In today's "Conversation Connecticut," News 12's Rebecca Surran welcomes Kate Dias, president of the Connecticut Education Association.

Dias is running for president of the National Education Association, positioning herself to lead the nation's largest professional employee organization and advocate for more than 3 million educators across the country.

Dias began her career in an alternative education program, working with students at risk of dropping out. In this program, she says she learned firsthand the value of interpersonal connections.