NCAE News Bulletin
3
NCAE Mour*s the Passing of a Legend … Dr. LayFaye<e Parker
“I appreciate the leadership that Dr. Parker provided for black teachers just before the advent of full-scale integration within the public schools of North Carolina. He and his colleagues worked to make sure that educators within the NCTA entered the merger negotiations on an equal footing with their counterparts within the NCEA. His strong voice and persistent advocacy ensured an amicable set of talks in advance of the July 1, 1970, agreement.” — Former NCAE President Eddie Davis
Dr. LayFayette Parker, the last president of the North Carolina Teachers Association (NCTA), passed away in early December at the age of 100. The NCTA was the black organization for teachers that merged with the North Carolina Education Association (NCEA), the white organization for teachers, to form NCAE in 1970. A native of Onslow County, Dr. Parker was a life-long member of the NEA. He was a product of public schools. He did his undergraduate studies at Fayetteville State University and received a master’s degree in higher education and administration from Columbia University Teachers College. He earned a doctorate in higher education and administration from the University of Pittsburgh. Dr. Parker had a true passion for education. He served on the faculty at Fayetteville State in various capacities, such as director of Placement, assistant principal of Newbold School, director of Summer School, and academic dean. He also served in various capacities at Winston-Salem State University, where he retired as academic vice chancellor. He served as a consultant on visiting teams for the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, for the National Association for the Accreditation of Colleges for Teacher Education and for the state of North Carolina. He also served on the North Carolina Association of Deans, National Association of Deans, was a life member of the NAACP, and was active in politics and the community. In 2014, he was bestowed The Order of the Long Leaf Pine.
