NCA E News Bulletin North Carolina Association of Educators Sept. 2022 Vol. 53, No. 2 www.ncae.org REINVEST IN WHAT WORKED BEST #ExperienceMatters4NC link.ncae.org/ExperienceMatters4NC(signandsharethepetition)
Welcome to September! As we prepare to celebrate Labor Day, let’s take time to recognize significancetheof this holiday educators,forone of the country’s most important work forces.Wedon’t often think about the labor we provide to our students, our schools, and our communities, but we should. Every day, we enter our buildings and ensure our children receive the best education possible, and it’s hard work. Physically, we sometimes stand hours on end, moving around as we work with students, or participating in activities with them. And then there’s the emotional piece, such as listening to and helping students work through problems on top of what we need to teach Unfortunately,them.there are some who don’t understand what the job of an educator requires. They think we only work 10 months a year and have summers off, not realizing we do things like teach summer school, participate in professional development, or engage in other activities to make ourselves better. The job of an educator is not like a light switch; we don’t turn off at the end of the Tamika Walker Kelly President day. We are always teaching, even when we are in places like grocery stores and occasionally catch ourselves giving out the infamous “teacher stare.” Our work is vital to every facet of life and should be a reminder to us that we have collective power, which comes when we are united, engaged with one another, talking to one another, organizing in our buildings, and standing up for education issues. Our collective power is a lesson we can take beyond Labor Day and practice every day, as we encourage colleagues to find their voice within our organization in an effort to make the profession stronger. There are many ways to show collective power, whether wearing red on Wednesdays or exercising our right to vote, it’s about getting involved in advocacy work and focusing on the same goals and cause – promoting the profession and doing what’s best for our students and ourselves as educators.LikeLabor Day, transition also takes place in September – a change in season and thoughts of Fall, a reminder to shed what’s old and make room for what’s new. It’s a mindset I believe we should think about as it relates to NCAE’s work. We are transitioning by bringing forth new ideas, new strategies, and tactics in order to advance our profession because like leaves on a tree, if we remain stagnant, we die. We must continue to grow and change. As educators, you are to be applauded, not only on Labor Day, but every day of the year. You provide a special service to our communities and for that, thank you! Your labor is to be commended!
Patriot's Day
NCAE News Bulletin 2
September 11, 2022
May We Never Forget!
A Salute to Our Education Labor Force!
“I can assure you that experience is valuable. While the plan does offer a bonus upon meeting subjective and arbitrary ‘outcomes,’ how is it beneficial if that is a monetary amount we only receive once every five years? Plan promoters recently suggested a 1.5 percent increase for experience steps, which is less than the annual 2 percent inflation target rate.”
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“With respect to recruitment, we already know what works and what we can build upon. North Carolina’s university system and its high-quality schools of education have been a source of great strength in our state for decades. Reinvest in our schools of education and expand programs that work like Teaching Fellows into our state’s historically black universities in order to recruit a teaching force that better reflects our state’s racial diversity.”
The well-recognized mural behind the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction in Raleigh recently served as the backdrop for an NCAE press conference where Vice President Bryan Proffitt, members, parents and students, gathered to address the unpopular changes being proposed to teacher licensure by the N.C. Professional Educator and Preparation Standards Commission (PEPSC). The plan would make sweeping changes to the state’s experience-based methods using untested ones, and threatens to replace it with a system that heavily weights standardized tests, principal and peer evaluations, and would use student surveys — not to continue to develop teachers’ teaching practices — but to determine whether they keep their license. Below are some of the comments shared at the press event. To view the video, click here.
– NCAE Vice President Bryan Proffitt
— Joppa Penn, secondyear special education teacher in Guilford County
NCAE Leaders, Members and Parents Push Back on Changes Being Proposed to Teacher Licensure/Compensation Plan
— Daria Fedrick, fourth-grade teacher in Harnett County, 13 years of experience
“I am disheartened by PEPSC’s proposal to change the licensure requirements for educators. This plan is more of a deterrent than an encouragement for teachers to enter the profession. I’ve said before that this plan is punitive in nature. It sends the message we are not doing good enough and now must prove our ‘effectiveness’ based upon the results of a broken measurement system.”
“I wonder if the PEPSC proposal has really thought through how [the plan] would look for me and my kids? Would teachers who want to work with English Language Learners be punished financially when their testing data comes back skewed? Or will those teachers keep working with those students if it means a $5,000 difference in their paycheck? If I had to make this highly unethical choice in the near future I think it would break my heart so much I wouldn’t be able to keep teaching!” Kiana Espinoza, fourth-year English Language Learners teacher in Wake County
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NCAE News Bulletin 4 Check Out the 2022-23 NEA Member Benefits Programs and Services
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PAYING FOR COLLEGE
NEA recently asked members to respond to the following question: If one thing could magically disappear off your plate this year, what would it be? NCAE members responded with a fierceness and here are some of those comments. The top answer was meetings, closely followed by testing and lesson plans.
– Lincoln County member
Educators … What Would You Like Removed from Your Plate This Year?
“Teaching things other than my content area because we are short staffed.” — Cleveland County member
“State standardized tes:ng. It needs to go un:l we can reset the damage COVID caused.” -- Bladen County member
“A<er-school duty.” -- Wake County member “Lesson plans that take HOURS to do the way they are requested to be done.” — Tyrrell County member
NCAE News Bulletin 6
“Ph.D. administrators who add needless complexity and confusion.” — Clay County member
“Endless paperwork on struggling take a day off last year just to catch up halfway through the year.”
“Serving as a tes:ng coordinator.” — Rockingham County member
students … exhaus:ng! I had to
September 22: 7-8 p.m. ET
“From Membership to Leadership: Organizing and Mentoring the Next Generation of ESP Leaders”
YOU DESERVE MORE Like a future worth celebrating
Important Information: All entries must be submitted before September 15, 2022, at 5 p.m. Eastern Time. The drawing for the Grand Prize Winner will be held on September 16, 2022.
“Spanish Language Webinars for ESPs”
NEA is excited to offer a series of online trainings to support Spanish-speaking Education Support Professionals throughout their careers. Click here to learn more.
The NEA ESP Quality Department offers a wide variety of professional development webinars to support the professional growth of school support staff. Register today for an upcoming webinar relevant to ESP careers.
During this webinar, facilitators will share how future ESP leaders in Massachusetts will be supported in their leadership journey through the Leadership Mentor Program—focusing on fostering relationship development through a partnership between individuals who share common goals and visions. As they progress in their leadership journey, emerging ESP leaders will be supported by a veteran ESP leader mentor.
“Equitable Discipline and the Role of an ESP This webinar is rooted in relational equity and culturally responsive social-emotional learning. You will learn about the important connection between authentic relationships with students, families, and staff members and their impact on student success, resiliency, and hope. You will also explore how personal bias impacts disciplinary decisions and actions. Click here to register.
NEA believes all children deserve the freedom to read, to learn, and to develop the knowledge and skills to reckon with our past and pursue their dreams.
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7 NCAE News Bulletin
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You deserve to thrive throughout your retirement, not just make do. NEA Member Benefits provides resources and planning tools that educators like you can use to start choreographing your days ahead — as early as right now. The first steps start at neamb.com/retirement 800-637-4636 G
• Grand Prize: One winner will receive a complete set of this year’s picks (that’s 12 books, one for each month of the year) for each classroom of the public school of their choice.
Win a Year’s Worth of Inspiring Reading!
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Veteran ESP leader mentors will support emerging ESP leaders by putting leadership skills into real-life context and real-life practice. Leadership mentoring at the individual and the Association level can also be a vehicle for greater leadership inclusion and diversity. Click here to register.
October 20: 7-8 p.m. ET
Student Services Board Members for 2022-23
Have you ever heard of the NCAE Student Services Division and wanted to know more?
Everything You Wanted to Know About the
President: Michelle Burton, Durham County Vice President: Shana Richards, Guilford County
Benefits such as health insurance and retirement plans reduce but do not eliminate the growing penalty. Even when these are accounted for, the teacher total compensation penalty was still 14.2 percent, as compared to 2.7 percent in 1993.Click here to see the EPI report.
In 1996, the pay gap stood at 6.1 percent. After reaching a then record 22 percent in 2018, the pay gap narrowed slightly (due to Red for Ed) to 19.2 percent in 2019 before widening in each of the past two years with the most recent data (2021) showing a record-high 23.5 percent teacher pay penalty.
NCAE News Bulletin 8
New Report Reveals Gaps in Teacher Pay
Treasurer: Germaine Hawkins, Wake County Region 1A director: Laina Stapleton, Buncombe County Region 1B director: Jason Kubota, Caldwell County Region 2 director: Michelle Honsa, Mooresville Graded Region 2 director: Tonya Withers, Forsyth County Region 3 director: Anthony Wright, Mecklenburg County Region 4 director: Joanna Pendleton, Guilford County Region 4 director: Ashley Sherman, Chapel HillRegionCarrboro5 director: Germaine Hawkins, Wake County Region 6 director: Monché Simmons, Whiteville City Region 6 director: Lisa Espy, New Hanover County Region 7A director: VACANT Region 7B director: Margaret Putney, Pitt County
Secretary: Keisha Horton, Forsyth County
The Student Services Division consists of certified members of the Association who serve the entire student population in their schools. They include media coordinators, school counselors, school social workers, school psychologists, school nurses and instructional technology facilitators.TheDivision has a board of directors, made up of representatives from each of the seven NCAE regions. Its president is Michelle Burton, a media coordinator at Spring Valley Elementary in Durham County, who encourages qualifying educators to join and get involved. “The Division is tailored to help us with the responsibilities and challenges we experience in our roles within our schools,” said Burton. “Many educators who fall under the Student Services umbrella think NCAE is only for teachers. NCAE is for all educators and this Division was created to meet our specific needs and ensure our voices are heard.”
Burton said there are three regional directors’ positions currently open on the Student Services Board in Region 3 (Charlotte/Mecklenburg ineligible), in Region 5 (Wake ineligible); and in Region 7A. Members can find more about the Division on its Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/groups/338189500786987 or by contacting Burton thelibraryteacher@gmail.comat.
In 2021, teachers earned 23.5 percent less than non-teacher college-educated professionals – a high record, according to the Economic Policy Institute (EPI), an NEA partner that recently released its newest research on the teacher pay penalty. For North Carolina teachers, it’s a 24.5 percent discrepancy.Nationally for men, the pay gap is a staggering 35.2 percent and for women it’s a significant 17.1 percent. This pay gap has grown significantly over time – more than doubling over the past decade. It is a key contributor to the national educator shortage, making it increasingly difficult for school districts across the nation, including here in North Carolina, to recruit and retain teachers.
9 NCAE News Bulletin AM-C04657 (May 22)
New Staff
Beller is a veteran educator who began her teaching career in 2004. “I joined the Association early in my second year after a veteran teacher walked across the hall demanding to know why my name was not on the membership list. When I told her I didn’t know what NCAE was, she said to me, ‘NCAE is the organization that just fought hard to get you a raise this past summer, and you’re going to sign up right now because that’s what we do. We join our organization and you’re going to use that raise we just fought for to pay your dues.’”After 19 years in the classroom, Beller wanted to be a part of the NCAE staff because she has seen how hard they work to support members’ needs. “I’m excited to have an opportunity to support our ability to grow and strengthen member leadership in this new capacity.”
As you head into the new school year, we want to thank you for all you do to shape the future through your gift of teaching. We know teaching is more than lesson plans and supplies – it’s giving your whole heart, and we’re so happy you answered the call to teach.
NCAE welcomes new staff member Kristin Beller as the project organizing manager. Prior to being hired in this role, Beller was president of Wake NCAE, where she served two terms, and was the Region 5 director on the NCAE Board. She also held the roles of co-chair of the local’s Government Relations Committee, treasurer, association rep, and was a delegate for both NCAE and NEA conventions.Astheproject organizing manager, Beller will drive the development of a multi-year strategic plan, where she will support NCAE officers, governance and staff; create tools to support the engagement of various stakeholders; track and interpret data; support events across the state; and lead a team of project organizers who will support members.
A native of Raleigh, Beller attended Wake County public schools, graduated from Appalachian State University with a bachelor’s degree in elementary education, and also earned a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction from ASU. She is the oldest of six siblings, four of whom hold degrees in education.Bellerstated that public education is incredibly important to her because it’s the one institution in our lives that brings people from everywhere together. “Our schools are not just buildings where students learn to read, write and calculate. They are dynamic communities where young people learn to listen, express their knowledge and feelings, solve problems, apply historical patterns and lessons, grow stronger mentally and physically, take risks, learn from mistakes, and so much more. That’s why, when fully funded, public education is a catalyst for improving the working and living conditions of every single North Carolinian. The impact of fully funded and resourced public schools extends far beyond our school doors.”When not advocating for public education, Beller enjoys walking her dog Freddie, taking care of her houseplants, spending time with friends and family, and listening to live music.
Just as your students can count on you to be in their corner, you can count on us to be in yours. To learn more, contact your local Horace Mann representative or visit horacemann.com. horacemann.com
on a great school year!
NCAE News Bulletin 10
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11 NCAE News Bulletin 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, 3700 Glenwood Ave., Suite 510, Raleigh, NC 27612, Linda1-800-662-7924.Powell,Editor/Designer NCAE NEWS Follow NCAE events and activities on: iiiiiiiiiiiiii kkkkkkkkkkkkk kkkkkkkkkkkkk kkkkkkkkkkkkk kkkkkkkkkkkkk LLLLLLLLLLL LLLLLLLLLLL LLLLLLLLLLLwww.ncae.org DEALS for NEA Members 2 0 2 2 Dates to Remember September 5th Labor Day (NCAE offices closed) 8th International Literacy Day 11th National Day of Service and Remembrance: 12th National Day of Encouragement: Link 15th International Day of Democracy 18th National Respect Day: Link 20th National Voter Registration Day: Link 21st International Day of Peace National Hispanic Heritage Month (through Oct.15) Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Month Childhood Cancer Awareness Month: Link Hunger Action Month: Link International Speak Out Month National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month: Link National Suicide Prevention Month: Link ffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffff fffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffff
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