Apathetic, Uninformed, And Unresponsive NC State BOE And NC Lawmakers Are Why Teachers Are Coming To Raleigh, Mr. Brody

Dear Lit Loves and North Carolina Public School Teachers,

It appears that N.C.representative, Mark Brody, of Union County appears to think that North Carolina teachers are being irresponsible and petulant for coming to Raleigh to protest on May 16, 2018. Well, Mr. Brody, let me tell you as a FORMER middle school teacher in the state of North Carolina that sometimes it is necessary to make an up close and personal presence to gain the attention and priority of our N.C. state board of education and our North Carolina representatives.  And by the way, Mr. Brody, for your information, teachers are not just protesting pay, but also working conditions, school environments, and lack of teacher resources to properly educate and protect our public school students.  As a FORMER North Carolina teacher, I can tell you this played a role in why I no longer teach in North Carolina public schools.  For your information, I wrote a book on my experiences as a beginning teacher and published it on my on dime.  You might like to order a copy.  It is titled "Brave Soul Rising:  Tales From The Trenches of An Uncharmed Life by Grace Sutherlin.  Amazon is where you can purchase the book.  You might find some enlightenment there and also send a copy to your district representative on the North Carolina state board of education.

I applaud the teachers of North Carolina for taking a day to bring forth the significant priorities and needs of not just North Carolina public school teachers, but also North Carolina public school environments and the lack of teacher as well as student resources.  Bringing forth real change in North Carolina public schools and bringing teacher priorities to the forefront of our state board of education as well as our state lawmakers requires an iron resolve, serious concern, and a brave soul.  So I want you to know that once I wrote my book chronicling my first years teaching in a North Carolina middle school, I sent correspondence to all State Board of Education Members at the time.  I received two responses.  One was from State School Superintendent, Mark Johnson and the other respondent was State School Board Chairman, William Cobey.  None of the other state board of education members responded to my correspondence much less purchased the book.  According to my calculations, that comes to fourteen members or advisors who did not even bother to care, correspond, or read about the troubles and inadequacies of our state's public schools. North Carolina Teachers deserve better.  North Carolina Students deserve better. 

So for all North Carolina teachers who are participating in the protest on May 16, 2018 and for those who would have liked to participate, but could not, I am listing here the members of our North Carolina State Board of Education, their districts, counties and when available, their email addresses and term expirations if possible.

****Point Of Interest:  I contacted The Raleigh News and Observer newspaper about my book via a local reporter who is assigned to the topic of education.  There was no response.  When I wrote the top brass at the newspaper, I was told via email that if no one responded to my education topic suggestion then my story was not deemed important or relevant.  (Take Note Mr. Brody)

The listed members of the North Carolina State Board of Education are here for your perusal.


William Cobey, Chairman of NC Board of Education and Member at Large. 
Email:  william.cobey@dpi.nc.gov
Term Expires:  March 31, 2019

Rebecca Taylor, Member and Representative of NC Education District 1 inclusive of Northeast Education Region or Beaufort, Bertie, Camden, Currituck, Chowan, Dare, Gates, Halifax, Hertford, Hyde, Martin, Northampton, Pasquotank, Pitt, Roanoke Rapids, Tyrell, Washington, and Weldon.
Email:  becky.taylor@dpi.nc.gov
Term Expires: March 31, 2019

Reginald Kenan, Member and Representative of NC Education District 2 inclusive of Southeast Education Region or Brunswick, Carteret, Craven, Duplin, Greene, Jones, Lenoir, New Hanover, Onslow, Pamlico, Pender, and Wayne.
Email:  reginald.kenan@dpi.nc.gov
Term Expired:  March 31, 2017

Amy White, Member and Representative of District 3 inclusive of North Central Education Region or Chapel Hill-Carrboro, Chatham, Durham, Edgecombe, Franklin, Grenvile, Harnett, Johnston, Lee, Nash, Orange, Person, Vance, Wake, Warren, and Wilson.
Email:  amy.white@dpi.nc.gov
Term Expires:  March 31, 2023

Dr. Olivia Homes Oxendine, Member and Representative of District 4 inclusive of Sandhills Education Region or Bladen, Clinton, Columbus, Cumberland, Hoke, Montgomery, Moore, Richmond, Robeson, Sampson, Scotland, and Whiteville. 
Email:  olivia.oxendine@dpi.nc.gov
Term Expires:  March 31, 2021

Eric C. Davis, Vice Chairman, Member at Large, and Representative of District 5 inclusive of Piedmont Triad Education Region or Alamance, Asheboro, Caswell, Davidson, Davie, Elkin, Forsyth, Guilford, Lexington, Mount Airy, Randolph, Rockingham, Stokes, Thomasville, Surry, and Yadkin.
Email:  eric.davis@dpi,nc.gov
Term Expires:  March 31, 2021

Gregory Alcorn, Member and Representative of District 6 inclusive of Southwest Education Region or Anson, Cabarrus, Cleveland, Gaston, Iredell, Kannapolis, Lincoln, Mecklenburg, Mooresville, Rowan, Stanly, and Union.
Email:  gregory.alcorn@dpi.nc.gov
Term Expires:  March 31, 2019

Todd Chasteen, Member and Representative of District 7 inclusive of Northwest Education Region or Alexander, Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Burke, Caldwell, Catawba, Hickory, McDowell, Mitchell, Newton-Conover, Watauga, Wilkes, Yancey.
Email:  todd.chasteen@dpi.nc.gov
Term Expires:  March 31, 2023

Wayne McDevitt, Member and Representative of Western Education Region inclusive of Asheville, Buncombe, Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Macon, Madison, Polk, Rutherford, Swain, and Transylvania. 
Email:  wayne.mcdevitt@dpi.nc.gov
Term Expired:  March 31, 2017

Patricia Willoughby, Member at Large
Email:  patricia.willoughby@dpi,nc.gov
Term Expired:  March 31, 2017

Mark Johnson, State Superintendent of North Carolina Public Instruction
Email:  mark.johnson@dpi.nc.gov
Term Expires:  2020

Dan Forest, Lieutenant Governor
Email:  dan.forest@dpi.nc.gov
Term Expires with term of office.

Dale Folwell, State Treasurer
Email:  dale.folwell@dpi.nc.gov
Term expires with term of office.

Dr. Freddie Williamson, State Board of Education Superintendent Advisor
No email currently listed.

Roberta Scott, Local State Board of Education Advisor
Email:  rscott@warrenk12nc.org

Vacancy:  High School Junior Advisor
Appointment Pending
Position Not Filled Since 2016

North Carolina teachers I look forward to hearing your rallying call on May 16, 2018 and remember, sometimes you must raise your voice to make sure you are heard.  I am all for a North Carolina teacher strike if necessary.

Your Sister in North Carolina Education and Author of the book, Brave Soul Rising:  Tales From The Trenches of An Uncharmed Life written under my pen name of Grace Sutherlin.

All my best,
Grace
(Amy)