NCAE
NEWS BULLETIN November
2015
NORTH CAROLINA ASSOCIATION OF EDUCATORS
Volume 46, No. 4
Campaign 2016 Starts Now!
Last month, the General Assembly adjourned after one of the longest legislative sessions in more than a decade. Even though things on Jones Street are quiet, now is the time for educators to begin thinking about the 2016 election and what it will mean to public education. Next year, we will elect a new president and governor. There will also be critical races for U.S. Congress as well as for the N.C. Legislature. All of these offices have a huge effect on public education. It’s imperative that educators, and those who support public education, vote for pro-public education candidates because the decisions they make greatly impact our classrooms, profession, and personal lives. The state faced a $21.7 billion compromise budget that fell short of keeping pace with our growing public schools and the needs of students. We encountered A-F letter grades for schools. Career status and the constitutionality of vouchers played out in the courts. But you, our members, still made a difference by pushing for more resources and protecting our schools
from even more harmful damage. With that said, educators are going to have to push even harder to ensure that our students receive the education to which they are entitled. We are going to have to push even harder to ensure that the state’s per-pupil spending is increased and that we are not near the bottom when it comes to average teacher salaries. We are going to have to push to ensure that we don’t lose any more great teachers to other states because they feel undervalued here in North Carolina. “Again this year, and in the past few years, some in the General Assembly have clearly exhibited that public education is not a priority in this state,” said NCAE President Rodney Ellis. “Instead of using a $450 million surplus to move public education forward, they chose to cut taxes for corporations, funnel more money into vouchers, and deny thousands of educators a permanent pay raise. “It’s all about investing in our students and the resources they so desperately need. That’s why we have to begin putting strategies in place now so that we can be victorious in 2016. The outcome on November 8 will determine the direction
that public education will take. What we do, or don’t do, at the ballot box will either change the game or continue the dismantling.” Everything related to public education is connected to politics – textbooks and digital resources, class size, educator
benefits, etc. This is why choosing candidates who believe in strengthening public education is so important. In order for educators to have a place at the table, we must engage ourselves in the campaigns of pro-public education candidates, whether it be canvassing, making phone calls, or distributing literature. And, we must vote! And we must encourage our family and friends to vote. And, we must have a hand in helping to register those who are not registered to vote so they too can have their voices heard. Over the next 12 months, we must take critical steps to ensure that public education comes out victorious in 2016. We must set our sights on the work that needs to be done to address how successful our students and public schools will be in the future. We have an opportunity to change the direction of the tide. Let’s do it starting now!
2
NCAE
News Bulletin
November 2015
Are You Ready for 2016? It’s now November -- the month most often associated with election season. Next year, in 2016, two of the most important elections in which North Carolina citizens can vote will take place – those for governor and president of the United States. As educators, we Mark Jewell can play a large role in helping Vice President to get pro-public education candidates in office. The time is now to get busy and begin planning for the future of our public schools! In order to have an influence on educational policy, we must get into the game early. And, we must be engaged in the political process. For the past three years, our state’s priorities have been wrong. We can’t find a way to keep excellent teachers from leaving, but we can find a way to give tax breaks to corporations and the wealthy. We continue to stay mired at the bottom in teacher salaries and per-pupil funding. It’s time to elect candidates who will chart a new course and turn North Carolina back into a world-class leader, not only in the southeast, but across the nation, where all eyes will be on us not for negative reasons, but for positive ones, such as investing in our 1.5 million students and making sure they have equal access and opportunity. Just as important as the gubernatorial and presidential races are municipal elections for city council and county commission seats, school board elections, and judicial races. The Association knows firsthand, through our experiences with the voucher and career status lawsuits, the importance of electing judges who support public education and the rights of educators. There’s a saying that “all politics are local,” which I believe is true because people care about the infrastructure of their cities and neighborhoods, and they want to live in communities that support local schools. Decisions made at the local level affect us the greatest as far as what happens in our
communities. The partnership between the Wake County Commission and the Wake School County School Board is a prime example. These two organizations worked together to recently approve one of the largest supplemental increases for school employees because they see the value of strong public schools. They chose to invest when the General Assembly chose not to. So you see … we have a duty to vote in these elections just as much as we do for president or governor; we can’t choose to stay home and not make a difference! You may be saying to yourself, “I don’t live in a highwealth county like Wake.” Even if you don’t, the most important thing you can do is be actively engaged in the endorsement and election process on all levels, especially for seats in the General Assembly. Because as I mentioned, it’s imperative to have a county commission, school board, and state lawmakers who support the initiatives of students and educators, because when they invest in schools, resources and higher salaries, they give back to the communities, which means more funds for districts to help spur the economy. The realization is that the majority of public school funding comes from the Legislature, thus the need to make sure we hold our representatives accountable. The only way we are going to have strong public schools is to focus on electing candidates committed to developing a sustainable plan to fund education and ensure corporations and the wealthy pay their fair share and not continually push the burden down on taxpayers. It’s time that we pay close attention to those we are putting in office because the message they are sending is very different from the one that is going to move North Carolina forward. It’s time we end misplaced priorities on Jones Street. It’s time we say NO to being 46th in the nation in per-pupil spending and 42nd in average teacher salaries. And, it’s time we say NO to losing teachers to other states and other professions because of the state’s continued failure to adequately fund public education. We have the power and it’s time for us to exercise that power -- through our voice and our vote! Together, let’s make a change in 2016 and rebuild a strong North Carolina.
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 three colleagues on why signing up is so important.
News Bulletin
November 2015
NCAE
3
Highlights From the 3rd Annual NCAE Law Conference
Courtney Foster, left, SNCAE president at Catawba College, and her classmate Rhonda Eller glean tips on the best way educators should use social media.
Keynote speaker Attorney General Roy Cooper thanks his parents for teaching him the value of public education. “I am so grateful to this state for the public education given to my parents, for the public education given to me, and for the public education given to my three daughters.” Cooper is running for the governor’s seat in 2016. Click here to hear his entire message.
Narenda Ghosh, an attorney who works with NCAE, discusses the litigation strategies used in the voucher and career status cases filed by the Association. Ghosh is based at Patterson Harkavy LLP in Chapel Hill.
To see more photos from the conference, visit the NCAE Flickr Page, www.flickr.com/photos/ ncaephotos.
Members were given a charge by NCAE Executive Director Rachelle Johnson: “What are you willing to do to make public education ‘the issue’ in your communities?”
BELOW: Katherine Hyler asks a question about NCAE’s voucher case.
NCAE Lead Attorney Carrie Bumgardner reminded members to always maintain professionalism when using social media.
ABOVE: Fred Putney is ready to roll up his sleeves to save public education.
NCAE Attorney Jessica Holmes shared ways members can change their school board policies to their advantage.
NCAE
4
News Bulletin
November 2015
American Education Week 2015 Celebrating Educators: Past, Present, and Future Something important is happening in our public schools – something unique, something powerful, and something precious. Each day our members -- teachers, support professionals, administrators, and other school employees – work to ensure that students receive the best education possible. And, those studying to enter the profession and those who have retired are making their marks as well. With the upcoming celebration of American Education Week, November 16-20, we wanted to profile a few of our members and salute them for making North Carolina’s public schools a great place to learn and grow for every child.
Teresa Faucette Principal of Southern Alamance High School in Alamance County -- Whether it’s performing classroom observations, directing traffic during school dismissal, or meeting with students, Faucette is a hands-on administrator whose day begins early and sometimes doesn’t end until well into the evening. Currently in her 28th year as an educator, she shows each student that she cares about them, and supports her teachers in the areas of curriculum and resources, as well as overall climate in the classrooms and buildings. “I always wanted to be a math teacher but my parents tried to discourage me from entering the field because of the pay. But, as I continued to play sports in high school and college, my desire to become a teacher and coach grew stronger.” She taught 10 years before becoming an administrator.
Wendell Tabb Drama Director at Hillside High School in Durham County – “I began teaching in 1987 and only planned to stay in the profession for one year. I had dreams of being on Broadway, but one year turned into five, five into 10, and 10 has turned into 29 years.” For Tabb, theater is life and his students have become a part of his story. He is happiest when he comes to his classroom, a place where he is at peace. Tabb credits his mother with inspiring him to teach. Although she passed away a few years ago, he says he carries her spirit with him to school every day. Over the years, he has received many accolades for his work in the classroom, but one of his greatest accomplishments is the establishment of the Hillside High School International Professional Student Theatre Exchange, which allows his students to perform for other drama students across the globe. Some of the places they have visited include Australia, Africa, Japan, and Brazil. Students are and always will be the top priority, according to Tabb. “If you don’t love students, the profession has no place for you.”
Monday, Nov. 16: Kickoff Day **** Tuesday, Nov. 17: Parents Day **** Wednesday, Nov. 18: Education Support Professionals Day **** Thursday, Nov. 19: Educator for a Day **** Friday, Nov. 20: Substitute Educators Day
News Bulletin
November 2015
NCAE
5
American Education Week 2015 Celebrating Educators: Past, Present, and Future
Geraldine Thomas Custodian at Parkland High School in Forsyth County – Just a custodian? Not Geraldine Thomas. Her job involves more than just keeping the school clean. She touts that she is an educator and role model as well. Public education has always been important to Thomas, who has been a public school employee for 12 years. This mother, and now doting grandmother, instills the importance of getting an education not only to her own grandchildren but to Parkland’s students. “These kids are my babies. I try to always communicate with them and listen when they want to talk. It makes me feel good that they trust me so I do everything I can to be there for them.” Thomas said she has always loved children and enjoys working with them. Prior to coming to Parkland, she worked at an elementary school. When asked if she had a difficult time transitioning from working with younger students to teenagers, she laughed and said, “Not really. In my eyes they are all babies that need our help, guidance, and encouragement.”
Adam Moore President of the SNCAE Chapter at Appalachian State University -- A history and social studies major who has a passion for American and North Carolina history, Moore says he’s excited to go into a field that can change the course of students’ lives and help them be successful. “Education is very powerful and teachers have the ability to make an impact. I want to make my teaching enjoyable and applicable to their lives and give them a reason to care.” It was in elementary school that Moore realized that teaching was his calling. He was fascinated with how much his teachers were able to do and how much of an impact they had. “I was blessed with many great teachers that supported me, and I have always appreciated them as mentors.” One of those teachers is NCAE member Stephanie Wallace, who teaches at East Forsyth High School. “The guidance that she gave me, and still continues to give, is something that I will always cherish. Her efforts have given me opportunities to be a leader and grow as an individual and pre-service teacher.”
Jannie Preddy Retired educator from Granville County – Twentytwo years have passed since Preddy last worked as a full-time educator, but her love for the profession has never diminished. In fact, it’s stronger than ever. For 30 years she helped educate the students of Granville County, as a teacher, principal, education consultant, and director of instruction. “Public education is engrained in me; it was my life for 30 years. My mother was a teacher, my children were educated in public schools, and now my grandchildren are being educated in public schools. I knew early in life that I wanted to teach and always played school with my dolls.” Preddy said that retired educators have a lot to offer and should welcome opportunities to be of service. “We shouldn’t just retire and forget about the profession. We still need to volunteer and help in schools as much as possible. We can serve as mentors and assist teachers in the classroom in various ways. Our love of students must continue because, as the old cliché goes, ‘the children are our future.’”
6
NCAE
Guilford Co. Students Could Receive a FREE Education Thanks to GCAE Public school students in Guilford County are now privy to the opportunity of a lifetime – a chance to attend college for FREE – and the Guilford County Association of Educators (GCAE) played an instrumental role in making it happen. Through Say Yes to Education, a non-profit organization that partners with communities to promote the goal of giving every public high school graduate access to college and other postsecondary scholarships, students in and around the cities of Greensboro and High Point will be able to attend any of the 16 public universities in North Carolina, as well as a host of private colleges and universities across the country. Say Yes students will be eligible for additional scholarships through the schools. “This opportunity will give our students a huge advantage,” said GCAE President Angela Jackson. “The scholarships will help remove some of the financial burden that some families face when it comes to paying for college and will give each student the chance to pursue their chosen career path without worrying where the funds will come from. For students struggling in school because of outside factors, Say Yes will bring services to the schools so students will have what they
News Bulletin
November 2015
need to be successful in the classroom.” Guilford County becomes the third Say Yes community chapter, joining the cities of Buffalo and Syracuse. The county was considered because of the diverse group of students from different socioeconomic backgrounds and educational needs it serves. In less than a year, the county has successfully raised more than $32 million in scholarship funds. Jackson said GCAE was part of the initial planning team that researched and applied for the grant. “Elizabeth Foster, the former president, and NCAE member Keith G. Pemberton, a social worker at Oak Hill Elementary, both served on the planning committee to ensure that the voices of educators were present in the decision-making process. I will also be serving on the operating committee, which will meet every two to three weeks to make key funding and operational decisions. Our goal will be to ensure that everything students need to be successful is available.” Say Yes support begins with students in pre-K and continues until they graduate from college or another post-secondary program. To be eligible for scholarships, students must meet the college admissions requirements, apply for FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid), and be accepted by the institution of higher learning they wish to attend. Last-dollar tuition scholarships -- funding which fills in the gap between the cost of tuition and any financial aid, grants, awards or scholarships a student may receive -- are also available. To keep their scholarships, students must stay in good standing at their colleges or universities. They will have up to five years to complete their degree. As Say Yes Guilford develops, stakeholders with an interest in education – parents, students, government officials, higher education, labor and business leaders, philanthropists, and faith-based organizations – will work together to galvanize the community around the goals of every public school student graduating from high school prepared for college or a postsecondary education. “Although the national arm of Say Yes to Education will end in six years, scholarships and services for Say Yes Guilford will continue indefinitely, with funding being provided by the county, philanthropists, and community and faith-based organizations,” said Jackson.
Holiday Opportunities to Help Support the NCFPSC 2015 Holiday Giveaway The N.C. Foundation for Public School Children is kicking off its 2015 Holiday Giveaway! We invite you to help again this year by selling and purchasing tickets. Cash prizes include $5,000 - $2,000 $1,000 and 10 (ten) $100 prizes. Tickets are $5 each, $4 for 10 or 10 for $20 (best deal). To purchase tickets or for more information, visit www.NCFSPC.org, or contact Marca Hamm at marca.hamm@ncfpsc.org or call 704-633-6466. IMPORTANT DATES: • December 3 – All tickets and payments should be received • December 8 – Drawing takes place. Winners will be notified by phone and/or e-mail • December 11 – Winners will be posted on the Foundation Web site
Help the Foundation by Shopping at Amazon Smile Do you shop on Amazon.com? If so, consider shopping on AmazonSmile instead. It works just like Amazon and a portion of your purchase will be donated to the N.C. Foundation for Public School Children. It’s easy; just follow these steps: 1. Visit www.smile.amazon.com 2. Sign in just like you would for Amazon.com 3. Look for the box “Pick Your Own Charitable Organization” 4. Type North Carolina Foundation for Public School Children and click “Search” 5. Click “Select” and shop as usual Thanks for supporting the Foundation. Together we are making sure that our students have what they need to succeed in school.
News Bulletin
November 2015
NCAE
7
PROUD MOMENTS 3 N.C. Schools Receive National Blue Ribbon Status Congratulations are in order for three of the state’s public schools that have been selected as 2015 National Blue Ribbon Schools: Chocowinity Primary in Beaufort County, Beverly Woods Elementary in Charlotte-Mecklenburg, and Rock Ridge Elementary in Wilson County. These schools were among 285 public and 50 private schools nationwide where students either achieve very high learning standards or are making notable improvements in closing the achievement gap. National Blue Ribbon Schools are recognized in one of two performance categories: • Exemplary High Performing Schools. Schools are among their state’s highest-performing schools as measured by state assessments or nationally normed tests. Student subgroup performance and high school graduation rates also are at the highest levels. • Exemplary Achievement Gap Closing Schools. Schools are among their state’s highest-performing schools in closing achievement gaps between a school’s subgroups and all students over the past five years. Student subgroup performance and high school graduation rates for each subgroup are at high levels. The N.C. Department of Public Instruction nominates schools that meet the rigorous criteria for consideration. Representatives from each school will be honored at a conference and awards
ceremony this month in Washington, D.C. They will receive a plaque and a flag signifying their selection as a National Blue Ribbon School.
11 Districts and 60 Schools Earn the State’s Highest Graduation Rates in 2014-15 Eleven school districts and 60 schools were recently honored for having the highest four-year cohort graduation rates among all districts and schools in the state in 2014-15, according to the N.C. Department of Public Instruction. Congratulations to the top 10 school districts: Newton-Conover City Schools Hyde County Schools Dare County Schools Avery County Schools Union County Public Schools Cherokee County Schools Yancey County Schools Mount Airy City Schools Elkin City Schools Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools To receive the award, schools must have been open for at least four years. For more information, click here.
NCAE Election Only a Few Months Away Are you interested in running for an NCAE office in 2016? Now is the time to begin thinking about the process and getting your information in order. The following statewide positions are open: Enrich your personal and professional life with NEA Member Benefits. Download a personal copy of the Programs and Services Brochure to see all of the benefits that are offered. Click www.neamb.com/earnmore.
• Regional and NEA Delegate positions • Principal/Administrators Division and NEA Cluster Delegates positions • Education Support Professionals positions • Student Services and Regional positions Forms for all positions are available by clicking here http:// www.ncae.org/whats-new/2016-ncaenea-election-forms/. More details will be provided in the December News Bulletin.
NCAE
8
News Bulletin
DEALS
2015
for NEA Members Click and Save “Buy Lights” for November NEA Click and Save is the online discount buying service for NEA members. Check out these featured retailers and merchants for the month of November and get a jump on your holiday shopping! • Samsung – Savings on electronics including TVs, mobile phones, cameras, tablets, PCs, monitors, printers, and more • World Jewels – Shop this online fine jewelry store for savings on earrings, necklaces, watches, gemstones, and more • PerfumeWorldwide.com – Great prices on authentic, name-brand perfumes, colognes, haircare and skincare products, and cosmetics • Shoes.com – Seasonal offers on top brands, from dress shoes to athletic shoes and boots • Cooking.com – shop top-rated cookware, bakeware, cutlery, and hard-to-find items for the gourmet cook • WilsonLeather.com – Save on quality leather outerwear and accessories • CrateandBarrel.com – Shop 24 hours a day for contemporary, high-quality housewares and furnishings NOTE: Up-to-date information on merchant discounts, shipping terms, and WOW Points appears on the NEA Click & Save Web page at www.neamb.com/clickandsave and may change at any time.
Fight Student Hunger Hashtag Campaign This NEA MB partnership with Bank of America and NEA Healthy Futures aims to raise $50,000 to help eliminate childhood hunger in schools. Through December 4, the campaign simply asks visitors to visit the Fight Student Hunger page online. For every click-through to the page, Bank of America will contribute $1, up to $50,000, toward the NEA Healthy Futures student hunger project.
N C A E
N E W S
Dates to Remember November 10th 11th 16th-20th 16th 18th 26th-27th
National Young Readers Day Veterans Day (NCAE Offices Closed) American Education Week International Day for Tolerance National Education Support Professionals Day Thanksgiving Holiday (NCAE Offices Closed)
National Inspirational Role Models Month National Family Literacy Month
MLK Scholarship Luncheon Slated for January 23 “There is Nothing Wrong with Dreaming: Believe in the Power of Your Voice!” is the theme of the 2015 MLK Scholarship Luncheon, which will be held on January 23, 2016, from 1-3 p.m. at the NCAE Center. Sponsored by the NCAE Human and Civil Rights Commission and the North Carolina Foundation for Public School Children, the luncheon will serve to recognize winners of 2016 MLK Scholarships as well as winners of the NCAE Multicultural Arts Contest. Please join us in networking with community members, supporters of social justice, and those who believe in empowering the dreams of young minds and believe in their voice. Tickets are $35 (information on how to purchase tickets is forthcoming). Proceeds will benefit the NCAE MLK Scholarship Fund.
B U L L E T I N
Follow NCAE events and activities on:
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
November 2015
iiiiiiiiiiiiii
kkkkkkkkkkkkk kkkkkkkkkkkkk
LLLLLLLLLLL LLLLLLLLLLL LLLLLLLLLLL LLLLLLLLLLL
kkkkkkkkkkkkk kkkkkkkkkkkkk