February 2023 NCAE News Bulletin

With the month of February comes expressions of love in many forms, the most obvious being for a special someone. However, the love we show for our students, our communities and our respective cultures is just as significant. Love played a huge role in our decision to enter the profession. Our love of children, our love of learning and passing that on to future generations was and continues to be a driving force in this career path we’ve chosen. Whether a teacher, food service worker, custodian or administrator, our craft exudes love; it’s why we continue to get up every morning and go to our schools and worksites in an effort to create safe spaces for our students while advocating for their needs, and ours, to ensure success.

As we look at how to create those spaces where our children feel loved and cared for, we must also be mindful of ways in which we foster love for different cultures reflective in the communities in which we live and serve. Not only do we celebrate love associated with strong affection in the month of February, but also the history of African Americans. It’s important we honor and celebrate our cultural differences because our public schools are some of the most diverse places there are. They are places where every child, regardless of their zip code, is welcomed!

The love we give makes such a difference in so many lives, and sometimes we forget that we, too, need to be the recipients of love, especially from the community. We need them to come in and support the things we’re doing in our schools. We need community members, especially those who have a love for public schools, to become advocates alongside us. We need them to sometimes go and represent us as we do the important work of educating students. Communal love for public schools and public education is going to be the single thing that unites us and helps us be successful.

Love is in the air, and it can be contagious! Spread the love you have for your students and public schools with others and ask them to do the same. Have conversations about the great things going on in your building and extend invitations to visit with those who share your passion whenever possible. It can and will make a difference. Just you wait and see!

Tamika Walker Kelly President