Cook County Education Association

10/15/2026

Little boots, big adventures!

Have you spotted the cute little rubber boots outside our preschool classroom? Thanks to the hard work of our CCEA member teacher, Tina, and support from the Education Foundation grant, our littlest learners have been enjoying many outdoor adventures!

Paired with matching green rain suits, these boots let our preschoolers jump in puddles, dig in the mud, explore the school forest, and even walk in the stream. They’ve been a great investment in hands-on learning and outdoor exploration!

Because getting muddy, wet, and a little messy is all part of the fun of learning!

Thank you, Tina, and the Education Foundation for helping make these little adventures possible!

10/13/2026

CCEA is proud to introduce Mariah, our new occupational therapist! We are so thankful to have her on our team and for the support she provides to our students.

09/21/2026

EMPTY BOWLS IS TOMORROW!

Cook County’s annual Empty Bowls fundraiser is an incredible show of support for our students and our community. CCEA is grateful to everyone who dedicates their time, talent, and resources to helping keep our neighbors fed.

A special thank-you to our member Amanda Beal for stepping up and donating baked goods for tomorrow’s event. Your generosity is a wonderful example of the community spirit that makes Cook County so special. ❤️

And thank you to all of the volunteers, organizers, donors, and supporters of Empty Bowls for the work you do to make this event possible.

We’re grateful to be part of a community that continues to look out for one another.

We’ll see you there!

06/09/2026

Great summer read!

We are affiliated with the AFL-CIO.

When a billionaire tells you a union is bad for you, that's not advice. That's a signal that you're onto something that actually works.

05/08/2026

To our incredible PTA,

You absolutely clicked your heels together and turned Teacher Appreciation Week into something straight out of Oz.

From the ramen bar to the candy and beverage cart, the cupcakes, donuts, and every thoughtful detail in between, this week felt like walking the Yellow Brick Road with snacks in our hands and gratitude in our hearts.

We feel so lucky to be part of a school community that shows up so generously for its staff. Your support reminds us that education is never a solo journey. It truly takes a village, and we are honored to walk this road with you beside us.

Thank you for making us feel seen, celebrated, and deeply appreciated. Your kindness carried a little extra sparkle this week, and it meant more than you know.

Also, shoutout to Unified Club and NHS for delivering.

With gratitude,
CCEA

05/05/2026

CCEA is proud to share our very own union president, Chad Benesh, has been named to the Education Minnesota Governing Board!

This is an incredible honor and a reflection of the leadership, dedication, and advocacy Chad brings not only to our local, but to educators across the state.

Chad, we are excited to see the impact you will make in this new role.
Congratulations, Chad! We are so proud to stand with you!

04/24/2026

We’re proud to shine a spotlight on Judy!

When she’s not in the classroom, Judy enjoys spending time with her family—especially those rare moments when everyone can be together. She also loves getting outside, relaxing at the lake, and soaking in life’s quieter moments.

This spring marks an exciting milestone as Judy completes her Master’s in Special Education! Even more inspiring, she’s continuing her impact beyond the classroom by collaborating with her professor to publish her work and present at a future training workshop.

We are incredibly lucky to have such a caring and dedicated elementary special education teacher on our team. Congratulations, Judy! We’re so proud of you!

04/16/2026

Last Friday, CCEA celebrated our newly settled contract with a little magic from the best in the business—Mr. Chaz.

Mr. Chaz means so much to CCEA. He’s not only a dedicated supporter, but also a familiar face in our schools as a substitute teacher, always showing up with a smile and a positive spirit for our students.

We celebrated the best way we know how—together. With incredible magic, good food, and a whole lot of laughter, it was a night to remember.

A special thank you to our entire union for the hard work, commitment, and unity that made a fair contract possible.

04/03/2026

We’re proud to highlight one of our incredible teachers who truly embodies what it means to be part of this community - Stephanie!

In the classroom, Stephanie's passion is clear: teaching young learners how to read and witnessing the incredible growth that happens in just one year. She love the creativity, excitement, and energy that 5- and 6-year-olds bring, building a classroom community full of curiosity and joy. 📚💛

Outside of school, you can find Stephanie staying active at group fitness classes at the YMCA or hiking along the Superior Hiking Trail with her sidekick, Rex. 🐾🥾

And there’s even more to celebrate! Over the past two years, Stephanie has been working toward a Master’s in Education with a K–12 reading licensure and will be graduating this May—an amazing accomplishment! 🎓 In addition, she's been enjoying watching her husband’s business grow with the expansion of Fika Coffee.

Thank you for your dedication, passion, and the positive impact you make on our youngest learners every single day!

04/01/2026

The best way to celebrate Paraprofessional Appreciation Day? Pay them a living wage.

These professionals are the glue who hold our schools together. They deserve professional pay for professional work, safe working conditions, affordable health insurance and much more.