NCAE
NEWS BULLETIN April
2018
NORTH CAROLINA ASSOCIATION OF EDUCATORS
Volume 48, No. 8
Making Ends Meet
NCAE Video Series to Focus on Members Working Multiple Jobs “Working Outside of the Classroom” is the title of a new video series being launched by the NCAE Communications Department later this month. It will feature members like James Lynch, an eighth-grade science teacher from Guilford County who has worked at Costco part time since 2009. “When I moved down here, North Carolina was 26th in teacher pay, then we continued to drop. I have a two-bedroom townhome without a garage and I still require $400 more a month to cover expenses. That’s why I continue to work at Costco.” The videos will air on the NCAE Facebook and YouTube pages.
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News Bulletin
April 2018
T I M E I S UP! Time is up! Can I say that once again? TIME IS UP! This is the message that I want to convey to our leaders on Jones Street as we prepare for their return on May 16. For far too long, we as educators have endured being disrespected, we have lacked Kristy Moore the basic resources needed to Vice President educate our students, our salaries have failed to keep up with the national average, the size of our classes have exceeded capacity. Need I continue? More and more is being heaped on our already overflowing plates, to the extent that we are buckling under the weight and pressure of it all. Many of us are being consumed to the point that we are leaving North Carolina for better educational opportunities in other states, or we are leaving the profession altogether -- a profession we love and students we love. We are walking away not because we want to, but because we feel that we have no other choice. Suffering are the children being left behind and a crisis of not being able to find replacements is mounting. For those of you who attended the NCAE Convention in Raleigh recently, you saw my demonstration of what being overwhelmed looks like as I addressed delegates. I took a vase containing small plastic balls and filled it with water. As the water begin to rise, so did the balls until they spilled over the top. What I was trying to portray is when something is too full, it will overflow. There is no more room available. That’s the same way we as educators can feel when we are
overwhelmed and overextended. But as members, you have an Association that can assist with taking away some of those negative things that can fill you to the brim. As education professionals, you are very much aware of the rights to which you are entitled and when they are being violated. You know when you are not valued. You know when enough is enough and when something different needs to happen. You know when you reach the point of being sick and tired of being sick and tired! Are you ready to make that move? Are you ready to be part of a shift to take back your profession and ensure that your students receive the best education possible? Are you ready to share your story about why you do this work and help lawmakers see the importance of what public education can provide? Are you ready to do your part to help strengthen our Association by inviting a colleague to join the state’s largest advocacy organization fighting on behalf of ALL public school educators? I hope your answer is YES! Now is the time for us to get excited and pumped up about the collective change we can make. Now is the time for us to strategize and develop a plan on the actions we are going to take. Now is the time for us to show what we’re made of. For the naysayers, for those creating bad policies that continue to harm public education, for those who are on a mission to destroy what we have worked so hard to build and preserve, their time is up! We can no longer sit silently by and let our frustrations go unchecked. We can no longer remain content to sit within the four walls of our classrooms in silos; we must step out into the crowd. We can no longer take NO for an answer. We can no longer not demand the very best for the children we serve and for ourselves. Time is Up!
SAVE THE DATE APRIL 2018
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#EnoughIsEnough! On April 20, NCAE is encouraging local affiliates to coordinate “Walk-Ins” focused on sending a strong message against gun violence in schools and the need to arm them with more resources, such as school counselors and social workers. This date marks the anniversary of the Columbine tragedy, which claimed the lives of 12 students and a teacher; 23 others were wounded. Please be on the lookout for more information from the Association.
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April 2018
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Every Educator is a Super Hero! Every year at the NCAE Convention, I get the privilege of giving remarks to the delegates in attendance. For those members who were delegates, thank you for participating in your Association and for moving the work. It was a pleasure to see you, and it is an honor to support the work that you do every day. Giving remarks is one of the highlights of my year, as I enjoy interacting with members and guests, and I try and find a good balance between the reality we find ourselves in and the opportunities that exist because of that reality. This year was no different. We have seen our Association take on policy-makers on issues that we care about as we think strategically to grow and build our membership. Congratulations to those locals who achieved Renaissance status this year! For my remarks this year, I channeled my inner super hero and challenged delegates to think about themselves as super heroes by offering the following: 1) All Educators Are Super Heroes. Every educator, no matter what the work location might be, IS a Super Hero. Whether you take money out of your own pocket to provide your students the tools they need to be successful or go the extra mile to see the lightbulb go off above a student’s head, you go above and beyond every day to make a difference in a student’s life. This is the call of a Super Hero – to make a difference for the greater good. Public education is most definitely a greater good. 2) What’s Your Super Power? Every educator has the power to impact a student’s experience in public education and to help them find success, no matter what that may be. From the bus driver who picks up a child and knows whether they are hungry and/or tired to the teacher who realizes that it is necessary to take a different approach to a lesson, to the principal who understands that today’s behavior is not the indicator of a student’s destiny, all educators whose paths cross with a student have the power to positively
impact that student’s sense of worth and success. Not only when educators work alone to impact outcomes but also when educators work together, the impact of public education is indisputable. 3) Are We Stronger Rachelle Johnson Executive Director Together? While all educators have Super Powers and are Super Heroes, they need an Association that will support them and help them grow their Super Powers. NCAE is THAT organization. By pooling the collective super powers of our members, NCAE is the largest and most influential organization that represents the interests of ALL educators. Your organization fights for the values and interests of our members and for public education, which is the backbone of democracy. We must, however, build our base and invite others to join us to become part of the movement. Even the Justice League realizes that – “You Can’t Save the World Alone.” We must recruit new members and get our current ones engaged in the effort. 4) The Story of NOW? NCAE is engaged in an organizing journey – to organize new members, to organize around issues we care about, and to organize and harness our collective power. We must use our super powers for good and in the best interest of students and public education. Time is of the essence. We all know what has happened to public education in North Carolina. We must double our efforts to fight the powers that seek to privatize us, disrespect us and eliminate us. We must recruit allies in new members, community partners, and like-minded policy-makers. We must be our own Justice League.
Member Comments About the Rise in Educator Protests The teacher uprising that began in West Virginia has exposed a trend among white-collar workers: a feeling that their credentials are being devalued. In an article recently published by the New York Times, “When Professionals Rise Up, More Than Money Is at Stake,” NCAE member Beverly Reynolds, a math teacher at E. Lawson Brown Middle school in Davidson County, was quoted as saying that having to clock in and out was demoralizing to her and fellow educators. “It was different because we’re not considered hourly employees. We’re salaried. Some of them were sitting there thinking, ‘I clock out, but then I get home and do three hours of work at night.’” The county superintendent agreed to end the clocking-out portion of the ritual in 2016 after years of complaints. The practice continues in other districts.
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News Bulletin
April 2018
Delegates Get Down to Business at the 48th Annual Convention
The 48th Annual Convention and Representative Assembly is now one for the history books, but it did not conclude without its share of lively debate, rousing speeches, and a few tears. In addition to two full days of business, delegates honored those who lost their lives at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Florida, recognized friends of the Association with special awards, and inducted into the NCAE Educational Hall of Fame a long-time member and advocate whose work will forever have an impact on the state of North Carolina and the nation. Here are some of the highlights from the convention. More photos are available on the NCAE Flickr page.
Delegates donated thousands of books to Book Harvest as part of the NCAE Operation Cooperation Service Project.
President Jewell gives the State of the Association address.
Governor Roy Cooper “Time is up! We must let those in leadership know that we aren’t going to take it anymore!” VP Kristy Moore
Orange was the color worn to show support for the “March for Our Lives” rallies.
Keynote speaker Princess Moss, NEA secretarytreasurer.
Delegates had an opportunity to participate in professional development sessions.
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April 2018
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Delegates Get Down to Business at the 48th Annual Convention
President’s Award recipient Congresswoman Alma Adams
Delegates, along with NCAE leadership, hold signs that say “Arm Me With...” in support of eliminating school violence.
Congressman G.K. Butterfield
2017 N.C. Teacher of the Year Lisa Godwin
Congressman David Price
Educational Hall of Fame presentation for Hiawatha Foster
“Each of you is a superhero. All educators have super powers.” ED Rachelle Johnson
Staff CAN Award winner Robert Blackwell
Friend of Education Award recipient Kris Nordstrom Renaissance Locals recognized at Convention
Paulette Jones Leaven speaks on behalf of Region 5
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News Bulletin
April 2018
Results of the 2018 NCAE/NEA Election NEA Director (Run-off)
Mark Jewell, President
Amy Harrison
Kristy Moore, Vice President
Ronda Mays
Regional Directors
LeAnna Delph Region 1A Director
Ronda Mays Region 2 Director
Linda Davis Region 3 Director
Cynthia Pitt Region 7A Director
Education Support Professionals Division
Karen Slade ESP President
Tijuana Greene ESP Vice President
Beverly Miller Treasurer
Jameel Williams Region 5 Director
Carol Stubbs Region 6 Director
News Bulletin
April 2018
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MAY 16, 2018 NCAE Advocacy Day Raleigh (Mark Your Calendar)
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Seth McKnight poses with the cart he uses to transport materials for his music classes.
Mobile Educators ... No Classroom to Call Their Own Well before the bell rings, many teachers are in their classrooms preparing lessons or simply taking a few quiet moments to gather their thoughts before students arrive. But for some, this luxury does not exist because they don’t have a room to call their own. Instead, they share a classroom with another teacher, changing locations frequently and teaching from a mobile cart. These “floating” educators are challenged with ensuring they have everything they need each day, but there are also positives too, they say! Floating teachers have become more commonplace in schools as class sizes have ballooned and schools have not received funding for additional classroom space. Unmet school construction needs have amassed over time and counties throughout the state are grappling with the staggering costs. The Public School Building Bond Act (HB 866/SB 542) will be placed before the General Assembly this session, which would provide $1.9 billion for public school facility grants to all 100 counties. Delaying these construction and renovation projects will only prolong the problem of these educators not having a room to call their own. Lisa Rhoden, who teaches at Douglas Elementary School in Wake County, shares a classroom with three other special education teachers. Often, she said, there are multiple group
News Bulletin
lessons occurring at once and it can be difficult for students to remain focused. “The biggest challenge is making sure you have everything you need for multiple classes and those ‘what if’ situations,” said Rhoden. “With little or no time between groups, I am often unable to return to pick up additional materials.” Most of her prep work, Rhoden said, takes place during the evenings and on weekends. Once lesson plans are made, she creates materials, makes copies, laminates materials, etc. from home. “It’s more expensive, but much more convenient.” A music teacher in Davidson County, Seth McKnight teaches at two schools – he has a classroom at Fair Grove Elementary School but also serves as a floating teacher at Pilot Elementary School. In a week, he instructs about 1,000 students, which equates to 44 classes. “Being a mobile teacher can be frustrating and it can be hard to stay on schedule. It’s important for the teachers I support to adhere to set time limits in order for me to get to my next class in a timely manner.” McKnight said communicating with the parents of hundreds of students is impossible, so he uses student agendas to record progress reports, which is more efficient than phone calls or sending home notes. And he added that he has learned to adapt to a particular teacher’s system of rewards and punishments for students, whether that be earning tickets, a sliding scale, etc., and his decisions as to how he uses those systems are honored by his colleagues. Kirsten Russ of West Forsyth High School is not a floating teacher but she knows the struggles they face. She shares her classroom with a mobile teacher, so when he needs to teach she must remember to take the items she needs with her as well as log out of lessons she has stored on the computer in her room so it’s accessible. “I have to remind myself that a floating teacher’s job is difficult – a different room each class period, different seating arrangements, different wall stimuli for students, no desk, less time to prepare, and no place in which he can maximize student learning. It can be an inconvenience, but I remain focused on the importance of sharing professionally with him and making him feel at home.” Although not an ideal situation, Rhoden said there are some positives to be found in being a floating educator. “There are always colleagues around to bounce ideas off of and brainstorm with, vent frustrations to, or celebrate accomplishments, Rhoden said. “In my travels around the school, I have gotten to know more about my co-workers and students than just those with whom I directly work. I feel I definitely know what’s going on around the school.”
NBC Network Spring Sessions NBC Spring Seminar II – Guided Reading for Evidence (9 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.). Click here to register. Region 2 Regions 4 & 5 Regions 7A & 7B Region 3
April 2018
April 21 at Popular Springs Elementary School, King, N.C. April 21 at Southern Durham High School, Durham, N.C. April 28 or May 5 at a site TBD Date TBD at Phillip O’Berry Technology Magnet School
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April 2018
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April 2018
Learning Opportunities for Educators Through the The North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences in Raleigh offers a host of educational opportunities for teachers and students. Here are a few that are available in the coming months. For more information, visit www.naturalsciences.org. UTOTES APPLICATION DEADLINE APRIL 16
importance of meiosis to genetic variation? Spend the day in the Micro World Investigate Lab testing out a variety of handson genetics activities appropriate for upper elementary and middle school students and making instructional materials to take back to your classroom. EXPLORING PLANT GENETICS JULY 16, 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.
UTOTES (Using The Outdoors to Teach Experiential Science) includes six professional development workshops held at your school over the course of a school year to help foster a culture of outdoor awareness and environmental stewardship. UTOTES also provides materials that allow teachers to easily implement activities, and a session with students to create or enhance an area for wildlife and learning on your school grounds. GIRLS IN SCIENCE SUMMER ED-VENTURE APPLICATION DEADLINE APRIL 23 Explore the natural world through hikes and hands-on science activities in this science-intensive, residential, week-long summer camp. Open to girls from across North Carolina! GENES, ALLELES, AND CHROMOSOMES, OH MY! MAY 12, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Need a refresher on how DNA, chromosomes, genes and alleles are related? Want some tips on how to demonstrate the
Spend the morning meeting with NC State University researchers in the field to discuss techniques they use to search and test for genetic improvements to crop plants. During the classroom portion of the workshop, participants will have the opportunity to try out several plant genetics classroom activities. Each participant will receive a voucher of up to $250 value to purchase supplies from Carolina Biological for teaching plant biology and/or genetics topics in their classroom. USING DNA SEQUENCE ANALYSIS TOOLS IN YOUR CLASSROOM AUGUST 11, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Explore how DNA sequence analysis can be used to examine communities of microscopic organisms. Learn how microbiome samples are collected and processed for sequencing and tour the Genomics & Microbiology Research Lab. Gain hands-on experience working with online sequence databases and analysis tools and learn how to use these resources with your students.
Do You Qualify for Free Tax Preparation? It may not be possible, as the old saying goes, to escape death or taxes, but you can escape the fees charged by tax preparers and still get assistance. This is particularly important for low- and moderate-income taxpayers, who can ill afford pricey advice, but may need help navigating complex IRS rules. Some filers may owe little to no tax or be entitled to a healthy refund. In addition, they may qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). This is a so-called “refundable tax credit, which means the government will actually pay you cash for any amount of the credit that exceeds your tax liability. Learn more about tax credits you may be eligible for. This is an important benefit – it can top $6,000 for those with three children – so don’t miss out simply because you don’t want to pay a tax preparer or, lose part of it because of the fees charged for filing assistance. If you would like to know more about how to file your taxes for free and keep more of your hard-earned money, click here.
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April 2018
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DEALS
2018
for NEA Members
Dates to Remember
NEA Click & Save “Buy-Lights” for April
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Register or Log in to NEAMB.com/clickandsave
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Browse websites of your favorite retailers, including apparel, electronics, movie tickets and much more Enjoy exclusive member deals on your favorite items and brands Earn WOWPoints to use towards future purchases
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NEA Member Benefits has partnered with CARCHEX to offer the NEA® Vehicle Protection Program, which provides coverage for repairs not typically covered by an auto manufacturer’s warranty or contract. For more information, visit www.neamb.com/vpp or call 1-866-257-1505.
N C A E
N E W S
National Fun at Work Day National Walk to Work Day National Love Our Children Day National Library Day National Bookmobile Day Drop Everything and Read Day (D.E.A.R) Income Tax Day Earth Day
Celebrate Diversity Month Global Child Nutrition Month Month of the Young Child National Child Abuse Prevention Month National Youth Sports Safety Month School Library Media Month
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Protect Your Vehicle and Your Wallet
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Whether you’re updating your home for sale or just want to give it a “new look,” spring is the best time to do it! 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.
Come back and shop often as new retailers are frequently added Share these benefits with 5 family members or friends
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Register now at neamb.com/clickandsave
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B U L L E T I N
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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. www.ncae.org
Linda Powell-Jones, Editor/Designer
Need to shop but pressed for time? Check out NEA Click & Save, the members-only online mall! Browse Web sites of your favorite retailers and earn WOW points to use toward future purchases. Click here to sign up.
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