As some of you may know, our CMAE President, Lawrence Brinson was hospitalized last week. He is now at home, doing well and expects to make a full recovery.
He will continue the Monday "Chat with Lawrence" as planned.
However, all other events will be rescheduled.
Your thoughts and prayers are very much appreciated.
CMAE Officers:
Lawrence Brinson, President
Margueritta Brown, Vice President
Lakisha Mills, Secretary
Brenda Iyonmahan, Treasurer
Please join us for our CMAE dinner party where together we will eat, drink and be merry (virtually of course).
WHO: The first 50 CMAE Members that RSVP by March 8th, 2021. You must register for this event and select food choices from below so we can get the correct ingredients to you.
WHEN: We will have our Culinary Creation event on March 20, 2021 from 5pm-7pm via Zoom.
PICK UP ITEMS: You will need to pick up your bag, which will have ingredients for you to cook with (non-perishable items) from the CMAE Office on March 13, 2021 from 12pm-2pm. If you cannot pick up your items at this time, you must email/text President Lawrence Brinson for another pick up time or other delivery options.
OTHER INFORMATION: If you would like to add other ingredients to your dish such as fresh vegetable, shrimp, chicken, etc., you will be responsible for purchasing those items to add to your meal.
Click on this link to register by March 8, 2021.
The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Association of Educators is pleased to invite graduating seniors to apply for the David W. Butler and Hiawatha Foster CMAE's Scholarships. This year, CMAE will award four (4) $500.00 scholarships to CMS seniors, who plan to pursue a career in education or a career path that impacts the educational system. Scholarship winners will be announced April 30, 2021.
2021 Application Criteria:
-Applicant must be a graduating CMS senior with a minimum 2.7 GPA.
-Applicant must demonstrate a keen interest in becoming an educator or a career path that impacts the educational system (as reflected in a personal essay).
-Applicant's resume must contain:
1. Work history
2. Honors and awards
3. School, community and volunteer activities
-Applicant must submit one (1) letter of recommendation from an educator.
-Applicant must submit one (1) letter of recommendation from a community member.
Completed applications and all additional or supporting materials must be submitted by April 16, 2021 to: jennifer.anderson4675@gmail.com and Cc:cmaemills@yahoo.com.
Late applications will not be accepted.
The NCAE/CMAE 2021 Election will begin on March 26, 2021 at 7:00pm and will end on April 9, 2021 at 11:59pm.
Here, you will find the 2021 CMAE Local Election Candidates for the following CMAE Officers, Board of Directors (formerly know as the CMAE Executive Board) and the NEA Convention Delegate Candidates.
Each candidate has provided a photograph and biography of their educational experience and activity in NEA/NCAE/CMAE.
*If the candidates have provided their information for one position, only their picture will be provided in another section of this post.
This information will, also, be provided on the electronic ballot beginning on March 26, 2021.
Candidates for CMAE President
Lawrence Brinson
I, Lawrence Brinson, currently teach Social Studies at Phillip O. Berry High School. I have dedicated my life’s work to children and education with over 2 years spent as a classroom teacher, staff developer, and public education activist. I bring a record of accomplishment, effective advocacy, and support for public education. My association participation includes the following:
● CMAE President
● NCAE Board of Directors
● NCAE Region 3 Director
● NCAE ILI (Instructional Leadership Institute)
● CMAE Instructional Professional Development Co- Chair
● CMAE Executive Board High School Representative
● NCAE Personnel Rights and Responsibilities Commission
● NEA Time to Teach Time To Learn
● NEA College and Career Readiness Working Group
● NEA Leaders for Just Schools
● NEA Ed Justice Organizer
● Government Relations
● Mecklenburg County Juvenile Crime Prevention Advisory Council
● CMAE Elections Committee
● NCAE Convention Facilitator
● NCAE Constitution Committee
● NCAE Finance and Personnel Committee
● NCAE Membership and Organizing Committee
Amanda M. Thompson-Rice, NBCT, M.Ed
Hello, my name is Amanda Thompson-Rice. I am in my 17th year of education where I have served in various capacities from EC & Math within K-12 to the district office worksites. As an association member since college, I have been very passionate about empowering others. As the future President of CMAE, I want us to “Strengthen our Local and Transform Our Schools. We deserve someone who believes in the Power of We through collective action and a bold, energized leader who believes in collaborative leadership and building capacity in others. Allow me to serve for and alongside you!
Service within CMAE/NCAE/NEA
Current
- National - NEA Educator of Color Mentor
- Presenter for upcoming 2021 NEA Leadership Summit
- NCAE State Government Relations Committee (2nd term)
- NCAE Region 3 Membership Organizer
- CMAE Middle School Executive Board Member Representative
- Lead Region 3 Organizer for May 16st , May 1st, Plan C, Red4Ed GOTV, Safer Schools Now Rally
- CMAE Worksite/Building Associate Representative
- CMAE GOTV committee
- Advocate & Speaker at Board of Education Meetings & County Commission Meetings
- One of the Lead Organizers for CMS Higher Supplement & ESP Wage Increase
- Led Virtually Unstoppable Campaign to give students devices & hot spots
- Speaker & Panelist at Education Forums across the State & Locally
- Participate in CMAE PDs, AR meetings, Events
- Member of NCAE Caucuses – Black, NCBT, Organize 2020
Previous Endeavors
- CMAE Secretary
- Co-Chair BTOP
- Co-Chair Communication Committee
- Served on CMAE Executive Board
- Served on NCAE Resolution Committee at NEA
- Served on NCAE Resolutions Committee at state level
- Attended NEA/NCAE Conventions
- Serve as a NEA Community Service Volunteer at NEA
- Attended NEA Leadership Summit
- Represented CMAE/NCAE at State/Local Forums
Served on CMAE BTOP Committee for Region 3 Event
Candidates for CMAE Vice President
Marybeth Kubinski
• 19 years in education, I’m a National Board Certified Teacher in Literacy, and I’m the Bus Safety teacher for Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools.
• From Erie, Pennsylvania, where I majored in Elementary and Early Childhood Education at Edinboro University.
• I earned a master’s degree in Reading Education from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.
• Current Executive Board Member
• Past CMAE Secretary
• Past experience as an Elementary Representative
• CMAE Leaders for Just Schools Facilitator
• NEA Ed Justice Organizer for CMAE
Rae LeGrone
• Taught art at the college and high school level since 2005.
• Became a CMS employee in 2013 and have worked at Olympic High School for eight years.
• Taught all levels of high school visual arts, was our yearbook advisor, and currently serve as Olympic’s representative for the SW Learning Zone Advisory Council and the High School SW representative for the Superintendent’s Advisory Council.
• Was my school’s Teacher of the Year two years in a row.
• Joined NEA/ NCAE/ CMAE on my first day of new teacher training in 2013 and increased my activism every year since.
• In the past year, I served as a Member Political Organizer for NCAE, helping recruit new members and working to elect pro-public education candidates locally and statewide.
• I participated in the 2020 NCAE Summer Leaders and worked to organize and energize my own building, and I continue to lead efforts for safer and more equitable schools, including the Virtually Unstoppable T-Shirt campaign, CMS: Safer Schools Now, and Safety 4 One, Safety 4 All.
• I look forward to using my position as CMAE’s Vice-President to grow our membership and organize a structure for communication and effective action.
Dr. Adrienne Wynn
My name is: Dr. Adrienne Wynn. I am a certified special education (K-12) and mathematics (6-9) educator for the Charlotte-Mecklenburg School District. I am currently a secondary Math 1 and Math 2 teacher at Phillip O. Berry Academy of Technology. I have worked for CMS since 2007 at Wilson Middle School, Ranson Middle School, West Mecklenburg High School, and my current school assignment. I am a published author, entrepreneur, community advocate and international educational coach. My interest and career experiences have been focused on the specialization of urban education, education reform, special education, through the intersectionality of culture, social justice, and academic achievement. My educational philosophy is to empower children and the global communities, as demonstrated through my businesses; Daughters of PPP Foundation for Girls and Wynn Golden Nuggets Cheer and Dance Program, as well as the vast international coaching jobs that have allowed me to train teachers in Indonesia, China, Malaysia, Botswana, and Japan. I hope that you find me a worthy candidate for vice-president of the CMAE. A vote for me is a vote to Wynn/Win! “Win with Wynn!”
Candidates for Secretary
Lakisha Mills
• Kindergarten and 1st Grade Teacher at Devonshire Elementary School with 18 years in the teaching profession
• CMAE member since 2006
• CMAE AR for Devonshire since 2008
• CMAE Elections Committee Chairperson since 2014
• CMAE Executive Board Elementary Representative
• NCAE Conventions CMAE Delegate since 2015
• NCAE/CMAE Rally participant Locally and statewide
• Current CMAE Secretary for the 2019-2021 term.
• 2020-2021 Member of the NCAE Election Oversight Committee
• CMAE Leaders for Just Schools Facilitator
• NEA Ed Justice Organizer for CMAE
Lori DiCenzo
My name is Lori DiCenzo Carter and I am running for CMAE secretary. This is my 14th year with CMS; I spent three years as an elementary teacher assistant before landing a teaching position at Garinger High School. I have taught Social Studies, and World History specifically, for 11 years now. I spent three years at Olympic High School and am completing my fourth year at Phillip O. Berry Academy of Technology. POB is an amazing fit for me: my commitment to educating ALL students is shared by our teaching staff and administrative and support teams alike.
I am a NEA/NCAE/CMAE member, though I am no stranger to advocacy both inside and outside the school building. I have participated in several CMAE and NCAE activities and events, even before becoming a member. In additional to my education advocacy, I volunteer with Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America. This advocacy is near and dear to my heart and connected to education advocacy for two reasons: 1 – The culture of gun violence in our nation continues to directly affect our schools, and 2 – City gun violence is a phenomenon that disproportionately impacts our students of color, which make up the majority of CMS students. Like many, students, staff, and I have experienced the loss of a student or family member to gun violence. In addition, I served as secretary for several organizations including my children's School Leadership Team and the Lancaster County Democratic Womens Council.
If elected CMAE secretary, I will bring the same passion that I bring to my students, my school, and my volunteer activities to this role. I thank you in advance and hope you will consider electing me.
Candidates for Treasurer
Margueritta Brown
Greetings!
• I am Margueritta Brown, a Charlotte Mecklenburg educator of 33 years, Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools Equity Committee, and an active advocate and member of The Charlotte-Mecklenburg County Association of Educators; CMAE-NCAE Region 3.
• Student advocate and member with NEA during my collegiate years at Livingstone College, Salisbury, North Carolina an HBCU (Historical Black College).
• With great honor as Vice President of CMAE, I have diligently served the members, executive board members, and officers for four years.
• Member of Democratic Women of North Carolina
Served/Serving CMAE:
• Continuous membership,
• Vice Presidential duties and responsibilities,
• engagement in all committee meetings and activities, serving as Membership Chair,
• creating and co-chairing The Instructional Professional Development Academy (IPDA), advocacy,
• served on the CMS Superintendent Teacher Advisory Council (STAC)
• CMAE Leaders for Just Schools Facilitator
Served/Serving NCAE:
• Region 3 and the Western Regions National Board Certified Teachers Lead Facilitator,
• NBCT NCAE Caucus member
• Graduate of NCAE Instructional Professional Development Cadre and Presenter,
• NCAE Black Caucus, NCAE Mentor,
• Graduate (NCAEILI) North Carolina Association of Educators Instructional Leadership Institute.
NEA:
• Continuous NEA training on Advocacy, Social Justice, ESSA, Action Steps Minority and Women’s Leadership, Ed Summer Leaders… to implement and execute in CMAE and NCAE.
• NEA Ed Justice Organizer for CMAE
I ask:
I am asking for your support in helping me to be a 2020-2021 Delegate at our NEA and NCAE Conventions and as the 2021 new treasurer of CMAE.
Erlene Lyde
Science Teacher West Charlotte High School
CMAE/NCAE/NEA Participation of Erlene Lyde
CMAE Immediate Past President: Other Offices Held- Vice President (2 Years) and Treasurer (1 Year)
Member of Government Relations and Constitution Committees
NCAE State Membership and Organizing Committee; Region 3 Membership and Organizing Committee
NCAE Association Representative for West Charlotte High School: Previously, building rep for EE Waddell and Harding High Schools
NEA Organizing Institute – Train the Trainer – The Story of Self, Us and Now
NEA Minority and Women’s Leadership Conference
NEA-NCUEA -National Council of Urban Educators Association
Facilitated CMAE’s Regional Community Rally for Public Education, Teachers, Students and Families on May 10, 2014
Coordinated CMAE’s participation in Red4Ed state rallies on May 16, 2018 and May 1, 2019; I was a speaker at the May 16th Rally in Raleigh
Advocated for and organized local actions to impact the CMS and County Commission Budget Processes – coordinating turnout and speakers at various events.
Coordinated CMAE’s participation in school bond campaigns and other significant elections.
Articulated the needs and demand of educators, students and families in the press.
Advocated and fought for a raise in the local teacher supplement and an increase in wages for non-certified CMS employees. Finally, this year, CMS will have the highest teacher supplement in the state and the lowest wages will be $13.22 in 2019-2020, moving to $15 per hour in 2020-2021 school year for non-certified employees
Identified, mentored and supported future leaders within CMAE and NCAE.
Helped organize RED4ED Rally for Pro-Education Candidates on Oct 28, 2020
Candidates for CMAE Board of Directors – Administrative Representative
Kevin Poirier
• Assistant Principal at West Charlotte High School.
• Has worked at West Charlotte for nine years, four of those as a science teacher, two as the technology facilitator, two as a multi-classroom leader, and now as an Assistant Principal.
• While he is an educator first, community organizing, advocacy, and activism is in his core and he can often be found at community events and supporting local candidates who value equity and social justice.
• He has served a cumulative of 4 years on the Executive Board of CMAE and knows how to be an effective advocate for all stakeholders in public education and knows how to effectively organize to win the schools that our students, our staff, and our communities deserve.
Rita Josiah Gray
• Member of NCEA/CMAE since 1995
• Joined in Martin County
• Educator over 25 years: Bain – 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade teacher, Pawtuckett – Literacy Facilitator, Rama Road – Assistant to the Principal and literary teacher, JH Gunn – Dean of Students and Crown Point – Dean of Students
• Served as a CMAE AR Rep
• Served on the CMAE Executive Board
• Served on Scholarship Committee, Elementary Committee, and Administrator Committee
• Attended numerous State Conventions
• Graduate of East Carolina University-BS Child Development and Family Relations minor in Elementary Education
• Graduate of Gardner-Webb University- Masters – School Administration
• Current Dean of Students at Crown Point Elementary School
• Taught every grade expect for Kindergarten and six grade, was a reading teacher literacy facilitator
• Central Piedmont Community College – Part-time Adjunct Instructor
• Sallie Mae ‘First Class Teacher’ Award 1996
Candidates for CMAE Board of Directors – Student Services Representative
Randolph Frierson
• 35 years in Pre-K – College Counseling and Student Services Administration. CMS (2001 – Present)
• CMAE Engagement: CMAE Past President, Government Relations Chair and current Co-Chair, Budget Committee member previous, Membership Committee member - previous, Elections Committee Member, Constitution Committee Chair. Member Student Services division.
• NCAE : Previous Board of Directors Member; Previous 3B District Director; Current serving as Region 3 Student Services Representative; NCAE RA Delegate – 15 years
• NEA: Member, Region Leadership State Delegate – 5 years; NEA RA Delegate -13 year
I have a lifelong passion for public educational policy and procedures. I have been a member of VEA/NEA- for thirteen years while living my dream as a high school and elementary school counselor. For three years, I have been a member of NEA/NCAE. I was so elated to be introduced by our then newly hired Social Worker and NCAE representative. I am always working and being an advocate for others. I have marched with my fellow NC educators twice since employed with Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools for over six years, as a Public School Counselor, PreK-8. I am currently in that position and adore every facet while promoting the values and usefulness of NCAE. As of late, I have the honor to serve as NCAE Student Services Division Board Secretary, which affords me the opportunity to support alongside a great group of educators to advocate for our public school family.
Candidates for NEA Convention Delegates
*Please read the previous biography.
Justin Parmenter
• In 26th year as a classroom teacher, currently teaching 7th grade English Language Arts at Waddell Language Academy.
• Serve on the NCAE Board of Directors representing Region 3
• Serve on NCAE’s External Policy Workgroup and Government Relations and Policy committees.
• Active participant in advocacy efforts both in Charlotte and across the state.
*Please read the previous biography.
*Please read the previous biography.
Randolph Frierson
*Please read the previous biography.
Erlene Lyde
*Please read the previous biography.
Dr. Adrienne Wynn
*Please read the previous biography.
Amanda M. Thompson-Rice, NBCT, M.Ed
*Please read the previous biography.
The CMAE Social Committee hosted another excellent event! Our members enjoyed playing BINGO virtually and enjoyed the snack bags that were prepared for them. Congratulations to our BINGO Winners: Ruby Thompson, Khuanduen Toatley and Jennifer Anderson.
Be on the lookout for our March event!
CMAE Social Committee:
Tonya Waldschmidt, Co-Chair
Nina McNair-Mullen, Co-Chair
Marybeth Kubinski
Mamie Davie
Cynthia Poke
Ira LaVerne Reid, CMAE Office Assistant
Lawrence Brinson, CMAE President
Margueritta Brown, CMAE Vice President
Lakisha Mills, CMAE Secretary
Brenda Iyonmahan, CMAE Treasurer
Our school bus drivers are more than likely the first smiling adult our students see during a normal school year and the last before going home on a school day.
School Bus Driver Appreciation Week is February 8-12, 2021. The importance of school bus drivers are emphasized more than ever this year.
Our bus drivers pivoted duties from safely transporting students to and from schools, to delivering meals, assignments, and other school related materials during Covid 19. Whether on their normal routes or doing more than asked, this week is a great opportunity to say thank you to school bus drivers across the state.
Regards,
Lawrence B. Brinson, President
Margueritta Brown, Vice President
Lakisha Mills, Secretary
Brenda Iyonmahan., Treasurer
Shalane Robinson, Parliamentarian
BREAKING NEWS!!!
2020-2021 NCAE Convention NOMINATION FORMS INSTRUCTIONS
Dear Association Members:
Since the NCAE Convention is virtual, we are RE-opening up the NCAE Convention Nomination Form. Eleven (11) of our members have submitted their names to be delegates to the Virtual NCAE Convention this year to be included on the CMAE Local Election Ballot in March, but we have slots for 58 delegates, due to our membership growth! The eleven (11) members will still be included on the ballot for you to choose who will be funded to attend the year's NCAE Convention.
It is time for Nominations for the NCAE State Convention (Raleigh, NC - March 26-27, 2021). If you are interested in nominating yourself or another member, PLEASE SUBMIT YOUR NOMINATION FORM USING THE ATTACHED LINK BY THIS WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2021 BY 12:00 NOON.
**Nominations for CMAE Officers and the NEA Convention Delegates are CLOSED.
Please note the following expectations for convention delegates:
If you are nominated and are elected to represent CMAE you are expected to attend the convention. If you do not attend after your name is submitted to the State as a delegate, you will be required to reimburse the local for any financial assistance given.
If elected as a delegate, you are expected to attend all convention sessions and activities that are scheduled for delegates during the convention.
If elected as a delegate, you are expected to share your experiences from the NCAE convention at the next AR meeting (April 15, 2021).
Please share this information with other members in your building.
** Out of consideration to members who want to experience this opportunity, if you are unsure you can attend and fully participate in the convention, please reconsider placing your name on the ballot.
***Please click on the 2020-2021 CMAE Nominations Forms link at the bottom of the page to complete a Google Form for each Nomination Form you are requesting.
Elections will take place ELECTRONICALLY and the election dates are from Saturday, March 27, 2021 at 7:00pm to Friday, April 9, 2021 closing at 11:59pm. Please make sure you participate in the election process regardless of whether or not you are a candidate for the delegate position. Please encourage all members in your building to vote.
Sincerely,
Lakisha Mills
CMAE Elections Committee Chair
CMAE Elections Committee Members: Randolph Frierson, Tonya Waldschmidt, Phyllis Washington and Ruby Thompson
Spring National Board Seminars will consist of a deep dive into components 1, 2, 3, and 4.
Guided reading, ePortfoilio, and writing sessions are available as well. NCAE NBCTs will lead candidates each session.
If you have any questions, please contact LaAlice Hopkins at laalice.hopkins@ncae.org or Margueritta Brown at cmae.brown@bellsouth.net
Register Here for NBCT Spring Sessions
