CMAE Bulletin: CMAE Local Election Candidates for the 2021 Election

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

Dominga McKinney-Cofield

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