NCAE
NEWS BULLETIN August
2017
NORTH CAROLINA ASSOCIATION OF EDUCATORS
Volume 48, No. 1
NCAE Renaissance Locals...A “Rebirth” of the Association A growing NCAE is critical to the success of many of the goals we want to accomplish. That’s why during the Summer Leadership Conference, President Mark Jewell urged local leaders to focus on growing membership and building capacity in their affiliates. During his remarks, he unveiled the NCAE Renaissance Locals Awards Program as a way to incentivize locals and to accomplish the many goals set as an association. With governance, local leadership, and staff collaborating together to craft and implement local organizing and membership plans, the following actions will have a profound impact on the Association’s power as the largest education advocacy organization in the state: • Engage new educators in one-on-one conversations to promote membership in NCAE. • Recruit and reclaim members by providing engagement opportunities as well as demonstrating the value of NCAE membership. • Strengthen the Association Rep infrastructure, and build capacity through regional gatherings, leadership sessions, and regular conversations with state leadership. The basic components for the NCAE Local Renaissance Awards Program include a membership and organizing plan created and shared with the local’s UniServ director and Board member, participation in the Early Career Educator Campaign by conducting and collecting data via one-on-one conversations with at least 50 percent of the new hires in the district, and an increase in membership. A point value system will be used to mark accomplishments. Locals must receive a mandatory 50 points, and can implement other components for an additional 50 points (for a total of 100 points) such as
Membership recruitment and retention are crucial elements in helping to transform the Association.
conducting a fall AR training with a 60 percent participation rate, hosting activities such as Read Across America or professional development sessions, or having at least 20 percent of the membership contribute to PAC. “When I think of the word ‘renaissance,’ I think of a rebirth,” said President Jewell. “NCAE can’t continue to operate like we did prior to 2013. Too many times we were selling the organization as protection and one that provides only services. The Association is so much more! It’s about making you better as professionals through professional development opportunities and networking with colleagues, it’s about making classrooms better for our students, and in many ways NCAE is the last line of defense for the survival of public schools. “What we clearly know is that what you as members need most is resources to be successful in schools; what you care about most is the success of our students. It’s a different day and a different time, not only here in North Carolina, but across the country. We see what’s happening on the federal level with the Department of Education, and the dismantling of public schools will greatly dilute the resources of our
students of color, our students in poverty, and our students with special needs. So, not only do we have to fight here in North Carolina, we have a national fight. And it’s going to be up to the leaders of NCAE and NEA to make sure we’re the organizations that show why it’s important for educators to be a part of their professional association.” Local membership and organizing plans (a template was provided at Summer Leaders or locals can create their own) are due to the NCAE Membership and Organizing Department by October 15. All documented activities must be completed and shared by March 1, 2018. All locals that have met the criteria will be recognized at the 2018 NCAE Convention in Raleigh. Information about the Renaissance Local Awards Program was shared with local presidents and is also located in the NCAE Summer Leaders Resources folder on NEA 360 Ed Communities. If you have not yet created an Ed Communities profile, please visit http:// www.nea.org/home/ edcommunities.html. Questions about Renaissance Locals should be directed to Angela Farthing at Angela.Farthing@ncae.org.
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Let’s Begin a New Year By Standing Strong for Public Schools! Part of NCAE’s success is having strong local affiliates at the grassroots level and in our schools. Having strong leaders to carry the message of why the Association must continue to be at the forefront of public education and guiding those Mark Jewell discussions is imperative to our President existence. In order to accomplish this, we will begin the new school year by transforming who we are and how we operate; it will be a “rebirth” of sorts. By implementing the NCAE Renaissance Locals Program, we will grow our membership and build capacity in order to continue being the state’s largest voice for public school employees. This program will be a way of reminding all of us, members and non-members, why we exist, which is to ensure every child has a free, basic public school system that affords them access to an equitable opportunity. I never want us to lose sight of that. With the General Assembly we currently have in place on Jones Street, we must continually be mindful that things can quickly be taken away. We have the challenge of making sure we raise our voices in opposition and persist in not throwing in the towel, of not giving up if we’re going to remain a strong public school system that has set us apart in the past from other states. It can and will happen if we have a strong NCAE! That’s why we have no choice but to grow and strengthen our organization and build our membership. If not, then who will speak up for our students and educators? No other organization can do it like NCAE can, like teachers can, like support professionals and administrators can! When we have leaders in our schools carrying the message that we are unified and better together, we can make change happen.
With the Renaissance Locals Program, we have an opportunity to further engage and support our early career educators and those who are involved in leadership trainings. It makes me proud to see some of these educators already speaking at new teacher orientations talking about the importance of being part of the professional organization and why it’s the right thing to do for our students. It gives me hope and promise, and I’m grateful for those championing the causes of our students. It’s reassuring to know that NCAE will always continue to fight for resources, adequate pay, high-quality professional development, and during the time we are having these conversations, keep students the top priority in every decision that we make. We know that you may have questions about the program, and we are here to answer them. Your local presidents received information at Summer Leaders Conference and are well equipped to assist as well with getting you the answers you need. Know that there will be lots of support from NCAE. The outcome we want is to have 115 strong locals across the state, and that NCAE will again be the catalyst that drives the discussion and the agenda for public schools. We want to be the powerhouse that helps elect pro-public education policy-makers -- from the city council, to the school board, to the General Assembly -- because we must have friends that support public education. And, of course, this must all be connected to membership, because membership is who we are. It identifies us. For us to exist, we can’t just do it on the backs of a few local affiliates; it’s going to take EVERYONE to want our affiliates to be strong, grow, and attract new leaders with new ideas. So together – governance, local leaders, and staff – we can do this! Let’s roll up our sleeves and stand committed and ready to harness the energy I know we all have to make each affiliate a Renaissance local! Let’s Stand Strong for Public Schools. Welcome back, and have a productive school year.
Training Room Renamed in Memory of Former President Rodney Ellis In the presence of Rodney’s family, members of the Board of Directors, and staff, President Mark Jewell and Vice President Kristy Moore officially dedicated the NCAE Training Room in memory of Rodney N. Ellis Sr., who served as the Association’s leader from 2012-2016. They unveiled a photo collage that will be on display inside of the room, along with a plaque that has been placed outside of the room’s entrance.
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Summer Leaders Conference 2017
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H More photos are available on the NCAE Flickr site.
A) President Jewell welcomes participants to the conference. B) Mid-Atlantic Organizer Linda Bacon talks about the Early Career Educator Campaign. C) It’s not a Summer Leaders Conference without someone doing the Wobble. D) This activity tested the importance of working as a team. E) Sharon Lowery of Rutherford County encouraged colleagues to utilize NCAE leadership in their locals. She extended an invitation to Vice President Moore, who spent the entire day in the district. F) Panel of NCAE Social Justice Caucus chairs. G) Catawba County President Hayley Leonard leads a session on running effective meetings. H) Social justice issues were a hot topic during a conversation facilitated by Merwyn Scott of NEA Human and Civil Rights. “Talking about race is not an easy conversation to have. This work is evolving, and we must be continual learners.” I) Closing the books on a successful conference.
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Know Who Represents You on the NCAE Board of Directors Elected by their regional membership and those within their respective divisions, the Board of Directors is the governing body of the Association. Each region has two directors, and each division has one representative, except N.C. Retired School Personnel, which has a president and vice president. The Board is chaired by NCAE President Mark Jewell, and Vice President Kristy Moore serves as the vice chair. Executive Director Rachelle Johnson and Honorary Director John Lucas are ex-officio members of the Board. Here are the members for 2017-18.
Mark Jewell, chair
Kristy Moore, vice chair
Lisa Delaney
Amanda Garrison
Val Young
NCAE President
NCAE Vice President
Region 1-A Director
Region 1-B Director
Region 2 Director
Sandy Young
Lawrence Brinson
Brenda Feathers
Elizabeth Hackney
Edris Glover
Region 2 Director
Region 3 Director
Region 3 Director
Region 4 Director
Region 4 Director
Bryan Proffitt
Kristin Beller
Tamika Walker-Kelly
Region 5 Director
Region 5 Director
Region 6 Director (Continued on page 5)
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Know Who Represents You on the NCAE Board of Directors (Continued from page 4)
Dee Grissett
Tony Veilleux
Chris Meek
Julio Morales
Ronda Mays
Region 6 Director
Region 7-A Director
Region 7-B Director
NEA Director
NEA Director Eff. 9/1/17
Margaret Powell
Karen Slade
Dov Rosenberg
Oliver Holley
Nikki Collin
NEA At-Large Dir. Eff. 9/1/17
ESP Div. President
Student Serv. Div. Pres.
Prin./Admin. Div. Pres.
SNCAE President
Joan Bass
Willie Ramey
Rachelle Johnson
John Lucas, Ph.D.
NCRSP President
NCRSP Vice Pres.
NCAE Executive Director
Honorary Director
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Summer Learning...Locals Engage in Program to Support Beginning Teachers For Asheville member Sybil Jefferson, providing support for new and beginning teachers is personal. A new teacher herself, she knows the importance of having someone to confide in and provide assistance as you settle into the job. Jefferson is the Beginning Teacher Organizer (BTO) for Asheville City Schools and works closely with local president Angie Cathcart to engage and support new teachers during their first five years through the Association’s Beginning Teacher Organizing Program (BTOP). “This program is much needed here in North Carolina to help strengthen our educator base,” said Jefferson. “It will help provide the currently missing wraparound services for new and beginning educators, an element critical in their decision to remain in the profession. And, it will serve as a way for us to bring new leadership into our locals. As much as educators love what they do, sometimes the anguish of not getting the help they need contributes to them leaving the classroom.” Over the summer, Jefferson and Cathcart, along with teams from other local affiliates (Alamance-Burlington, Bladen, Charlotte-Mecklenburg, Chatham, Davidson, Forsyth, Guilford,
Harnett, Hickory City, Johnston, Mooresville City, Northampton, Pitt, Randolph, Wake, and Washington), participated in a threeday BTOP induction and planning institute at the NCAE Center, where they learned more about the program and how to best implement their local plan. In the fall, the group will reconvene to share progress that has been made and tweak their plans if needed. The NCAE BTOP program was developed two years ago to align with NEA’s Early Career Educator Campaign. It matches and connects early career educators with instructional and professional resources that support them in their career growth and goals. BTOP leverages communication, mentoring, instructional support, and outreach to help reduce and prevent teacher attrition by fostering community connections with teacher leaders statewide. The program is made possible by a Great Public Schools Fund Grant from NEA.
Checklist Will Help Answer Questions About ESSA
Is ESSA an acronym that isn’t resonating with you? NEA has created some new resources to help engage you around the implementation of the Every Student Succeeds Act at the state and local level. The new engagement message and action focuses on your having a voice in what your school and students need to succeed through an opportunity checklist, which provides links, social media resources, a sample activist e-mail, and updated message guidance to better help you talk about ESSA. To access the My School, My Voice Opportunity Checklist (ESSA) Toolkit, click here.
Angie Cathcart, left, and Sybil Jefferson are excited about the possibilities BTOP will create in the Asheville City School district.
Cathcart says there is a huge need for BTOP, especially in the Asheville City Schools district. “There are a lot of educator activists in Asheville, but I don’t think they see the Association as one that promotes activism. I jumped on this opportunity to involve our local because I want all educators to see that the Asheville City Association of Educators (ACAE) is actively doing something not just for our new teacher members but for all beginning teachers.” She added that Asheville City has a high teacher turnover rate; the lack of not having a venue giving new teachers a voice is a major contributor to them leaving within months. “I want our local to broaden its reach to attract and retain new educators. We need to support our new/beginning teachers far better than what the district can do. This is one of the main reasons I wanted our local to participate in BTOP. I wanted to direct time and energy into a program that I feel will have results because other things we’ve tried haven’t been successful.” Cathcart feels that together she and Jefferson will make an impact in their district. “Sybil is a product of Asheville City Schools and knows the ins and outs of the district. Although not new to the education profession, she is a beginning teacher herself. Who better to provide support to new/beginning teachers than a beginning teacher?”
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NCAE
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Northampton’s Local President to Serve on NEA Board of Directors Margaret Powell describes herself as a small-town girl with
big dreams, hopes, and aspirations. Recently, she took a leap of faith, ran for an at-large director position on the NEA Board, and won! President of the Northampton County Association of Educators and an educator for nine years, Powell said she is overwhelmed with excitement and overjoyed at this opportunity. “I literally cried for the first five minutes after hearing my name called at the NEA RA,” said Powell, a data manager for secondary schools in Northampton County. “I am in awe that I was able to convince so many of my peers (and myself) that I was the right fit to be a voice for ESPs, public education, and our students.” The main reason she decided to run for an at-large director position is the needs of ESP members that she sees in North Carolina as well as in other states. “When having conversations with my colleagues, the same message continually resounds… they are not being engaged or empowered, and they don’t feel valued. My mission will be to work to put policies in place that will ensure ESPs are always considered and that we’re on the same level of importance as other educators.” Powell will serve a three-year term. To hear more from her about this exciting opportunity, click here.
Would you like a chance to win $5,000? Enter the scholarship drawing now for a chance to win. Just visit www.neamb.com. You have until August 31!
Margo Francis comes to NCAE from the National Humanities Center in the Research Triangle Park where she worked as the accounting manager. A certified public accountant (CPA), Francis’ vision is to ensure the Association’s business office and membership department operate more efficiently and provide the best possible customer service to the membership. A native of Wisconsin, she attended the University of Wisconsin at Whitewater where she earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting. A self-described “daddy’s girl” who is the middle child, she has an older and a younger brother. She is the mother of an 18-year-old son who recently graduated from high school, and a 7-year-old, 65-pound rescue dog named Tigger who enjoys sitting on her lap. When she is not working, Francis enjoys walking Tigger, reading, and getting her hands dirty by gardening. She often volunteers at the Goodwill Community Foundation farm here in Wake County, which donates fresh fruits and vegetables to area food pantries. Francis was hired on June 19. She replaces former business manager Tom Herbert, who retired in 2016.
National Parks...America’s Largest Classrooms!
August 25 is National Park Service Day. These national treasures can serve as tools for helping the next generation learn about the importance of being park visitors and supporters! When you visit https:// www.nps.gov/teachers/index.htm, you will find distance learning opportunities, materials for loan, information about field experiences in your area, classroom materials, and professional development. So get out there and help expose your students to their public lands and waters!
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August 2017
PROUD MOMENTS
Jeremy Aten Named a 2018 Global Learning Fellow NCAE member Jeremy Aten, a reading specialist at North Windy Ridge Intermediate School in Buncombe County, is a member of the 2018 NEA Foundation Global Learning Fellows class, which includes educators from 47 states and the Department of Defense. “This upcoming experience will be like no other professional development I have ever had,” said Aten. “The international field study for me is a dream come true. We will travel to South Africa next year, the homeland of Nelson Mandela. I am thrilled to be a part of this diverse cohort of 48 educators from across the United States that will come together to study and learn from each other so we can change the world. I look forward to bringing home new global perspectives to share with my students and colleagues.” Over the course of the year, in addition to various readings and Webinars on country-specific studies, Fellows will complete an online global professional development course. They will convene for a professional development workshop this fall and travel on an international field study next July. The NEA Foundation Global Learning Fellowship offers educators 12 months of professional development opportunities to support educators as they cultivate global competence skills and build global lesson plans that are shared with educators around the world. Over the course of the year, Fellows are supported by the NEA Foundation staff, partners, and other field experts, as they work through the following: • Online coursework on effectively integrating global content into core instruction • Online resource guide and Webinars, comprised of countryspecific concepts • Two-day fall professional development workshop • Nine-day summer international field study
“Literacy unlocks the door to learning throughout life, is essential to development and health, and opens the way for democratic participation and active citizenship.” -- Kofi Annan
Mabe, third from left, and her pre-K assistant Diana Alejo, second from right, surrounded by students Mabe taught years ago. All of them are headed to college, an accomplishment of which she is proud.
Educator Receives Surprise to Remember on Day of Retirement On the last day of school, hours before celebrating retirement, Guilford County member Kathy Mabe received an unexpected surprise -- a visit from four pre-K students that she taught at Rankin Elementary. What made it even more special is they all were soon-to-be high school graduates. Mabe, who retired from Haynes-Inman Education Center after 25 years in the profession, hadn’t seen the students in years, but she would have recognized them anywhere. Sure, they were older and a little taller, but Chelsea Sosa, Yuliana Robles, Norma Perez, and Matthew Rcom were just as she remembered them. “Y’all look just the same,” she told them when they visited her classroom on the last day of school. They had come to thank her for being such a great teacher and for making a difference in their lives. “You didn’t care that we were white or black or Hispanic. Or if we spoke English or barely any English. You just loved us, and I just really appreciate that,” said Sosa. “Not many teachers give that kind of care to kids.” And she did care. She remembered their parents, siblings, and cousins. She asked how they were all doing. As a pre-K teacher at Rankin, she and her assistant visited all of their students’ homes. Sosa and her classmates remembered those home visits. “It was great – having your teacher at school, then she’s in your home.” Robles remembered that Mabe often helped them before and after school. Rcom said she made school fun for him. “As a kid, I didn’t have any friends, but being in her class changed that,” he said. “I was able to meet new people and learn a lot.” Each of the students will continue their educational journey and credit Mabe for setting the groundwork. “For those who think otherwise, pre-K does make a difference in the lives of children,” said Mabe. “These students remembered me after all of these years and took the time to visit and share words that every educator wants to hear … ‘You made a positive difference in my life.’” (A portion of this article, and the photograph, was reprinted with permission of Guilford County Schools.)
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August 2017
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Here are a few tips to ensure a smooth start to your school year and avoid unnecessary conflicts later on for you, your students, and your colleagues.
1. Communicate With Parents – Send a note home early
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5. Be Prepared for Controversy – If you intend to teach a potentially controversial subject matter, be sure you are within board policy and make certain you mention it to your principal in advance.
in the year to introduce yourself. If you teach primary grades, explain to parents that you need time to get to know pupils before you can comment on them. Let parents know that you are available and list the process and times for getting in touch with you. If you teach upper grades, include your policy on homework.
6. Set a Class Goal – Working together toward a goal –
2. Review Your Personnel File – Make a list of its
having difficulties with an administrator, parent, or community member, start a daily log. Record all items that could be related to future complaints/charges against you. Include dates, times, and brief descriptions or incidents and/ or witnesses.
contents. Immediately notify your UniServ director if you discover inappropriate items. Make reviews throughout the year.
3. Plan for Student Health Emergencies – Make an early determination about how you will handle students with special health problems. Do you know what to do if you have a student subject to epileptic seizures? What about administering medicine to students?
4. Get a Comprehensive Building Orientation – Be certain your building orientations include information on procedures to use in case of student injury, specific dos and don’ts in discipline, and a complete explanation of evaluation procedures and criteria.
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such as a holiday project to help a needy family, class trip, or a class party at the end of the year – can help develop class spirit. Start your planning early in the fall to build enthusiasm.
7. Make an Incident Log – If you begin
8. Remember Three Qualities of Good Teaching – Be flexible. Be patient. Keep your sense of humor!
9. Rely on Your Association – NCAE is made up of members who understand the difficulty of your job. We are here to answer questions, provide support, or just listen. Adopted from ISEA Communique (Iowa State Education Association)
Women’s Equality Day commemorates passage of the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, granting the right to vote to women. The amendment was first introduced in 1878. In 1971, at the behest of Rep. Bella Abzug, the U.S. Congress designated August 26 as Women’s Equality Day. Click here for resources that are intended to help grades K-12 learn about the suffrage movement in general and the 19th Amendment in particular.
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News Bulletin
DEALS
2017
for NEA Members
Dates to Remember
NEA Click & Save “Buy-Lights” for August The new school year is just around the corner! 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 August. Don’t forget to use your WOWPoints – they are just like cash (100 WOWPoints = $1; plus, no blackout dates and no expiration! • DiscountSchoolSupply.com – Stock up now on classroom essentials, from art and craft materials and school supplies to educational toys and classroom furnishings. Get free shipping on orders of $79 or more. • Click & Save Apparel Store – Save on clothing, shoes, and accessories from major retailers such as Macy’s, Under Armour, Nike, Kohls, H&M, Forever 21, and Old Navy. • The Walking Company – Check out the line of specialty footwear, including the latest in foot scanning technology and orthotics for all-day comfort at work, at play, or for a night on the town. Free shipping on orders of $100 or more. • Reebok – Earn 4X WOWPoints on your purchase of sports and lifestyle products, and get free shipping on orders of $49 or more. • Eastern Mountain Sports – Save with end-ofsummer deals and get ready for fall outdoor activities with camping, hiking, and paddling gear for the entire family. Earn 4X WOWPoints, plus purchase online and pick up your order at one of 80 retail locations. • TextbookX.com – TextbookX is dedicated to finding students the lowest prices for their books, offering a huge inventory of new, used, digital, and rental options. Get free shipping on most orders.
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August 12th 25th 26th 29th
International Youth Day National Park Service Day Women’s Equality Day Individual Rights Day
Children’s Eye Safety Month Get Ready for Kindergarten Month National Truancy Prevention Month
Need an A*orney? NCAE is Here to Help! In addition to providing legal advice and assistance on employment-related matters through the Advocacy Center, NCAE also offers an Attorney Referral Program. This member benefit entitles you to two free 30-minute consultations per year on non-employment matters. As a member, you will receive a 30 percent discount on the attorney’s fee. These lawyers can assist you with everything from traffic cases to wills and estate planning. For an attorney in your area, contact the Advocacy Center at 855-275-6223.
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
August 2017
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