Two Years In, Guilford County Member is Off and Running as an AR

Samantha Patino-Perez said she has always kept abreast of education issues, even before her calling to become a teacher. But on May 16, 2018, things took an entirely different turn. The seriousness of wanting to become involved and do more as an NCAE member became real, so she stepped up and became an association rep two years into the profession. A math teacher at the Early Middle College (Guilford Technical Community College Jamestown) in Guilford County, Patino-Perez credits co-worker Sarah Jones for her influence. “Sarah has such a passion for this work, and little by little she got me involved. I wasn’t a member my first year of teaching because of finances, but last year I joined, we began teaching completely online due to the pandemic, and everything kind of felt like it was on fire. The changes that were occurring to public education due to COVID was the opportunity I needed to get involved.” Patino-Perez took the place of Jones as association rep at Early Middle College after Jones transitioned into a new role within GCAE. Jones was not the only person who had an influence on Patino-Perez; her mother, Rosa, played an instrumental role as well. “My mother worked as a custodian 13 years for Guilford County Schools. Everyone loved her, especially the students, and she loved her work. Seeing how influential my mother was in a role that I guess I never thought would be that influential to so many people was humbling.” An immigrant with a 3-month-old at the time who spoke no English, Patino-Perez said her mother grew from a woman who was afraid to venture out due to the language barrier and who couldn’t drive, to attending school, getting a driver’s license, becoming a U.S. citizen, and obtaining a job as a school custodian. She worked hard and eventually worked up the courage to ask for a raise because she felt she was deserving. Unfortunately, she left the school system and took a job with UNC-Greensboro for better pay. “Although she did not want to leave the school, my mother knew she was deserving of a better salary, and she believes that everyone should have the same opportunity. Like her, I am someone who cares about fighting for the rights of everyone and what she endured was also a motivating factor for me.” When asked to speak in front of county commissioners earlier this year about implementing a $15 per hour minimum wage for Guilford County classified staff, Patino-Perez shared her mother’s story without hesitation. “I asked her if she was comfortable with me doing so and she was so excited! She insisted that I tell her story because she knew that if she was forced to leave a job she loved for equitable, fair pay then others were probably having to do the same.” GCAE has for months been rallying county officials for a $15 per hour living wage for all district employees. Plans to do so will take place this school year for bus drivers and food service workers via raises and bonuses. Patino-Perez said her mother also influenced her desire to become a teacher, as well as others within the schools she attended as a child. “Seeing my mom be that person for others made me want to do the same. I had so many positive people who were there for me and I think it served as a fundamental value to me becoming the person I am today. The support I received growing up is something that I wish for every child. I hope I am that person for my students.”