Fall 2009:

"There is no comparison between that which is lost by not succeeding and that lost by not trying." Sir Francis Bacon

The past few months have been very difficult, filled with uncertainty.  The budget process has taken its toll on education. Governor Perdue has remained steadfast in her support of teacher assistants.  While the 2009-2011 budget reflects her efforts to keep the teacher assistant funding allotment for kindergarten through third grade instead of a change to kindergarten through second grade, teacher assistants have still lost their jobs.  School systems have made teacher assistant cuts throughout the summer based on worse-case scenarios and now with a budget allowing for LEA discretionary reductions it is likely that those position cuts will remain in place. 

I chose the above quote because we have all tried hard, and yet, we have not fully succeeded in our efforts.  Teachers will face increased stress and principals will have a more difficult job with fewer teacher assistants to supervise the students and help with instruction.  Student achievement will be impacted by the loss of classroom assistants.  Some students will not get the extra encouragement they need that makes the difference in success and failure.  Valuable professional teacher assistants will be looking for work elsewhere while their hearts long to help children learn.

I believe the fight to keep teacher assistants in North Carolina's schools has moved to a new level.  Not only must we keep fighting for our jobs but we need to start fighting to be included in professional development so that we are informed and educated in strategies for increasing student learning and managing student behavior.  We need to fight to be included as instructional team members, recognized and respected in our educational roles.  We know we cannot sit back and wait for our school systems to take the initiative in these things.  We must work for these things ourselves through discussions with our teachers, our school and district level administrators, and with NCDPI and the State Board of Education. 

It is only through our combined efforts that we progress.  Thank you, Ruth Cole Burcaw and Jill Maddox at our management firm, for helping with forwarding correspondence, sending out alerts, and answering members' questions.  Thank you, NCATA Executive Council, for your steadfast dedication to our profession, our association, and our goals.  Thank you, legislative committee members, for your diligence on behalf of the members in your districts.  Thank you, Joanne Stevens as well as Steve Metcalf and The Policy Group, for working so hard in Raleigh on our behalf.  But most of all - thank you, members, for responding with such enthusiasm to our action alerts and for your efforts on behalf of our profession and the students we serve. 

Sincerely,

Melinda
Melinda K. Zarate
NCATA Legislative Chair

Scroll down to the bottom of this page to view, download and print recent NCATA Legislative Updates and Alerts.

NCATA Legislative Committee

The NCATA Legislative Committee works to identify, prioritize and track state legislation and regulations important to teacher assistants, and, when appropriate, recommend policy positions on such legislation and regulations to the NCATA Executive Council. We are dedicated towards reaching our legislative goals, discussing our work and concerns with legislators, and helping them better understand how teacher assistants benefit North Carolina's students.

Our government affairs specialist works in Raleigh with members of the state legislature to ensure that the interests of teacher assistants are well-represented.

You are an important part of this process! NCATA provides a forum where our individual voices can come together to influence policymakers regarding issues that impact teacher assistants. NCATA action alerts give you the information you need to effectively bring your concerns to the attention of your legislators. You have the power to effect change about the issues that matter to you the most!

Remember, while there’s strength in diversity, there’s power in unity. NCATA is here to bring as many diverse voices to our cause as possible, and deliver a unifying message at the same time. We must agree on the important goals and we can achieve success!

If you have legislative questions or concerns, contact your District Legislative Committee member.

Legislative Chair
Melinda Zarate
mzarate AT teacherassistants.org
336-250-4417

District 1
Melody Sawyer
Elizabeth City, NC
252-267-0549

District 2
Tammy Albright
Winnabow, NC
910-253-4212

District 3
Tina Taylor
Henderson, NC
252-438-2912

District 4
Lacy Autry
Lumberton, NC
910-272-0296

District 5
Kathy Burrow
Winston-Salem, NC
336-764-2649

District 6
Sandy Borders
Shelby, NC
704-284-0187

District 7
Charlotte Buff
Morganton, NC
828-437-7083

District 8
Janice Holliefield Nebo, NC
828-652-6088 August 19, 2009:  Click here to read a message from Governor Beverly Perdue to teachers & teacher assistants in North Carolina!

Attachment	Size
Resolving Grievances.pdf	16.34 KB
Legislative News - 2009 Conference Bulletin.pdf	15.97 KB
NCGA Budget Notes 2008-2009.pdf	44.89 KB
NCATA Spring 2008 Legislative Update.pdf	232.77 KB
NCATA Legislative Activity 2007.pdf	26.16 KB
NCATA Legislative Update 6-17-09.pdf	33.41 KB
NCATA Legislative Alert 6-18-09.pdf	17.44 KB
NCATA Legislative Alert 6-23-09.pdf	18.88 KB
NCATA Lobbyist Report 6-29-09.pdf	28.26 KB
NCATA Legislative Alert 7-1-09.pdf	21.37 KB
NCATA Lobbyist Report 7-23-09.pdf	31.84 KB
Letter from Gov to Teacher Assistants.pdf	416.17 KB
NCATA Legislative Alert 8-5-09.pdf	27.22 KB
NCATA Legislative News 8-12-09.pdf	28.79 KB
Message from Gov Perdue 8.19.2009.pdf	11.21 KB