In It For The Long Haul

1. In It For The Long Haul The SCEA Looks Beyond Its 130 Years to Support Quality Public Education Well Into the Future Bernadette R. Hampton President Elect The South Carolina Education Association May 15, 2014

2. The SCEA Origins • South Carolina Education Association was established in 1881. • Later it became affiliated with the National Education Association (NEA). • At that time, membership was not open to African-American teachers. • A parallel organization – The Palmetto Education Association (The PEA) – was founded to represent African-American teachers. • When integration was implemented in 1968, SCEA merged with The PEA, as a result of the merger the name became The SCEA. • Appointing Carlos Gibbons as Executive Secretary and The PEA leader Walker E. Solomon Sr. as its Associate Executive Secretary.

3. Mission • The mission of The South Carolina Education Association is to be the leading advocate for quality Public Education in South Carolina. • Strategic Objectives • To advance quality Public Education as a basic right for all. • To expand and protect the rights and further the professional and economic interest of all Public Education employees. • To attract and retain members in all membership categories. • To advance and uphold human and civil rights. • To provide for the administration of the Association’s resources.

4. Human and Civil Rights • The SCEA Presents Annual Human and Civil Rights Awards • 2014 Recipient • Walker E. Solomon Award • Dr. Cleveland L. Sellers Jr. • President, Vorhees College • Orangeburg Massacre Survivor • 2014 Student Recipients • Richard W. Riley Award • Eliza Brown • Jake Giammatteo • Essence Perkins

5. Human and Civil Rights 2014 Awards Luncheon

6. Membership • Anyone who works in a South Carolina public school belongs in The SCEA. • Classroom Teachers • Librarians • Guidance Counselors • Education Support Professionals (ESPs) • Cafeteria Workers • Bus Drivers • Janitors • Maintenance Engineers • Teaching Assistants • Clerical Personnel • Administrators

7. Our Members Receive • One-on-One Professional Assistance • Liability Coverage up to $3 million • National Representation from the NEA • Legal Services and Protection • Local Issue Support • Influence and Legislative Advocacy • Discounts on National Brand Products and Services • Grant Opportunities • Lesson Plans and Classroom Ideas • Professional Development and Conferences • Access to Professional Partners • Timely Print and Electronic Communications

8. Boots on the Ground In addition to professional staff at its headquarters in Columbia, The SCEA employs five full-time UniServ Directors and 10 part-time UniServSupport Advocates throughout the state to assist and recruit new members who demonstrate the drive to lead and organize.

9. Legislative 2013-2014 Session Oppose voucher legislation that would send taxpayer money to private schools Support Read-to-Succeed Support Common Core State Standards —with teacher involvement and resources for proper implementation

10. Legislative Oppose bills to eliminate teachers’ due process rights and disregard seniority/experience in RIF decisions Oppose unfair educator evaluation plan with scientifically flawed Value-Added Modeling (VAM) component used for making high stakes personnel decisions Support full funding for K-12 education

11. Legislative • Activism • Rallies in Early 2014 • Enough is Enoughwith SC Progressive Network • King Day at the Domewith SC NAACP

12. Legislative It’s important to maintain a dialogue with leaders on both sides of the aisle.

13. Professional Development

14. The SCEA Children’s Foundation • Established to address children’s most pressing educational needs. • Focuses on professional development and mentoring for educators. • Offers services and resources to public school employees seeking to improve their teaching practice.

15. Recent Grants • Student Learning Objectives • The SCEA recently received a $582,000 over three years, grant from the National Education Association to provide training and assistance in the development of Student Learning Objectives (SLOs). • We will be conducting SLO workshops later this year. • Read Across America • The SCEA won a $7,500 grant this year to help conduct National Education Association Read Across America events in South Carolina. The national NEA celebration and Cat-a-Van visit to two Title One schools in Columbia was sponsored by Renaissance Dental.

16. Read Across America – It’s HUGE! • Horry • Florence • Richland • York

17. Read Across America Thanks to sponsor Renaissance Dental, two Columbia schools visited by the NEA Cat-a-Van each received a $500 donation for their media centers! More than 800 students received a hardback copy of The Cat in the Hat, a goodie bag with toothbrush and brushing timer, and a stovepipe hat! With its local grant, The SCEA was able to purchase a Cat-in-the-Hat mascot suit, provide financial support for local RAA events, and purchase more than 200 Dr. Seuss books for students!

18. Read Across America

19. Read Across America

20. Get Out The Vote • This is an election year. The SCEA is working to register voters and encourage educators to be informed and turn out at the polls – including the primaries!

21. Finding Common Ground • Relationships Are Key • We highly value our relationship with the South Carolina State Board of Education. • Yours are the voices of reason when some issues might seem unreasonable. • We are on the same side of many debates. • The SCEA would like to further develop its relationship with the State Board so we can promote our common interests together.

22. QUESTIONS?

23. Bernadette R. Hampton President –Elect bernadettehampton1@gmail.com Roger Smith Executive Director The South Carolina Education Association 421 Zimalcrest Drive Columbia, SC 29210 rsmith@thescea.org