03/28/2024
Spread the love
Pictured Left To Right in the attached photo. William Johnston-NCATA State President (From Bladen County) Chris McPherson-Grant Winner Regina Davis-NCATA State Conference Chair (From Bladen County) Terry Brown-Principal of Tabor City Elementary
Pictured Left To Right in the attached photo.
William Johnston-NCATA State President (From Bladen County)
Chris McPherson-Grant Winner
Regina Davis-NCATA State Conference Chair (From Bladen County)
Terry Brown-Principal of Tabor City Elementary

The North Carolina Association of Teacher Assistants (NCATA) has awarded eight $100 grants to teachers across North Carolina.

Teachers In Need of School Supplies

“For the current school year, state funding for classroom materials and supplies is less than half of the 2009 peak level.” (BTC Brief. Tax Cuts Hurt Education for All. Cedric D. Johnson, Public Policy Analyst. www.ncjustice.org. January 2016.)

On Wednesday, April 13, NCATA awarded eight $100 awards to teachers around the state for the purpose of purchasing classroom supplies. Our public schools are not receiving the state funding they need to provide sufficient school supplies for our classrooms. “According to Crayola2Calculators, teachers every year spend upwards of $1,000 dollars buying essential supplies for their classes, and 75% of them say that this lack of supplies hinders their ability to do their job.” The second half of the school year often finds schools without copy paper, construction paper, paper clips, glue sticks, etc. and teachers as well as teacher assistants reach into their own pockets to purchase needed items for their classrooms. Two hundred sixty-seven teachers applied for the grants after superintendents were notified of the opportunity in late January. NCATA members recognize that $100 is not a lot, but as teacher assistants working with our teachers and students, we understand that every little bit helps.

Award recipients from each of the NCATA eight districts are:

District 1: Amy Monroe, Jarvisburg Elementary School, Currituck County Schools

District 2: Bethany Sabol, Newport Elementary School, Carteret County Schools

District 3: Jessica Dean, Toisnot Middle School, Wilson County Schools

District 4: Chris McPherson, Tabor City Elementary School, Columbus County Schools

District 5: Kathryn Sweeney, South Davidson High School, Davidson County Schools

District 6: Brandy Curtis, Washington Elementary School, Cleveland County Schools

District 7: Jamie Williams, C.B. Eller Elementary School, Wilkes County Schools

District 8: Mary Bennett, Jackson County School of Alternatives, Jackson County Schools

The North Carolina Association of Teacher Assistants promotes the important role of teacher assistants in the public schools, provides professional training opportunities, and works to improve salaries and employment security. According to the NCDPI 2016 Statistical Profile, there are currently 21,048 federally, locally, and state-paid teacher assistants serving our students in North Carolina. Visit us at www.teacherassistants.org to learn more about our association.

About Author