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NCAE North Carolina Association of Educators

News Bulletin

August 2019

Vol. 50, No. 1

www.ncae.org

NCAE News Bulletin

Reflecting on the Past to Move Forward in the Future In my final backto-school message, I’d like to reflect a bit. Recently, I thought about that first day in 2012 when I stepped into the NCAE Center as your vice president. It seems like it was just yesterday, but in some ways, it seems Mark Jewell like an eternity ago. President It was the year we were hoping to elect Walter Dalton as governor, but instead Pat McCrory was elected. It was a time of re-direction for North Carolina. A few weeks ago, I attended a press conference on Medicaid expansion at the North Carolina General Assembly with our partners from the N.C. Justice Center, the NAACP, the NC Black Alliance, and Down Home NC. My thoughts took me back to July 24, 2013, – when Rodney Ellis and I were arrested in that same space during a Moral Monday event. That summer, the state was being led by a supermajority in the Legislature and a governor that was carrying the water of profiteers and those who were looking to dismantle 50 years of progress in North Carolina. It was there where things changed for NCAE. As I stood in the rotunda after the press conference, I thought about all of the protestors who had gathered on that hot July day – citizens, educators, community leaders, etc., -- and what they were willing to sacrifice. What a difference six years have made even though we currently find ourselves in the midst of another tumultuous summer. The players, however, are different. We now have a governor who is digging in his heels for public education and wanting to compromise saying, ‘Here you go! Here is my budget counter proposal,’ but is hearing nothing from a certain

group of lawmakers. In essence, they are holding the state hostage and we are operating on a “stop-gap” budget. Until a new budget is passed, our schools will function on the same dollar amount as last year, which will lead to a possible loss of positions and fewer resources! Something we don’t need! I feel the success of the Moral Monday protests, in particular the one held the week after our arrests when thousands of citizens dressed in red came to Raleigh, served as a gateway to the wonderful work that NCAE is now doing. That work must continue and we have a lot of it to do in the 11 months I have remaining in my term as president. As the state’s largest education association, this is an opportunity for us to remain steadfast and lift our voices to nay-sayers who continually work to dismantle and annihilate us. Whether it’s fighting for a $15 per hour wage for our ESPs, a cost-ofliving increase for retirees, or Medicaid expansion for our state’s citizens, we must take advantage of this historic time. So, during this upcoming school year as we prepare for new teacher orientations, back-to-school events, membership recruitment activities, and the Association’s 50th anniversary, now is the time to stand united and not be a bystander. It’s time to take an active role and become participants in the great groundwork laid by our brothers and sisters who came before us! And as we enter the golden anniversary of our organization (more details to come later), let’s be mindful of the sacrifice of those individuals of NCEA and NCTA who had a vision for what is now NCAE. We must continue to thrive and exist in this great body. Each of us has a responsibility to make sure that we always represent our students, our educators, and the community with the highest degree of integrity and professionalism. We can do that through the strength of union and unity. As long as we keep our ear to the ground, encourage each other, remain vigilant, engaged, energized, and organized, we can and will make impactful change…but we can’t grow weary or rest! Let’s continue this transformation we’ve started…to become the great union we know that we can be!

RedforEd…Hear From NEA Leaders Why the Movement Is So Important!

As part of the ongoing Red for Ed national brand campaign, NEA has created a series of videos featuring NEA officers and Executive Committee members highlighting the importance of this movement for our students, members, and communities. We encourage you to continue to wear the color red every Wednesday and to stay active in the Red for Ed Movement! Click here to access the videos.

NCAE News Bulletin

Movement on a Budget? Not Yet!

If it feels like not much has been happening on Jones Street, you are correct. Everyone is still waiting for the House to attempt an override vote of the governor’s veto of the conference budget. This is all a waiting game for Republicans to try to muster the voters to override the budget veto. According to our sources, they are nowhere close to getting the numbers they need to override the governor, so they continue to calendar the vote every day, and then refuse to take it. We have now been operating without a budget for nearly a month, and there is no end in sight! It does not appear that the House and Senate will adjourn for the month of August as was planned several weeks ago, but it is equally unclear what they plan to do while they are in session. Updates That Affect You as Educators Although there is no movement on the budget, here are a few updates of concern to public school employees: • VIRTUAL CHARTER SCHOOLS VETO — Governor Cooper vetoed SB392 (Various Charter School Changes), that would allow the enrollment growth of virtual charter schools. NCAE stands with and applauds the governor for sending a clear message that North Carolina’s students deserve more than the broken promises made by virtual charter schools. “We must invest in instruction with the proven educational outcomes that our schools provide, and stop wasting money on out-of-state, for-profit experiments,” said President Jewell in a statement. • STATE HEALTH PLAN — The Clear Pricing Project initiative of the State Health Plan has been discussed in the Education Insight. To update you on what has been happening, the Treasurer’s office announced a modification to the new contract terms, increasing the reimbursement rates for most providers, and extending the deadline to sign until August 5. As far as we are aware, there are still no major hospitals or health networks signed onto the plan.

President Jewell issued a letter to all members this week explaining the entire situation. Click here to read it in full. • ISTATION DEBATE — Many of you are aware of the current debacle involving DPI’s decision to choose the reading diagnostic program Istation. N.C. Families For School Testing Reform and NCAE held a news conference recently asking State Attorney General Josh Stein, State Auditor Beth Wood, and state lawmakers to investigate the contract. The next day, Sen. Chaudhuri ran an amendment to SB438, allowing individual school districts to use local funds to use a different program if they so choose. The amendment was successful, and the bill was sent to the Senate for concurrence. The Senate failed to concur, so the bill has been sent to a conference committee. We are hopeful that the amendment language will survive the conference process. • TEACHER LICENSURE CHANGES — A technical clarifying amendment was added on the House floor that corrects an error in SB219, (Modifying Teacher Licensing Requirements). A clarification was needed to ensure that teachers holding lateral-entry Residency and Initial Provisional Licensing (ILT) were not accidentally omitted from coverage by SB219, which was passed into law effective July 1, 2019.    The current bill, without this amendment, will require Local Education Agencies (LEAs) to terminate more than 400 teachers currently not covered by SB219. The amendment includes the following two major points: 1. Lateral-entry and residency licenses are now included. 2. Teachers with an IPL will now be covered by the provision of this law. The amendment passed 111-0. The bill passed the House floor 58-54 along party lines. Many Democrats opposed the ISO concept. The bill now resides in the Senate for a concur vote of the changes made by the House.

NCAE News Bulletin

Time Off During the Summer? Not for Many of Our Members! The summer was a busy one for many members who took time out of their schedules to continue the work of the Association. From members who participated in Education Truth Tours across the state, to delegates who attended the NEA Representative Assembly in Houston, to local leaders who traveled to Raleigh for the Summer Leadership Conference, NCAE’s mission to ensure Strong Students, Strong Schools, and Strong Communities remained in the forefront. “Our members are some of the most dedicated in the country and we appreciate your sacrifice to the public education cause,” said NCAE President Mark Jewell. “We know that you could have used that time to spend with family and friends or participate in other activities that you enjoy, but you chose to stay engaged and help move the Association’s agenda to the next level.”

Photos A-D: NCAE delegates — active, retired, and students — traveled to Houston for the NEA Representative Assembly.

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Photos E-G: Education Truth Tours were held across the state to expose distortions about education funding. Pictured here are ones held in Greenville, Charlotte, and Raleigh.

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NCAE News Bulletin

Summer Leaders Conf. Focuses on Strong Students, Schools, and Communities 1

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1) Legislators took time from their schedules to visit with leaders. From left: Rep. Cynthia Ball, Rep. Chaz Beasley, Rep. Julie Olson von Heaven, Sen. Mike Woodard, and Sen. Erica Smith. 2) Brian Link completes an oversized copy of a membership form. 3) Annalise Cohen of NEA gives an overview on the NEA Leadership Competencies See More Photos Guide. 4) 2019 SLC participants. Here

5) VP Moore shares strategies for success with vice presidents. 6) Early Career Educators receive info on ways the Association supports them. 7) President Jewell moderates a panel consisting of former local affiliate presidents.

8) Leaders received high-fives as they danced down a line surrounded by colleagues. The activity was meant for them to get to know each other better.

NCAE News Bulletin

Drawing on Lessons From the Holocaust Over the summer, NCAE member Vicki Simmons received the opportunity of a lifetime. She was one of 39 teachers selected to visit the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C., a part of history that has personal significance for her. The goal of the trip was for the teachers to draw important lessons from the Holocaust to teach their students about diversity, difference, and bullying. In addition to touring the museum, the participants heard testimony from a Holocaust survivor and attended a Shabbat worship service at a synagogue. “Public school educators should never forget the lessons of the Holocaust. We must continue to teach these lessons to our children, and to our children’s children.” Prior to her visit to the Holocaust Museum, Simmons participated in a three-day program at the North Carolina Center for the Advancement of Teaching (NCCAT) in Cullowee, NC, thanks to a NCCAT Honored Educator Scholarship. The program, she said, “made the Holocaust come alive for me.” Simmons has always had an interest in the Holocaust. Her father was a soldier during World War II and fought in the Battle of the Bulge; however, he never shared his experiences with her. “My father died of a massive heart attack when he was 53 years old. I was

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Simmons — second row, third from right — with other educators from across North Carolina at the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C.

23,” said Simmons, an adaptive physical education teacher at HaynesInman Education Center in Guilford County. “As I was going through his belongings, I discovered his still boxed Bronze Star of Valor and a framed letter of commendation. I often wondered what he knew. Did he know about the Nazis’ systematic plan to exterminate millions of Jews and their plan to conquer the world? Was he part of the allies who liberated the concentration camps? Did he keep a diary of his war-time experiences?” The only details Simmons said she was privy to were found in a newspaper editorial that he wrote about what it was like to be shot at, and how it felt to be hungry and cold. “All along my father was an America hero and I didn’t even know it!” Simmons said that promoting

Most students may still be enjoying their summer vacations, but for you as educators, the beginning of the new school year is just around the corner! NEA has compiled a list of resources to help you – topics focusing on classroom setup, prepping for the first week, classroom management, working with parents, year-long support, and keeping a sense of humor. So, whether you are an early career educator of a veteran, these resources will help you get ready for the fall semester! Click here.

tolerance, understanding and respect for differences and diversity, as well as character education are important parts of the curriculum at Haynes-Inman, a school that educates students with cognitive disabilities, many of whom are medically fragile. Her lessons include monthly character traits, such as kindness, compassion, respect, integrity, courage, patience, perseverance, and dignity. The school, she added, is working toward earning the recognition of a National School of Character. The trip was sponsored by the North Carolina Holocaust Foundation, the Jewish Federation of Greater Charlotte, the Stan Greenspon Center for Peace and Social Justice, and philanthropist Stan Greenspon.

“Education is a shared commitment between dedicated teachers, motivated students, and enthusiastic parents with high expectations. — Bob Beauprez

NCAE News Bulletin

Recognized for Teaching Excellence Andrea Wise, a biology teacher at Providence High School in CharlotteMecklenburg, and Lauren Dixon, a science teacher at Gaston Early College High School in Gaston County, are winners of 2019 Arts and Science Council Cato Excellence in Teaching Awards. The annual awards recognize teachers who have distinguished themselves in teaching art, science, or history, or who have demonstrated creative infusion in arts, science, or history into the core academic curriculum. Both educators received $1,500 and a sculpture by Greg Scott, a local artist from Mecklenburg County. To be eligible for the annual award, individuals had to be a pre-K-12 teacher working for a public or independent school in Mecklenburg, Gaston, Iredell, Lincoln, or Union counties, or York County in South Carolina. “School Hero” Receives Lottery Prize A hero for students and teachers is how NCAE member Michael Allen has been described. That dedication is why he was among 10 public school employees recently named as a School Hero, which came with a $10,000 prize for him and $10,000 for his

school. Allen is the principal of Joe Toler-Oak Hill Elementary in Granville County. The School Heroes Program is sponsored by the North Carolina Education Lottery. It allows people to nominate school employees who are helping students achieve their dreams. This year, more than 6,750 nominations were received. Wayne Co. Member Named Master Teaching Fellow Elvia Rodriguez Mejia, a teacher at Southern Wayne High School, has been named a High School Mathematics Master Teaching Fellow by the NC State College of Education and The Innovation Project. She was one of 19 teachers selected. Supported by a five-year, $1.8 million grant from the National Science Foundation, the program will prepare, support, and retain master teachers of mathematics from high-needs school districts across North Carolina. During the five years in the program, Mejia will deepen her understanding of the mathematics she teaches and effective mathematics teaching practices, gain experience leading and mentoring students and educators, and share what she learns with other educators across her district and the state and nation. One of the program’s criteria is to complete an online graduate certificate program in mathematics teaching and learning or a master’s program during the first year. “Being part of this program is an honor and an answered prayer,” said Mejia. “Not only do I get to earn my master’s and apply for state certification, but also get to better my teaching style to give my students the best learning experience they need.”

Welcome back to school It's hard to believe it's time to get ready for the new school year. As you prepare for returning students, you should also think about preparing for your own financial future.  Good news. Supplemental retirement plans offered in your district are one of the best places for you to set aside money for your future. And now is a great time to enroll or increase contributions if you’re already participating.

Why participate? •Earnings in the account grow tax-deferred. •You determine how much you want deducted from your paycheck – which you can change at your convenience. •The contributions you make are saved through convenient, automatic payroll deductions – you won’t even miss them. •Any contributions you make are always 100% vested – so the money you save is always yours. Horace Mann, a long-time corporate partner with the North Carolina Association of Educators, provides solutions to the challenges our members face every day – in and out of the classroom. Horace Mann offers affordable auto, home, life and disability insurance, as well as retirement solutions and financial wellness education. They also offer programs to help you find more money in your budget to help grow and protect assets with confidence.   Whether or not Horace Mann is an approved provider in your district's supplemental retirement plan, it’s important that you participate to help prepare for a healthy financial future.  Contact your local Horace Mann representative to get more information on how to help protect what you have today and achieve a more secure financial future.

NCAE News Bulletin

9 Ways to S T R E T C H Your Back-to-School Budget Cut the cost of out-of-pocket classroom expenses with these savvy money-saving 9ps Shopping for all the things you need to get back to school — books, supplies, clothes and more — can put a serious dent in your budget. Each year, educators spend hundreds of dollars on classroom supplies. It pays to look for deals, coupons, special offers, and tools that help you trim the cost of shopping a little -- or a lot. Try these nine tips to get you back to school without blowing your budget! 1. Use your NEA member benefits Save on your back-to-school needs through the NEA Click & Save program. NEA Click & Save has saved your fellow members more than $20 million so far. 2. Share your wish list If you hand out a classroom “wish list” to tell parents what you need, save on time and copying by posting your list online. Declining school budgets make it more and more necessary for teachers to figure out creative solutions to keep their classrooms supplied. Lists can be posted for individual classrooms or the entire school. Make your list, post it once, then maintain or update it as needed. Parents can access your list instantly on their computers or smartphone while shopping in stores, or on any device, any time. 3. Ask for donations Join a gifts-in-kind organization like the National Association for the Exchange of Industrial Resources, or DonorsChoose.

If you want to buy one item but it doesn’t cost enough to qualify for free shipping, don’t check out yet. Save your cart and keep shopping until you’ve added enough items to the order to get free shipping. 7. Comparison shop Use price comparison tools to make sure you’re getting the best deal. Use a price comparison tool like Priceblink.com. 8. Save after the fact Saving money after your purchase with tools like Slice that monitor price drops. The app makes it easier to get a price match refund if that backpack you bought recently went on sale. And its handy receipt tracking feature is great for teachers who buy classroom materials out of pocket and plan to expense later or claim as a deduction on that year’s tax return. 9. Time your shopping Just as holiday products are cheaper after the holiday, school supplies are cheaper after the school year begins.

4. Go social Shop for supplies and classroom needs online. Sign up for emails from your favorite stores, or follow them on social media, to hear about sales as soon as they’re happening. 5. Opt for apps and online coupons Don’t bother clipping paper coupons. Try sites such as Retail Me Not, Coupon Sherpa and Coupon Cabin. Or, before you buy, search “coupon code” plus the item name. There is zero excuse not to look for coupons on every online purchase but if you don’t have time, an app called Honey finds coupons for you automatically at the time of purchase. For shopping on your iPhone and Android phone, a mobile app called Shopular can help you save money by delivering “geo-targeted coupons” to your phone while you’re shopping. 6. Take advantage of free shipping Look for free shipping offers and plan your purchases to take advantage of the savings they provide. Many stores offer you free shipping when your order totals a certain dollar amount.

ATTENTION! Change in Short-Term Disability Effective July 1, 2019 — In Session Law 2018-52, Section 10. the financial Accountability, Integrity, and Recovery Act, the General Assembly amended the state’s short-term disability employer reimbursement policy. Currently, employers are reimbursed for the cost of providing the disability income payments and health insurance premiums to eligible employees from the DIPNC trust fund during the second six months of the short-term disability benefit period. This legislative change halts those reimbursements of employers for short-term disability benefits that begin on or after July 1, 2019. Therefore, the Division of School Business did not process any requests effective July 1, 2019.

NCAE News Bulletin

DUE BY SEPT.

Did Someone Say Field Trip? Oh Right, It Was Us! N.C. Museum of History Associates Present 2019 Travel Grants   Thanks to contributions made by members of the North Carolina Museum of History Associates at the annual Spring Frolic fund-raiser, we are very excited to announce that funds are once again available to provide transportation assistance to schools for the 2019-2020 school year. This grant program allows children from qualifying schools across the state to visit the museum in Raleigh.

While there are a variety of factors taken into account for the awarding of the funds, priority will be given to, Title 1 and Title VII American Indian schools, schools with a high percentage of low-income or at-risk students, public schools bringing a minimum of 30 students, and schools who have not previously received grant funding from the North Carolina Museum of History.   Easier than ever, our application process takes place online between Monday, July 8, and Friday, September 20, 2019. Want to learn more about exhibits, tours, and educator resources available from the North Carolina Museum of History? Join us for Educators' Night Out on August 19! APPLY TODAY…Don’t Dawdle! Preferred dates can go fast, so be sure to make your reservation through Capital Area Visitor Services at www.nccapvisit.org. Reservations can be made beginning August 1.

NCAE News Bulletin

DEALS

2019

for NEA Members

Dates to Remember NEA Click & Save “Buy-lights” for August Summer break is winding down – time to get ready for the new school year! 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. • BestBuy.com – Equip yourself for success with the latest in wearable tech, laptops, tablets, mobile devices, and more. Get 3X WOWPoints on your order and free shipping on eligible items. Also save on shipping by buying online and picking up at the store. • Bed Bath & Beyond – Save on bedding, window treatments, bath accessories, kitchen electrics, and cookware. Earn 3X WOWPoints on your purchase, and get free shipping on orders of $39 or more. • Container Store – Get excited over storage bins, baskets, cubes, and more to make your classroom or workspace the model of organization and efficiency. Save up to 50 percent off sale items, earn 6X WOWPoints, and get free shipping on orders of $75 or more. • Shoes.com – Treat your feet right with the ultimate in comfort footwear from brands like Clark, New Balance, Skechers, Rockport, and Birkenstock. Get 6X WOWPoints and free shipping with no minimum order. • Kohl’s – Spruce up your fall wardrobe with a great selection of apparel from Kohl’s. Get up to 70 percent off and free shipping on orders of $75 or more. Plus, earn 2X WOWPoints on your purchase. • Modell’s Sporting Goods – Shop the best in fitness apparel and brand name athletic shoes. Save on team gear, too. Get 2X WOWPoints on your purchase.

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Friendship Day American Family Day Happiness Happens Day International Youth Day National Relaxation Day 17th Clear the Shelters Day 19th World Humanitarian Day 21st International Day of Remembrance and Tribute to the Victims of Terrorism 26th Women’s Equality Day 29th Individual Rights Day Children’s Vision and Learning Month Get Ready for Kindergarten Month National Truancy Prevention Month National Wellness Month

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Positions stated in this publication do not necessarily reflect the official position of NCAE unless so identified. The NCAE News Bulletin, a journal of the Association, is published by the North Carolina Association of Educators, 700 S.Salisbury St., Raleigh, NC 27601, 1-800-662-7924. Linda D. Powell, Editor/Designer

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