts to unionize his fellow railroad workers in the fight for better pay and safer working conditions. His family legacy shaped Tom's lifelong commitment to union advocacy and standing up for educators and public education.

Tom worked closely with many local leaders and members and touched countless lives. He will be remembered for his warmth, kindness, and friendship. He will be missed by everyone who knew him. We extend our heartfelt condolences to Tom’s family, friends, and all those whose lives he touched.

Calling hours will be held on Thursday, July 23 from 3 to 6 at the Tierney Funeral Home, 219 West Center Street, Manchester. A Celebration of Life Picnic will be held on Sunday, September 13, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. at Tom's home, 134 Hunter Road, Tolland, CT.

Tom’s obituary can be found here.

07/17/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/188ca7hmeC/?mibextid=wwXIfr

05/22/2026

Secretary of the State, Stephanie Thomas, was the keynote speaker at today's CEA-Retired Spring Business Meeting.

04/17/2026

Here the latest edition of the Advisor.
cea.org/publications/cea-advisor/

03/12/2026

03/07/2026

CEA-Retired members attended and presented at the NEA-Retired Conference in Chandler, AZ, along with CEA President, Kate Dias and our staff liaison, Elizabeth Sked. We came away with many great ideas to continue to move our program forward.

02/20/2026

The latest edition of the CEA Advisor has been emailed to all members and will also be in your mailbox soon. Voting for CEA-Retired delegates to the CEA and NEA Representative Assemblies are online this year and directions as to how to cast your vote electronically are provided. Please take the time to read the candidates' statements and vote for up to six candidates to represent you at these State and National meetings.