While it’s easy to hope for a stop to the decline of public education, Tim Lloyd said it is only part of his dream for the future of North Carolina's public schools.
“I want statewide solidarity between locals with supermajority density who have a fire to advocate for themselves and their students,” said Tim, a custodian at Asheville Middle School and the new president of the Asheville City Association of Educators (ACAE).
“It is my firm belief that the prime knowledge holders of how to run public schools are not found in the federal, state or local government, but are found when you walk into a public school. My hope is that EVERY person who works in a North Carolina public school finds their voice and how it fits into NCAE.”
A member since 2021, Tim may be a neophyte but he has hit the ground running when it comes to involvement. He said he was already a proponent of unions before joining NCAE so becoming a member was a no-brainer. “I joined for myself at first, but when I learned more about the organization’s mission I felt how important my membership was. Being a member has made me feel much more connected to everyone at my school and colleagues in other schools.”
Tim said as a custodian, it is often his instinct to isolate himself and not stand in the way of student-facing positions doing their work. That, he added, is a handicap to knowing his coworkers and knowing the power they have together. Now, even the simple act of being in mass meetings with people makes him feel like his work is appreciated and that he has a part in the success of public education.
As the incoming president, Tim is excited about implementing the local’s strategic goals – growing membership, beefing up building teams, getting more members to join committees. He also has the goal of meeting every staff member, developing an effective executive team and beginning the training of his future successor. A core tenet of leadership that has stuck with him, he said, is the idea that one is always temporary and if one does not hand off the baton well at the end of a term, the organization is not being set up for success.
Also a part of the role that brings much enthusiasm is getting to work with his fellow classified colleagues. “Classified staff make up a sizable portion of public school staff and deserve to have their voices heard. All job categories in our public schools are needed and rely on each other; hungry students can’t learn, math teachers can’t fix air conditioners, custodians can’t teach art, etc. In accomplishing the goal of supporting students and staff, classified staff cannot be left out.
“Our classified members are looking for people to listen to them and to take them seriously! The hope that is found in being part of the union is so inspiring to them, which makes it easy to prime the pump in starting those organizing conversations,” added Tim, who prides himself on his ability to relate to people of all backgrounds, whether via one-on-conversations or in larger settings. “Unfortunately, the first group to be privatized is classified staff, which leads many of us feeling the pressure of possibly losing our jobs. Just like any public school employee, we want and deserve to feel secure and valued. We know membership in the union can help provide that. At the end of the day, we all are educators with the same goal – our students."
This is the second 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.
