NCAE

July 6 RA

2009-07-06T15:08:00.007-04:00

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

Chris Bridges, NEA Delegate from Wake County

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

Erinn and Sherry, NEA Delegate First-Timers

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 San Diego’s beautiful sights and great weather. See you in New Orleans in 2010.

Erinn and Sherry, NEA Delegate First-Timers

Vera Taylor, NEA Delegate from the Retired Transylvania Division

2009 RA
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

Lena Murrill-Chapman, NEA Delegate from Guilford County

“Hope Starts Here”
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 and Cindy Dry, NEA Delegates from Stanly County

This is my 4th RA. This year, I have been able to serve as a delegate with my mom, Cindy Dry, a 1st time delegate. What an amazing felling it is to be a part of the business of the NEA with almost 10,000 delegates from across the nation! After spending long days on the floor, we have enjoyed time to see the sights of San Diego, along with my niece and nephew (Kaylyn and Kaden). San Diego has been incredible!

Mandy Dry, NEA Delegate from Stanly County

Paula Trantham, NEA Delegate from Wake County

Attending the NEA Convention is one of the events I look most forward to each year. It is a wonderful experience to be among so many passionate and dedicated educators; educators who work to improve public education and the human and civil rights of each individual. No mater what educational category you come from, ESP, teacher, or like me, as a school administrator, we are all part of the same team, TEAM NEA. I have enjoyed the fruitful discussions and debates so that every child attends a great public school.

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

Kristy Moore, NEA Delegate from Durham County

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

Mark Jewell, NEA Delegate from Guilford 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

July 5 RA

2009-07-06T13:33:00.004-04:00

Kristy Moore, NEA Delegate from Durham County

The RA has been so excited that it has energized me and made me anxious to get back to North Carolina and get to work on membership. I want to increase our membership so 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

LaVeta Weatheringon, NEA Delegate from Pitt County

The democratic process was exercised throughout our day, in both the morning state caucus and on the RA floor, as delegates voted to elect our representative to the NEA Resolutions, NEA leadership positions, and on New Business Items.

Delegates celebrated the Fourth of July also throughout the day from wearing our patriotic colors to watching the fireworks on San Diego Bay! At the RA, delegates participated in a formal celebration of the Fourth with recitations from history, a choral performance, and a special recognition of student delegates, with those under 30 being called to the stage. The annual celebration was led by NC’s own John Wilson, former NCAE President and current NEA Executive Director.

International guests and the ESP of the Year, Kathie Axtell, were recognized.

LaVeta Weatherington

July 5 Caucus

2009-07-05T19:19:00.016-04:00

President Strickland called the July 5th caucus meeting to order.

Vice President Ellis displays the NEA Silent Auction item open for bids today.

Associate Executive Director Spragley and Caucus Secretary Melonie Lanier hard at work.

Becky Pringle, NEA Secretary/Treasurer addresses the NCAE caucus meeting.

NEA Directors stationed at the PAC table: Write those checks!

Sampson County delegates

District 8 delegates

NCAE delegates

NCRSP delegates

NEA Resolutions Committee Members, LaVerne Reed and Cindy Hoyt address the delegation.

July 4th NEA RA; photos

2009-07-05T19:03:00.011-04:00

Tammie Page, President of Sampson County NCAE

NCAE Delegates

Forsyth County Members

Vice President Ellis speaks with Former NCAE President and RSP At-Large Board member-elect Frances Cummings.

Gaston County delegates

Associate Executive Director Kelvin Spragley greets UniServ Director Roz Bryant.

July 4 NEA RA

2009-07-05T13:23:00.007-04:00

NEA Choir Performance

Chris Bridges, NEA delegate and Wake County Executive Board member performs with the NEA choir.

Introduction of North Carolina's International Guests

President Strickland and Vice President and host, Rodney Elis present the Teachers' Association of the Republic of Indonesia President, Sulistiyo and Vice President, Unifah Rosyidi to the NEA delegation. Also present Jenny Wood, Haywood County President, host to the international guests.

Delegate insight in the 2009 NEA RA

NEA delegates, Angela Ray, Haywood County, Anna Austin, Buncombe County and Jenny Wood, Haywood County

Wow, the weather is absolutely fabulous here in San Diego, California! Every part of the day is like a fall morning in the Western North Carolina Mountains. The delegates have enjoyed the opportunity to hear U.S. Secretary of Education, Arne Duncan, state the urgent need for change in America's educational system. Duncan encouraged support and collaboration from NEA and its members.

Throughout the conference, all of our delegates have demonstrated immense amounts of effort and enthusiasism. First time delegate Angie Rae has displayed huge initiative by bidding and winning the State Contact for Alaska. Coincidentally, the state contact from Alaska is a North Carolina native! Jenny Wood, a delegate from Haywood County, has had the distinct pleasure to serve as a North Carolina host for NEA's international guests, President Sulistiyo and Vice President Unifah Rosyidi of the Teachers' Association of the Republic of Indonesia.

The discussion taking place on the RA floor has allowed us to hear many different viewpoints and concerns that impact public education, not only nationally, but also at the state and local levels. In the next two days, there will be more business to address here at the 2009 NEA RA. We look forward to watching the healthy debates, attending caucus meetings, such as NBCT and O, and taking time to meet and talk with new friends.

July 3 NEA RA Session

2009-07-04T12:52:00.008-04:00

July 3rd Delegate Caucus

President Sheri Strickland addresses the NCAE delegates

at the July 3rd caucus/breakfast

NEA Mid-Atlantic Director

North Carolina's new Mid-Atlantic Director, Besty Daise

San Diego Convention Center

International Guest- President Sulistiyo, Vice President, Unifah Rosyidi of the Teachers' Association of the Republic of Indonesia, Associate Executive Director Kelvin Spragley, Executive Director Scott Anderson, Vice President Rodney Ellis, President Sheri Strickland during the NEA RA on July 3th.

NCAE Delegates during the NEA RA Session

July 2 Secretary Arne Duncan

2009-07-04T12:44:00.007-04:00

U.S. Secretary Arne Duncan during the special Town Hall Meeting with NEA delegates on Thursday, July 2th at the San Diego Convention Center.

July 2 Delegate Outing

2009-07-04T12:34:00.006-04:00

Kyle Blanks tries to stop the action as a swarm of bees swept into left field and caused a 52-minute delay in the ninth innning of San Diego's loss to the Houston Astros at Petco Park. (Sean M. Haffey / Union-Tribune)

NCAE delegate Update:

On Thursday, July 2nd, several NCAE delegates watched a ballgame at Petco Park between the San Diego Padres and the Houston Astros. Through 8 innings, we witnessed the two teams exploit each other’s weaknesses and capitalize on their own strengths as a means to gain the upper hand. However, at the top of the 9th inning, an unforeseen force brought everything to a screeching halt. Out in left field, a swarm of bees, gathered around their queen, drew the game to a quick end.

As educators, we can learn from the example of the bees. With the NC legislature going into the 9th inning of its budget negotiations, we need to emulate that swarm of bees. By joining together and placing our utmost attention on the queen of public education, we can bring the game to an end! We can get stop legislators from capitalizing on their personal strengths and exploiting the weaknesses of teachers and students. By stopping the game, hopefully, we can get them to contemplate current problems and future challenges without ignoring our pleas by dousing us with a bunch of insecticides!

Allan Trodgen, Wake County NEA delegate

July 2, 2009

2009-07-03T13:30:00.004-04:00

The NCAE delegates met for the first on-site caucus meeting at 8:00 am Thursday morning at the Horton Plaza Westin Hotel. President Sheri Strickland called the meeting to order at 8:01 am.
Donna McCulloch, Debbie Buffaloe and Cynthia Hoyt were nominated as candiates for the NEA Resolutions Committee. The election will be held during the Saturday caucus meeting.
President Strickland chose Tracy Bell to sit behind Arne Duncan during the town hall meeting as the North Carolina representative.
The delegates raised $18,340 at the caucus meeting on June 20th for the NEA PAC. A Limited edition NEA Today picture of President Obama will be auctioned tomorrow during the caucus meeting. The funds will go toward the NEA PAC.

After the meeting, delegates walked or rode the NEA buses to the convention center to hear Secretary of Education Arne Duncan speak and then participate in a town hall meeting. Questions and comments were taken from members of the delegations.

That evening many of the delegates attended the Human and Civil Rights Awards Banquet at the San Diego Convention Center Grand Ballroom.