42nd Annual Convention of the North Carolina Association of Educators (NCAE) Scheduled for March 23-24 in Winston-Salem

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C., March 20, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Representing almost every school district in North Carolina, nearly 1,000 NCAE members serving as delegates will gather at the M.C. Benton Convention and Civic Center March 23-24 for the annual meeting of the state's largest education organization.

"This year, I am asking delegates to focus on remaining positive, proactive and agile," said NCAE President Sheri Strickland. "Leadership, advocacy and integrity continue to be the cornerstones of our Association, despite the frustrations we have faced this past year. We must continue to work together, hold our heads high and forge ahead because the fight for public education funding, student success and respect for our profession is too important to give in to forces that don't have those critical goals in mind."

Activities related to the representative assembly officially begin at 7 p.m. on Thursday, March 22, with the annual NCAE Awards Banquet at the Embassy Suites Hotel. Awards, recognitions and scholarships will be given for leadership, excellence in education and to future teachers at this event.

The convention starts at 9 a.m. on Friday, March 23, with the first business session. NCAE President Sheri Strickland will give her State of the Association address, and NCAE Vice President Rodney Ellis and local leaders from Forsyth and Davidson counties will offer remarks. Dr. Don Martin, superintendent of Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools and State Superintendent June Atkinson are also scheduled to speak.

During the second business session on Friday which begins at 1:30 p.m., Becky Pringle, secretary-treasurer of the National Education Association (NEA) will give the keynote address. A middle school teacher with 31 years of classroom experience, Pringle ranks third among NEA leadership. She has held positions at the local, state and national levels and has a long history of leadership focusing on diversity issues, student achievement and developing leaders within the Association. A native of Philadelphia, Pringle served two terms on the NEA Executive Committee.

The convention concludes with the third business session beginning on Saturday, March 24, at 9 a.m. During this session, North Carolina Teacher of the Year Tyronna Hooker will speak to delegates. She is an EC inclusion teacher on leave from Graham Middle School in Alamance/Burlington and has been an educator for nine years.

NCAE Associate Executive Director Joyce Jarrett will officially accept donations for the North Carolina Foundation for Public School Children (NCFPSC) from convention delegates as part of the Association's Operation Cooperation project during this session. In its 12th year, this annual service project has provided thousands of books, shoes and educational games to children across North Carolina. The funds collected will help provide basic necessities for public school children across the state. The convention ends after delegates complete new business items.

Friday, March 23

First Business Session – 9 a.m. – Noon, M.C. Benton Convention and Civic Center

Scheduled to speak are Winston-Salem Mayor Allen Joines; Dr. Don Martin, superintendent of Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools; and Dr. June St. Clair Atkinson, North Carolina's state superintendent of public instruction. NCAE President Sheri Strickland will give the State of the Association address. NCAE Vice President Rodney Ellis and Frances Cummings, president of the North Carolina Retired Division, will also address the delegates.

Second Business Session – 1:30 p.m. – 5 p.m., M.C. Benton Convention and Civic Center

Becky Pringle, secretary-treasurer of the National Education Association (NEA), delivers the keynote address; NCAE Executive Director Scott Anderson addresses delegates.

Saturday, March 24

Third Business Session – 9 a.m. until the conclusion of business, M.C. Benton Convention and Civic Center

Tyronna Hooker, North Carolina Teacher of the Year, will speak; NCAE Associate Executive Director Joyce Jarrett will give remarks and will accept donations for NCAE's Operation Cooperation Project; President Sheri Strickland will present the 2012 Friend of Education Award; and remarks will be given by E. Jameel Williams, 2011 NEA ESP of the Year and past president of the NCAE Education Support Professionals Division.

NCAE is the state's largest education association, representing active, retired and student members.

SOURCE NCAE