NCAE
NEWS BULLETIN May
2017
NORTH CAROLINA ASSOCIATION OF EDUCATORS
Volume 47, No. 9
We Need You!
Be Part of the “Schools Our Students Deserve” Week of Action During National Teacher Appreciation Week, which begins May 8, NCAE will hold a Week of Action as part of the "Schools Our Students Deserve" Campaign. NCAE will focus its actions on the two campaign goals adopted by the NCAE Board of Directors, one of which is the passage of HB 13 to save the jobs of more than 5,500 arts, music, PE, and world languages teachers, in addition to teacher assistants, media coordinators, librarians, and others. With Gov. Cooper signing the bill into law recently, the focus now turns to the funding of these positions. The second campaign goal is to increase per-pupil funding to at least the national average. Some of the activities in which we hope you will participate include: • Walk-Ins on May 8, where educators and community members will gather and walk into schools in support of passing HB 13 and increasing perpupil funding. If you are planning a walk-in, let us know what school by clicking here. • On May 10, we will host an Advocacy Day here in Raleigh. We are asking members to take a personal day to visit legislators at the General Assembly. To RSVP and see a schedule, click here. • On May 12 and 13, some locals will hold Legislative Forums and invite legislators to discuss our two main campaign goals and other NCAE priorities. If you are holding a town hall or forum, let us know by clicking here. Other forums are being planned over the next several weeks.
Last month, NCAE President Mark Jewell joined a large crowd of parents and public education supporters at a rally on Halifax Mall to urge lawmakers in the Senate to pass House Bill 13.
“NCAE is proud of our educators, parents, and community members for putting the House Bill 13 issue in the spotlight. Without it, 5,500 arts, music, PE, world languages teachers, and teacher assistants would have lost the ability to educate the whole child. This is a short-term, stop-gap measure. NCAE will not rest until next year to ensure funding for these critical teaching positions. We will continue to fight for these resources in this year’s budget and for a long-term solution, which means elevating our per-pupil spending to the national average. Senate leaders created this problem in last year’s budget, and it was shocking to hear some of the disrespectful rhetoric toward North Carolina’s school leaders who were trying to ensure teachers had jobs.” -- President Mark Jewell
Our focus is simple...student success! This means providing them with a curriculum that will guarantee a wellrounded education and providing them with the necessary resources needed to make that happen. We urge you to consider being a part of this campaign
and hope that you will ask your colleagues and anyone else who supports public education to join us in this effort. Stay tuned for additional information, which will appear on our NCAE Facebook page and Web site.
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News Bulletin
May 2017
North Carolina, We Are Better Than This! I recently received a message from a music teacher who took her students to perform at an outof-state concert. One student who had never traveled outside of North Carolina said he didn’t want to go to sleep because he didn’t want to miss seeing the states they would be driving Mark Jewell through. Yet another came to her President in tears after hearing her talk with parents about HB 13 because she felt her younger brother would not have an opportunity to be exposed to a music class. When asked why music was so important, the child said it was fun and a place where she could be herself and no one would judge her. Every student deserves to have creative experiences where they are allowed to be themselves and be accepted. Although HB 13 has been modified, looming in the minds of educators who teach art, music, physical education, and world languages is whether they will still lose their jobs in a year as they continue to expose their students to these wonderful core subjects. These subjects are critically important for our children; for some students, these classes play a large role in their academic success. From conversations I’ve had in my travels across the state, folks are concerned about our public schools. It’s clear that losing specialty teachers and teacher assistants is critical to parents. Those who may not have children in school also realize the importance of having well-rounded, educated citizens. You can’t have a child’s first exposure to a highly qualified art program occur when they are in sixth grade; that needs to begin in the early grades. You can’t prepare orchestras
or marching bands if children’s first exposure to a specialized program is in ninth grade. When students enter high school, they should already have that foundation in place due to support received in the early years. I think our citizens expect it’s good for the economy when schools have strong art programs, and strong physical education programs and sports teams that help support physical activity and healthy lifestyles. As important as reducing class size is and giving districts the flexibility to do so, there is a much larger issue at hand – fully investing in public education and increasing the per-pupil expenditure. Either we invest now or pay later. It’s problematic when the amount of money we spend on our students for education remains stagnant but funding for incarcerating them increases. The fact that we are grossly underfunding our perpupil expenditure below the national average of what other states provide shows our lawmakers are not committed. We guarantee our students a sound, basic education and right now what the General Assembly is doing is not even mediocre. If we don’t commit to investing in our public schools, our most vulnerable students once again will be left behind. Being ranked 43rd in the nation is not something we should strive for or be proud of! As educators, our job is to stand up for our students. During National Teacher Appreciation Week, May 8-13, the Association is coordinating a “Schools Our Students Deserve” Week of Action, based on the two campaign goals adopted by the Board of Directors – HB 13 and increasing the per-pupil expenditure. We ask that you participate in activities planned in your local affiliates, and the NCAE Advocacy Day at the General Assembly on May 10. Invite anyone who supports public education to participate as well. Our students and our schools deserve more! Being at the bottom of the barrel is unacceptable! This is not the North Carolina way and it never should be!
Results of the Run-Off Election for NEA Directors
3-year term
1-year term
Julio Morales
Ronda Mays
News Bulletin
May 2017
NCAE
Make the Keep the future of NCAE in your hands by switching to e-Dues! The process is easy and simple. Click to hear from a colleague on why signing up is so important. QQQQQQQQ QQQQQQQQ QQQQQQQQ
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News Bulletin
May 2017
Congratulations to the 2017 NCAE Award Recipients SUPERINTENDENT OF THE YEAR
MULTICULTURAL ARTS CONTEST WINNERS
Dr. Eric Bracy is superintendent of Sampson County Schools. Committed to excellence, Bracy prides himself on being an advocate for public schools and the profession. “It is my responsibility to set and keep our school system focused on teaching and learning goals.” He has served as superintendent for nine years.
A teacher and two students from St. Pauls High School in Robeson County are state winners of the 2017 Multicultural Arts Contest (MAC), sponsored annually by the Human and Civil Rights Commission. The contest is open to all public school students in grades K-12 and educators who are members of NCAE. There are six contest categories -- artwork, short stories, poetry, essays, quiz books, and teaching units for minority awareness.
Educator Ashley Berdeau won for her Teaching Unit “Understanding AfricanAmerican Experiences Through Art.”
PRINCIPAL OF THE YEAR
Heddie Alston Somerville is the principal of Pinkston Street Elementary School in Vance County. An educator for 23 years, she began her career as a fifth-grade Language Arts teacher. She entered education as a lateral-entry teacher and fell in love with educating children.
Meghan Autry is a 12th grader who won for her artwork “Grow Together and Become One.”
ASST. PRINCIPAL OF THE YEAR
James Lewis II is well respected in Buncombe County for his longevity in public education and as an educator at Charles D. Owen High School, were he serves as an assistant principal. Lewis believes that technology is an important part of the curriculum. He was the first assistant principal in the county to become a member of the Media and Technology Advisory Council.
11th-grade student Angelic
Blevins won for her poem “Worlds In Us All.”
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May 2017
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Congratulations to Our Own, Lisa Godwin, 2017 N.C. TOY
“I do not feel that personal accomplishments are always measured in awards and accolades. I measure my personal accomplishments and contributions through the successes of my students.” This heartfelt expression of love for the work she does as an educator was shared by Lisa Godwin, the 2017 North Carolina Teacher of the Year and a kindergarten teacher at Dixon Elementary School in Onslow County. “When I see my students doing great things, I feel accomplished. Their successes are my successes!” An educator for 19 years, she began her career as a teacher assistant after her twin sons began school. Initially she wanted to be a nurse. After earning her undergraduate degree, she taught kindergarten for three years. She then pursued a master’s degree and served as an assistant principal for four-and-a-half years before returning to the classroom. “I chose to return to teaching because I believed I could have a great impact in the classroom,” said Godwin. “I truly missed the daily, positive interaction with my own classroom of students, and
knew that I could be a greater change agent from within.” Described as positive, genuine, 100 percent committed to what she does, and someone who embodies a spirit of service, Godwin, who was the Southeast Regional finalist, was selected from a field of nine finalists representing the state’s eight education regions and charter schools. As the Burroughs Wellcome Fund North Carolina Teacher of the Year, she will spend the next school year traveling the state as an ambassador for the teaching profession. She will receive the use of a state vehicle, the opportunity to attend a seminar at the N.C. Center for the Advancement of Teaching (NCCAT), a mobile device from Lenovo, an engraved vase, a one-time cash award of $7,500, a trip to the National Teacher of the Year Conference and International Space Camp, and the opportunity to travel abroad through an endowment sponsored by Go Global NC. In addition, she will serve as an advisor to the State Board of Education for two years and as a board member for the N.C. Public School Forum for one year.
“Teaching is not just a job for me. It’s my passion. It’s my purpose in life. Every day when I walk through those doors, I know that I have a job to do and that’s to raise these little ones to be the best they can be.”
Other Interesting Facts About Lisa Godwin Received her teaching degree from St. Andrews Presbyterian College in Laurinburg, N.C. Earned a master’s degree in school administration from UNC-Chapel Hill Is a mentor teacher at Dixon Elementary She and her husband own a surf shop in Surf City, N.C. Favorite quote: “There go my people. I must follow them for I am their leader.” -- Mahatma Gandhi April 7 has been officially deemed “Lisa Godwin Day” in Surf City
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News Bulletin
May 2017
Teaching Boys They Can Be
men of honor
NaShonda Cooke likes to show fourth- and fifth-grade boys in her Men of Honor club pictures of her two brothers – a stark example of how a boy’s choices can change his life path. One, in a U.S. Air Force uniform, worked security for Air Force One. The other is seen in a mug shot, a wanted man with a long criminal record. Cooke, a teacher at Eno Valley Elementary School, has directed the club for seven years, helping to equip hundreds of male students with the tools they need while also exposing them to new ideas, people, and places. Currently, a total of 53 boys participate in the club. Her brothers exemplify what’s at stake as these young students start to face tough choices. “They had the same household, the same rules and experiences, but they made different decisions,” she said. “I want to help all my boys understand that the decision is in their hands.” Teaching Always Her Plan Cooke grew up in Mississippi, the oldest of five children in a family that traces its history of teachers back eight generations. Her grandfather was active in the civil rights movement, a contemporary of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Men of Honor
Monday. She manages a small budget that is spent largely on snacks and transportation; getting the boys to and from meetings is key to keep the club active. She teaches them how to work through anger without violence, and also shows them examples of what they can accomplish. She brings in regular guest speakers from different professions, such as CEOs and architects, and encourages Her father was a professor, but she was them to consider their own future careers. raised mainly by her mother, who “At this age their minds are wide open struggled to raise a family on a teacher’s to the possibilities. Some of them still salary. Cooke says she and her siblings want to be rappers or NFL and NBA had little money, but were taught to value players. I want to expose them to other their talents. “I know what it occupations. feels like to be poor and Even if they “I want these boys to understand only get whatever aren’t making what it feels like to be honored and opportunities are left over,” the highest appreciated. So, you don’t have a she said. “But our mom grades, it helps lot of money, or your siblings always told us ‘You are not to have didn’t go to college. That doesn’t average. You can do someone come mean you can’t go.” anything you want to do.’” in and look She did well in school and like them and immersed herself in after-school say this is what your life can be like.” activities. As it is for many of her Cooke also teaches them that they students, school was a refuge. “I was should not be defined by their always involved in something outside the upbringing, and celebrates their home because I wanted to be outside the achievements. And, she involves them in neighborhood, which wasn’t always service. In January, her boys led a safe.” workshop for other students on showing Teaching has always been her plan. She respect and made birthday cards for remembers as a child tagging along with Martin Luther King Jr. Day. her mother, who taught special education Speaking up is a skill that she also students everything from math to filling wants for her students. “There are a lot of out a job application to brushing their kids and moms and families that don’t hair and shaving. have anyone to speak for them. That’s never been my problem.” Speaking Up for Families Cooke was working at another school Reprinted with the permission of Marti when she was hired to teach literacy for Maguire, correspondent for the News & Men of Honor; she took over the program Observer. after its first year. The club meets every
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NCAE
May 2017
Student NCAE Members Set Sail
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on an Educational Adventure During Annual Spring Conference 1
3 1) Meeting of the SNCAE advisors. 2) Activities were one way students got to know each other better. 3) Balancing act.
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4) SNCAE State President Courtney Foster talks with members. 5) Networking with new friends. 6) Elyse Cannon-Mcrae explains a concept in her session on parent/teacher conferences.
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7) Vice President Kristy Moore shared great tips on the Teacher Evaluation process. 8) The lip sync battle competition was fierce!
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9) Oliver Holley informs students of the job opportunities available in Pasquotank County.
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News Bulletin
May 2017
NEA Brings Value to Members With NEA Vacations
PROUD MOMENTS Wilmington Member Wins Science, Math Award Betsy Foreman, a fifth-grade teacher at Holly Tree Elementary School in New Hanover County, has won a $175,000 Career Award for Science and Mathematics Teachers courtesy of the Burroughs Wellcome Fund. The money will come in five yearly installments of $35,000. Of that, $10,000 will go toward Foreman’s salary and benefits; $10,000 will be used for classroom supplies and another $10,000 will go toward professional development. The Burroughs Wellcome Fund will hold on to the remaining $5,000 per year to give to Foreman at the end of five years – as long as she remains a public school teacher in the state. Funds for supplies and professional development can be shared with the district and other teachers. Foreman has said she plans to use the money to buy iPads for her students, attend teacher training workshops, and develop new experiments for her students. The award is given in partnership with the N.C. Department of Public Instruction and the State Board of Education. (Courtesy of Cammie Bellamy, Wilmington Star News Online)
Members in all categories of NEA membership are eligible to participate in NEA Vacations. In addition to wholesale travel discounts, the program features: Travel Dollars: Members can EARN travel dollars for specific actions such as signing up for the NEA Travel Newsletter, adding their birthday to their NEA 360 profile, or editing their profile on neamb.com by adding a family member to neamb.com, etc. These travel dollars may be applied as partial payment on cruises, resorts, hotels, and vacation packages. Members can arrange monthly payment options on select bookings (excludes airfare). Members will have access to trip protection insurance. There is a dedicated toll-free telephone number and Member Service Representatives to assist members in their purchases and resolve any issues. NCAE members may access NEA Vacations by registering on or logging into www.neamb.com and clicking on the Travel tab. Members may also call the toll-free Member Service telephone number, 1-866-524-2807, for assistance. Happy travels!
Year in the Life of an Activist A new documentary puts the spotlight on NCAE member and Wake County teacher Angie Scioli, an education activist who works at Leesville High School. “Teacher of the Year” follows Scioli during the 2013-14 school year as she juggles being a social studies teacher, leader of the Red4EdNC teacher advocacy group, a Moral Monday protester, and a wife and mother. According to Rob Phillips, the film’s co-director and Scioli’s colleague, it’s a story that people need to hear. “Quite frankly, it’s a story for now.” For more about the documentary, visit www.teacheroftheyearfilm.com/.
“Through hard work and education, we can deliver a strong economy and opportunity for all.” -- Julia Gillard
2017-18 Project Based Learning Fellowships Join a cohort of dynamic and innovative teachers in grades K-8 to implement Project Based Learning (PBL) in your classroom. This year-long fellowship includes a weekend field experience in Great Smoky Mountain National Park and training and mentorship in PBL by experienced educators. For more information, click here. For an application, e-mail melissa.dowland@naturalsciences.org. Applications are due May 15.
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May 2017
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Clever “Hacks” That Make Your School Day Easier Classroom Hack #4: Extend the life of your dry-erase markers by attaching them to the board, facing down.
Classroom Hack #2: Tired of spiralbound notebooks coming undone? Glue a bead to the end of the spiral and it won’t fall apart!
Classroom Hack #5: Create “Where Am I?” cups so you know where your students are at all times.
Classroom Hack #3: Prevent desks from migrating across the room by securing them with zip ties.
RESTROOM
Classroom Hack #1: Add a rubber band around the top of a soap dispenser to dole out smaller portions.
Classroom Hack #6: Use child-size socks as wipe board erasers. When they get dirty, take them home and launder them. Reprinted from NEA Benefits
Creative Ways to Energize Your Classroom Keeping students’ enthusiasm for school alive in the second half of the year can be a struggle, particularly as snow days, standardized testing, and spring fever begin to take their toll. Little things can go a long way toward boosting your students’ interest in school. To help you keep things fresh through the closing part of the school year, NEA has gathered eight teacher-tested tips for rebooting your classroom: 1. Get Student Buy-in. To help students stay excited about learning, consider the thematic integrated unit on a topic that your students will grab on to, says Deanna Jump, an education blogger who suggests having the class brainstorm topics and then vote on the ones that draw the most interest. 2. Hand Over Responsibilities. Pass on classroom organizing chores to students, letting them do such tasks as handing out daily materials, changing the daily and monthly calendar, and delivering items to other teachers as needed. 3. Mix Up the Routines. Think about your routines and how they might be changed up a bit. Tinker with items like the format of some class materials or even seat assignments and
line up procedures. Change can spark interest and increase a sense of purpose. 4. Offer Brain Breaks. Incorporate movement, such as stretches, jogging in place or jumping jacks, when you have a minute to spare. If you have 3-5 minutes, try a short YouTube video. 5. Introduce New Books. Make time to introduce new books and read aloud to students. Each January, the American Library Association announces its Newbery, Caldescott, Siebert and other literary awards. Think about incorporating such highquality literature to keep things fresh. 6. Redecorate and Rearrange. Introduce new design elements, like plants or lamps, and let students be involved in classroom layout decisions. 7. Clean Up Your Space. By now, classroom clutter has likely piled up. Consider a dusting, purging, and organization “party.” 8. Find a PLN. Turn to Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, and education blogs to find a personal learning network (PLN). This will allow you to stay current and find best practices in technology and instruction, and you may also find great ideas for lessons, bulletin boards, and classroom organization.
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News Bulletin
e t a r b e l ce
COME
WITH US!
May is Member Appreciation Month, and we’re thanking you for everything you do every day to help shape the future. Here’s how we’re celebrating you: X “31 DAYS OF GIVING” GIVEAWAY — enter daily through May 31, 2017
for a chance to win one of 400 prizes, including a $1,000 grand prize X THANK-YOU GIFTS AND EXCLUSIVE OFFERS — to help you save
money all year long X INSPIRING VIDEOS — see the impact members have on their students
Don’t miss out! Come join the celebration at neamb.com/appreciation starting at noon ET on May 1, 2017.
May 2017
News Bulletin
NCAE
May 2017
DEALS
2017
for NEA Members
Dates to Remember
NEA Click & Save “Buy-Lights” for May Spring has sprung! NEA Click & Save, the online discount buying service for NEA members, highlights select retailers and merchants each month. Check out these featured “Buy-Lights” for May. • OmahaSteaks.com – Make every celebration great with the finest quality gourmet products including meats, seafood, desserts, and premade meals. • FineStationery.com – Features top brands in paper, offering a wide array of personalized stationery and invitations for all of life’s occasions. Get free shipping on orders of $59 or more. • Jewelry.com – Enjoy special deals site wide, with amazing values on thousands of jewelry pieces, from everyday basics to couture creations. • PerfumeWorldwide.com – Find unbeatable prices on authentic, name-brand perfumes, colognes, hair and skincare products, and cosmetics. Earn 4X WOWPoints on your purchases. • Clinique.com – The pioneer in dermatologistdeveloped cosmetics, skincare, and fragrances also offers 4X WOWPoints on your order. • ShoeMall.com – Save on the perfect pair – from athletic to glamorous, from trendy to classic, and from edgy to romantic – there’s a look for you. Plus, get free shipping on all orders and earn 4X WOWPoints. • WorldwideGolfShops.com – Take advantage of fantastic prices from the largest golf discounter in the U.S.
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May 6th No Homework Day 8th-13th National Teacher Appreciation Week NCAE “Schools Our Students Deserve” Week of Action 10th NCAE Advocacy Day, Raleigh Bike to School Day School Nurse Day NEA Racial Justice in EducationWebinar, 8-9 p.m. Click here for more information. 11th National Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day 15th International Day of Families 20th Armed Forces Day 29th Memorial Day (NCAE Offices Closed) Get Caught Reading Month National Physical Fitness & Sports Month National Youth Traffic Safety Month
NEA Member Benefits has you covered! Whether it’s saving for a dream trip, budgeting for classroom supplies, or furthering your education, you will find solutions to enrich every aspect of your life. Visit www.neamb.com/myresources today.
Guided Tours Check out https://www.neamb.com/travel/ guided-vacations.htm to find your next great escape!
N C A E
N E W S
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
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