NCAE News Bulletin
7
“NCAE Gave Me the Voice I Didn’t Have!”
Two years ago, the worst thing that could possibly happen to a career educator, became Tabatha Cox’s nightmare. She was suspended from her job as a middle school counselor on an unrelated criminal matter. Her employer immediately assumed she was guilty without giving her an opportunity to speak for herself. Because she was a member, she knew help was only a phone call away. “During the 22 years I worked as a state employee, I had never been written up for anything inappropriate. I never received any complaints, and I was always proficient or exceeded proficiency in my job performances and reviews. When this unfortunate situation occurred, the first thing I did was contact NCAE. Lead Attorney Verlyn Chesson Porte was wonderful!” The Advocacy Center worked to attain the basis of Cox’s suspension. Several extensions were agreed to while the criminal case progressed, which ended up being dismissed. Following the case dismissal, NCAE attorney Mark Kerkhoff filed a lawsuit on her behalf for violations of her constitutional rights and failure of due process. After more than two arduous years, the suit was settled and the charges expunged. With tears in her eyes, Cox said the most difficult part of this experience was being prohibited from attending her oldest and youngest son’s games when they played in the district. “It was my oldest son’s senior year in high school and my youngest son was in the eighth grade. In all I missed 28 games between the two of them. I can’t tell you how it felt. It was detrimental to my children and to me; it’s time
I can never get back.” Cox said suing the school district was never about money. It was simply about not ever wanting what happened to her to happen to another employee or parent. The experience felt like a punishment. She felt persecuted. And the people who really suffered were her children. “It’s hard when you work for a school district that says it’s all about the children and making sure the best is provided for them. But not my children. I had a hard time processing that.” The door on being a school counselor may have closed for Cox, but another one has opened that is allowing her to continue helping others. She has opened her own practice for mental health and substance abuse patients – Open Hearts, Healing Minds. “I feel like this is what I try to do every day with people … open their hearts and help heal their minds,” she said. “My practice is slowly growing and I am so grateful to be working again and doing what I was meant to do with my life.” As for her ties with NCAE, Cox is switching to a community ally membership because she said it’s important to stay connected with NCAE even though she is no longer a public school employee. “I am so thankful for the people who stood by me and supported me, and I’m beyond grateful for the things that NCAE did for me. I could not have done this without the Association. I would have given up without their help and advocacy. I wouldn’t have been able to fight for myself and that was vital to me. I was not going to give up because I knew I was innocent. I knew I didn’t do anything wrong. More than anything, it was important to clear my name and NCAE gave me that ability. NCAE gave me the voice I did not have.” (Click to hear Cox’s emotional testimony)
Fond Farewell
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During the June meeting of the NCAE Board of Directors, the rst hybrid meeting of the year, Board members Ronda Mays and Dr. Michael Putney were celebrated for their dedication and service as outgoing members of the BOD. Each was presented with a plaque by President Walker Kelly
