The Voice Winter 2025 Issue

Professional Educators of North Carolina

WINTER ISSUE The Voice For Educators

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A Fresh Start To A New Semester

It’s time to recharge and refocus on the exciting months ahead. The start of the new year is a perfect opportunity to reflect on your classroom goals, reconnect with your students, and bring fresh energy to your teaching. Whether you’re diving into new units, fine-tuning routines, or embracing creative strategies, we’re here to support you every step of the way. Let’s make this semester one filled with growth, inspiration, and success!

As you take on this next chapter, take a moment to celebrate the progress you and your students have already made. Every challenge you have overcome, every lesson learned, and every connection built contributes to a meaningful and rewarding educational journey. Keep setting high expectations while nurturing curiosity and creativity in your classroom. Your dedication and passion make a lasting impact, shaping not just academic success but also your students' confidence and resilience.

Remember, you’re not in this alone. Our community of educators is here to uplift and inspire one another. Lean on your colleagues, share best practices, and explore new ways to engage your students. By embracing collaboration and continuous learning, you’ll find fresh perspectives that enhance your teaching and students’ experiences. Let’s make this semester one where every educator feels valued, every student feels seen, and every classroom thrives with possibility.

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Message From The President

Joanna Loftis

As we embark on a new year, let’s embrace the fresh opportunities and challenges that lie ahead. This year, PENC is committed to fostering a supportive community, advocating for educators, and promoting professional growth.

To kick off the new year, here are some tips on how you can get more involved: Be a beacon within your school by promoting PENC’s values and initiatives. If your school doesn’t have a School Ambassador, consider stepping up—this could be a great leadership opportunity for you. Your active participation can help us achieve our goals and grow our community.

As always, we are here for you. If you need anything, please feel free to reach out. We look forward to having a great year together!

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Unveiling A New Look

A New Logo: Rooted in North Carolina We are excited to unveil our new logo, a design that proudly represents the diverse landscapes of North Carolina, from the Blue Ridge Mountains to the rolling Piedmont and the coastal shores. This refreshed emblem reflects not only the beauty of our state but also the strength and unity of our educators. Each element of the logo was chosen to symbolize the deep roots of public education in North Carolina and our dedication to supporting teachers across every region.

Continuing The Legacy: Keeping Our Past Logo While we’ve modernized our visual identity to align with current design trends, preserving our old logo allows us to bridge the gap between our past and present. By merging the old with the new, we create a sense of continuity and stability, reminding our past and new members of the journey we’ve been on together. Our legacy remains an integral part of who we are, and the inclusion of our old logo is a testament to our respect for our origins as we move forward into the future.

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Migrating To A New Data Base System Attention members to notify you that we are transitioning back to Member Clicks for our association management software (AMS). We have heard your voices and understand the frustration that we all have experienced over the past five years with our current AMS. As we go live next week, it is vital that you understand your important role in this task. You will be able to access the member portal by visiting www.penc.memberclicks.net. The portal should have the same login ID and password that you use now. We ask you to verify that all your information is correct as the changeover could have some impact on your demographic information.

Notes Of Importance The most important task we need you to follow up on is to enter your credit card information into the new system. We do not house any of your card information as it is all encrypted with the processor that each AMS system utilizes. With the switch, we must use a different processor. Once we conclude our partnership with Member Suite at the end of the month, their processing company will delete your card information that has been utilized over the past five years. The new processor is much more user friendly than the previous, and therefore should make your overall experience much easier.

Since we are now using a different processor membership will be considered monthly. For example, if you miss a payment or do not pay your monthly dues this will result in a lapse in your membership and your benefits for that month.

If you are on installments, please know that you need to take care of this before February 28, 2025, or you will have a lapse in coverage.

If you are on monthly installments dues will increase by $1 for the year.

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2025-2026 Legislative Priorities

1 Improve Compensation & Benefits Package Increase pay for teachers, administrators, and support personnel.

Restore Master’s Pay Restore Retirement Health Benefits Provide supplement pay for teachers with Exceptional Children certification to address EC teacher shortage.

2 Protect Classroom Instruction Time Protect teaching planning times with clearer language in legislation. This will ease stress and workload.

Address student discipline with a focus on higher parent accountability.

Reduce the number of testing days during the school year for elementary and middle schools Establish a set dollar amount to be allocated to teachers for classroom supplies within the schools’ funding

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2025-2026 Legislative Priorities

3 Opportunity Scholarships Accountability Require schools that accept Opportunity Scholarship moneys to implement accountability measures that provide transparency in student gains and achievement.

4 Improve New Teacher Mentor Programs With the increase in new teachers and residency licensed teacher, it is vital that districts have a strong and effective mentor program. A strong program would include matching effective veteran teachers with new teachers.

Supplemental pay for mentor teachers [this should/could fall under advanced teaching roles].

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Brewing Gratitude

Member Spotlight

- Tim Barnsback, Personal Finance Teacher at Burke Middle College Past PENC President 2012-2015

Gratitude Café started as a way to support my students' mental health in a high-pressure academic environment. Teaching personal finance, I’ve seen how stress—especially about money and future responsibilities—can weigh on students, making it harder for them to focus and engage. At Burke Middle College, where students balance both high school and college coursework, the pressure is even greater. I wanted to create a space where they could step away from that stress, even for a few moments, and just breathe. With the help of a DonorsChoose grant, I transformed part of my classroom into a cozy lounge with soft lighting, music, and coffee—all designed to create a calm, welcoming atmosphere. This space allows students to relax, reset, and recharge, reinforcing the idea that mental well-being is just as important as academic success.

Beyond providing a break from the demands of school, Gratitude Café fosters a sense of connection and community. Many students face overwhelming expectations, and having a place where they feel safe and supported makes a difference. The simple act of sharing a cup of coffee, listening to music, or writing in the class music journal gives them a moment to decompress and engage in meaningful conversations with their peers. Plus, let’s be real—high school and college students are practically keeping Dunkin’ and Starbucks in business with what they spend on coffee daily. Giving them a space where they can get their caffeine fix for free? That’s a financial literacy lesson in itself! Encouraging self-care in the classroom helps break the stigma around mental health, showing students that taking care of themselves isn’t a luxury— it’s a necessity.

Maximize Your Membership: Exclusive Benefits for North Carolina Educators As a valued member of Professional Educators Of North Carolina, you have access to a range of benefits designed to support you both professionally and personally. Don’t miss out on the resources and opportunities available to help you thrive in your role as an educator.

Advocacy and Representation: We work tirelessly to ensure your voice is heard at the state level, advocating for better policies, fair compensation, and improved classroom conditions.

Networking Opportunities: Connect with a community of educators who share your passion for teaching and exchange ideas, support, and inspiration.

Employee Support: As a member you are allowed to call our office to request information on your professional rights and responsibilities. Any questions regarding education law or your rights as a North Carolina educator (this includes administrators) will be answered in a timely manner.

Legal Support: Our legal support for educators provides expert guidance, resources, and advocacy to help navigate workplace challenges, contract concerns, and professional rights. We are committed to ensuring that educators have the protection and support they need to focus on what matters most—teaching and inspiring students.

Exclusive Discounts: Enjoy special offers on classroom supplies, travel, wellness services, and much more!

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The Voice For Educators A Stronger Voice At The State Level Teachers are at the heart of education, dedicating their time and energy to shaping the future of North Carolina's students. However, too often, the voices of educators are missing from the policy decisions that affect their classrooms and careers. At PENC, we are committed to ensuring that teachers have a powerful and respected voice at the state level.

Advocacy That Drives Change Our organization actively engages with policymakers, educational leaders, and legislative committees to advocate for policies that benefit educators and students alike. We understand the unique challenges teachers face, from limited classroom resources to ever-changing educational mandates. That’s why we make it our mission to represent your needs and advocate for solutions that make a difference.

Listening and Acting on Your Concerns We regularly gather feedback from educators across North Carolina through surveys and direct conversations. This input informs our advocacy efforts and ensures that we address the real issues impacting your classrooms. Recent victories include pushing for increased funding for classroom materials and adovcating for fair compesation.

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The Voice For Educators

A United Front for Positive Change When educators come together, their collective voice becomes a powerful force for positive change. By joining PENC, you become part of a community dedicated to elevating the teaching profession and improving educational outcomes for all North Carolina students.

Building Stronger Relationships With Policymakers Establishing meaningful relationships with lawmakers is crucial for ensuring that teachers' perspectives are included in policy decisions. PENC has an ongoing presence at the General Assembly, the State Board of Education, the State Retirement System, and the State Health Plan and lobbies actively for members’ priorities.

PENC is non-partisan and does not support political parties or political candidates. Instead, we work with all lawmakers and policymakers who are interested in improving public education in North Carolina and supporting educators as professionals.

Empowering Teachers to Be Advocates We believe that the most effective advocacy comes from teachers themselves. That’s why we offer resources to help you confidently share your story and engage with decision-makers. From legislative updates to opportunities to meet with state leaders, we empower educators to make their voices heard.

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Get Involved!

As educators, we know the power of connection, collaboration, and advocacy. Now more than ever, it's essential that we unite to ensure that our voices are heard and our profession is valued. One of the most impactful ways you can contribute is by becoming a School Ambassador for PENC.

What Is A School Ambassador?

School Ambassadors serve as the vital link between PENC and educators in their school communities. As an ambassador, you will share important updates, promote professional development opportunities, and encourage your colleagues to join our growing network of dedicated professionals. Ambassadors help to build a strong and supportive community.

Why Become An Ambassador?

How You Can Make A Difference

Being a School Ambassador gives you the chance to make a lasting impact on your school community and the teaching profession as a whole. As an ambassador, you'll:

Recruiting new members is crucial to amplifying our collective voice. Strong membership means greater influence at the state level and more resources to support educators like you. Here are simple ways you can help: Start Conversations: Share your positive experiences with PENC and invite your colleagues to learn more.

Host Information Sessions: Organize informal gatherings to discuss the benefits of membership and answer questions.

Share Our Message: Promote our initiatives and share your own ambassador journey to reach a wider audience.

Lead by Example: Inspire your colleagues to get involved and stay informed about key educational issues.

Strengthen Relationships: Build connections within your school and with educators across the state.

Drive Positive Change: Help recruit and engage members who will add their voices to our advocacy efforts.

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Support & Resources

Become A School Ambassador Together, we can build a stronger, more unified educational community. By becoming a School Ambassador, you'll be at the forefront of this important movement, helping to empower your colleagues and elevate the teaching profession.

As a School Ambassador, you won't be working alone. We provide resources, and ongoing support to ensure you have everything you need to succeed. You'll also be part of a network of ambassadors who share ideas, strategies, and inspiration.

Your voice and dedication play a crucial role in shaping a supportive and innovative learning environment. By collaborating with other ambassadors, sharing successes, and learning from challenges, you’ll help drive progress and make a lasting difference in the lives of students and educators alike.

Ready to take the next step?

Email amcinnis@pencweb.org to become a School Ambassador today and start making a difference in your school and beyond. Visit pencweb.org to learn more and get involved.

Thank you for your dedication to education and for considering this meaningful opportunity. Let's work together to create a brighter future for educators and students alike.

Make Your Voice Heard: Join or Renew Your Membership Today In education, strength comes from unity. As teachers, we are the foundation of learning and growth for countless students, and together, we can achieve even greater things for the profession we love. PENC is your advocate, resource, and community, but we need your continued support to amplify our impact.

Why Your Membership Matters When you join or renew your membership, you’re not just signing up for an organization —you’re investing in yourself, your career, and the future of education. Membership allows us to: Advocate for You: We represent educators at the state level, pushing for policies that improve working conditions, compensation, and classroom resources.

Provide Valuable Resources: Gain access to professional development, teaching tools, and expert insights to enhance your skills and support your daily work.

Foster a Community: Connect with passionate educators who share your challenges and triumphs. Together, we are stronger.

Your Voice Matters Every member adds power to our advocacy and strengthens the foundation of our work.

By renewing or joining, you help shape the future of education and ensure that educators across North Carolina have the representation and respect they deserve.

Come See Us At NCTIES 2025 March 6th-7th

Visit our website to learn more www.pencweb.org