NCAE
NEWS BULLETIN June
2015
NORTH CAROLINA ASSOCIATION OF EDUCATORS
Volume 45, No.10
Law Ending Due Process is Unconstitutional
Veteran Teachers Victorious in Career Status Case
The North Carolina Court of Appeals has ruled that the 2013 state law to strip the career status rights from veteran teachers is unconstitutional. The court upheld an early decision that said the law violated the constitutional protection of contracts and the prohibition against taking a person’s property. “We are pleased that the Court heard the voices of educators and found that veteran teachers cannot be stripped of their due process rights,” said President Rodney Ellis. While we celebrate this victory, the court did uphold a decision that eliminates the opportunity to earn career status for those teachers in the pipeline. These are teachers who are starting their career but have not yet
worked four years, the time it typically takes to earn career status. NCAE is still reviewing this part of the ruling and will determine the next steps to be taken. Under the current law, new teachers cannot earn career status. “Career status is a critical tool in recruiting and retaining quality educators, just like fair compensation and working and learning conditions,” added Ellis. “We need to ensure that all teachers can focus on educating our children and helping them be successful and not be worried about arbitrary disciplinary actions by administrators outside of the classroom. The Association will continue to fight, from the statehouse to the courthouse, for students, educators and our public schools.” NCAE, along with six public school
teachers, filed the lawsuit to protect the rights of teachers. Without this lawsuit, all career status teachers would have been required to work under a one-, two- or four-year contract beginning in 2018, which could have resulted in an exodus of teachers leaving the profession. Now that the Court has ruled, local and state elected leaders should take the steps needed to provide all teachers with basic employment rights. Let your voices be heard that career status is a basic employment right that ALL teachers should be able to earn. Having a unified voice for public education makes a difference in the classroom, for your profession, and in your personal lives.
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News Bulletin
June 2015
We Must Send a Better Message to Future Generations Work to finalize a state budget by members of the General Assembly is in full swing. As the ones who will be most affected by the decisions they make, having your voices heard is still an important factor in determining the outcome. In a recent letter to Vice President lawmakers, President Rodney Mark Jewell Ellis stated that it’s critical they make investments in education that will help our students be more successful. One of those investments is funding for textbooks, instructional materials, and technology. Although a proposal has been made to add additional monies, which would push funding to $74.3 million, NCAE believes a much bolder push to reach the pre-recession level of $100 million needs to occur. For too long students around the state have not had access to textbooks. How can we prepare our children to compete in a global economy if textbooks are not a part of the learning process? Money has also been allocated for school enrollment growth at a tab of $100.2 million, but there is still a great need for an increase in per-pupil spending in North Carolina. Again, I echo the words of President Ellis…we must invest in our students. As it stands, our state ranks in the bottom fifth in the country when it comes to the amount of funds we spend on K-12 students. What message are we sending to our future generations? North Carolina can do better than this! The 1.6 million children you educate every day deserve nothing less! Our public schools are a vital staple in our communities and we must continue the quest to keep them intact and fully funded. Even though a judge’s ruling has declared vouchers unconstitutional and the N.C. Supreme Court is preparing to issue its own decision, lawmakers are still trying to build into
the budget more funding for Opportunity Scholarships. NCAE has fought, and will continue to fight, to keep public money in the hands of our public schools, which educate ALL of our children, no matter their economic status or zip code. Draining funds from public schools isn’t the answer. Ensuring that they are well equipped with the necessary resources, that they have highly qualified educators and support staff, and are adequately funded… that’s the answer. Another very important investment lawmakers must be diligent about is YOU…our teachers and support staff. Your work is the core of what public education is all about. It’s time for you to be treated as professionals, receive the respect that you deserve, and be compensated accordingly. Sporadic raises here and there should not be the norm. Needed is a concrete plan to develop and implement a comprehensive compensation strategy for ALL educators, in addition to a well thought out retention and recruitment plan. Over the past few years, you have raised your voices and they have been heard loud and clear. Strides have been made that you can be proud of. However, we must continue to have more of an impact. Because you literally hold the keys to the future in your hands, you must remain vigilant in your actions to ensure that your students’ success comes first. Call, e-mail and schedule visits with your legislators and share your stories with them while they are still in Raleigh as well as when they return home. Heed action alerts from the Association and work with your local leaders to coordinate activities within your districts. I am personally extending an invitation for you to participate in NCAE’s second Lobby Day on June 23. We want as many members as possible to attend to show lawmakers that we love our students, our public schools, and public education. So mark your calendars and prepare to pull out all the stops! A final budget will likely be on the horizon during that time but until the ink dries, we still have time to accomplish more. So let’s get busy!
We Need You to Take Action! Attend the NCAE Lobby Day WHEN: June 23 WHERE: North Carolina General Assembly DETAILS: Plan to arrive at the NCAE Center by 9:30 a.m. A briefing will be held prior to visiting the General Assembly. Professional dress is encouraged along with wearing NCAE buttons. SIGN-UP: Visit http://www.ncae.org/lobby-days/
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June 2015
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NCAE 2.0...The Power is In Your Hands! Are you willing to sit back and let others silence your collective voices? How will you answer that question? If your answer is a resounding NO, then take the next step to put the power of membership and the future of your professional association in your hands. NCAE 2.0 will give you the ability to do both. This new initiative, which launched in March, is a plan for rebuilding and strengthening NCAE from the inside out. It has three components – connecting with current members, reclaiming members who have left, and recruiting new members to grow our power and influence. NCAE 2.0 is part of Operation Believe and Achieve, the Association’s spring organizing plan. The two major goals of
this plan are to prevent membership loss and switch current members who are on payroll deduction to eDues (switching is easy and only takes a few minutes). Activities such as phone banks, one-on-one conversations, and local meetings are already taking place with much success. Members in Cleveland County participate in a phone banking activity. Photo: Keyth Harrison You can help shape the future of NCAE and have a lasting impact on the future Operation Believe and Achieve by of education by being a united, organized watching this video featuring NCAE voice of empowered educators who are President Rodney Ellis, or by visiting the making a difference in our schools for NCAE Web site, www.ncae.org. our students. As members of the state’s largest education advocacy organization, You are an important part of the NCAE don’t give lawmakers control over your family and a valued member. Continue to ability to speak out against injustices that be a champion for the students you serve, affect the work you do every day. the public schools in which you work, Learn more about NCAE 2.0 and and for yourselves!
Give to the NCAE Wall of Justice NCAE is giving you a tool so that you, and others, can demonstrate your willingness to speak out for social justice beyond the classroom and community -- it’s the Wall of Justice Project. The Wall of Justice, located at the NCAE Center, will give you an opportunity to sign a pledge card that says, “I Will Do All That I Can to Ensure Social Justice and Equality for All.” NCAE encourages all members to take the pledge and make a donation of at least $2, which will be used to support the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Scholarship Fund for high school students entering college. Pledge cards are available through your local president or online, where donations can be made electronically. For more information, contact Derevana Leach (Derevana.Leach@ncae.org) Angela Farthing (Angela.Farthing@ncae.org) or call 1-800-662-7914.
Has Your Status Changed? If you need to update your address, phone number, personal e-mail or name, simply visit http:// www.ncae.org/ncae-profileupdate.
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A BOLD Voice for Special Needs Students
News Bulletin
June 2015
The work that Simmons does has not gone unnoticed. Recently, she was presented with the 2015 School of Health and Human Services Pacesetter Award from the UNCGreensboro Department of Kinesiology. The award honors outstanding alumni who have attained local, state or regional recognition through their achievements in scholarship, leadership or service during their career or through civic involvement. Click here to view a short video on Simmons.
The atmosphere at Haynes-Inman Education Center in Guilford County can be summed up in one four-letter word… LOVE. Nestled at the end of a quiet, rural street is what NCAE member Vicki Simmons calls “a very special place.” Upon entering, it resembles any other school. Spend time there, and you will quickly see that the learning taking place is quite unique and amazing. Haynes-Inman is one of four Guilford County public schools that specifically serve special needs students. It’s where for five years Simmons has taught adapted physical education. Why? Because she feels all children need PE, regardless of their ability or lack thereof. “PE is offered once a week for 30 minutes, and for that 30 minutes I want to make it the best 30 minutes in the lives of these children,” said Simmons, as she prepared to lead a T-ball session. “We never know when a child will experience his/her last PE class, so it’s my job to make it the best class ever!” An educator for 35 years, Simmons began her career working with kids who wanted to be athletes. It wasn’t until she volunteered with Special Olympics that she received her true calling. “I realized that these individuals weren’t ‘them,’ they were ‘us.’ The only difference was they had disabilities. If you think about it, everyone has some type of disability, i.e., people who wear glasses. Nobody is perfect. My goal is to share with others who may not be as healthy as me the joy of sporting activities and PE.”
Simmons said her mother was the inspiration behind her becoming a physical education teacher. “My mother was a PE teacher. She coached basketball, softball and volleyball. When I was growing up, we were always very active and I practically grew up in the gym.” Being a special education teacher, Simmons said, has its rewards and definitely has its challenges, especially in this current political climate. As an advocate for her students, Simmons is thankful that she is part of a school system that is committed to students with special needs, but she wants to see more done at the state level. “I invite legislators to come to Haynes-Inman to see how budget cuts are affecting students, to see how increasing class size would be detrimental in a school like ours, and to see that more experienced EC teachers and assistants are needed so that our students can continue to be successful. As their teacher, it’s my responsibility to be a voice on their behalf. To quote the book, Is There Really a Human Race by Jamie Lee Curtis…‘Sometimes it’s better not to go fast. There are beautiful sights to be seen when you are last. Shouldn’t it be that you just try your best? And that’s more important than beating the rest. Shouldn’t it be looking back at the end that you judge your own race by the help that you lend? So, take what’s inside you and make big, bold choices. And for those who can’t speak for themselves, use bold voices.’ That’s what I will continue to do for as long as I can…lend my help and be a bold voice for my students!”
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June 2015
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Four High School Seniors Awarded NCAE MLK Scholarships The Human and Civil Rights Commission has awarded Martin Luther King Jr. Scholarships in the amount of $1,000 each to four graduating seniors. These scholarships are given annually in honor of Dr. King’s life and legacy, and help provide financial assistance for the recipients’ education beyond high school.
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A graduate of Scotland High School in Scotland County, Maya plans to study business administration. “Dr. King has taught me to stand up for what I believe. His philosophies have helped to mold me into a proud young woman who embraces challenges that lie ahead with humbleness and grace.”
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Sandra is a graduate of Wake Forest-Rolesville High School in Wake County. She wants to study nursing and will be the first generation college student in her family. Her mission is to help people no matter how small of an impact she makes. “When each individual does the same good thing then it makes a massive impact in the community.”
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“Throughout my high school career, I worked hard to remain at the top of my class while still being an active citizen in my community. I accepted that my academic journey would be difficult, but I knew that my efforts would be rewarded.” Jessica graduated from the Johnston County Early College Academy and wants to study international studies and public health.
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A graduate of Western Guilford High School in Guilford County, Wendlassida has dreams of becoming a civil rights lawyer. “When I was younger, I saw acts of injustice but was too afraid to speak out. When I got to high school, I was no longer content to stand idly on the sidelines.” She said Dr. King’s philosophies motivated her to found the club Social Activism at Western (SAW).
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News Bulletin
June 2015
“Educators Everywhere� Photo Contest
S M I L E !
   Are you traveling or volunteering this summer? Bring NCAE along and you could win a prize! Whether it’s a NCAE t-shirt, ink pen, poster or a copy of your News Bulletin, if it contains the NCAE logo, take a selfie and send us a picture. We know that you are always on the go, and because educators are everywhere, we thought it might be fun to take a part of your association along! Here’s what you need to do: • While on your interesting or fun travels, take a photo of you and your favorite NCAE item. • BONUS: If you are traveling over the summer for the classroom, include a paragraph about how your travels and experience will improve teaching/learning when you return to school next fall. It may become a story for the News Bulletin or posted on the NCAE Facebook page! • E-mail your selfie and a brief description of what we’re seeing with your name, local affiliate, and current email address to Linda.Powell@ncae.org. Entries will be accepted through July 31, 2015. All entries submitted will be reviewed. Judging considerations include creativity, location, distance, and applications to the classroom (and celebrity sightings, of course!). Have fun on your summer travels!
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June 2015
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NEA Convention Delegates Prepare to Pack Their Bags for Orlando Simply put, the NEA Convention is a wonderful experience. So says veteran delegate Amy Harrison of Guilford County. “I love walking on the convention floor for the first time each year. Being with 20,000 people who are as passionate as I am about great public schools is exciting.” From June 26-July 6, more than 100 NCAE delegates will represent members at the 2015 NEA Annual Meeting and Representative Assembly in Orlando, Fla. The convention is the largest deliberative body in the world and members are elected to attend either via state or local elections. The convention includes many pre-convention activities, as well as official business sessions. Similar to the format of the NCAE Convention, delegates will debate and vote on new business items, amendments and resolutions. “It’s amazing that we can have our voices heard and still complete the work of the association in a few days,” Harrison added. “I love meeting the other state delegates and those from across the nation. It’s an honor to represent North Carolina at NEA!”
Weird Things Students Bring to School Pens, pencils and paper are often found in school backpacks and desks. Sometimes items such as pictures of grandparents or vacation souvenirs make an appearance. But every once in a while, something out of the ordinary shows up! Members were asked to share some of the strange things students have brought to school. The answers were…well, see for yourself! A rul stud w e o ent co ithou n ca wa ha me t h mp s up Co d to to s er k us. H set . ca cho now er tha rry ol le ig t th it a to dg uan ere rou pick e an a w nd it d h had as a in up. er cra “n he N mo w o a r b ee th led ni ag dle er i m A snake. all ss cou n he al” da to s ldn r b -- Caldwell Co. y! ay ’t ag -- , s h Ire e de ll
First-timer Oliver Holley of Northampton County says he is extremely excited about the opportunity. “I am looking forward to seeing how what we do as a state organization correlates to the national stage. I also am excited about the networking possibilities and being able to ‘educationally steal’ or borrow techniques and ideas to improve our local and region.” If you are a delegate needing more information, or just want to know what will be taking place during the NEA RA, click here.
in es lects e b l ad e co h h ay . In e y h that he d bag and s h t is a w d nt onde nd it m h tside I w e s d o . u u r a p u s st res d fo it f it o on she ok e o e e e a h u t n b bo v k h h ed and He emo to ta after me note k s . r o I a bag ests t to him the nd s t of ! n s n i o k i h d ee e f g Be s boo es o for aske ater it be a sh hi l typ and e, I es. L aw e of al fore voic be l, I s siz be ow e the hoo s the o. a l leas g sc wa yth C re avin hing ors le at t -- F Th per. pa Would you believe a bunny rabbit in a fanny pack? A fourth-grader brought a rabbit to school. During lunch, she came up to me and asked me if she could ask the lunch ladies for lettuce. I asked why (because it was hotdog and chili day) and she said she needed it for her rabbit’s lunch. You could have knocked me over with a feather! -- Beaufort Co.
To my shock and embarrassment, a student brought a “magic wand” that she found in her mother’s drawer. She was waving it around for everyone to see. Let’s just say it wasn’t the kind of item a child should have in her possession! -- Cabarrus Co.
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June 2015
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June 2015
DEALS
2015
for NEA Members
Dates to Remember
Click & Save “Buy-lights” for June NEA Click & Save is an online discount buying service for NEA members. Check out these featured items for June and start saving! Remember, June is the month to celebrate Father’s Day, graduations, and weddings! • Lands’ End – Take 25 percent off your order; free shipping on orders of $50 or more • Paul Frederick – Get 30 percent off your entire order of men’s fashion apparel • 3balls.com – Receive free shipping on orders of $99 or more • Sports Authority – Save up to 70 percent off • Nike – Enjoy free two-day shipping on orders of $75 or more • Lowes – Receive 10 percent off major appliances $399 or more; free shipping on orders of $49 or more • West Elm – Get up to 20 percent off outdoor furniture Need New Wheels for Summer? If you’re in the market for a new or used car, the NEA Auto Buying Program offers guaranteed savings and a nohassle car buying experience. In fact, members have seen an average savings of $3,221 off MRSP on new cars. With the NEA Auto Buying Program, it’s easy to 1) get a price and your guaranteed savings before going to a dealership, and 2) work with pre-screened dealers for customer savings and a great experience! You’ve got an advantage – now take it! Visit www.neamb.com/buyacar today.
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June 12th 14th 21st 23rd 29th 29th30th
World Day Against Child Labor Multicultural American Child Day Race Unity Day Summer Solstice NCAE Lobby Day, Raleigh NCAE Summer Break Begins (offices closed through July 3) NEA Joint Conference on Concerns of Minorities and Women, Orlando
Student Safety Month
July 1st-6th 4th 21st23rd 28th31st 30th
NEA Representative Assembly, Orlando Independence Day (NCAE offices closed) Summer Leaders Conference, Greensboro NCAE Leadership Institute National Support Public Education Day
National Make a Difference to Children Month
“Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire.” --William Butler Yeats
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., Post Office Box Box 27347, Raleigh, NC 27611, 1-800-662-7924. www.ncae.org
Linda Powell-Jones, Editor/Designer