Wake County member Joe Willingham has been a part of the NCAE family for almost a year. During this time, he has realized with certainty, there is no other group that will fight for the rights of educators and students more than the Association. “It’s not just talk, it’s fact,” he said.
Joe is a lead secretary at Dillard Drive Elementary School who has also worked as a special education instructional assistant. His career in public education began in 2021 after retiring from the Army. His son was a major factor in his choice. “During the initial COVID outbreak, I ended up with a lot of free time. My son has an IEP but because of COVID and having to learn virtually, there was no real opportunity for his caseworker to help him. I essentially became her extension into our home by learning how to be her IA for my son. That led me to work at his school as a special education IA.”
It was during this time Joe began to hear about NCAE through Twitter and from a few coworkers. He knew most places across the country didn’t compensate educators very well but didn’t realize how little until he became an educator himself. He joined because he wanted to help make a difference in the profession as well as help students receive an equitable education regardless of where they live and who they are. Plus, many of his family members are educators.
Not only being a member, but an active member, is important to Joe and has helped him grow as an educator and a leader. He is currently the ESP representative on the Wake NCAE Executive Board and is looking forward to other opportunities. “Being involved is the only way to give students and educators a chance to teach, to learn, and to do both in a safe and equitable environment. NCAE and NEA have become my vehicle to accomplish these things."
“The Association has helped me grow by showing me how powerful one group of people can be when they have a common goal. I’ve met so many educators with powerful stories, some just like mine and some completely different, but all with a central theme of selfless service and caring for the education of students.”
Joe added that being an active member has also exposed him to others who have longevity in the profession. Meeting so many different people, learning from them and hearing their stories inspires him. “You can’t help but become better when you are constantly exposed to so much experience. I have learned how great the education system in North Carolina used to be and I want to help return it to where it once was.”
As an Education Support Professional, Joe believes it is imperative this group of public school employees become part of the Association. He wants them to know that NCAE is not just an organization for teachers, but is a union that fights for ALL educators, including ESPs. “The more ESPs who join, the louder our voices will become as we work on a united front to grow our union, lead our profession, and restore the promise of public schools and our democracy."
“For the future of public education to be bright, we must be all in! As adults, if we can come together to do what is right and best for our students, I believe everything will work out for all of us.”
This is the fifth feature in the series on ESP members who were part of the Panel of Professionals at Summer Leaders Conference. In this series, they share their “WHY,” the importance of membership, and their work to help grow the union, lead the profession, and restore the promise of public schools and our democracy.
