Emma Shaw, NEA Delegate from Columbus County
Going….. Going…..Gone
As the 2009 NEA Representative Assembly comes to a close I am empowered by the strength of the National Education Association in its’ ability to help create the change we need to assure a great public school for every child. “Hope Starts Here,” is the theme of the 88th RA is a way for me to get involved in the association on a local, state and national level. I am empowered to learn more about the history of NCAE and NEA so that I can make informed decisions on issues that will shape education today, tomorrow and in the future.
Emma Shaw, NEA Delegate from Columbus County
District 8-A NCAE Board of Directors
Tama Bouncer, NEA Delegate from Wake County
Being in San Diego for the 2009 NEA RA has been great. A few of us visited Old Town Thursday afternoon, before the opening of the RA. It was interesting learning about some of the history of California which included seeing a jail cell and a school, with a 'dunce cap,' from about 181 years ago.
The opening of the convention was exciting under the leadership of our new NEA President Dennis Van Roekel. The 88th NEA Representative Assembly has been an informative and rewarding experience as well as my 9th NEA Convention with the North Carolina delegation.
President Van Roekel, in his keynote address, focused on our theme "Hope Starts Here."
The address by Kathleen Axell, the ESP of the Year, included a video that emphasized the need for ESPs to earn a living wage above the poverty level. The video was from the perspective of a daughter of an ESP.
Anthony Mullen, the Teacher of the Year, is a former police officer who decided to 'exchange a pair of handcuffs for a set of textbooks, made the point that our students need to know that we care.
As the convenention ends, it has been wonderful being in San Dieggo with the great weather, few insects and beautiful architecture and scenery.
It's time to return to North Carolina which can be described in three words 'home sweet home.
Tama Bouncer, NEA Delegate from Wake County
Cluster 6 NCAE Board of Directors
Teresa Page, NEA Delegate from Scotland County
After four years of submitting my name on the state ballot, I am finally a state delegate for the 2009 NEA RA Convention! I must say that the wait was worth it!How powerful it is to be apart of a body of administrators, teachers, and ESPs to make daring, but sound decisions that will affect not only NEA members, but all of those who have committed themselves to the realm of education! This is true democracy at its best!
My journey has been adventurous and the city of San Diego is magnificent! I will not forget this experience for it has refreshed my fire to stand for justice within my school and throughout our state.
I urge my fellow NCAE-NEA members to do what it takes to partake in this process. We must get in the game if we expect any change in our lifetime!
Teresa Page, NEA Delegate from Scotland County
District 5A Representative; ESP Board of Directors
The NEA Choir Experience
I think it was a Thursday night and I was at home screening calls. I heard a voice on my answering machine say “Chris, this is Sheri Strickland and I am calling to see if you would like to be apart of the NEA Choir”. My first reaction was "What an honor!" I returned the call immediantly.
Once in San Diego, we had three rehearsals and from the very first rehearsal you could tell which members were music teachers and who was the “Diva” of the group. The funniest thing that happened during one of the rehearsal occured when we were told to take a position on the stage. Twenty people raced to the stage to see who could get to the front row. The preimer location!
When July 4th finally arrived and we walked onto the stage to sing our first song, it was amazing to look out and see all of the delegates in the assembly hall. Our voices blended together perfectly and I had chills running up and down my body. I really enjoyed my experience and hope to get to do it again next year.
Thank you NCAE.
Chris Bridges, NEA Delegate from Wake County
It is the last day of the convention and it has been a wonderful experience. As first-timers, we have been taking part in voting on amendments, new business items and resolutions, which shape the core values and guiding principles of NEA.
Taking part in the NEA RA is an experience we will not ever forget. We have also enjoyed
Erinn and Sherry, NEA Delegate First-Timers
Both the caucus and RA have both moved as smoothly and efficiently as any I have ever attended. Business was attended to with the normal disagreements and discussions before final decisions were reached. The biggest plus was no marathon late night sessions.
San Diego was great! The weather perfect and plenty to see and do since night sessions were not necessary.
Vera Taylor, NEA Delegate from the Retired Transylvania Division
President NCRSP Division
We the delegates at the 147th NEA RA are excited about the passing of 8 new business items and legislative amendments that affect our Student Services Division members.
Such areas as:
- Enhancing the use of technology
- Including the Library Media Program as a core curriculum
- Increasing services for all children
- Funding resources to help educate families about health issues
Our voices will be heard around the world. Not only does hope start here…. it lives within our hearts.
Thank you NEA
Lena Murrill-Chapman, NEA Delegate from Guilford County
President Student Services Division
Mandy Dry, NEA Delegate from Stanly County
Paula Trantham, NEA Delegate from Wake County
President Administrators and Principals Division
Melonie Lanier, NEA Delegate from Wake County
Serving as the Recording Secretary was a great experience for me. Listening and trying to keep up with who said what, in addition to getting it all down on paper, was not a piece of cake.
Serving as the RA recording secretary allowed me the opportunity to make a small difference in the huge goals of the 2009 RA. For this, I would like to thank the delegation for allowing me to serve.
Melonie Lanier, NEA Delegate from Wake County
NEA-RA 2009 Recording Secretary
The RA has been so exciting that it has energized me and made me anxious to get back to North Carolina and get to work on increasing our membership. I want our membership numbers to be so significant that NCAE will have more power to improve public education in North Carolina.
Being here at the RA has shown me the reality of just how much trouble education is in during these difficult financial times. It is a far graver situation than I ever imagined. When you are living your day to day life you forget about others and the RA has helped me step back and get a good look at education. As educators we can see all the work that needs to be done. My eyes have been opened, and I want to get to work making public education the best that it can be in North Carolina.
Kristy Moore, NEA Delegate from Durham County
As I close out the last day of our 2009 NEA-RA, I can’t help but reflect on my first NEA Convention, Kansas City, MO 1990. I was a mere 26 years old at the “Future of NEA” Convention two decades ago. It brings me great pride as I watch a new generation of activists step up to the plate of leadership. Our issues are different from 19 years ago, but our goals remain the same – Providing every student in America with a Great Public School.
It still is, and has always been, their constitutional right. So, as our new crop of leaders take the helm of leadership – Amy Harrison, Andrew Corbin, Jamie Woody, and the countless others out there – I say job well done and let us continue to stand together for the rights of our members and the children that we so passionately serve. Let’s get to work!
Mark Jewell, NEA Delegate from Guilford County
District 4-B NCAE Board of Directors and NEA Board of Directors
Andrew Corbin, NEA Delegate 
from Guilford County
Gladys Graves, the past director of the North Carolina Teaching Fellow Program, stated at the first summer Venture Discovery “If you’re going to hoot with the owls, you have to soar with the eagles.” This phrase truly fits here at the RA. We wake up at 5:45 am or 6:00 am in the morning and get to sleep around 12:00 am and its West Coast Time so simply add three hours and you’re back on EST. Needless to say, it has been a roll coaster ride, and we never even made it to Disneyland!
When the RA opened I was completely overwhelmed. There were 20,000 people, respectively, all here to strengthen our association. If that wasn’t shocking enough, at the end of the July 4th celebration all delegates 30 years old and below were called to stand on stage and see the body standing in unity.
Even though I did not make it to Disneyland, the Pirate Caucus, Princess Caucus, and the 4th of July attire gave me the opportunity to see some characters! I didn’t get on a roller coaster, but let’s just say debate goes round-and-round with the occasional twist when even there may be “DIVISION”!
I will miss San Diego, I am armed with new network contacts in our great association, but as Sec. Pringle stated “The Great State of North Carolina is the center of the universe!” Proud to be a Tar Heel… now I’m leaving on a jet place to go back to good ole NC. Proud to be NCAE!
Andrew Corbin
www.twitter.com/tricorbin
