NCAE
NEWS BULLETIN May
2015
NORTH CAROLINA ASSOCIATION OF EDUCATORS
Volume 45, No. 9
Members FLEX Their Political Muscle During the April 28th NCAE Lobby Day
Why They Came... Sue Collin, Rutherford County – “I thought it was important to participate, because my daughter is preparing to attend college to be an educator and I want her future to be secure. I brought her with me because it’s important that she know how to advocate for her future.” April Lee, Johnston County – “I think it’s important to be part of the lobbying voice for educators and students, because if we don’t advocate for our profession, our students and our classrooms, then who will? It’s up to us to talk with our policy-makers and to have an influence.” Tamika Walker-Kelly, Cumberland County – “I came to build a relationship with my legislator. Beginning that conversation with a Senator who hasn’t normally been receptive to some of our invitations was a fantastic start. And I look forward to further developing that relationship. Both sides listened to points made, and I think there’s some room there for growth.” Pattie Griffin, Cumberland County – One of the things that is near and dear to my heart are children with special needs. And I have a lot of concerns; justifiably so. More resources need to made available. Our focus as educators is to teach the “whole child.” We know how important that is and what is needed to make that happen.”
Sue Collin, left, with her daughter and daughter’s roommate prepare to lobby. “It’s important that they know how to advocate for themselves as future educators.”
NCAE Lobbyist Marge Foreman briefs members on key bills that are being proposed in the General Assembly.
A delegation from Guilford County advocated on proposed education legislation and attended a press conference about the Teaching Fellows Program.
Coalition partner Public Schools First NC joined the Lobby Day effort.
Kristi Moore and Tyrone Melton talk with Rep. Larry Hall between meetings.
Julius Webb, a member of the Halifax/Northampton Retired Division, came to show his support and make his voice heard.
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NCAE Connecting the Dots
If you’re a member of this association, we want you to join the fight. If you’re not a member of this association, we want you to join the fight. The bottom line is we need ALL educators to speak up and advocate for students, public schools and the profession! As I travel across the state, I often have conversations about some of the legislation that has passed over the last several years. I try to draw attention to the fact that it’s connected with threats to educators, threats to schools, and threats to student services. Rodney Ellis It’s apparent that this legislation is NCAE President an attempt to silence the voice of educators – just look at the bills to: eliminate payroll deduction and due process rights, implement vouchers, direct LEAs to develop a performance-based RIF policy that will be tied to test scores, cut textbook funding and resources, eliminate pre-K slots and educator advocacy, the fact North Carolina is ranked 47th in the nation in per-pupil expenditures, and others. In my opinion, if you connect the dots, the objective is to set educators up for failure. But we are strong. We’ve dealt with a lot over the past several years. I believe we will continue to
Law To Hamper School Employees’ Ability to Advocate for Public Ed The North Carolina Senate approved Senate Bill 480 to prohibit local school board employees from campaigning or engaging in political activity while on duty. The legislation would go over and above what is current law for state employees by including a provision that would prohibit educators from advocating for or against local, state or federal policies. The advocacy provision SB would also now cover state employees. The bill does carve out exemptions for 480 superintendents and principals, employees whose specific job it is to engage in advocacy, or if an employee is invited by a policy-making body to discuss an issue. However, there are still many serious questions that remain unanswered about how this legislation will impact educators and other school employees. Because of those questions and concerns, NCAE continues to oppose this version of the legislation. The measure still needs to be adopted by the N.C. House and signed by the governor before becoming law, and we will be working on the House side of the aisle on this legislation. Look for updates about how you can become involved in reaching out to your representative to voice your concerns.
News Bulletin
May 2015
strive and provide the education that our students need in the classroom every day. Ultimately, we will defeat some of this bad legislation. How, you might ask, as you deal with the overwhelming challenges you face every day? By being informed! We know that you have a lot on your plates and we know that you are going above and beyond to do the job that is one of the most important anyone can have. Don’t sit back and not be aware of legislation that may impact your work, your career, your family, and your classroom. Don’t be ignorant to those things, because you may wake up one day, see that this legislation has passed, and not have a clue how it happened, why it happened, or why you didn’t have a chance to say anything. Let’s not have to “suck it up” and deal with what happened when we have an opportunity to prevent some of it. Familiarize yourself with what’s taking place on Jones Street during this legislative session. Stay engaged, communicate with your legislator, and participate in NCAE-sponsored calls to action because we must hold lawmakers accountable for theirs. This state guarantees every child a free, quality public education, no matter where they live, who their parents are, or what income bracket they fall in. It’s our duty as educators to ensure that every student in our classrooms receives that education. At the end of the day, we can influence the decisionmaking process. All we have to do, and must do, is take action!
NCAE Lobby Day WHEN: June 23, 2015 WHERE: N.C. General Assembly, Raleigh DETAILS: Plan to arrive at the NCAE Center by 9:30 a.m. A briefing will be held prior to visiting the General Assembly. SIGN-UP: Visit http://www.ncae.org/lobbydays/
News Bulletin
May 2015
NCAE
NCAE 2.0: Our Next Chapter I cannot believe it has been an entire year since I came to North Carolina to join y’all (I think I can say that now) in the fight for what’s right for public education. I have rallied on the statehouse lawn, traveled to many parts of this beautiful state, had one-on-ones with many of you, and attended my first NCAE Convention. While I have already enjoyed numerous adventures, I look forward to many more and the challenges ahead. For those of you who attended Convention, you heard about Operation Believe and Achieve, NCAE 2.0, and the goals we aim to accomplish through these projects. For those of you who did not, I’ll start with a little background. Some in the Legislature are at it again. On the very first day of session, the very first day, a bill was introduced in the Senate to eliminate payroll deduction for all associations. Last month, a similar bill was introduced in the House. Why should we be concerned about the elimination of payroll deduction? Because of the reasons some lawmakers want to eliminate it. In all fairness, not all want it eliminated. NCAE and our members have great supporters who stand up for what is right for public education and kids, and we thank them. However, the majority want to try once again to silence our collective voice. They want to silence our cries for enough state funding to provide every child a high quality public education. They don’t want to hear about how failing to compensate teachers, administrators, and other education professionals competitively and
fairly impacts the quality of education and level of student success. They don’t want to acknowledge how significantly cutting funding for textbooks and instructional materials has harmed a generation of students. They want to stop our INFLUENCE by silencing your voices and making it harder for you to participate in your professional organization. So, NCAE 2.0. What is it? Why is it so important? NCAE 2.0 is a plan for rebuilding and strengthening our organization from the inside out. Using our organizing culture and principles, we will connect with current members, reclaim members who have left, and recruit new members to grow our power and influence. This is just not about switching members to a different type of dues collection. It’s about modernizing our organization into the next version of ourselves - NCAE 2.0. We must strengthen our collective power and amplify our collective voice for public education. NCAE 2.0 is important because it’s about our future. It is a way to empower our members and our organization to think about things that are important, like student success. It allows us to shape our own future and impact the future of public education. NCAE 2.0 will be accomplished through Operation Believe and Achieve… our spring organizing plan. Operation Believe and Achieve has two major goals – to prevent membership loss and to switch current members on payroll deduction to
3 eDues. Activities include phone banks, one-onones, local meetings, and more. I have shared this plan with all staff with the guidance that they should work Rachelle Johnson with all of you – Executive Director our leaders and member activists. We cannot do this unless we partner -leaders and staff working together -- to move the organization forward. We are ALL committed to ensuring the long-term success of NCAE. We are stronger when we unite and think ahead. This plan is proactive – it is about connecting our members with the organization in a purposeful way. It is about growing our power and removing vulnerabilities. Intrigued by the possibilities? Want to join others in collective action? Talk with your local president or UniServ director about scheduling a phone bank or meeting to talk with current members on payroll deduction about switching to eDues or with former members about the good work NCAE has been doing for students and public education and why they should rejoin us in the fight for public education and kids. With challenges come opportunities. I’m excited about the future of our organization and look forward to the adventures that lie ahead and facing them head on with all of you.
Leadership, Summer Learning and CEUs NCAE is your instructional resource and supports your professional growth. Interested in professional development that can be shared in your schools and communities? Consider participating in the NCAE Leadership Institute July 28-31. Topics will include: • standards-based learning
• college and career standards • instructional advocacy • connections with parents and the community • interdisciplinary literacy The Institute connects to N.C. Professional Standard I – teacher leadership. It was designed with the help of NCAE’s Common Core Leadership Team, a group representing National Board Certified Teachers. As a member, you will receive training, materials and be eligible for CEUs. The Institute is FREE, thanks to an NEA grant.
If interested, visit http://bit.ly/ncaeili15. Please complete the application by May 15. Selected participants will be notified by June 3. Direct all questions to Elic.Senter@ncae.org or call 1-800-662-7924, ext. 227.
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News Bulletin
May 2015
North Carolina’s 2015 Teacher of the Year ... A Profile
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Triplett is on leave from Ashe County High School, where she teaches English She joined NCAE her first year of teaching because she knew she needed to have a “voice” in education (member for 10 years) She is most proud of NCAE for its role as the consistent voice for educators and students Educators, she feels, can lead in their profession by seeking opportunities to better themselves and their practice She is a North Carolina Teaching Fellows graduate A tip she would share with colleagues: “Bring parents into the classroom. Send progress alerts, share a monthly or weekly newsletter…begin a campaign to educate them on the importance of their support.” She earned National Board Certification in English/Language Arts
KEANA TRIPLETT
As a kindergarten student, most people have no idea what they want to be in life. But for Keana Triplett, the influence to become an educator began here. The work of a phenomenal teacher, Mrs. Burnette, planted a seed of learning. That seed was watered by Mrs. Upright, one of Triplett’s high school English teachers. “Her love for her subject ignited a passion in me and rekindled my love of reading,” said Triplett. “In her classroom, I was transported to a future world where I envisioned myself making a positive impact on society through the education of young minds.”
Fast-forward to the present. This love and inspiration has garnered Triplett one of her greatest achievements – the opportunity to serve as a teacher ambassador for educators statewide. Triplett has several goals she wants to achieve in this role: be a voice for all teachers in North Carolina; offer communities a glimpse into the reality of the classroom and the beautiful moments that happen on a daily basis; strengthen and improve the profession through voicing the need for time, money and effort into the recruitment, education and retention of quality educators; and advocate for the educational and classroom needs of beginning teachers.
“She encourages us to take risks, trust each other, work harder and learn more than we thought possible. We do not want to disappoint her and we would never think of coming to class less than completely prepared or of disrupting a lesson.” -- Triplett’s students
2015 Regional Teacher of the Year Finalists
JAMI DICKERSON
JEREMY TUCKER
REGION 1
REGION 3
These four members will serve with Triplett on the 2015 Teacher of the Year Team. Click here to read more about each of these outstanding educators.
MARIEL SELLARS
JOANNA MASSOTH
REGION 4
REGION 5
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May 2015
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Plan to Bring School to Parents in Forsyth County Gets a Thumbs Up
Members Share Tips on How to Curb It
What was once old is now new, and has totally been repurposed. Instead of transporting students between home and school, a retired Forsyth County school bus will now serve as a “school on wheels” for parents in the community. The Parent Involvement Resource Mobile Unit is the brainchild of members Denise McCoy and Javier Correa-Vega. They wanted to find a way to help close the achievement gap among students by engaging their parents. “Our goal is to empower parents and give them access to some of the things that schools offer,” said Correa-Vega, the parent involvement coordinator at Philo-Hill Magnet Academy. “They will receive information that will help them help their children – such as how to help with homework, the importance of parent/teacher meetings, and school bus safety.” McCoy added it’s also about making parents feel more comfortable. “Some parents don’t feel comfortable visiting the school for whatever reason. Being able to go out in the communities where they live and work will not only be convenient for parents, but show them that we are here to assist in any way possible.” Currently the transportation supervisor for Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools, McCoy is the former parental involvement coordinator at Konnoak Elementary School, which is located in close proximity to Philo-Hill. She and Correa-Vega have worked together for two years to bring this idea to life. The bus is being renovated by students at the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools Career Center. Inside, some of the seats have been removed to make room for four tables and a bookcase. Electrical outlets, Wi-Fi hotspots and laptops are being installed. There is also an area in the back where childcare will be provided. The exterior of the bus has received a makeover too. It is decorated with photos of students, logos of the partnering schools and sponsors, and the motto on which the concept was founded: “Education is the Key to Success.” The project is being funded by grants from Lowes Home Improvement and the WinstonSalem Federal Credit Union. This is the only mobile unit of its kind in N.C. Renovations are almost complete, according to McCoy, and the hope is that the bus will be operational before school ends. Title 1 schools will be able to reserve the bus and it will be available at a variety of school and community events. Correa-Vega will serve as the driver. Parental involvement coordinators will staff the bus and assist parents. Kenyatta Bennett, principal of Philo-Hill Magnet Academy, said this project is going to benefit parents in a huge way. “Until we address some of the social issues that face our families and students, it’s going to be really difficult for us to attack the achievement gap issue. I think we’re taking a step in the right direction.” (CLICK HERE TO SEE VIDEO)
Lack of resources, low compensation, not enough time, and the feeling of being under and unappreciated. Being an educator is not always easy, despite a love for the profession and the work to ensure students are successful. The weight of it all can be overwhelming and can lead to feelings of burnout! What can you do to help curb this ever-present threat? Members share some of the strategies they use to stay on track. “When I feel too tired, I escape with friends and go on road trips. Road trips are my secret weapon against burnout!” – Helen Williams, Iredell County “My students are my strategy; they keep me positive. They know I am very passionate about teaching and that I care about them. Hearing them say ‘thank you’ or ‘you are amazing’ really helps ease the stress. They also help me know that I am doing what I was called to do. Simply put, the students make my job worthwhile!” – Jennifer Jackson, Sampson County “When I am overwhelmed, which is often, I breathe…mind over matter. Also, I am constantly reevaluating ways to make my classroom and day more efficient. I am almost always in a constant state of motion and try and take time to be still and quiet. I have learned that those times are to be treasured and appreciated with a humble heart.” – Melissa Belk, Stanly County
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News Bulletin
May 2015
2015 NCAE Award Winners Karyn Dickerson NEA Teaching Excellence Award
Michael Cowin Central Office Administrator of the Year
Anne Bentley Linda Rader Professional Opportunity Award
Ethan Lenker, Superintendent of the Year
Mark Anderson Principal of the Year
Brian Freeman Linda Rader Professional Opportunity Award
Durham Bulls Education Day Event If you are tired of taking your students on boring field trips, consider bringing them to Education Day at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park. The event will be held on May 20 and is being hosted by the Durham Bulls Baseball Club. Education day at the ballpark provides elementary, middle and high school students the opportunity to learn outside of the classroom. Educational and interactive learning stations will be set up along the concourse. Also, the National Baseball Hall of Fame is offering lesson plans that are aligned with the
Lanisha Daye Assistant Principal of the Year
Denise McCoy ESP of the Year
Common Core State Standards. Tickets for students and chaperones are $4.50 plus tax, with one complimentary teacher ticket per class. Box lunches are available for $4 (vegetarian options can be requested). Lunch requests must be made at the time of the ticket order and will not be available on game day. For more information, contact Andrew Ferrier at_aferrier@durhambulls.com or call 919-687-6571.
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May 2015
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Making Yourself Heard! Steps to Get Policy-Makers’ Attention Ask an educator about advocating for public schools and the reply is often, “Oh, I vote. But no, I really don’t have any interest in all that political action stuff. I’m too busy with school.” Some see education politics as a distraction: “The kids, not the politics,” they may say. But the reality is that class loads, curriculum, school calendars, student assessments and a million other day-to-day school issues are determined by federal, state and local legislation. Every school policy and every instructional decision is connected to a political decision. So, why don’t decision-makers seem to listen to educators, who have front-line knowledge and experience? Because they don’t think we don’t know? Are we passively waiting to be asked? Education legislation has an impact on the effectiveness of our work, the quality of our schools, the health of our communities, and most of all, the welfare and future of our students – so maybe it’s time for each of us to step up and speak up for policies that better serve the children.
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Here are steps that can be effective guidelines:
1. Know the People Who Represent You -- You probably know the names of your Representative or Senator, but if they visited your school would you recognize them? The “Who Represents Me” tab on the General Assembly’s Web site, www.ncga.state.nc.us, shows the boundaries of your representatives’ districts, committees on which they serve, bills they sponsor, and biographical information. The lawmaker’s e-mail address is also listed so sending a message is only a click away. 2. Do Your Homework Before Taking a Position – When it’s time to advocate, you need to know what you’re talking about. How well have you researched your concern? What’s the history on this topic? Is it a local issue or a statewide concern? Who has the authority to make changes? Most of these questions can be answered by calling the NCAE Government Relations Department or your UniServ director. As a member, you have a wealth of resources available to inform and support your advocacy efforts. Access the NCAE Web site, www.ncae.org, and click on the “Issues” tab for helpful information. 3. Build An Agenda – Consider signing up to be a NCAE cyberlobbyist. It’s a good place to start building your skills and gaining confidence as an advocate. You can also sign up to be a Legislative Contact Team member (click here for more information), or request to receive the NCAE Education Insight, a weekly eNewsletter that provides legislative information during the session. 4. The Message – Becoming a cyberlobbyist is a great start, but what if you could sway the opinion of others, too? Multiple voices on a single issue make a stronger impression than one voice speaking to multiple issues. Begin by sharing information with colleagues and encouraging them to join you in cyberlobbying. For effectiveness, compose your own email or an old-fashioned letter, which has more influence than a form e-mail or postcard. It may also help you clarify your thinking and be more convincing. Be specific about the issue and action you hope will be taken. Offer facts to back up your opinion and share a personal story! Contact the NCAE
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Communications team if you need assistance with messaging. Choose Your Mode of Delivery – You’ve done your homework and composed your message. Now it’s time to decide the best way to make contact. If you penned an e-mail message, let it sit for a while and then re-read to check your tone and syntax (remember to send from your personal email address, not your school address). Are you ready to take a more public position by responding with an online comment to a news story, participating in social media conversations, speaking up at a public hearing, writing a letter to the editor or submitting an editorial to your local paper? If so, be clear that you’re speaking as a private citizen, not as a representative of your school. Face-to-face contact may be the most challenging. What if, after you introduce yourself and hand over your business card, your representative calls and asks you to come by the office to offer your input on proposed education legislation? Chances are you won’t get that call but be attuned to loaded questions designed to validate a predetermined question if the occasion arises. Focus on Solutions, Not Problems – Regardless of how you communicate, your message needs to be clear, informed, positive and polite. Thank elected officials for their support even when it seems insufficient to you. Point out positives. Rather than identifying what’s not working, focus on how additional progress can be made. Address costs in terms of return on investment and have a brief personal story to support your position. Meet Face to Face – If you have a chance for a one-on-one conversation, be ready. Lawmakers’ time is limited so expect no more than 10-15 minutes at the most. Open with a single sentence that briefly explains the issue, provide supporting research, close by repeating your request for support. Regardless of the outcome, thank him or her for their time and follow-up with an e-mail or personal note. Personal advocacy requires thinking on your feet, keeping a cool head, and some practice. Consider coming to the NCAE Lobby Day in Raleigh on June 23. You will receive a briefing on the issues prior to visiting lawmakers. Step Back Before Stepping Up – Before attempting to influence the thinking and actions of others, step back and prepare yourself and your agenda. Start off by assuming good intentions in others, even if those intentions have seemed questionable in the past. The politics surrounding education can be misinformed and misguided; the legislation faulty in design and poorly implemented. But keep in mind that no one sets out with the goal of doing harm to children. Look for common ground. Be sensitive to the difference between an effort to influence and an attempt to manipulate. Learn to compromise on issues without compromising your personal integrity. Join your voice with others; you’ll gain momentum and lighten your load. Don’t worry about who gets the credit, worry about the outcome. Be patient. Change takes time. Be persistent!
Revised and reprinted with permission of the Virginia Education Association.
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News Bulletin
May 2015
Give to the NCAE Wall of Justice
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NCAE EDUCATOR APPRECIATION WEEKEND JUNE 20 & 22
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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-profile-update/.
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 is located at the NCAE Center and gives 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 and can be found online, where donations can be made electronically. Simply mail your pledge to NCAE Wall of Justice, 700 South Salisbury St., Raleigh, NC 27601. You can also deliver your pledge card and donation in person. To help spread the word, please use #NCAEWallofJustice, or take a “selfie” with the pledge card and post it to your social media sites as well as on the NCAE Facebook wall, http://www.facebook.com/ wearencae. For more information, contact Derevana Leach (Derevana.Leach@ncae.org), Angela Farthing (Angela.Farthing@ncae.org), or call 1-800-662-7924.
News Bulletin
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May 2015
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DEALS for NEA Members Click and Save “Buy-Lights” for May NEA Click & Save is an online discount buying service for NEA members. Check out these featured items for May and start saving today! • Zales – Save $50 on orders over $300; plus free shipping on orders of $149 or more • Reeds Jewelers – Exclusive: $100 off $700 or more; free shipping on all orders • Saks Fifth Avenue Off 5th – Up to 70 percent off • PerfumeWorld.com – Take 10 percent off • Omaha Steaks – Up to 50 percent off selected combos • Fairytale Brownies -- Save 20 percent • Disney World Resort -- Receive 5 days for the price of 3 • TicketsAtWork.com – Save over 30 percent on admission to LEGOLAND Theme Park, Florida
Dates to Remember May 2015 4th-8th 6th 16th 25th
Teacher Appreciation Week National School Nurse Day National Board Certification Spring Seminars. Click here to register. Memorial Day (NCAE Offices Closed)
Get Caught Reading Month Young Achievers of Tomorrow Month
The open road is calling you. A trip is in order and all you need is a rental car. Check out the many great rates you can receive from NEA’s car rental partners. Great cars, unlimited mileage, and convenient locations are only a click away at www.neamb.com/carrental.
Summer Travel Plans Set off on a trip of a lifetime with destination tips, planning resources, and money-saving advice designed to help you book and relax. Visit www.neamb.com/ summertravel for valuable insignts on: • Featured Destination: An island getaway, eclectic road trip overseas – get the information you need to pick the locale that’s right for you. • Expert Secrets: Travel like a pro with savvy tips for a stress-free vacation. • Travel Savings: Navigate your way to an affordable journey with smart dining, lodging and entertainment ideas.
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“The purpose of education is to replace an empty mind with an open one.” -Malcolm Forbes
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