by Jamil Ragland CTNewsJunkie
Connecticut may soon have another education leader implementing policy for the nation.
On Monday, Kate Dias, president of the Connecticut Education Association (CEA), announced her intention to run for the presidency of the National Education Association (NEA).
“I believe that in these unprecedented and challenging times, educators need a leader who will ensure their voices are not just heard but truly valued and acted upon,” Dias said. “Throughout my entire career, I have been unwavering in my advocacy for students, educators, and public education. I understand that when we empower teachers with the resources, support, and respect they deserve, we create the conditions where every student can succeed and truly thrive.”
Dias has worked as a teacher for more than 20 years. She teaches geometry and college-level statistics at Manchester High School, as well as working with adult learners in the math department at CT State Community College in Manchester. Prior to becoming president of CEA, Dias led the Manchester Education Association.
Dias was first elected president of CEA in 2021. She was re-elected unopposed to a second, three-year term in 2024. CEA is the largest union of certified teachers in the state, with more than 43,000 members and 160 local chapters. If elected president of the NEA, she would become the leader of the largest employee union in the United States, and the largest professional education association in the world, with over 3 million members across the country.
She is the second person to declare their candidacy. The NEA’s current vice president, Princess R. Moss, has announced her intent to run as well. Moss is an elementary school music teacher from Louisa County, Virginia. She was elected vice president of the organization in 2020.
The election will be held next summer at the NEA Representative Assembly in Denver. Several more candidates are expected to announce, as candidates have until April 2026 to declare their intention to run.
At the state level, Dias has led CEA in achieving increases in teacher salaries, increasing funding for public education, and ensuring greater employment protections for educators. Some of the legislative achievements under her leadership include a professional standards board for teacher certification and expanded scholarships to attract diverse educators, among other things.
Dias has also raised her national profile in recent years. She traveled to Washington last year to advocate for the Social Security Fairness Act, which reversed two provisions in federal law that significantly decreased the amount of money received from Social Security by public employees who also earned a municipal pension. The bill passed the House and Senate with bipartisan majorities and was signed into law by President Joe Biden in January.
If elected, Dias would find herself leading the NEA in a volatile time for public education. The federal Department of Education has reduced its workforce by nearly 50% since March. Additionally, the department is withholding over $6 billion in appropriated funds for public schools across the country, which would fund after-school, student support, teacher training, English language teaching, and other education programs.
The recent budget reconciliation bill signed into law by President Trump also makes significant changes to public education, including vouchers for private schools and changes to student loan programs that may make it more difficult for potential teachers to afford graduate school.
“Teachers go into education because we believe strongly in the American dream and want all our students to be able to access opportunities to improve their lives. Unfortunately, this bill makes it more difficult for students to pursue their educational aspirations, as they will now have to focus more time and energy on meeting basic needs for food and medical care,” Dias said in a statement responding to the passage of the bill.
Connecticut has been a leader on the national stage in education for several years. The past two secretaries of education, Miguel Cardona for the Biden administration and Linda McMahon for the second Trump term, are both from Connecticut.