April 2017 bulletin final by NCAE

NCAE

NEWS BULLETIN April

2017

NORTH CAROLINA ASSOCIATION OF EDUCATORS

Volume 47, No. 8

Let’s Give Our Students the Schools They Deserve! House Bill 13 would provide a shortterm fix to new class size caps passed in last year’s budget, which also eliminated the limited flexibility local school districts have around class sizes. The House has already approved unanimously and it awaits Senate action. Last year’s budget provided very limited resources and a narrow timeline to meet the new requirements. Traditionally, local school districts have used the limited flexibility to fund music, art, physical education, and world language teachers. If quick action is not taken to restore this flexibility, as many as 4,500 teaching positions could be in jeopardy. “NCAE and our educators are supportive of smaller class sizes, but you can’t do it haphazardly, and in a way that jeopardizes the kind of education and the kinds of schools our students deserve,” said NCAE President Mark Jewell. “Our students deserve schools with wellrounded and diverse curriculum that meets the needs of all our children.” One way to help solve this issue long term is for our elected leaders to make a strong commitment to public education by elevating North Carolina’s per-pupil funding to at least the national average. North Carolina’s per-pupil expenditure is $3,000 per student behind the national average, which currently ranks the state 43rd in the nation. This comes at a time

Members, parents, and public education supporters from the community joined NCAE for a press conference in front of the General Assembly to tell lawmakers to fix HB 13 and increase the per-pupil expenditure.

when the state is enjoying $500 million surpluses and Senate leaders are proposing billion dollar tax cuts that favor corporations and the wealthy. “It’s about priorities,” added Jewell. “We should be prioritizing our classrooms, not corporate boardrooms.” While North Carolina’s per-pupil ranking has gone up slightly, we continue to fall further behind. In 2011-12, North Carolina was more than $2,300 behind the national average. Currently North Carolina’s per-pupil expenditure is

Join the “Schools Our Students Deserve” Campaign During National Teacher Appreciation Week -- May 8-13

$8,898. The U.S. average is $11,943. In addition, North Carolina’s textbook and technology fund is woefully inadequate and behind pre-recession levels, and the state’s average teacher pay continues to land us in the bottom tier of states. Our students deserve better than this. Let’s invest in our public school classrooms and give North Carolina the schools our students deserve by raising per-pupil spending to at least the national average. In celebration of National Teacher Appreciation Week next month, the Association will sponsor the “Schools Our Students Deserve” Campaign. Some of the planned activities include walk-ins, town hall meetings, and a lobby day at the General Assembly. Members will also be asked to Wear Red for Public Ed. More information will be available on the NCAE Web site and social media pages.

NCAE

News Bulletin

April 2017

We’ve Got the POWER Right Here, Right Now! POWER…the dictionary defines the word POWER as the ability to act or produce an effect. As an Association, NCAE has POWER. As members of this Association, you have POWER as well. Sometimes we forget how influential we are because Kristy Moore we’re beat down, we’re told that Vice President we’re not good enough, we’re told that we don’t do what we need to do…all things we can’t allow to continue. Because of that POWER, we were able to have Governor Cooper speak at our 47th annual convention. That happened because of us! He knows that happened because of us, this state, and those folks on Jones Street, know that happened because of us. If we didn’t possess POWER, do you think they would come for us the way they have been? That’s why they continually try to take away our payroll deduction, that’s why they try not to fully fund public education, that’s why they keep trying to hold us down. But the POWER is inside of us, and until we unleash it, they haven’t seen anything yet! We have to rekindle the good old days when we filled up convention halls by the thousands and let them know that we refuse to let them come for our

babies, put down our Association, or put us down as educators. Enough is enough! Each of us needs to reach inside ourselves and pull out that POWER. It’s there…we have to take that POWER, use it, and make them understand why public education is not going anywhere. We must let them know that they can come for us but we’re going to be ready! Without us, our children would fall by the wayside. You know it and they know it. That’s why we need to take our POWER back and work together, as a family, as a unit, or they will continue to pull us apart. It’s not about one person, it’s not about me, it’s not about President Jewell, it’s about ALL of us, the NCAE family. And in order for our family to bond and unite, we must have conversations. We may not always agree, but that’s okay. Teachers, when was the last time you had a conversation with a custodian? Bus drivers, when was the last time you had a conversation with an administrator? When was the last time you had a conversation with a colleague that is not a member? We have to get out of our comfort zones. It’s about having those one-on-one’s with each other and sharing our stories of the love we share for this profession. And in the end, I believe we’ll join hands, ignite a fire like never before, and grow stronger and better together. Because right here, right now it’s about the POWER, and we have to use that POWER to make a difference!

Members Recognized During State of the State Address Members Wendell Tabb, Jasmine Lauer, and Sabrina Peacock were recognized by Gov. Cooper during his recent State of the State address. In his budget, he wants to restore a version of the N.C. Teaching Fellows, proposes a $150 teacher stipend for supplies, and ensures that ALL educators receive a pay increase regardless of years of experience. Tabb is a 30-year teaching veteran at Hillside High School in Durham County; Lauer, who spends hundreds dollars of her own money on students each year, teaches at Sanderson High School in Wake County; Peacock is a N.C. Teaching Fellow who teaches third grade at Oak Hill Elementary in Guilford County.

News Bulletin

April 2017

NCAE

We Must Focus on NCAE’s Mission! The 47th NCAE Convention is in the books and was a huge success. It was a pleasure to see so many new faces and so many familiar faces as well. To those of you who were unable to join us, we look forward to seeing you at a NCAE Convention in the near future. As many of you know, this year’s convention theme was Right Here, Right Now, a very timely theme given all going on in our world. With the current political environment we find ourselves in, we must focus on what we can and must do what we believe in. We must focus on NCAE’s mission. And what is NCAE’s mission? NCAE’s mission is to be the voice of educators in North Carolina that unites, organizes, and empowers members to be advocates for education professionals, public education, and children. So, Right Here, Right Now, I challenge each of us to reflect on whether those in public office hold the same beliefs. And if they do not, regardless of our individual personal political party, we must advocate for and defend what we believe in. We cannot hide behind labels or parties or affiliations or fears. We must collectively stand up and make our voices heard. We must challenge those who seek to do us harm, and we must do it regardless of political party or affiliation. I want to acknowledge that not all of us are of the same political party or same political ideology, but I am fairly certain from my travels throughout North Carolina, which I have enjoyed immensely, that we share a similar passion and commitment to the students in this great state and to the public education system that gives them hope every day. I am convinced that we ALL believe public education is the way to a better future for the children of North Carolina and the nation, AND that being in the bottom is NOT acceptable any more. And we will NOT tolerate it. I understand that this may be harder for some of us than others - depending on geography, upbringing, personal connections, etc. However, we must if we are to truly be committed to the mission of our organization. In addition in these turbulent times, we must think not just

about defending against the attacks that are coming, and will continue to come, but about strengthening and growing our Association for the future. How do we do that? We build membership. The value of NCAE membership is different for everyone. It could be political action, professional Rachelle Johnson development, social justice, Executive Director leadership opportunities, or something else. We must show potential members and former members that there is room for all in our organization, and we are stronger together. We must welcome new educators into the family with open arms because we are a family. We must convince them to be part of us - their professional organization, their union, their Association. We engage more educators, whether members or not. Having one-on-one conversations with another educator is timeconsuming but critically important to making connections that are meaningful and keeping the Association relevant. We partner with others who believe like we do - parents, community leaders, and other organizations and relentlessly fight for quality public education for every child. NCAE is part of many coalitions and leads the effort to unify likeminded individuals and groups. We stay the course. We do not hide. We speak up where there is injustice and inequity, and we make our voices heard, even when it is difficult and uncomfortable. So, my question is this – What are you willing to do to strengthen the Association, YOUR Association? Today, tomorrow, next week? Because what you do Right Here, Right Now matters. Because what we do together Right Here, Right Now matters. To NCAE. To public education. And to the future of North Carolina.

Speaking Out On House Bill 2 NCAE President Mark Jewell recently spoke on the importance of repealing House Bill 2 during an Equality NC press conference. The compromise bill, HB 142, which passed last month, continues to divide: “It’s highly frustrating that Senator Berger and Speaker Moore have held this state hostage from ever taking a vote on a full repeal of House Bill 2, which is what most North Carolinians want. The kind of economic and personal damage House Bill 2 inflicted on our state and our students will take decades to recover from, if we can recover at all. We will continue to work with Gov. Cooper to end discrimination, to make our schools welcoming for all students, and to help elect candidates who hold those same values.”

NCAE

News Bulletin

April 2017

Results of the 2017 NCAE/NEA Election Due to the run-off race for the positions of NEA Director between Lisa Delaney and Julio Morales (3year term) and Ronda Mays and Amy Harrison (1-year term), the winners of these races will be announced in the May issue of the News Bulletin. For more information, and to vote, click here.

REGION 1B DIRECTOR

REGION 3 DIRECTOR (3 yr)

REGION 4 DIRECTOR

REGION 5 DIRECTOR

Amanda Garrison

Lawrence Brinson

Edris Glover

Kristin Beller

REGION 6 DIRECTOR

PRIN/ADMIN DIVISION

Dee Grissett

Oliver Holley, president

Shammah Barrett, vice pres.

Lenwood Thompson, AP rep

STUDENT SERV DIVISION

ESP DIVISION

Dov Rosenberg, president

Khem Irby, secretary

News Bulletin

April 2017

NCAE

Highlights of the 47th Annual NCAE Convention Raleigh served as the backdrop for the NCAE Convention, where delegates took care of Association business, honored individuals who have had a profound impact on public education, heard rousing messages from guest speakers, and helped homeless students in Wake Co. by donating thousands of personal hygiene items.

Click here to hear Convention speeches. To see more photos, visit the NCAE Flickr page.

NCAE

News Bulletin

April 2017

I’m An Educator Because.....

Books and Barbershops

We asked members at the NCAE Convention and Representative Assembly why they do what they do. This is what they told us:

Erica Johnson, left, presents books to local barbershop owner Akili Hester.

For the African-American community, the barbershop is not only a place for men and boys to get their hair cut, it is also the epicenter of male knowledge and growth. In Alamance County, barbershops are becoming places where boys can strengthen their reading skills, thanks to NCAE member Erica Johnson. A teacher assistant at Grove Park Elementary, Johnson coordinates the “Books to Barbershop” program, providing books to five community barbershops. It’s a project she began two years ago after listening to her assistant principal talk extensively at a summer retreat about how far behind young black males are. “She spoke about their demographics and the fact that they are failing to achieve on the same level as their counterparts,” Johnson said. “Then something hit me like a ton of bricks! I have two sons of my own. I asked myself, ‘how do I start making an impact?’ I’ve witnessed the disparity on learning being in education myself. Children need to read and be read to. I knew I could touch young males via barbershops and introduced the Books to Barbershop program.” Johnson, who purchases some of the books herself as well as receives donations, said the project has been a huge hit. “I have received positive feedback. I am trying to expand the program idea to some local apartment complexes.” The knowledge that there are children suffering from enhanced vocabulary opportunities just because they do not come from a certain familial background greatly disturbs Johnson. “I started this program because I was looking for a way to increase young black males’ vocabulary and knowledge at the same time. And what better way to reach them than through books? It’s so important to me to give of myself so that children compete on the same level. The community needs to know someone is in their corner and is working to close the gap.”

“I wanted to make a difference in the world and I wanted to share my passion of learning with others so they can have as wonderful a life as I have had. As a life-long learner, I learn from my students and they learn from me. Teaching is not just what I do, it’s who I am!” – Rita Jackson-Gilbert, Pitt County

“I want to help children be the best possible person they can be. I want children to feel they can make a difference in this world through knowledge I can give them and tools to better themselves to get them there.” – Jill Zandrowicz, Union County

“My mother was a social worker and ran a food pantry. I saw the difference a kind, caring educator can make in a child’s life. To have a trained professional there that can recognize little things and make a child smile is why I teach every day.” – Alex Ward, Catawba County

“What keeps me in education is the need for male figures in the classroom, especially for AfricanAmerican students, who need role models, a voice, and someone who has their best interest at heart. This is why I am an educator!” – Hamid Kamara, Alamance/Burlington

News Bulletin

NCAE

April 2017

Educational Opportunities Sustainable Forestry Teacher Experience

We ALL Must Be Activists ...Because It Works! Fed up? During this legislative session, we have the strength to win. Our success depends on all of us raising our voices in defense of public education and keeping them raised over time. Here are some ways for you to get involved. For important news alerts and member calls to action, check out the NCAE Education Insight, published each Friday during the legislative session. Follow NCAE on Facebook and Twitter. Be prepared to call or e-mail elected officials in a call to action. Use a personal message, even if it’s short. Attend your legislators’ local town halls and coffee hours. Follow their official page on Facebook. Start a respectful dialogue to build trust. In communications with lawmakers, be forceful on the issue and respectful with no personal attacks. Volunteer to help out in your local association. Join forces with other members, and encourage non-members to sign up. Write letters to the editor of your local newspaper on issues you believe most strongly impact students and schools. Start building coalitions now! Develop relationships with parents and business leaders. Share information about what’s happening, and ask them to get involved. Plan a walk-in to help build relationships outside of school walls. Visit www.ReclaimOurSchools.org. Pitch stories to media outlets, including the NCAE News Bulletin. If we don’t counter the false narrative pushed by anti-public education forces, no one will.

Each year the North Carolina Forestry Association also with its partners, the North Carolina Forest Service and the NC Sustainable Forestry Implementation Committee, deliver three regional workshops designed to educate teachers about forestry and the importance of forestry to the state of North Carolina. They also include Project Learning Tree curriculum that helps teachers be able to translate the forestry information into practical classroom lessons that fall in line with NC State Educational Standards. The NCFA is looking to fill this year’s workshops with 120 educators. The cost is only $50. The NCFA and its partners pay for all food, lodging, and transportation once at the workshop and also pays for fun activities at each workshop for the teachers. Teachers who teach third through 12th grade are encouraged to apply. They will receive 30 CEU contact hours for attending and take back a wealth of knowledge to share with their students. The deadline for applications is April 15th, 2017. Dates for the workshops are: • Coastal Workshop in New Bern –June 19 -22, 2017 (32 open spots) • Mountain Workshop in Asheville –June 26-29, 2017 (FULL) • Piedmont Workshop in Southern Pines –July 18-21, 2017 (32 open spots) Registration is available online at https://ncfa.memberclicks.net/index.php? option=com_mc&view=mc&Itemid=150. Please direct questions to Eddie Reese at (919) 834-3943, ext. 2 or ereese@ncforestry.org. Hitting Pay Dirt…Gardening at School Benefits All “The glory of gardening: hands in the dirt, head in the sun, heart with nature. To nurture a garden is to feed not just the body, but the soul.” – Alfred Austin, poet Gardening can be such a wonderful experience – both at home and at school. According to many studies compiled by the National Gardening Association, gardens in schools have multiple benefits, which include: • • • • • • •

Significantly increasing science achievement scores in elementary students Improving social skills and behavior of students Improving life skills, including working with groups and self-understanding Increasing children’s knowledge about the benefits of eating fruits and vegetables Improving students’ interest in eating fruits and vegetables Improving environmental attitudes, especially with younger children Instilling an appreciation and respect for nature that lasts into adulthood

How can you start a garden so you can harvest all of these advantages for students in your school? Visit these Web sites for helpful tips, MyHealthySchool.com and GrowingGreat.org.

NCAE

News Bulletin

April 2017

NCFPSC Champions for Children Gala...Make a Difference in a Child’s Life Harry is beginning his first year in high school. Although excited about what this new chapter of his life will bring, he is also anxious and ashamed. Why? Because his parents don’t have the means to provide the supplies he needs or a much-needed new pair of shoes. This story about Harry is fictitious, but for many students across the state, it rings true. Help is available for these students through the N.C. Foundation for Public School Children, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that assists students with everything from school supplies, to medications, to eyeglasses. Like many non-profits, the Foundation heavily relies on donations to ensure its work is carried out. Scheduled for next month, is the Foundation’s fifth Champions for Children Gala, a fundraiser to not only raise money, but to honor organizations and individuals who have made a difference in the lives of children. Check out the accompanying flyer for more information about the Gala and how to purchase tickets.

State Health Plan Benefits, Medicare Sessions Are Back! The State Health Plan is again offering outreach meetings statewide on “Navigating Your State Health Plan Benefits and Medicare.” The free sessions are designed for active employees who will soon be 65, are already 65 or older, and retirees who will turn 65 within the next two years, and will explain important Plan retirement health benefit options. The outreach meetings will run through July. Registration is available for seven webinars on the same topic from April through August. Visit the State Health Plan Web site and click the “Upcoming Events” tab to register.

“A basic element of the American dream is equal access to education as the lubricant of social and economic mobility.” -Nicholas Kristof

News Bulletin

NCAE

April 2017

NCAE is proud to sponsor and support the Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s fourth annual Time to THRIVE Conference to promote safety, inclusion, and well-being for LGBTQ students. NEA co-presents this annual conference and members receive discounted registration. Register today!

TIM TO

THRIVE

P R O M OTI N G SAF ETY, I N C LUS I O N AN D WE LL-B E I N G FO R LG BTQ YOUTH…EVE RYWH E R E!

SAVE THE DATE! THE HUMAN RIGHTS CAMPAIGN FOUNDATION AND OUR CO-PRESENTING CONFERENCE PARTNERS ARE EXCITED TO PRESENT TIME TO THRIVE, THE 4TH ANNUAL NATIONAL CONFERENCE PROMOTING SAFETY, INCLUSION AND WELL-BEING FOR LGBTQ YOUTH ... EVERYWHERE!

APRIL 28-30, 2017 WASHINGTON MARRIOTT WARDMAN PARK WASHINGTON, DC

2017 SPECIAL GUEST SPEAKERS

Jazz Jennings Trans Youth Activist and Star of TLC’s I Am Jazz

Nayyef Hrebid & Btoo Al Lami Stars of Logo documentary Out of Iraq

Katie Couric Yahoo Global News Anchor

Lily Eskelen-Garcia President, National Education Association

Erin O’Flaherty First Out Lesbian to Compete at Miss America

Richard Yep Chief Executive Officer, American Counseling Association

NON

Families Not Accepting

HOME: 33% of LGBT youth say their family is not accepting of LGBT people.

SCHOOL: LGBT youth are more than 2x as likely to be verbally harassed/called names at school.

Judy Shepard Co-Founder of the Matthew Shepard Foundation

Betty DeGeneres LGBTQ Activist and Mother of Ellen DeGeneres

FACTS YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT LGBT YOUTH

LGBT

Charles Blow Author & New York Times Columnist

COMMUNITY: 63% of LGBT youth say they will need to move to another part of the country to feel accepted.

The deck continues to be stacked against young people growing up LGBTQ in America. The impact of family rejection, bullying and daily concern for safety weigh heavily on our youth. By engaging a broad audience of youth-serving professionals, we can create a thriving LGBTQ youth population. Time to THRIVE provides a “one-stop-shop” opportunity to build awareness and cultural competency, learn current and emerging best practices, and gather resources from leading experts and national organizations in the field. More exciting keynote speakers and special guests will be announced soon!

REGISTRATION OPEN NOW WWW.TIMETOTHRIVE.ORG CO-PRESENTED BY:

PRESENTING SPONSORS:

NCAE

News Bulletin

DEALS

2017

for NEA Members

Dates to Remember

NEA Click & Save “Buy-Lights” for April Spring has sprung! NEA Click & Save, the online discount buying service for NEA members, highlights select retailers and merchants each month. Check out these featured “Buy-Lights” for April. • ChildrensPlace.com -- Great sales on high-quality children’s clothing, sizes 0-14. Get value-priced accessories too! • DisneyStore.com -- Save on Disney-branded apparel, toys, electronics, stationery, and home décor. Free shipping everyday on orders of $50 or more. • Kohls.com -- Shop top brands on apparel, shoes, accessories, home products, and more. Take advantage of daily deals, earn 2X WOWPoints, and get free standard shipping on orders of $50 or more. • Jewelry.com -- Save on exceptional designer jewelry and unique collections at the best prices online. Earn 5X WOWPoints on your purchase! • HomeChef.com -- Go from doorstep to dinner in 30 minutes! Skip the grocery store and choose from eight new chef-inspired recipes each week, with fresh ingredients delivered to your door. Plus, earn 5X WOWPoints on your order.

April 2017

April 5th 7th 11th 12th 14th 14th-17th 22nd

Paraprofessional Appreciation Day National Walk to Work Day National Library Workers Day National Teach Children to Save Day Drop Everything and Read Day (DEAR) National Bookmobile Day Dictionary Day NCAE Spring Break (Offices Closed) Earth Day

Celebrate Diversity Month Financial Literacy Month Global Child Nutrition Month National Child Abuse Month

NEA Magazine Service New magazines, great prices! The NEA Magazine Service has recently added some amazing new titles, including Ranger Rick Club, Bake From Scratch, Southern Home, and Sunshine Artist. Check out all of the new subscriptions in great categories such as kids, food & cooking, home décor, and more. Find them here or visit the Web site www.NEAMag.com for great deals on these and more than 800 other magazines.

N C A E

N E W S

Don’t wait in line! Shop from the comfort of your home with NEA Click & Save. Everything you need can be found at this online mall. Register at www.neamb.com/ clickandsave. Happy shopping!

B U L L E T I N

Follow NCAE events and activities on:

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., Post Office Box Box 27347, Raleigh, NC 27611, 1-800-662-7924. www.ncae.org

Linda Powell-Jones, Editor/Designer

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