RALEIGH — A new teacher association seeking to “provide benefits and solidarity to teachers focused on traditional education” was announced on March 29.
The Carolina Teacher Alliance (CTA) was founded and launched by college adjunct and former Wake County Public School teacher, Amy Marshall. The organization will be registered as a 501(c)(6) nonprofit trade association.
The mission of CTA is “to be the voice of Carolina educators that empowers members to provide the highest quality, unbiased and achievement-driven education to all children.”
“I started Carolina Teachers Alliance in part to provide North Carolina teachers an alternative organization that supports their right to teach without being forced to deliver lessons involving political indoctrination,” Marshall said in a press release.
According to Marshall, CTA members will “enjoy better benefits for half the cost” of other educator associations. She also told North State Journal benefits can include educator’s professional liability insurance, corporate discounts and legal coverage for attorney’s fees for applicable claims. Members can also take advantage of curriculum resources, networking opportunities, and free National Board Certification training sessions. The group’s website includes annual and monthly pricing for multiple membership tiers that include professional, associate, student, affiliated and retired.
“The more voices we bring to the table the better it is for public education as a whole,” said state Superintendent Catherine Truitt in a statement. “The newly created Carolina Teachers Alliance brings together a group of teachers who have not always felt as though they had a seat at the table. I look forward to working with them and others to ensure that North Carolina continues to put our students first in every discussion.”
The announcement of CTA follows the formation of a new task force by Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson. The Fairness and Accountability in the Classroom for Teachers and Students (F.A.C.T.S) task force was created to identify and root out lessons and materials that are politically biased or otherwise inappropriate.
While Robinson can’t endorse particular entities, Marshall provided North State Journal with a statement given to her by his office that says he is “supportive of all groups that want to ensure that education is free from political agendas and are striving to give educators who are of the same mind an organization that will support them.”
Marshall said CTA will offer quarterly grant and scholarship awards of up to $500.
“Whoever wants to apply for the quarterly grant can submit a video and essay to be considered,” said Marshall, adding that the confidentiality of all applications and videos will be protected and the winning video will only be posted publicly if the applicant agrees.
The current grant opportunity topic is teacher experiences with biased curriculum, which dovetails with Robinson’s F.A.C.T.S task force. That grant will be awarded on June 30.
“Many teachers are afraid to refuse to teach non-academic content being prescribed by some districts, for fear of retribution, including demotions and job loss.” said Marshall. “I was one of those teachers.”
CTA will be holding statewide launch parties in Greensboro, Raleigh and Wilmington on Saturday, April 17. For additional information, visit the group’s website carolinateachers.org.
