Volume 45, No. 8NCAEN E W S B U L L E T I NN O R T H C A R O L I N A A S S O C I A T I O N O F E D U C A T O R S April 2015

House Bill 738 Gives LEAs Flexibility in UseNCAE-Backed Legislation Would Boost Textbook Fund for Students

State lawmakers have filed legislation in the N.C.

General Assembly that would infuse the state’s textbook fund with $76 million, a level last reached in 2008. House Bill 738 would give local school administrative units flexibility to use the funds for textbooks, other instructional resources or supplies, and equipment in the best ways to help students. The proposed legislation has bipartisan support with Rep. Craig Horn, Rep. Rick Glazier, Rep. Bryan Holloway and Rep. Marvin Lucas as primary sponsors. “Providing additional resources and giving local school districts the flexibility to use them in the best way to ensure our students are successful is critically important,” said Rep. Horn. “We must continue to find opportunities to get modern textbooks and technology in the hands of our children.” “One of the critical needs for school systems, parents and students across the state is a return of basic resources for textbooks, classroom supplies and digital materials, without which we hamstring teachers, hurt schools' capacity to educate, and seriously harm studenteducational opportunities,” said Rep.Glazier. “This bill is a major bipartisan

effort, with NCAE assistance and leadership, to attack this resource deficit and substantially enhance student opportunity and achievement." In 2008, North Carolina’s textbook fund was $100.7 million and since that time has been cut more than 75 percent. “In addition to being an educator, I’m the parent of a sixth grader who has not brought a textbook home in years. I

know firsthand the challenges our classrooms and students are facing,” said NCAE President Rodney Ellis. “While we continue to transition to more digital resources, we cannot lose an entire generation of students by not providing them textbooks and other resources. This legislation will make a significant difference for students.”

0

25

50

75

100

125

20082009

20102011

20122013

2014

Source: NC State Department of Public Instruction Compiled by: NCAE/GR, April 2015

NC Textbook Funding: 2008-09 to 2014-15

Year

Millions

Concerned About Education Issues? Make Your Voice Heard on April 28 at NCAE Lobby Day

WHERE: North Carolina General Assembly, Raleigh

DETAILS: Plan to arrive at the NCAE Center by 9:30 a.m. A briefing will be held prior to visiting the General Assembly. Professional dress is encouraged along with wearing NCAE buttons.

SIGN-UP: Visit http://www.ncae.org/lobby-days/

CLICK TO SIGN TEXTBOOK PETITION

NCAE News Bulletin April 20152

Do the hopes and dreams of North Carolina’s 1.5 million public school children matter to you? Does providing the basic constitutional right to a free education? Does ensuring that every student has the resources needed to be successful? Does ensuring the promise that every child has the guarantee of a well-trained, professionally paid and highly respected teacher? I know these things matter to you because they matter to NCAE.

“What Matters Most” was the theme of this year’s convention and it’s a message that we must continue to drive home to those who set education policy in this state. We are in the throngs of a new political landscape where some are questioning the purpose of public education in the 21st century. If they would only ask those of us who work every day in public schools they would see our message is simple…access and equity for all! Public education has made North Carolina strong. It produces good citizens and is a vehicle to teach values and ideals like a just society, equal opportunity and democracy. Our schools have always been the key that opens the door to economic opportunity. And we all know that there is more to

education than academics. We address the needs of the whole child…issues such as health care, good nutrition, safe schools and family environment. We see students as more than a desk or data on a spread sheet. As educators, we know the importance of our work as we shape and influence the lives of almost every student in North Carolina. We know that the realities of inadequate funding, overuse and misuse of testing, and misguided and unproven policies consume time and energy that should be used to focus on the success of our students. Your incredible talents and creativity are worth so much more. Regardless of who they are, where they live, their race, ethnicity, religion, economic status or sexual orientation, ALL of our students are valuable and deserve a fair and equal chance. But it’s up to us to make that happen; we need to create change that is student-centered and NCAE led! We must embrace and engage everyone who works in the public education arena. But not only should we engage them, we must also engage parents and the community at large. We must raise awareness, remain or become involved, and ensure that our voices are heard on Jones Street and beyond. We have power as individuals and collectively. We have the passion, strength and commitment. We know what matters…improving the lives of ALL students and making public education stronger. Let’s be the change that we are waiting for!

Mark JewellNCAE Vice President

What Matters Most 2.0

NCAE 2.0...Putting the Future of the Association in Your Hands! NCAE’s members have a long and rich history of standing up for North Carolina’s public schools and helping students be successful. This united, organized voice of empowered educators has made a difference in the classroom, for your professions, and in your personal lives. Every voice is critical as we continue our effort to help students be more successful, empower educators and strengthen public education. Through an initiative we are launching this week called NCAE 2.0, we are envisioning our future by putting the power of membership in your hands. NCAE 2.0 is about doing what is right for your students, for educators and for public schools. By continuing to build a more powerful voice, our members will have more influence over decisions and policies that impact your professional and personal lives every day.

Today, you have the opportunity to strengthen the education family by joining or rejoining NCAE, or switching to e-Dues, as we continue to build a more united voice for students, public schools and education professionals. Join the many other members who are switching to e-Dues and help move NCAE into the 21st century. To learn more about NCAE 2.0, please watch this video. Thank you for your membership and for being a champion for students, educators and public schools.

SWITCH TO E-DUES CLICK HERE

JOIN NOWCLICK HERE

3News Bulletin April 2015 NCAE

NCAE’s 2015 Elected OfficersThese members have been elected or re-elected to serve on the NCAE Board of Directors.

Kristy MooreNEA Director

Lisa DelaneyRegion 1-A Director

Val YoungRegion 2 Director

Charles SmithRegion 3 Director (3-yr term)

Linda DavisRegion 3 Director (2-yr term)

Dallas BrownRegion 6 Director

Michael Putney, president, Principals/

Administrators Div.

Rhonda Gordon, president, Student Services Div.

NCAE4 News Bulletin April 2015

Technology Levels the Playing Field for Students, Teachers in Lenoir Co. Dr. Steve Mazingo, superintendent of Lenoir County Public Schools, is a firm believer that it’s not always about how much you have, but how creative you’re willing to be with your resources. Last fall, he implemented a three-year technology project to bring his district into the 21st century by purchasing Apple laptops and iPads for each teacher and iPads for all 4,300 K-5 students in the county’s nine elementary schools. “I wanted to create a sense of uniformity across the county,” said Mazingo. “Some of our schools had new equipment and some had equipment that was outdated. It created a system of ‘have’s and have-not’s.’ This project is really leveling the playing field.” Mazingo said the project is being funded using re-appropriated money that was already being spent on supplying resources for teachers and students. He crunched the numbers and shared the plan with principals, who were instantly on board. “I told them if they gave me 21 percent of their Title I funds for the project, I would solve their technology needs forever. Every three years, new equipment will be purchased; our schools will never again have to work with 10- or 12-year-old outdated equipment.” The project will be implemented in middle schools during the 2015-16 school year and in high schools in 2016-17. In addition to new equipment, each school has a designated digital learning specialist who is in charge of working with teachers on how to incorporate technology into the curriculum. The specialists also provide weekly professional development for teachers on new techniques that can be effective in the classroom. The results of the project, Mazingo said, have been very positive. Students are 100 percent engaged and teachers are able to be more effective with their instruction time. “I recently visited a classroom and the students didn’t even look up when I walked in,” he said with a laugh. “I had to really sit down and ask questions to get them to acknowledge me. They were working on projects and were totally engaged in the lesson. “Members of the school board are equally as impressed, as are parents because their children are excited about what they’re doing in school. The project has really elevated how the

community is looking at our schools and certainly how they are looking at our teachers.” According to Mazingo, Lenoir County is a high-poverty area. It is 86th in the state in terms of the amount of funding received for schools. It’s also one of the districts that is able to offer free breakfast and lunch to all of its students. “It took about two years to solidify this plan but it was well worth it,” he said. “For those superintendents in counties with limited resources who may assume that a project such as this is not possible, I beg to differ. It’s going to take a lot of hard work but when you look at what you’re already spending, what you’re already providing, and you think about the things that you won’t need if you provide this type of technology for your teachers and students, it becomes more possible than you ever imagined. It’s about combining your resources and using funds you’re already spending in a different way. Because of this project, Lenoir County is a happy place. We’re special here and we’re moving forward! “Good teachers want to teach and when you give them the tools, they are going to use them. I’m very proud of my teachers and I’m equally as proud of what they have been able to do with our students.”

A student at Northwest Elementary School shows Lenoir County Superintendent Dr. Steve Mazingo how the iPad is helping with classroom instruction. Photo: Patrick Holmes, Lenoir County Public Schools

Ana, a student at Southwood Elementary, takes a “selfie” with Dr. Mazingo on the first day the iPads were distributed in the district.

5News Bulletin April 2015 NCAE

NCAE’s 45th Annual Convention in Pictures!This year’s convention and representative assembly was held at the Hilton Wilmington Riverside Hotel, nestled on the beautiful Cape Fear River. It was a two-day event filled with hard work, professional growth and fun as delegates focused on the theme “What Matters Most!” To see more convention highlights, visit the NCAE Flickr site.

Want to Hear the Messages of the Keynote Speakers? (Click on the individual’s name to listen)

James Ford, 2014 N.C. Teacher of the Year Bill Raabe, former educator and union leader

NCAE News Bulletin April 20156

First-Time Delegates Share Why It Was Important to Attend the NCAE Convention

Desiree Anderson, Durham Association of Educators -- “I wanted to see what the process was like and how things really work. It was amazing to experience the checks and balances that have been put into place and the fact that we really have a voice in the organization. It was important for me to see firsthand and just be a part of that process. It was also amazing to see the collaboration that took place and everyone working together!

Lee Childress, Forsyth County Association of Educators – “As a public education advocate at the local level, I wanted to experience the convention for all that it had to offer and participate in the work that is critical to what we do as an organization. It was another way for me to be involved in my association.”

Lanisha Daye, Vance County Association of Educators – “I feel it was important as a first-time delegate because I want to be an advocate for other educators. We are one voice and it’s great to come to collaborative conventions so that we can bring the information back to our peers.”

Noelle Dixon, Wake County NCAE – This is my second year teaching and at my school I realized how many people do not know their rights. I wanted to be more informed so that I can share that information with fellow coworkers. I want to be more informed and proactive when it comes to public education and make a difference for myself and my students.”

Amanda Garrison, Burke County Association of Educators – “As a new delegate I wanted to see how NCAE operated. I got to see even more how NCAE is fighting for the rights of teachers and students and public education as a whole. It was good to connect with other educators from across the state and have discussions around the things that are happening in our profession. I found the new delegates’ session informative and learned a lot about how the convention/rep assembly works.”

News Bulletin April 2015 7NCAE

SNCAE Closes the Books on AnotherSuccessful Outreach to Teach Project

Are you looking for professional development opportunities or want to continue your education? The NEA Academy may have just what you are looking for. As an NEA member, you can find more than 600 courses that fit your budget, your schedule and your life. Visit www.neaacademy.org for more information.

N.C. Foundation Championsfor Children Gala

WHEN: Thursday, April 23, 2015WHERE: Grand Marquise Ballroom 225 Fidelity Court, Garner, N.C.TIME: 5:30 p.m.TICKETS: $125

To purchase tickets, visit the Foundation’s Web site, www.NCFPSC.org, or contact Marca.Hamm@NCFPSC.org.

North Hills Elementary School in Forsyth County received a make-over recently thanks to members of the Student North Carolina Association of Educators (SNCAE). More than 75 students, along with current and retired NCAE members, rolled up their sleeves to landscape the grounds, refresh bulletin boards and paint. They also donated books and school supplies to the school. “Outreach to Teach is an annual day of service that provides students an opportunity to bond and give back to the community,” said Elic Senter, the state student organizer. “As future educators, they take pride in being able to do something special for and make a difference in the lives of students who attend these schools.” Landscaping

Painting

Bulletin Boards

SNCAE members spent the day sprucing up North Hills Elementary School. Photos: Elic Senter

News Bulletin April 20158 NCAE

Two NCAE members and six students are statewide winners of the 2015 Multicultural Arts Contest. The contest is sponsored annually by the NCAE Human and Civil Rights Commission and 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. Each winner received a plaque that was presented during a special presentation at their schools or school board meetings. Congratulations to:

Gloria Lawrence, second from left, teaches at Gateway Education Center in Guilford County. She received first place for her teaching unit “Chinese New Year.”

Randolph Frierson, center, teaches at Stoney Creek

Elementary School in Charlotte. He received first place for his

poem “One Voice: The Awakening of My Dream” and

for his short story “Realizing the Power of My Dreams.”

Student Winners

Parkview Elementary School, Guilford CountyAbove from left: second-grader Martin Del Angel for his artwork “Flower In His Garden,” fifth-grader Pei Wah for her artwork “Women of Color,” fifth-grader E’More Snipes for her poem “We Are Connected.”

Mount Airy Middle School, Surry County

Eighth-grader Karaline Fritchey for her artwork “Freedom”

Fairmont High School, Robeson County10th-grader Margot Hunt for her poem “No Color No Size”11th-grader Juanita Martinez for her artwork “In the Future We’re Still Together”

Give  to  the  NCAE  Wall  of  Jus4ce  Project  

NCAE is giving you a tool so that you, and others, can demonstrate your willingness to speak out for social justice beyond the classroom and community -- it’s the Wall of Justice Project. The Wall of Justice is located at the NCAE Center and gives you an opportunity to sign a pledge card that says, “I Will Do All That I Can to Ensure Social Justice and Equality for All.” NCAE encourages all members to take the pledge and make a donation of at least $2, which will be used to support the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Scholarship Fund for high school students entering college. Pledge cards are available through your local president and can be found online, where donations can be made electronically. Simply mail your pledge to NCAE Wall of Justice, 700 South Salisbury St., Raleigh, NC 27601. You can also deliver your pledge card and donation in person. To help spread the word, please use #NCAEWallofJustice, or take a “selfie” with the pledge card and post it to your social media sites as well as on the NCAE Facebook wall, http://www.facebook.com/wearencae. For more information, contact Derevana Leach (Derevana.Leach@ncae.org) or Angela Farthing (Angela.Farthing@ncae.org), or call 1-800-662-7924.

Congratulations 2015 Multicultural Arts Contest (MAC) Winners

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.

Linda Powell-Jones, Editor/Designer

www.ncae.org

N C A E N E W S B U L L E T I N Follow NCAE events and activities on:

9NCAENews Bulletin April 2015

Dates to Remember

DEALS for NEA Members

NEA Click & Save “Buy-Lights” for April

NEA Click & Save is an online discount buying service for NEA members. Check out these featured items for April and start saving today!

• Poppin.com (innovative office products) – Enjoy 10 percent off your entire order, plus free shipping

• Zephora – Get free three-day shipping on orders of $50 or more

• Home Depot – Save 10 percent on appliances $396 or more; free shipping on orders of $45 or more

• Under Armour – Get free standard shipping on U.S. orders of $49+ and free two-day shipping on U.S. orders of $149+

• Samsung – Get up to 50 percent off suggested retail price; plus free shipping on orders over $50

• Sports Authority – Save up to 70 percent off; get free shipping on shoes, clothes and most orders over $49

• 1Voice (wearable fitness technology) – Get 25 percent off any order plus free shipping

NEA Vehicle Protection Program Plan

Unexpected car repair bills can wreck your budget – that’s why it’s smart to participate in the NEA Vehicle Protection Program through CARCHEX. From now until April 30, 2015, NEA members are eligible for a $150 discount. For more information, visit www.neamb.com, click on the “Discounts” tab, and then on “Auto and Home Discounts.”

April 2015

22nd Earth Day25th National Board Spring Seminar. Click here for more information.28th NCAE Lobby Day, NCAE Center

Celebrate Diversity MonthSchool Library Media Month

NCAE Student Services Division Annual Conference

“Student Services Advocacy and Leadership -- Meeting the Demands of a Diverse Society”

When: Friday, April 24, 2015

Where: Clarion Hotel, Greensboro, NC

Time: 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Cost: $10 for members, $25 for non-members

Registration: Contact Rfrierson1@bellsouth.net