NEA President Dennis Van Roekel Keynotes 40th annual NCAE State Convention in Winston-Salem, March 18-20

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C., March 11 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Nearly 1,000 delegates, representing every school district in North Carolina, will gather in Winston-Salem for the state convention of the North Carolina Association of Educators (NCAE). This annual meeting, the largest gathering of educators in the state, is where members conduct the business of the Association and discuss and debate education issues. Top state and local officials and education leaders also attend this event to address delegates.

"This past year was one of the toughest years for public education," said NCAE President Sheri Strickland. "At this meeting, our largest and most important one of the year, we want our members to leave united, organized and empowered --  ready to meet the challenges that face us as education professionals, and geared up to rally support of students, educators and public schools. Our delegates represent education professionals across the state, in every school district. We'll be encouraging them to be outspoken advocates for public education."

Dennis Van Roekel, president of the National Education Association (NEA), will address delegates on Friday, March 19, about how educators must continue to fight for investment in public education as part of the effort to strengthen our economy. He will also emphasize how educators' voices must remain at the forefront amid discussions about education reform at the state and federal levels because educators have a lot to teach policy-makers about what works and what doesn't in our public schools.

On Friday, March 19, and Saturday, March 20, NCAE delegates conduct the business of the Association during three sessions of the NCAE Representative Assembly and welcome guest speakers.

Friday, March 19  -- First Business Session -- 9 a.m. to noon – Benton Convention Center

Scheduled to speak are Winston-Salem Mayor Charles Allen Joines; Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools Superintendent Dr. Donald L. Martin Jr.; Tripp Jeffers, president, Forsyth County NCAE; and North Carolina State Superintendent of Public Instruction, Dr. June St. Clair Atkinson.

NCAE President Sheri Strickland will give the State of the Association address. NCAE will also announce the 16 winners of its Blue Ribbon Locals Program, which recognizes outstanding local NCAE affiliates from around the state. NCAE Vice President Rodney Ellis and Vera Taylor, president of NCAE's retired division, will also address delegates.

Second Business Session -- 1:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. – Benton Convention Center

Carolyn McKinney, NCAE past president and director of the North Carolina Professional Teaching Standards Commission, will talk to delegates about the 2010 Teacher Working Conditions Survey.

Dennis Van Roekel, president of the National Education Association (NEA) delivers his keynote address to delegates.

Pappi Conrad, Unit Director with the Salvation Army Boys and Girls Club of Forsyth County, will be present to receive items from NCAE's Operation Cooperation Project. Now in its ninth year, Operation Cooperation has provided thousands of backpacks full of school supplies, hundreds of pairs of athletic shoes, athletic equipment and educational games to children across North Carolina. This project benefits children in the host city of the state convention.

For this year's project – entitled "Read, Play, Create" – delegates will donate art supplies, books and educational games to the Salvation Army, who will distribute the items to children throughout the Forsyth County area.

Saturday, March 20

Third Business Session –  9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. – Benton Convention Center

Scheduled to speak are Kyle Roberston, president, and Debra Horton, executive director, of the North Carolina Parent-Teacher Association (NC PTA). NCAE President Sheri Strickland will also present the 2010 NCAE Friend of Education Award, which recognizes a person or group that positively impacts public education and educators.

Activities related to the state convention officially begin at 7 p.m. on Thursday, March 18, with the annual NCAE Awards Banquet at the Embassy Suites Hotel in Winston-Salem, NC. At this event, more than a dozen awards, recognitions and scholarships are given for leadership, excellence in education and to future teachers.

NCAE is the state's largest education association representing nearly 60,000 active, retired and student members.

SOURCE North Carolina Association of Educators