October 2021 NCAE News Bulletin

NCAE North Carolina Association of Educators

News Bulletin

October 2021

Vol. 52, No. 3

www.ncae.org

Still No State Budget!

Educators, students, and the citizens of North Carolina are still waiting for lawmakers to pass a state budget, which is three months past due. NCAE is keeping a close eye on the process and will share details as soon as a final budget is passed. A comprehensive update will be available in the Education Insight. Stay tuned!

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Self-Care During These Unprecedented Times One recent morning around 7, I received a text message from a member who informed me she was quitting the profession. She couldn’t even wait to give a 30-day notice because she Tamika Walker Kelly

was so tired, President frustrated and just ready to walk away. A few days later, she posted a picture on social media of her car packed with her belongings.

Stories such as this is why it is so important for you as educators to practice self-care. It’s only two months into the school year and we are seeing lots of educators leave.

In a more “normal” school year setting, this would probably not be the case, but the educator shortage, the increase in responsibilities, issues surrounding the pandemic, and the lack of respect is wreaking havoc on our public education family.

It’s okay to feel frazzled and stressed because we are operating under conditions that have never existed before.

But we must set boundaries around the work we’re doing in our school buildings and be very clear about communicating those boundaries. And we must be attentive to our self-care needs so that we can be the best educators we can be for ourselves, our students, and our colleagues. Oftentimes we think of self-care around the holidays when we are preparing to enjoy an extended amount of time away from work. But in fact, self-care is important to do as often as possible, because the end-ofyear burnout that usually occurs around May is happening right now!

Some of you may be asking, how do I balance my role as an educator and all it entails, incorporate self-care practices, and remain an engaged and active member of the Association? My answer is you do not have to be the master of all things; you can be dedicated to doing just one thing.

That can be sharing your story, sending an e-mail, writing a letter, or attending a regional meeting. Being an active member runs the gamut and you must set clear times, especially if you are a local leader, as to when you are going to work on NCAE business, when you are going to enjoy family/personal activities, and when you are going to do school work. I encourage you to do “the one thing” in order to do the next “one thing.”

While you are working on self-care, the organization will continue its work around large systemic issues, including advocacy around the state budget, working with the governor’s office, and dialoguing with state board members and legislators to ensure that we improve the working and learning conditions of schools that the educator I mentioned earlier will want to return to.

NOTE: NEA Member Benefits has a wealth of information on self-care for educators. Here are three articles that may be of interest. Additional resources can be found at www.neamb.com.

•7 Work-Life Balance Tips for Busy Educators, https:// www.neamb.com/work-life/7-worklife-balance-tips-forbusy-educators

•5 Healthy Habits to Get Through Tough Times, https:// www.neamb.com/family-and-wellness/how-to-createhealthy-habits-a-step-at-a-time

•NEA Mental Health Program, https:// www.neamb.com/products/nea-mental-health-program

HOPE

LOVE LIFE

CARE

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“Mary brought such light

Remembering

and joy to all and will be deeply missed by all who knew her. Peace and comfort to all Mary's family and many friends.”

NCAE Staffer Mary Rose Colavito “May we all be honored to carry some part of her spirit in us as we go forward.”

“Mary Rose was my beloved best friend and colleague at NCAE. From the first day, it was like we knew each other all our lives. She had a great soul and would do anything for anybody, anytime. She especially loved taking care of her family.”

Mary worked as an accounting technician in the NCAE Business Department for 24 years handling accounts receivable. She and her husband Chris had three children -- two daughters and a son -- and were married for 43 years. She was described by her NCAE Family as "Our Sunshine. Always smiling and happy to help anyone at any time, no matter what." Mary was an integral part of the NCAE Team and will be greatly missed by staff and members alike.

More sentiments are available here

“Mary Rose was more than a colleague to me. She was a friend who I trusted and respected. There was never a doubt to her loyalty and her wisdom. I will miss her dearly, but I know that she will always be an angel on my shoulder challenging me to serve my family, be humble, be gracious and inclusive of all viewpoints, and be a good friend.”

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Local Affiliates Hammer Home the Importance

of Eradicating the State’s Educator Shortage Several NCAE local affiliates held press conferences to hammer home the message that every student deserves a qualified teacher in every classroom as the state waited on lawmakers to pass a budget. The teacher shortage looms heavily each passing day, resulting in some students being taught by long-term substitutes. Also of equal importance is the need for more bus drivers; support staff such as school counselors, psychologists, and nurses; and more safe, well-equipped schools where true learning can take place. Members wanted lawmakers to hear their message loud and clear to “stop hurting and shortchanging our students and invest in public schools and public education NOW!”

ROBESON COUNTY

CHARLOTTE/MECKLENBURG

“The solution is to pay educators, our custodians, cafeteria workers, bus drivers, administrators, counselors, teachers, across the board and across the state.” -- Rae LeGrone, vice president of the Charlotte/ Mecklenburg Association of Educators

“Every student deserves a wellqualified teacher in all of their classes regardless of where they live or their family’s income. We [NC] have a shortage of qualified teachers because state lawmakers have underfunded public education and under-minded educators to the point this state cannot recruit and retain enough qualified teachers needed for all of our students. Qualified teachers are leaving the state and leaving the profession and there are not enough new college graduates who want to put up with the conditions that our state lawmakers have created for teachers in North Carolina.” – Dee Grissett, president of the Robeson County Association of Educators

WAKE COUNTY

“Northampton, Anson, Halifax, and Vance, rural, low-income counties, have the highest number of teacher vacancies. These counties don’t have the tax base to give the same supplement that other counties might to keep teachers from moving. Our rural students deserve better. They deserve the spotlight in this issue. The solution is a state budget with much better funded public schools.” – Kristin Beller, president of Wake NCAE

BUS DRIVERS/WAKE COUNTY

“State lawmakers must pass a state budget that fully funds our public schools and pays our bus drivers a living wage. Clearly, our school bus driver jobs do not pay enough to recruit the number of drivers North Carolina needs to consistently get our children to school on time. Our state lawmakers have been slow to respond. They must fix this now.” – Wake County Bus Driver

GUILFORD COUNTY

“Look closely at our public schools and you will see deteriorating school buildings, and a statewide staffing shortage. As the state budget enters its final process, we ask that North Carolinians look closely at our public schools. Presently, students in Guilford County are losing instructional time due to school closures around our aging buildings and failing HVAC systems. Our county does not have the capacity or the funds to address the billions of dollars or repairs needed to ensure comfortable learning environments for students and staff. We are asking lawmakers to make a true commitment to public schools.” – Kenya Donaldson, president of the Guilford County Association of Educators

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Lawrence Brinson

L

awrence Brinson, a high school social studies teacher in Charlotte, started engaging with NEA for professional development and became an education advocate.

“My first touch point with the association was during my second year of teaching when someone approached me to talk about membership. We talked for a bit. He gave me an application and I filled it out.

“I attended a couple of meetings, but I really wasn’t active, and then I noticed the association was providing professional development. I started attending those and found the learning experiences were so much greater than the PDs from other groups.

“They were member led and that’s how I became involved in the association. I quickly found that I wasn’t alone -- that I could lean on people who could help me grow as an educator, a professional, and as a leader.

“I attended leadership summits and teaching institutes. I began to see more and more educators advocating for issues that were important to educators, students, and parents. It wasn’t just an individual person. And by just attending a leadership summit, I learned how to advocate, and that’s what motivated me to do more for my students and their families.

“I took on some small leadership roles that eventually led me to serve on the board of directors for the North Carolina Association of Educators and as president of my local association.”

(Reprinted from NEAToday)

“My favorite thing about Mr.

Munn is that he makes learning math fun!” “He’s really genuine and is extremely funny and kind.” “He is very helpful and helps me when I’m confused.” “He makes me want to learn.”

These are some of the many comments that students at Owen Middle School in Buncombe County have made about their teacher Jamie Munn, who is one of NCAE’s Lovable Local Leaders.

An educator for 24 years, Munn realized he wanted to

make a difference in the lives of young people while a student at Appalachian State. He had a job as a ski instructor and worked with school-age children.

“The best thing about my job as an educator is sharing in the excitement of students as they discover new ideas in math,” said Munn, who was named the 2020 Teacher of the Year at his school.

Described as funny, goofy, and always happy, Munn often wears interesting bowties and can be found demonstrating outof-the box lessons such as mixing Tang drink powder in different ratios to help students learn. “It was one of my favorite lessons of the year!”

Munn has been a member of NCAE for 19 years.

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NC's Teacher Shortage is Hurting Our Students: Let's Fix This NOW! (This Letter to the Editor, written by NCAE members Diane Mitchell and Dee Grissett, has been published by more than two dozen newspapers across the state.)

If you sat in a dentist’s chair, you would think it was crazy if the receptionist barged in to say, “Good morning. We’re still trying to hire a hygienist. So, between phone calls and scheduling appointments, I’m here to clean your teeth.”

It sounds like a Three Stooges skit, but something similar is happening in our Diane public schools. It’s not funny at all to educators like us.

Mitchell Many North Carolina students are going back to school to find classrooms without qualified teachers. Because of a widespread teacher shortage, schools are filling classrooms with substitutes, teaching assistants and unlicensed instructors.

North Carolina lists zero education requirements to work as a substitute teacher.

The teacher shortage is worse in some counties, but it’s felt across the state.

Scroll through the school district websites, and you will see more than 1,000 vacant teaching positions even as the school year has already started. Teaching vacancies on the first day of school were three times higher in CharlotteDee

Mecklenburg Schools than two years ago. Only 30 percent of North Carolina Grissett students have a fully licensed math teacher. Math teachers in Robeson County are covering classes in person in one school and then jumping onto Zoom meetings to teach math remotely to students in other schools. “The teacher shortage is real, large and growing, and worse than we thought,” said a Robeson County assistant superintendent.

The U.S. Department of Education tracks teacher shortage areas across states. For the 2021-22 school year, the federal government says North Carolina has a shortage of qualified teachers in all grades of math and special education and all core subjects in all elementary school grades. Many school districts are offering new teacher signing bonuses funded with federal COVID relief dollars, but the teacher shortage persists.

Behind these numbers is real harm to our children. Students are less likely to learn to read with a substitute teacher who’s not familiar with the best ways to teach reading. Students are less likely to master math with a teacher who is learning as he or she goes. We are letting our students down during their formative years. Our children deserve better.

How did we get here? It’s deeper than COVID. For the last decade, North Carolina’s state lawmakers have passed state budgets that underfund public education and undermine teachers. Politicians are not treating or paying teachers as professionals. North Carolina’s average teacher salary is $10,000 below the national average. Experienced teachers are leaving the state and profession. College students are choosing other careers.

Better pay would go a long way toward solving this teacher shortage. New Hanover County recently doubled its local salary supplement for its teachers who are now some of the best-paid in the state. A school district with some 1,700 teachers started the school year with just 10 teaching vacancies. Unfortunately, that’s a solution many rural counties like ours cannot afford. The teacher shortage is a statewide problem that needs a statewide solution.

And our state’s Supreme Court has said public education is the state’s responsibility. In its Leandro rulings, the court said every child has a constitutional right to a “sound, basic education,” and the state is not living up to its constitutional responsibility. Court-ordered improvement plans include placing a well-qualified teacher in every classroom. So far, the state legislature has largely ignored these rulings.

Some politicians have tried to dismiss the teacher shortage by claiming we need more data to see if statewide teacher vacancy numbers are better or worse than last year. That’s like waiting to fight the forest fire until you can confirm the blaze has grown since yesterday. North Carolina’s teacher shortage is obvious now. It’s hurting our children now. Now is the time to fix it.

The immediate first step to ending this teacher shortage is adopting a state budget with better funding for public education. Of course, state lawmakers who have underfunded our public schools are dithering over a $6.5 billion surplus and have still not adopted a new budget that was due two months ago. So far, their budget proposals would largely ignore the N.C. Supreme Court’s funding demands for education. Instead, they would further cut corporate income taxes.

Meantime, many North Carolina schools are leaning on teaching assistants and long-term subs to cover classrooms that don’t have permanent, licensed teachers. Parents, the public and voters should tell our politicians to fix this now.

You would not go to the dentist and then let the receptionist clean your teeth.

Diane Mitchell is a high school social studies teacher in Hoke County and president of the Hoke County Association of Educators. She has been an educator for 40 years. Dee Grissett is a Career and Technical Education (CTE) coordinator in Robeson County and president of the Robeson County Association of Educators. She has been an educator for 16 years.

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New Staff Four new staff members have joined the NCAE family as Lead Organizers. They support membership growth, recruitment and development of local building leaders. Their tasks include identifying members who want support developing the skills of building-level leadership. They also will help locals plan events, campaigns and activities that are in line with the local's strategic plans.

Runda Alamour is a former high school English teacher who taught 10th grade World Literature and 12th grade British Literature and Graduation Project in Buncombe County. She was hired by NCAE in January as the lead digital organizer and worked on many projects, including the We Heart Public Schools Tour. A member since a student at UNC Asheville, Alamour says she wanted to be a part of the NCAE team because she knows the Association is the home base for public school educators and the important advocacy work to improve the lives of educators, students, and the wider community. “The work NCAE does aligns with my core values and I’m excited to bring my experience in schools and leadership back to where it all started for me,” said Alamour, who was a member of the executive board for the Buncombe County Association of Educators, and served as president-elect and president of SNCAE. Alamour has a BA degree in Literature and a sixth- through 12-grade teaching license. She grew up all over the state, spending most of her time in Kill Devil Hills and Asheville. She is Palestinian-American, of which she is very proud, and is married and the mother of two daughters, ages 2 and 4.

When not working, Alamour enjoys reading, writing poetry, and spending time outside with her girls. Alamour covers Regions 1A and 1B, which includes Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Macon, Swain, Jackson, Haywood, Transylvania, Madison, Buncombe, Henderson, Polk, Yancey, Mitchell, Avery, McDowell, Rutherford, Burke, Cleveland, Catawba, Alexander, Caldwell, Watauga, Ashe, Allegany, and Wilkes counties.

Jermatic Chambers was the canvass manager for Community Outreach Group and the regional organizing director for the Biden/Harris campaign before coming to NCAE. “Working in public education and being a student who attended public schools, I understand how important they [public schools] are in many communities.

Students depend on schools to educate and feed them, and educators are there to empower our students.” Chambers is the proud wife of an active duty guardsman, and the mother

of two boys, two girls and an unruly puppy. She and her family reside in Union County. When not busy with work, she enjoys spending time outside and with her family. “Time is a thief and I believe in enjoying each moment!” Chambers covers Region 3, which includes Mecklenburg, Lincoln, Gaston, Rowan, Cabarrus, Stanly, Montgomery, Anson, and Union counties.

Becca Friedland has worked as a contract organizer for NCAE since January. Prior to that position, she worked as a distributed organizer for the Carolina Federation running the out-ofstate volunteer program during the election season. Friedland said public education is important to her because she believes the root cause of most injustice and suffering is our global system of racial capitalism that privatizes healthcare, housing, prisons, education, etc. “This privatization creates profit for a very small minority, at the expense of the liberation of millions of people, and the longterm livability of our planet. Fighting for public education is a fight to prioritize our communities and what they deserve, above and instead of the profit of a few. I am honored to join this fight!” A native of California, Friedland grew up in Los Angeles. She attended UC Berkeley, and taught high school biology for six years after graduation. Work keeps her busy, but during down time she likes hanging out with friends, relaxing by the river, dancing, reading, making Kombucha, and collective joy. Friedland covers Region 6, which includes Lee, Moore, Richmond, Scotland, Harnett, Hoke, Cumberland, Robeson, Sampson, Bladen, Columbus, Duplin, Pender, New Hanover, and Brunswick counties.

Melissa Hassard was previously a member organizer for NCAE. Prior to that, she worked for DownHome North Carolina doing organizing work in rural areas of the state. The product of public schools who is the mother of three children who are public school students, Hassard shares the values of NCAE. Coming to work for the Association was a perfect fit. “I remember the wonderful teachers who empowered and inspired me as a child. Public schools are at the heart of so many families like mine, and the schools my kids go to all have infrastructure problems and teachers making Herculean efforts despite years and years of chronic underfunding. I deeply believe that having healthy, safe, equitable public schools is vital to having healthy, safe, equitable communities, where everyone feels valued and can contribute.” A native of Charlotte, Hassard attended UNCGreensboro and earned a degree in communications with a minor in Spanish. She also has a certificate in translation from the University of Massachusetts at Boston. Things she loves to do include cooking, gardening, and spending time with her children and animals. Hassard covers Region 4, which includes Rockingham, Caswell, Person, Guilford, Alamance, Orange, Randolph, and Chatham counties.

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COVID-19 FAQ for Educators

Returning to In-Person Instruction

(Prepared by the NCAE Advocacy Center)

North Carolina public schools have returned to in-person instruction and educators are navigating through prevention and exposure to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). Unfortunately, some districts have had outbreaks and our educators across the state are concerned about their safety as well as their students’ safety. Educators are contacting the Advocacy Center with questions and concerns about COVID-19 procedures and requirements from the districts. Below are the most Frequently Asked Questions and concerns.

1. Can parents sue an unvaccinated teacher if a student contracts COVID-19 from the teacher?

Yes, a parent may sue, HOWEVER, they will have to prove that the teacher intentionally or negligently transmitted the disease, and but for the teacher’s negligence, their child would not have contracted COVID-19. In a pandemic, it is extremely difficult for a plaintiff to prove negligence, especially in the case of a teacher who may not have known that they had the virus to begin with. Furthermore, educational institutions have temporary immunity from civil liability regarding COVID-19 contraction claims unless there is gross negligence. In most cases, the district should defend teachers against COVID-19 contraction claims if the teacher is following the district’s COVID-19 guidelines and procedures.

2. Can the district ask educators for proof of COVID-19 vaccination?

Yes. The district can ask for proof of COVID-19 vaccination as they have a legitimate business reason for the request: the health and safety of staff and students. However, the district should not make a medical inquiry like asking an employee why they did not get vaccinated. Such inquiries may lead to the provision of disability-related information, and be against the law, under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

3. Can the district mandate COVID-19 vaccinations for educators?

Generally, yes. The district can require educators to be vaccinated but they must comply with the ADA’s provision of a reasonable accommodation to qualified employees regarding their mandate. Therefore, if an educator has been advised by their physician that they should not take the vaccine due to a pre-existing medical condition, the educator can request an accommodation to not comply with the mandate. The district is required to consider the request and provide a reasonable accommodation, unless doing so will cause an undue hardship to the district.

Also, an educator with a sincerely held religious belief may be exempt from complying with a vaccine mandate. Like educators requesting a reasonable accommodation, as discussed above, an educator with a sincerely held religious belief and seeking an exemption will be considered by the district. The exemption may be provided, unless doing so will cause an undue hardship to the district.

Issues with the mandate should be raised with your immediate supervisor or the Human Resources Department.

4. If I am unvaccinated, can the district require that I submit to COVID-19 testing?

Yes. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission’s guidance states that employers (district) can request that employees (educators) take a COVID-19 test if it is job-related and consistent with business needs. With the highly contagious COVID-19 Delta variant, and the number of outbreaks and temporary school closures resulting from the virus, the district has sufficient reason to support a request. If you have a medical reason why you should not submit to testing, request that your physician provides documentation of such, and submit it to the Human Resources Department for consideration.

5. If I am required to quarantine, do I have to use my personal leave?

It depends. You may be eligible for leave under the Contagious Disease Policy (CDP). If the district and/or your physician is requiring you to quarantine to protect the health and safety of others, speak to your Human Resources Department and request leave under the CDP.

Members are urged to review the district’s COVID-19 policies and procedures to ensure compliance and avoid health concerns or violations that could result in discipline. If you have questions or concerns about policies, feel free to contact the Advocacy Center for assistance, www.askncae.org or 1-855-275-6223.

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Help

the Pain of Bullying Lifetime Licensure Now Available

for Educators with 30+ Years

The school year is now a few months in. Students have settled into a routine and a sense of normalcy is in place. But for some, they are dealing with an issue that occurs much too often in and outside of the school environment – bullying.

October is National Bullying Prevention Month. It is estimated that bullying occurs once every seven minutes, with one in three students reporting being bullied weekly.

Bullying can be physical, verbal, or social, and as a result, there may not always be visible signs.

As educators, you must create a culture in schools which will hopefully spread to society, where everyone is treated respectfully and bullying is correctly understood and addressed. How can educators support students who have been bullied? The actions below can help you with identifying bullying, intervene in a bullying incident, and advocate for bullied students (to read more about each one click here).

•Be present and available to observe and listen

•Students can’t learn in fear

•Bullying is a solvable problem

•Educate students

•Where and when do students feel unsafe?

•Stand up

•Zero out zero tolerance

•If it’s broken, it does need fixing

•Develop ESP-specific strategies

•Evaluate annually and sustain efforts over time

•Bullying is a social justice issue

NCAE and NEA’s vision and mission statements are rooted in social justice. Social justice includes a vision of society in which all members are physically and psychologically safe and secure. Bullying and sexual harassment are behaviors designed to oppress another person. It is the duty of educators to assure a safe learning environment and social justice for all students!

Click for statistics on bullying

Teachers with 30 or more years of teaching experience who hold a current North Carolina teaching license can apply for lifetime licensure through the Department of Public Instruction.

The lifetime licensure process was passed by the General Assembly in 2019 (Senate Bill 219). It is now part of the N.C. Teacher Licensure Requirements (North Carolina General Statute 115C-270.20) and is open to all licensed public school staff.

Applicants will no longer need renewal credits or required teaching hours to renew their license. However, those holding a lifetime license will still be required to complete Professional Development Plans (PDP) and any district or school-mandated professional development sessions. The licensee will not have to provide documentation for continuing education credits once they have been granted a lifetime license.

Retired teachers seeking renewal must obtain documentation from the Retirement System regarding their retirement date. It will need to be scanned and uploaded when making the request on the DPI licensure site. For each license renewal cycle, teachers holding a retirement license must provide evidence of: a) at least 640 hours of documented employment in a local school administrative unit, and b) 4.0 credits of professional development (a minimum of eight hours annually) approved by a local school administrative unit.

To apply for a lifetime license, visit https:// vo.licensure.ncpublicschools.gov/. Applicants should wait until the end of a renewal cycle to apply.

EducatorApproved Podcasts

https://edut.to/3t2LpHc

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Open Enrollment Oct. 11-29, 2021

State Health Plan Update

NC Museum of Art Offers Fall Programs for Educators This fall the North Carolina Museum of Art presents programs to accompany a series of exhibitions that span the 19th to the 21st centuries and include art nouveau advertisements and contemporary art created in response to works in the Museum’s collection. Alphonse Mucha: Art Nouveau Visionary headlines the fall offerings. View the upcoming exhibition schedule for more information.

The schedule of virtual programs includes opportunities to interact with exhibition artists and curators, learn in an online community, and to make your own art.

Online Course:

Visual Literacy–Making Connections with Works of Art

Runs from October 5 to November 30 Learn more and register.

Educator Webinar:

Alphonse Mucha, Art Nouveau Visionary

Tuesday, October 12, 4 p.m.

Learn more and register.

The State Health Plan will continue to offer the 70/30 Plan and the 80/20 Plan for the 2022 benefit year. All members will be automatically enrolled in the 70/30 Plan, which will have an $85 employee-only premium. Members can reduce this premium by $60 to a $25 employee-only premium by completing the tobacco attestation during Open Enrollment.

Members who wish to enroll in the 80/20 Plan or who wish to reduce their monthly premium in either the 80/20 Plan or the 70/30 Plan by completing the tobacco attestation will need to TAKE ACTION during Open Enrollment.

IMPORTANT HIGHLIGHTS ABOUT YOUR 2022 BENEFITS

•No premium increases for the fourth consecutive year

•Members who select a Clear Pricing Project Provider as their primary care provider will continue to enjoy a $0 copay

•Members will continue to enjoy a reduced copay when visiting a Clear Pricing Project Specialist

•Preferred and non-preferred insulin continues to have a $0 copay for a 30-day supply

•In-network Preventive Services remain covered at 100 percent – no copay or deductible – on either plan

The State Health Plan is hosting several informational webinars prior to and during Open Enrollment. For more details regarding Open Enrollment and to register for a webinar visit shpnc.org.

A notice about the Open Enrollment period is being mailed to all members (active and retired). You must complete the enrollment process online. Upon completion, you will receive a confirmation. If you do not receive confirmation, that means you are not enrolled (please be sure to check your spam folder or junk email box). The SHP will have extended hours to accommodate members’ questions and concerns from 8 a.m. – 10 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. on Saturday.

Virtual Workshop:

Building Self-Esteem

Tuesday, November 16, 4 p.m.

Learn more and register.

Teacher Tuesdays

Teachers are invited to enjoy exclusive access to the East Building exhibitions, including Alphonse Mucha: Art Nouveau Visionary. Reflect and recharge in an inspiring atmosphere at a time reserved just for teachers! This is a selfguided program; tickets are limited to provide a safe, calm environment and are available on the hour at 4, 5, or 6 p.m.

Masks are required.

Reserve tickets today for one of the fall dates: October 26 or November 30.

YOU DESERVE MORE Like a car with A/C that you didn’t inherit from your aunt

SCAN & GO

You deserve savings on coverage for a new ride. Before you head out to a dealership, reroute to savings at NEA Member Benefits. It’s the first stop for educators to get insurance discounts, tips to buy and sell a car, and more. In other words, members can find auto-related savings at every turn.

Find the resources you deserve at neamb.com/your-car

800-637-4636

YOUR CAR

If you are in the market for a new vehicle, NEA Member Benefits is your first stop! Visit www.neamb.com/your-car for details!

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DEALS

2 0 21

for NEA Members NEA Discount Marketplace

The NEA Discount Marketplace, powered by Rakuten, enables members to earn cash back when they shop and save on brand-name merchandise from over 2,500 top retailers and online stores.* Check out the following member-exclusive deals in October at neamb.com/ marketplace:

•Lowe’s — Thinking about home improvement projects? Save on landscaping tools, kitchen and laundry appliances, and bath furniture and fixtures.

Enjoy free shipping on purchases of $45 or more!

•Kohl’s — Get your wardrobe ready for cooler weather! Find deals on apparel and footwear for the whole family. With the holidays coming, refresh your home décor, too! Free shipping with a $75 purchase; also fast and free store pickup.

•Ulta — Discover beauty products for all ages, genders and skin types, plus cosmetics to create your “holiday look.” Check out weekly offers; gift cards are available for holiday giving, too!

•Dick’s Sporting Goods — Step up your game with sporting goods and apparel from Dick’s, one of the premier retailers in the sports and fitness space. Find quality equipment for individual and team sports for all ages. Set up curbside or in-store pickup with your order. Get free shipping on purchases of $65 or more!

•Xfinity — Save on Xfinity digital cable TV, highspeed Internet and phone services, as well as smart home and home security technology. Enjoy entertainment with great deals on popular bundles and streaming services.

NEA Travel Program

Enroll for a Chance to Win $450 Vacation Cash!

From October 1 - 31, 2021, first-time enrollees in the NEA Travel Program will be entered into a drawing to win $450 Vacation Cash, redeemable when you book a car rental, hotel, cruise, airfare, resort or guided tour through the NEA Travel platform. Starting 10/1/21, click here to enroll and enter the giveaway!

N C A E

Dates to Remember October

2nd 4th 5th 6th 7th 9th 10th 11th 17th 23rd 26th

National Custodial Workers’ Day

World Child Development Day

World Teachers’ Day: Link

International Walk to School Day

National Forgiveness Day

Universal Music Day

World Homeless Day: Link

Indigenous Peoples’ Day

International Day for the Eradication of Poverty

Make A Difference Day

2021 Color of Education Summit (virtual): Link

Adopt A Shelter Dog Month

Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Celebrating The Bilingual Child Month

Emotional Wellness Month

Global Diversity Awareness Month

“Education, when delivered properly, can benefit a lot of people and make productive citizens out of those otherwise given no hope.” — John Murray Follow NCAE events and activities on:

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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., Raleigh, NC 27601, 1-800-662-7924.

Linda Powell, Editor/Designer

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LLLLLLLLLLL ffffffffffffffff ffffffffffff LLLLLLLLLLL kkkkkkkkkkkkk fffffffffffff LLLLLLLLLLL kkkkkkkkkkkkk fffffffffffff ffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffff LLLLLLLLLLL

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fffffffffffff