Shekera Pope, an instructional assistant at Lyons Farm Elementary in Durham has been a public school employee for 15 years. In April, she decided to join the NCAE family and immediately made the decision to become active.
“When I initially joined, I focused on myself and what the Association could do for me,” said Shekera. “But then I stepped back and said to myself, ‘What can I do for DAE/NCAE? How can I contribute to the bigger picture?’ I had to take myself out of the equation and think about all of us – classified and certified – and what I could do to help.”
Volunteering as a Summer Member Organizer was the first big step Shekera took as a new member, although the thought of knocking on doors challenged her comfort level. To overcome her nervousness, she came to the realization that knocking on doors was a way of helping educators understand more about the work of NCAE and the importance of joining the movement.
“Knocking on doors was a highlight for me. I had conversations with educators who, for some of them, it was the first time they had spoken to anyone about their concerns and feelings. As sad as that was, it was rewarding to be part of them releasing those frustrations and working toward feeling better about things. I heard the same sentiment quite a few times, ‘I haven’t talked to anyone about this, and it feels great to let it out.’ Sometimes all we need is to be heard.”
Shekera said those experiences have prompted her to formulate a plan to meet with and ask other instructional assistants at her school to join the Association. She added convincing them will be difficult but she’s going to continue asking until she’s blue in the face. “I made them aware of when I became a member, and they mentioned price as a factor for not joining at the time. I understand because IAs don’t make much money and not everyone has other streams of income like I do. I have two full-time jobs – my job as an IA and I also work at Lowes Home Improvement every day after school until 10:30/11:00 at night and on weekends. I know for some the money is a stretch, but I am trying to make them see that having a voice and being able to make a difference far outweighs the cost of dues.”
With educators stretched thin and feeling the pinch, Shekera knows now is the time to up the anti and keep the membership ask momentum going. So much is currently happening in the public education realm – everything from a shortage of teachers to bus drivers to substitutes. Not to mention bad legislation that will drastically hamper students’ freedom to learn, the increase in opportunity scholarships that syphon funding from public schools, the overall lack of respect for the profession and substandard compensation.
Shekera was honest in admitting there are times when she feels like walking away. But it’s the love of her students, the bonds she has created, and the difference she knows she makes in their lives that keep her rooted in the profession. “I always knew I wanted to work with children in some capacity, even when I was young. My parents and grandmother were big proponents of education. My grandmother ran summer youth programs, served as a tutor, helped people get their GED and always had workbooks available for me and my siblings. Her home was filled with books, and she always made learning interesting.
“In the classroom as a public school employee is where I need to be, even when times are challenging. When I help a student with achievements such as getting her first grade of 100 on a spelling test, it makes me proud and keeps me going. It just confirms that this is my life’s work!”
This is the third feature in the series on ESP members who were part of the Panel of Professionals at Summer Leaders Conference. In this series, they will 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.
