NCAE North Carolina Association of Educators
News Bulletin
February 2021
Vol. 51, No. 6
www.ncae.org
NCAE Statewide Tour to Focus on Great Things Happening in Public Schools A decades-old dream is coming to fruition in the form of a big, beautiful RV tour. The NCAE “We ❤ Public Schools” RV Tour will include visits to all 100 counties in North Carolina. The tour began in January and will continue through early June. It will culminate in a large statewide rally in late June just as the N.C. General Assembly is making budget decisions. NCAE tour organizers are working with local and regional leaders to create events in each county that lift up the stories of how public schools are doing extraordinary things every day for North Carolina students and communities. The tour will also feature weekly “listening” events to get input
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from locals about what we can do together to strengthen NCAE’s power at every level, long into the future. The tour’s range of virtual or COVID-safe, in-person events in each county are a great way to engage membership and leadership across the state. The stories we gather along the way will both inspire and document those things that legislators must do to fully realize the promise made to North Carolina families by our state constitution of a sound, basic education for every child. Throughout the month of February, members can expect to spot the tour making its way through Region 7 before turning West through the
Piedmont and the mountains. Information on upcoming tour stops and event activities can be found at www.WeHeartNCPublicSchools.org. Members who are interested in helping coordinate their local’s tour stop events can contact the Tour Coordinator for their region. They are: •Regions 1, 2, 3 -- Ashley Jane McIntyre: ashleyjane.mcintyre@ncae.org •Regions 4, 5 -- Milo Norlin: milo.norlin@ncae.org •Regions 6, 7 -- Anya Sippen: anya.sippen@ncae.org.
#ncaervtour
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February Offers So Much for Us to Connect Around Welcome to the month of February, the shortest of the 12, but one that is going to be filled with many opportunities for us to engage and connect with one another. Before I share some of Tamika Walker Kelly them, let me first President acknowledge the country’s new leadership team – President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris. Thank you for your help in getting them elected as we all look forward to changes I am confident we will see in our schools and to public education in the coming weeks and months. Let’s begin with the General Assembly. Lawmakers have returned to Raleigh and we have the opportunity to follow up with our pro-public education candidates to make sure their campaign promises are fulfilled. We must roll up our sleeves and push forward on legislation that strengthens and uplifts our students and public schools. On the national level, the new Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona has already begun making repairs to the damage made by Betsy DeVos and is having conversations with NEA leadership to ensure that educators have a strong voice on what happens with the Department of Education. Speaking of the strong voices of educators, NCAE is ramping up its “We Heart Public Schools Tour,” which officially kicked off in Durham on January 23. We will visit all 100 counties in the next five months to highlight the stories of members, parents, and students on how public schools are working for our communities and what we can do to strengthen them in the future. It’s important that we
share why public schools are loved and why we’re so deeply committed to investing in their success. Although Valentine’s Day is the most celebrated holiday in February, let’s not forget that the month also honors the accomplishments of Black Americans. Just a few weeks ago the United States made history by electing the first Black woman as vice president, almost on the heels of the election of the first Black president. As instructional practitioners, take this month to delve more into the contributions Black Americans have made throughout history. Also, we recognize Black Lives Matter at School Week and for additional resources, you can visit www.neaedjustice.org. Infuse the works of People of Color throughout the curriculum so that students see themselves in their classrooms and the world in which they live. Black history is not just confined to 28 days; Black history is 365. So, as you can see, February is a rich month, offering many ways for you to connect with the Association, whether it be around political advocacy, instructional advocacy, or serving the community in some capacity. There are so many different ways to show how much you love NCAE, public education, and the students you help educate every day. NCAE belongs to all of us and it is vital that we all share in its continued success. Many of you are very active in the work and have been for years. For those of you who are not as engaged but might be interested in doing more, start small. It may be as simple as writing an e-mail to your legislator. It may be making a phone call or writing an op-ed for the newspaper. It may be leading a workshop or meeting in your building. It doesn’t have to be a large action for you to get involved. Each of us has a talent and we encourage you to let your gift shine through. Whether you have been a member for decades or this is year one, remember that NCAE is YOUR organization and there is always room for your voice here. You are priority #1 and your voice is always wanted, needed, welcomed, and most of all, heard!
President Tamika Walker Kelly for being appointed by Governor Cooper to the North Carolina Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies! She was one of six individuals appointed on January 7 as part of the governor’s appointments to state boards and commissions.
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NCAE Mour*s the Passing of a Legend … Dr. LayFaye<e Parker
“I appreciate the leadership that Dr. Parker provided for black teachers just before the advent of full-scale integration within the public schools of North Carolina. He and his colleagues worked to make sure that educators within the NCTA entered the merger negotiations on an equal footing with their counterparts within the NCEA. His strong voice and persistent advocacy ensured an amicable set of talks in advance of the July 1, 1970, agreement.” — Former NCAE President Eddie Davis
Dr. LayFayette Parker, the last president of the North Carolina Teachers Association (NCTA), passed away in early December at the age of 100. The NCTA was the black organization for teachers that merged with the North Carolina Education Association (NCEA), the white organization for teachers, to form NCAE in 1970. A native of Onslow County, Dr. Parker was a life-long member of the NEA. He was a product of public schools. He did his undergraduate studies at Fayetteville State University and received a master’s degree in higher education and administration from Columbia University Teachers College. He earned a doctorate in higher education and administration from the University of Pittsburgh. Dr. Parker had a true passion for education. He served on the faculty at Fayetteville State in various capacities, such as director of Placement, assistant principal of Newbold School, director of Summer School, and academic dean. He also served in various capacities at Winston-Salem State University, where he retired as academic vice chancellor. He served as a consultant on visiting teams for the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, for the National Association for the Accreditation of Colleges for Teacher Education and for the state of North Carolina. He also served on the North Carolina Association of Deans, National Association of Deans, was a life member of the NAACP, and was active in politics and the community. In 2014, he was bestowed The Order of the Long Leaf Pine.
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Standing Up for Reopening Schools Safely Through Demonstrations and Protests
Last year when COVID-19 began infiltrating every aspect of our lives, educators began adapting without hesitation to “We are really wanting ensure students had what they what’s best for students needed when schools closed. The as well as us. Our call to open schools hasn’t been organization advocates easy and has come at a price for for staff but in advocating for staff, some, with several educators losing we’re really advocating their lives from complications for students because caused by the virus. There is when the staff is doing nothing more desirable right now well, the students do for educators than to return to their better.” — Christina schools, but they know that it must Clark, president of the Orange Co. Association be done safely for them as well as of Educators their students. Across the state, members have been demonstrating, protesting, and lifting their voices for a safe return to in-person learning. Click here to read a few of the actions taken by NCAE members in local school districts.
Wendy Fipps, a fourth-grade teacher at Edgewood Elementary School in Columbus County, recently passed away from complications of COVID-19. She was 52 years old. Our thoughts and prayers go out to her family, friends, colleagues, and students during this difficult time. She is survived by her husband of 26 years, who was the love of her life. She had two fur babies, Snuggles and Hemi, who she loved like they were her children. Fipps enjoyed traveling, visiting the beach, fishing with her husband, cooking, reading, and playing the piano. She was described as someone who would “light up the darkest room” when she walked into it because of her beautiful smile and outgoing personality. Teaching was Fipps’ passion and she touched the lives of many students throughout her career. She taught in the Whiteville City School District for 30 years.
Congratulations to NCAE member Virginia Tobar, the 2021 Education Support Professional of the Year. Tobar is an interpreter at Jordan Matthew High School in Chatham County. With the large population of Spanish-speaking families, she regular communicates with them to ensure they have the information they need for their children to be successful. Since remote learning began, she is constantly on the phone checking in with families and offering support. She also works closely with Communities in Schools and regularly serves as the interpreter at school events.
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2020 … A Year Like No Other! The Winston-Salem Journal asked a range of citizens to reflect on the year 2020. Among those interviewed for the series, “A Year Like No Other,” were two NCAE members, who shared the effects the COVID-19 pandemic had on their personal lives and on their role as educators.
to be; how do you comfort someone from afar? Weddings have become distanced affairs that bind people together. 2020 has shown us that we are capable of redefining ourselves and our roles in society; 2020 has proven once again that in the worst of times the best in us rises to the occasion.”
We Are Capable of Redefining Ourselves – Annette Beatty, a teacher at Clemmons Elementary School “2020 will forever be etched in my mind as the year of paradoxical redefining; life as we knew it before 2020 has been redefined on so many levels and in so many ways. The COVID-19 pandemic, the shocking visual of George Floyd’s death that shook the core of the earth’s collective conscience, and the awakening of our youth to the urgency for positive and sustained change met on the stages of the world and demanded a response from individuals, organizations, and governments. Against the backdrop of lockdowns and social distancing spawned by the global pandemic, a stark paradox of activity emerged. George Floyd’s death sent millions of people around the world into the streets to demand that business as usual be redefined to reflect the will of the people for equity in treatment, equity in opportunity, and equity before the law. ‘Black Lives Matter’ was redefined in the minds of people who saw with new eyes what some have seen for hundreds of years through their experiences every day. Education became a pivotal point of redefinition for communities around the world. With redefinition, the notion that schools exist to educate the populace gave way to the expressed need for schools to continue operating to meet the social and emotional needs of students. Open schools were even touted as a bedrock of the economy. In-person instruction became remote learning and the digital divide could no longer be hidden. Education leaders heroically grappled with these issues; they redefined roles and resources to meet the needs of students and stakeholders. Through these processes, a challenging paradox emerged detailing how to educate students in person and meet their social and emotional needs while socially distancing. When I think of our collective experiences for 2020, I think about the connections I have with my family, the community, my profession, friends, and neighbors around the world, I think of how we have had to adapt our traditions, customs, habits, and social behaviors. We don’t hug each other when we meet anymore; I miss that. Funerals aren’t what they used
I Want to Be with My Students – Marshall Marvelli, English teacher at Paisley IB School “As a teacher your world is turned completely upside down. There’s a huge amount of education in the interchange between teachers and students but more important, between and among students. They’re all sitting in their own homes by themselves and that isolation is a killer. The word we hear most often is ‘disengagement.’ Getting the kids to participate in their own education is the hardest task we’ve got. I’ve gone back to doing collaborative-learning groups with groups of 4, 5, and 6 students and I encourage them to keep the cameras on but depending on the quality of the bandwidth, it kicks children out of the room. When they can’t see each other, they can’t read each other’s faces. It’s the lack of social contact between and amongst each other. In an ordinary school world, they create their own social world, and it’s gone. And without that community, education suffers. We have kids who are straight A students, and a lot of them are suddenly falling off the edge. And you talk to parents and they tell you the same thing – there’s depression. I love what I do. I love my students. I want to be with my students. I’m 78 and my wife is 76. I can’t bring COVID home. That’s not even the game plan. For the students, I know the education they’re losing. The reality is we are only able to give them half the time that we once gave them. For me personally, it’s the presence of my students and the interchange, to see a kid learn, to watch the light switch go on in someone’s eyes. That’s all gone. My hope is the vaccines really work, and they quickly drop the community spread of the disease down to the zip. I want back in the classroom with my kids. All of them. I don’t want cohorts coming and going. Distance learning is bad. Teaching cohorts half here and half at home, I expect will be worse.” Reprinted with permission of the Winston-Salem Journal
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The Pandemic Exacerbated the Needs in Public Education… the Shortage of Mental Health Professionals Was One of Them NCAE member Michelle Honsa is a school psychologist who knows all too well the effect the pandemic is having on the mental health of our students. She is one of a small number of these professionals across the state who offer a variety of services aimed at improving students’ mental health and their success in and outside of the classroom. Honsa has been in the profession for 21 years. She, along with two other school psychologists in the Mooresville Graded School District, serve thousands of students. Alone, she provides services to more than 3,000 high school, middle, and pre-school students. Far more than the ratio of 500-700 recommended by the National Association of School Psychologists. When she was hired eight years ago, Honsa said she was the district’s only psychologist, serving more than 6,000 students. Her responsibilities range from performing evaluations for EC eligibility, to sitting in on initial referral meetings, to assessing threats, to serving on multiple committees. Schools across the state are experiencing a shortage of school psychologists due to a lack of funding and candidates for vacant positions, according to a report issued by the N.C. Department of Public Instruction. This has limited services that schools can provide to students – an issue worsened by COVID-19. Prior to the pandemic, one of NCAE’s top legislative priorities was the hiring of more school psychologists, as well as counselors, social workers, and nurses. This remains a top priority for the Association. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX “The need for more mental health services for our children XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX has increased tremendously as a result of the pandemic,” said XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Honsa. “As we focus on the whole child, we see that schools do so much more XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX than educate – they provide nourishment, XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX mental health services, and a safe environment that students XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX want to come to.” A school psychologist for Durham Public Schools, Chelsea Bartel is also facing the challenge of serving four times the ratio of students she should – 2,200 students across three schools. She said the pandemic has brought to the forefront the long-simmering problems in education policy and funding. “The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) has never been adequately funded and North
Carolina legislators have not fulfilled their constitutional obligation to provide every student with access to a sound, basic education,” said Bartel. “The pandemic has only exacerbated existing issues.” Bartel has been a school psychologist for 10 years. She works for a North Carolina familyowned agency that provides exceptional children’s professionals to charter schools. She says they function much like a medium-sized public school district would in terms of supervision, consultation, professional development, and shared workloads. When the pandemic hit, many of her colleagues, especially those who were part time, elected to return to retirement or take a leave of absence due to the high-risk nature of the work, which can require extended time in close proximity to students. The General Assembly needs to take immediate action to ensure there are enough school psychologists to serve the state’s students. “We need to increase the number of school psychologists so that we have time to engage in the comprehensive work we are trained to do,” Bartel added. “I would love to provide direct mental health support to students, families, and staff. I would love to serve only one school so that I can become part of the school community and be seen as a resource. And, I would love to have time for more prevention, direct intervention, and consultation work. “I have met with lawmakers on several occasions to discuss these and other issues, such as salary. The maximum statefunded salary for school psychologists in North Carolina is $64,000. We have so many vacancies because the pay is not sufficient, $14,000 less than the national average for our field. If our leaders value social-emotional learning, which they often claim to, their actions must match their words. They must consider a significant boost in salary so we don’t continue to lose school psychologists, as well as other educators, to other states.”
Click here to see the 2021 Legislative Agenda Priorities
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Durham Association of Educators Played Pivotal Role
Classified Staff in Durham to Receive $15 Per Hour
Classified staff who work for Durham Public Schools — a total of 1,200 bus drivers, cafeteria workers, custodians, and substitute teachers — will soon see an increase in their salaries, thanks to the collaborative work of the Durham Association of Educators (DAE), Durham County Commissioners, the school board, and community public education advocates. “DAE has focused on elevating the salaries of classified staff since 2015,” said Michelle Burton, the local’s president. “In 2017-18, the General Assembly increased the beginning salaries of state employees to $15 per hour but not school employees. And, in 2019, Durham city and county employees were paid $15 per hour and our school employees were left out.” Burton said she knew DAE needed to become involved. The association, along with partner organizations, launched a social media campaign and circulated a mass petition demanding the county commissioners implement a living wage. “Our employees shared their stories on what a $15-per-hour salary would mean to them. Some of the stories were inspiring and some were heartwrenching, everything from how some worked second jobs to make ends meet to not having adequate transportation.” The end of last year, the commissioners voted unanimously to work with the school district. The result was $15 per hour beginning in January. The increase is retroactive to July 1, 2020. On January 23, some classified employees saw an increase in their paychecks. “They are so appreciative that people are seeing them for the important jobs they do in our schools. They felt left out and didn’t understand why.” Burton added that this decision is significant from a racial equity perspective. “If you look at the composition of the employees who work in these positions, they are mostly women of color, Black and brown. Many of our custodians are African American and Latino, and our child nutrition workers are mostly African-American women as well. This raise is much needed and will give them more of an economic boost. “This victory was possible because everyone worked together. It’s a really great feeling to know that our classified employees are now getting paid a decent wage. And, it feels great to know that organizing around an issue can and does work!”
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N.C. Teacher of the Year Maureen Stover Is a Finalist for the Nation’s Top Teacher
M
aureen Stover, the 2020 Burroughs Wellcome Fund North Carolina Teacher of the Year and a member of the Cumberland County Association of Educators (CCAE), is one of four finalists selected for the 2021 National Teacher of the Year. The finalists were named in part for their work challenging injustices both in their school communities and on a national level. They were selected from a pool of 49 state teachers of the year who hail from 44 states, the District of Columbia, the Department of Defense Education Activity, and U.S. territories. The award recognizes teachers for their work inside and outside of the classroom. The teacher who receives the national honor, which will be announced this spring, will be granted a year-long sabbatical to represent the profession and advocate for an issue of choice. Stover, who teaches biology and earth and environmental science as well as Advancement Via
Individual Determination (AVID), was an intelligence officer in the U.S. Air Force before becoming a teacher. She uses data-driven instruction to tailor lessons based on students’ unique needs. She said she does not give traditional tests, but instead uses performance assessment tools that let students demonstrate their understanding in their preferred learning style – including through song and poetry. “I take a humanistic approach to teaching by delivering motivating, meaningful content,” Stover wrote in her application. “I firmly believe that every child has the ability to learn, and it is my responsibility to find the best way to help each of my students maximize their academic potential.” Each year, she said, less than half of her students are projected to score a proficient score on the biology end-ofcourse exam – but for the past three years, more than 90 percent have demonstrated proficiency.
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NEA Member Benefits Modifies Life Insurance Program in Light of the COVID-19 Pandemic In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, the NEA Members Insurance Trust has modified the program so that any NEA member who is in the program and whose death occurred between March 1, 2020, and December 31, 2020, will receive the full $1,000 death benefit, regardless of the number of years that the member has been an NEA member. The NEA Complimentary Life Insurance Program builds to a $1,000 benefit based upon years of NEA membership. Get the trusted insurance protection you want for your family, at no cost to you. Up to $1,000 of term life insurance ($200 per year up to max.) Up to $5,000 of accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) coverage ($1,000 per year up to max.) $50,000 of AD&D insurance for any covered accident that occurs on the job or while serving as an Association Leader† $150,000 of coverage if you’re an unlawful homicide victim while at work Click here to see a comparison of the life insurance plans offered by NEA Member Benefits.
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Training Begins July 2021
Educators of Color Recruiting for Cohort The NCAE Educators of Color Academy is a model that provides participants with three unique phases that focus on selfdiscovery, self-actualization, and instructional facilitator. Participants agree to participate in all three phases. The EOC Academy is open to all members of the North Carolina Association of Educators who identify as a minority. Participants receive mentoring from EOC leadership team members and other cohort members. The program works to build a “Kijiji,” which means village. The focus of this program is to recruit and retain educators of color while providing them with a support system and strategies to give them the necessary skills to be successful in the field of education. The EOC Academy recognizes that educators of color face a unique set of barriers and challenges. The phases of the program allows the participants to learn about themselves, gain leadership skills and opportunities, and participate in projects and activities. The participants will gain meaningful professional development and instructional practices while being able to put them into practice. To apply, click this link: https://forms.gle/ xByQKxDLa9sH7VrcA. The deadline for applications is February 15, 2021.
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New Social Studies Standards Spur Debate Among SBE Members North Carolina’s efforts to make its social studies standards more inclusive are drawing complaints from some critics that the guidelines are promoting a political agenda. The State Board of Education in early January reviewed proposed K-12 social studies standards that include language such as having teachers discuss systemic discrimination and the perspectives of marginalized groups. The latest changes were motivated, in part, after national protests last year over the killing of Black people by white police officers. “Blame and guilt are not what these new standards are about,” said state board member Jill Camnitz. “Rather, we’re seeking to draw on the richness of the American historical experience as a gift to our children, so that they can better appreciate their legacy, strengthen their sense of connection to each other and work together to improve the American experience for all. This is the spirit in which these standards were created.” The reaction to the proposed changes was largely split along partisan lines. Board members appointed by Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper were supportive of the draft standards. Much of the objection to the new standards came from the board’s two newest members -- State Superintendent Catherine Truitt and Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson, both of whom are Republicans. “I truly believe that you do not need to include this type of language in the standards in order to be able to teach history,” said Robinson, the first Black lieutenant governor in North Carolina. “I think we need to be teaching students about their common experiences as Americans, and in order to do that, I don’t think we need to separate into groups.” Robinson pointed to strategies such as including the viewpoint of “marginalized groups” that he contends were already a part of history lessons when he attended public schools. “I can remember all throughout my schooling I was taught about the American Indian, I was taught about slavery, all the things we are talking about,” Robinson said. “So, I don’t understand this need all of sudden to include these groups.” Truitt applauded the process that led to new standards but questioned why explicit language is needed to help inform the standard’s guiding principles. The explicit language was requested over the summer by state board members who wanted language in the standards that promote the inclusion of diverse voices. That was before Truitt won election to become the state’s top superintendent.
The new standards, whose adoption was delayed in July, has undergone several revisions. They were supported by 85 percent of the 1,572 people who responded to a NCDPI survey. The state reviews and revises standards in different courses every few years. Two U.S. History courses in high school will become one to accommodate a personal finance course required by lawmakers. The changes would take effect during the 2021-22 school year. SBE advisor Mariah Morris, the 2019-20 Burroughs Wellcome Fund North Carolina Teacher of the Year from Moore County Schools, said the new standards are an attempt to focus on the perspectives of all students. “I think that when we have these hard conversations, it’s not about are we bringing blame or shame because that’s centering on one group’s perspective,” Morris said. “We have to center on all of our students’ perspectives and we have to understand that by having honest conversations, our students will hear us and know what we’re doing and respect us for that.” SBE member James Ford said the new, more inclusive standards are necessary because Americans share a national identity but different experiences based on ethnicity and race. “What we have done here is we’ve stitched together a patchwork of American world civics history that doesn’t just use one thread but uses a tapestry of various different threads and challenges individuals, as Mr. [Matt] Bristow-Smith said, not to believe one thing or the other or to feel a certain way or to engender a certain euphoric experience, but rather to think critically and arrive at their own conclusions thoughtfully about what they do as well as what they do not believe.”
Portions of this article were reprinted with permission of the News and Observer and NC Policy Watch.
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NBC Spring Sessions Offered by NCAE
Halifax County Member Named 2021 Exceptional Children’s Teacher of the Year Srinivas Pannela, a special education teacher at Northwest Collegiate and Technical Academy in Halifax County, is being recognized once again for another outstanding accomplishment – he has been named the 2021 Council for Exceptional Children Teacher of the Year Award winner. He was one of five educators selected. The awards, which are peer-nominated and awarded annually, recognize those working in the field of special education for their exemplary contributions. A member for 10 years, Pannela was recognized as the Outstanding Special Education Teacher by the National Association for Special Education Teachers (NASET) in 2019. “In my classroom, I want students to have freedom that allows for expression and creativity,” he said. “My personal goal is to challenge students and watch them grow to their full potential.” Pannela will be honored during a virtual Professional Awards ceremony during the CEC’s Learning Interactive Virtual event, March 8-13, 2021. The Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) is the leading association of educators dedicated to advancing the success of children and youth with exceptionalities through advocacy, standards, and professional development.
The NCAE Center for Instructional Advocacy is offering the following virtual National Board Certification sessions this spring. The cost is $5 for members (excludes introduction for Initials) and $20 for non-members (each session). To register, click here. February 6 9 a.m.-Noon -- Spring 1 Virtual ePortfolio & Guided Reading February 13 9 a.m. – Unpacking Component 4 11 a.m. -- Body of Knowledge & Standards February 18 4 p.m. – Unpacking Component 3 February 20 10-11:30 a.m. – Introduction for Initial Candidates February 25 4 p.m. – Writing for National Boards March 6 9 a.m.-Noon – Spring 1 Virtual ePortfolio & Guided Reading 10 a.m. – MOC Renewals March 13 10 a.m. – Unpacking Component 4 March 20 10 a.m. – Unpacking Component 2 Noon – Unpacking Component 3 March 27 9-11 a.m. – Guided Reading 9 a.m.-Noon – Virtual Reading
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April 9 5 p.m. – Writing for National Boards April 24 10 a.m. – Unpacking Component 1 10 a.m. – Unpacking Component 2
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READ ACROSS AMERICA DAY 3.2.2021 For many this year, school will be virtual, so Read Across America will be too! Here are some ideas for how to celebrate safely.
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February 3rd 6th 9th 11th 12th 14th
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Global School Play Day: Link National Ice Cream for Breakfast Day National Pizza Day: Link National Giving Hearts Day Lincoln's Birthday NAACP Day International Book Giving Day: Link League of Women Voters Day Race Relations Day Valentine’s Day President’s Day National PTA Founders Day: Link Random Acts of Kindness Day World Day for Social Justice Digital Learning Day: Link
American Heart Month African-American Cultural Heritage Month International Expect Success Month Library Lovers Month National Children's Dental Health Month National Women Inventors Month North American Inclusion Month (NAIM) Plant the Seeds of Greatness Month
“I tell students that the opportunities I had were a result of having a good educational background. Education is what allows you to stand out.” — Ellen Ochoa
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Positions stated in this publication do not necessarily reflect the official position of NCAE unless so identified. The NCAE News Bulletin, a journal of the Association, is published by the North Carolina Association of Educators, 700 S.Salisbury St., Raleigh, NC 27601, 1-800-662-7924. Linda Powell-Jones, Editor/Designer
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