Name:

Subject:

PROFESSIONAL EDUCATORS
OF NORTH CAROLINA

PENCs Mission
Professional Educators of North Carolina
is a professional association that serves as
the voice for educators in policy making,
the forum for developing professional
relationships, and the advocate for
improving the learning environment
for every educator and student.

Table of Contents

PENC would like to thank the Missouri State Teachers

Association for inspiring this New Teacher Guide.

A Letter from the Executive Board

page

Welcome to the Profession

page

Before School Starts

page

Preparing for Day One

page

A Strong Foundation for a Successful Year

page

Stress Busters

page

Mind Your Mentor

page

Six Tips for Effective Discipline

page

Parents on Your Side

page

10

Dont Sink Your Sub

page

11

Taming Evaluation Jitters

page

12

Your Rights and Responsibilities

page

13

Using Social Media

page

14

Your Professional File: Six Essentials

page

16

Get in Line Online

page

17

Licensure

page

19

Each One, Reach One!

page

22

Membership Levels

page

23

Membership Form

page

24

2015 Professional Educators of North Carolina

PO Box 17129, Raleigh, NC, 27619, 800.542.8844
www.pencweb.org

page

A Letter from the Executive Board

Welcome to your classroom!
For most teachers, our profession is a calling and we spend the majority of our academic lives
preparing for the day when we have a classroom of our own.
As you begin this adventurous journey you will discover one truth very quickly: Teaching is hard!
We all know that nothing worth doing is easy, and being a new teacher can be overwhelming,
but you are not alone.
PENC believes that teachers should be supported at all stages of their careers, but the foundation
for your success, and the future success of your students, begins by establishing good practices.
The information that follows in this New Teacher Guide is designed to provide you with valuable
information that will help you navigate your first year in the classroom and provide you with the
resources that are necessary to become an effective educator.
Experience can only be acquired through time, but that knowledge is easily gained by establishing
positive relationships with colleagues, administrators, parents, and other advocates in the field.
Building a strong network of support is a key element to finding a balance in your classroom that
will allow you to focus on your greatest charge: preparing your students for what lies ahead.
At PENC we will be here to support you in every facet of your career as an educator,
and your life as a teacher.
Thank you for dedicating yourself to such a noble and rewarding profession.
Take care of yourself, and best wishes for a great beginning.

PENC Executive Board

Welcome to the Profession

You are embarking on an amazing journey. There
will be days of inspiration and days of frustration. At
times, you may feel you are facing new challenges
alone, but you have a valuable support system:
n

P
 ENC (your professional organization you can contact any time
you have questions)

L
 eaders (principal and mentor)

C
 olleagues (fellow teachers and support personnel)

G
 uidelines (North Carolina Standard Course of Study NCSCOS )

G
 oals (set in your growth plan for the year)

Your objective is to become a productive member of

In addition to those rules, heres a crash course

a vital profession, shaping the future course of your

on keeping it professional:

students and yourself. PENC will support you in this

endeavor. Were here for you!

Avoid the gossip mill. It may seem like a harmless way

to bond with co-workers, but angering the wrong
person can hurt your career. It will also make you

After you graduate and walk into your classroom, the

look immature and will cause conflicts with others.

world has different expectations. Youre an adult, and

n

must conduct yourself differently at your teaching

Be respectful of your colleagues and students religious, political and other personal beliefs. They feel

job than in part time positions you may have held in

as strongly about their beliefs as you do about yours.

high school or during college. Read and follow your

districts guidelines for teacher conduct.

Nothing you post online is private. Even if your

posts and pictures on social networking sites are
listed as private, content can be shared by others
and potentially misconstrued. Put nothing online

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employer, your students or their parents to see.
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Be familiar with the North Carolina Code of Ethics

for Educators which requires you to serve as an
appropriate role model within your community.

page

Join a professional association, such as

PENC. A membership form is included
within this guide on page 23.

Before School Starts

Get a New Teacher Guide from PENC

Check your room for electrical/computer/internet

connections before you place furniture.

Discuss With Your Team/Subject Group:

Make room for learning centers and traffic

flow around them.

Location of supplies/teaching materials/

curriculum guides.

Most fire marshals prohibit paper items

hanging from the ceiling. Ask someone

Your initial letter to parents/students and

before you hang such items.

what it should contain.

Place name tags on assigned desks and

Assessment kits/test schedules.

consider community property work tables

A tour of the school.

without assignments.

Cafeteria procedures/fees.

Make daily schedule posters

(flip charts on binder rings work well).

Any questions you dont want to ask anyone else.

Arranging Your Classroom:

Lesson Planning:

Carefully planned classroom arrangements

Plan the first student day down to the minute,

can prevent behavior/traffic flow problems

and plan far more than you think you will need.

before they occur.

The most important lesson you will teach the

Make your classroom a place where your

first day is procedures/rules. Spending a significant

students feel at ease. Non-threatening

amount of time going over procedures at the

classrooms produce active learners.

beginning will save time in the long run.

Placing your desk in a corner instead of front and

Ask your mentor and/or team member to assist

center will convey to the students that learning is

in the first days plans.

their responsibility and you are there to facilitate.

Many principals require lesson plans to be turned

Prepare bulletin boards with attractive wrapping

in once a week. Most want to see NCSCOS objec-

paper or discontinued wallpaper that will look nice

tives from new teachers. Ask for a format to follow

until students have generated work products and

and request feedback on your first week so you

can serve as a long-lasting background for displays.

can meet expectations.

Determine whether you want furniture arranged

Scout out the media center for resources to

for roundtable, lecture or small cooperative

compliment plans.

group experiences.

page

Preparing for Day One

Your first day at a new job is always daunting, but your students will expect
you to take charge immediately. Be prepared by following this list.
Prepare yourself

Post classroom information, i.e., name, room

number, grades and classes taught.

Bring an appointment calendar.

Develop seating chart.

Create a personal survival kit, including a

Review lesson plans and obtain all necessary

sewing kit, safety pins, breath mints, etc.

supplies, including any technology, and test it

Visualize yourself going through the first day

prior to the day of your lesson.

and make sure you have everything you need.

Prepare materials for students to take home the

first day, such as emergency information cards,

Get to know your surroundings

schedules, etc.

Become familiar with the school building

Check books out of the school or public library

and grounds.

if youll be reading to your students.

Visit the school website.

Review school policies and procedures.

The Big Day

Befriend school support staff.

Arrive early.

Introduce yourself to other teachers in

Greet students at the door.

your grade level and subject area.

Help students prepare nametags.

Review and explain rules and procedures.

Prepare your classroom

Discuss class or individual goals and expectations.

Ready bulletin boards to display student work.

Congratulate yourself on a

Arrange desks.

job well done!

Obtain student supplies such as textbooks

and workbooks.
Obtain teacher supplies such as pens, stapler,
paper clips and tape.

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A Strong Foundation
for a Successful Year
The way you begin the school year
is crucial to your students success.
Research shows that a well-run first
few days actually can help students
to achieve at higher levels.
A good beginning ensures that students know and
observe classroom rules and procedures so they stay
on task. They understand what they are supposed to
do. If students are taught how to behave initially, less
time is lost because of discipline problems.
A good beginning also motivates students by indicating that their school experiences will be pleasant and

Off the starters block

they will be treated fairly. It increases their expectations by helping them believe they can be successful.

Set your students to work immediately when they

enter your classroom, especially on the first day.

It is very important to remember that you should

You might have a personal information form on

always overplan.

the first day or a survey of student interests. The

idea is to establish right away that the classroom is

Planning into action

n

a productive learning environment.

Get to school early so you have time to greet your

Be in the room when students arrive and welcome

unsupportive. Introduce some activities that are

Be aware of the transportation arrangements for

fun for the first few days. Recognize the students

each of your students to and from school.

n

Make sure school is a pleasant place to be. No

one wants to be in a place thats unpleasant and

them with a smile and eye contact.

n

Explain discipline, rules, consequences and

grading procedures from the beginning.

colleagues and the students.

needs for things like exercise, breaks and getting

Teach procedures well! Break them down in

acquainted with one another and with you.

steps appropriate to grade level.

page

Before the last bell

n

Review the days events.

Allow plenty of dismissal procedure time.

End the day on a positive note. Remember the stu-

create a positive environment for learning.

n

from parents. That may come in handy if office

you expect your students to be successful and that

intervention is needed.

youre there to help them do just that.

Grading tips

Order in the classroom

Stay calm and focus on problem solving

When grading papers or tests, grade the same page

for every student before going on to a new page.

instead of win-lose outcomes.

n

Be prepared to follow through with your

Use a system to record grades so that you only

write the grade down once.

established consequences. Consistency is a must.

n

Document behavior disruptions for your records.

Keep copies of notes sent to and notes received

the way the next day will start. Let them know that

Monitor the classroom continuously and give

correction and encouragement as appropriate.

dents last impressions of their first day can influence

Well-planned and rehearsed procedures

Good discipline is created by good

Use an electronic grade book if possible. It will save

you a great deal of time when figuring final grades.

instructional management.

Stress busters
Keeping burnout at bay requires a commitment to
practices that put you first. The following are a few tips:
n

Keep a personal journal at home where you can

write about your stressors, anxieties, joys and fears.

Develop new interests that are not education-related.

Seek support from other teachers. Mentors and

experienced teachers can offer advice and suggestions; new teachers can empathize with your plight.

Every once in awhile, take a short break from

the required curriculum to discuss a topic that
you particularly enjoy. It will be refreshing for
you and your students.

page

Exercise daily.

Keep your sense of humor and laugh. Laughing

helps reduce cortisol, a chemical that indicates
stress in our body.

Mind your mentor

All school systems recognize the importance of providing mentors
to new teachers, and most school systems provide mentors for
all first-time teachers in the public schools of North Carolina. Your school district and principal are responsible
for assigning you a mentor. If you have less than
one year of teaching experience from another
state you may request a mentor.

M
 eet weekly and prepare questions about teaching
techniques, discipline, lesson plans or other professional topics. Since many districts require you to
keep a record of your mentoring experience, record

A teaching job will introduce you to situations for

which no college class could prepare you. A mentor

the dates of your meetings and the topics discussed.

n

will help to ease the transition. Mentors are there to

and collect ideas on effective teaching methods.

give guidance and support. Below are some tips for

If you would like to observe your mentor for an

making the most of the experience:

n

entire day, your principal may provide a substitute

C
 ommunicate. Information shared with your men-

for your class, if requested.

tor is privileged. Your mentor is not a supervisor;

therefore he or she will only use the information
you share to help you grow as an educator.
n

A
 sk for help when you need it. Dont try to
handle problems alone if you feel overwhelmed.

C
 atch your mentor in action. Observe your mentor

G
 et feedback: Request that your mentor observe
your class before your first official observation. Your
mentors input and guidance is valuable. You may
also request your mentor and principal observe a lesson together so you can get suggestions from both.

Six Tips for Effective Discipline

You must know how you are going to deal
with discipline before 30 sets of eyes are
staring you down on the first day of school.
Here are six pointers to get you started.
1. Get down to business.
Plan meaningful activities for every minute of
the day, and have backups in case an activity
doesnt take up the entire allotted time.

2. Achieve balance.

Use the b
ro ken reco
rd techniq
peat expe
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a
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.
A
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struggle a
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Remember,
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control yo
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ur respons
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Remember
ir behavio
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you are th
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profession
re
m
a
in
al a nd calm
.
Glennda M
cKeit ha n,
PENC Me
mber

Many beginning teachers have trouble knowing

when they are being too hard or too soft. So how

using approved discipline

do you know when you are achieving the right

management techniques before asking

balance? If you know the rules, enforce them

for an administrators invovlement. Your faculty

consistently and dont spend the majority of

handbook should answer most of these questions,

your day dealing with discipline problems,

and your mentor can answer the rest.

then you are doing things right.

5. Set ground rules and consequences.

3. Build appropriate relationships.

Include students in establishing the rules. Students

Getting to know your students early and

generally come up with the right rules with a

adequately is one way to ensure discipline

little teacher guidance, and the document will

problems will be easily resolved. Smile, and go

be in kid-lingo. Above all, be consistent to show

out of your way to ask each student how he or

students you are serious and fair.

she is doing each day. At the same time, avoid

6. Keep at it.

compromising your status as an authority figure.

No matter what you do to prepare yourself, you

Dress as a professional, not as a student.

will inevitably deal with a situation that seems

4. Call for backups.

too difficult to handle. Dont give up! Ask another

When you come up against a tough discipline

teacher, your mentor, an administrator, the school

problem, you need to know the procedures for

psychologist or the childs parents for help.

assigning detentions, sending students to the

office and contacting parents. Ensure you are
page

Parents on Your Side

Parents and educators are equally important in the education of children. When
students see their parents and teachers united for the purpose of improving
their learning success, they have better attitudes and greater motivation to
learn. Keep students parents on your side throughout the entire year.
Tips for parent-teacher relations
n

Before school starts, mail a postcard to each

theyd like to volunteer and what talents they

student. Write a bit about yourself and welcome

might be able to offer.

them to your classroom.

n

Send a questionnaire to parents asking whether

Be sensitive to parents of children for whom English

Call each students parents and introduce yourself

is a second language. If you do not speak the parents

as soon as you have contact information. This will

native language, ask for help before attempting to

pay off. If you dont want your home or cell number

contact them. Be respectful of cultural differences.

to be on someones caller ID, dial *67 before dialing

the number or call from school.

Keep the lines of communication open all year.

This can be accomplished through e-mail,
newsletters, a classroom website or phone calls.

Opening Call Sample

Hello Mr./Mrs./Ms. _________________, Im calling

Be positive in all interactions with parents. Focus on

solutions to problems their children may be having.

to introduce myself and to tell you how glad I am

If parents feel comfortable with you, they will be

that ______________ is in my class this year. How is

more receptive to your concerns.

___________ feeling about the new school year?

OR

Tips for parent-teacher conferences

Ms./Mrs./Mr. _______________________ I have a

1. Plan ahead. You can request that your mentor

concern I want to share with you so we can

or an administrator attend and/or discuss with

work together to help ___________________.

them before and after a conference for sugges-

Closing Call Sample

tions. Be sure to share all pertinent information

Im really pleased I had the chance to talk

with that person prior to the conference. Before

with you over the phone and I look forward

your meeting, have a general plan of what youre

to meeting you in person soon.

going to say. This should include the students

OR

academic strengths and needs, and a proposed

I would appreciate your coming in for a confer-

plan of action. Be prepared for questions.

ence about ______________. I have these times open.

2. Be aware of parents needs. Offer flexible time

Which would work best for your schedule? It would

choices. Invite both parents, and be sure to get

be great if both parents could attend. (If you

know the child has two parents at home.)

page

10

their names right. Dont assume Jane Does

mother is Mrs. Doe.

3. Share examples of the students work. Begin

5. M
 oderate parent visits. If a parent requests to

the conference with a warm, positive statement

observe their child in the classroom, set up a time

about the childs abilities, work or interests. Ask

limit and guidelines for the observation in keeping

the student to help select portfolio items.

with the school policies. Consider using the parent

as a volunteer. They can observe while helping you

4. Be positive. Parents may bring with them nega-

and relieve some of the anxiety for all involved.

tive memories of their own school experiences.

6. Achieve closure. Summarize the actions that

Be deliberate in your comments. Use specific

examples, and focus on solutions and goals. Get

you and the parents have agreed to take. End on

parental input and emphasize collaboration.

an optimistic note.

Dont Sink Your Sub

There will be times when you must be absent.
Follow your school systems protocol for obtaining a substitute and provide your substitute
with a folder that includes the following:
A current schedule with the names of students
who must leave the classroom regularly for
speech therapy, to take medication, etc. Be sure
to include the names and schedules of classroom
aides and volunteers.

Name and location of a

teacher to call upon for assistance.

Class list and seating charts.

Building floor plan, including the location

A
 bsentee procedures.

of restrooms.

Detailed lesson plans and the location of all

Emergency procedures: evacuation, severe

materials needed.

weather and lock down plans.

Extra work for students who finish assignments early.

An emergency contact list for your students.

Classroom rules and discipline procedures.

Hall pass procedures.

A list of dependable students who can help

with errands.

page

11

Taming Evaluation Jitters

The first evaluation is always the scariest, but PENC is

Reach out:

here to help you face even the most critical principal.

In preparation for and during your evaluation, keep

plans the principal expects if he or she looks at

happen outside of their control. A good evaluator

your planning book.

understands this and is more interested in how you

handle the situation and your reflection on how you

Remember, if an administrator asks you to sign

might do things differently in the future.

an evaluation, your signature indicates only that

youve read the evaluation and not that you agree

Here are some tips to make sure youre

ready for that first evaluation:

with it. If you disagree with your evaluation, you

may choose to respond in writing. You may be

Be prepared:

Ask them to share their lesson plan format with

you. This will help you determine what type of

in mind that people can make mistakes or things can

Speak to veteran teachers at your grade level.

placed on a growth plan or improvement plan

Become familiar with the evaluation process.

which is designed to target specific areas of concern

Know and understand the six standards upon

and help you achieve success. If you have questions

which you will be evaluated.

or concerns about your evaluation dont hesitate to

call your professional association.

Get in the habit of developing a solid lesson plan

for each lesson from the very beginning.

While you probably will not receive Accomplished

or Distinguished on all of your standards, be proud
of your achievements, and consider feedback as
guidelines for success or improvement.

For more information about the North Carolina

Teacher Evaluation Instrument and Process, visit
www.ncpublicschools.org/effectiveness-model/ncees

page

12

Your Rights and

Responsibilities
To prevent possible legal issues
during your career, it is suggested
you follow these guidelines:
Become familiar with your school
systems policies:
n

Personnel policies outline everything from staff

development and your right to duty-free planning
and lunch time to staff rights and responsibilities

Follow the chain of command

when seeking or relaying information.

regarding student conduct.

n

Student policies will address important issues

Follow all legal directives, even if you disagree with

them, and contact PENC if you have questions.

such as discipline, attendance and grading. You

want to be sure to know these guidelines before

Keep your online presence professional,

and monitor it regularly (see pages 14-15).

enlisting the help of parents or administrators in

your endeavor to correct behaviors.

Respect the privacy of your colleagues by not

discussing personnel matters with others or

To find your schools systems Policy Manual,

visit the website, click on the Board of Education link
and find the Board Policy Manual link.

revealing confidential information to anyone

except the appropriate administrator.
Avoid knowingly making false statements about
colleagues. Maintain a professional demeanor
with your administrator and colleagues.
Attempt to resolve conflicts amicably before
taking serious concerns to your supervisor.

Its also important to join a

professional organization, such
as PENC, that will provide you
with guidance on employment
matters when they arise.
page

13

Using Social Media

The ability to directly communicate with students through personal
websites has blurred the lines of what is considered appropriate, and
some educators find themselves facing disciplinary action based on
their activity on social media websites.
While educators are held to a higher standard

t offer
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than other employees when it comes to their use

of social media, you can continue to use social
media sites without fear of crossing the line.

Here are some tips:

Familiarize yourself with your school
systems social media policies.
Even if your school system does not yet have a
social media policy, all North Carolina educators
are subject to North Carolinas Code of Ethics and
Standards of Professional Conduct which codifies
an educators responsibility to act as a role model
within the education community.

Only communicate with students and parents

through school email and school system created
social media resources.
Never friend a student or parent on Facebook. Even
if your personal posts and pictures are G-rated, it is
impossible to control the content published by your
friends and family. An innocent post by a friend could
be construed as offensive by a student or parent.
Ensure that students who send you friend requests
understand that you do not communicate with
students through these sites.

page

14

Do not use your school email address

for personal correspondence.

Keep in mind...

Remember that your school email address is owned

by the school system. Any information present in
that account can be legally monitored by the system.

pursuit,
Serving as a role model is a full-time
regular
encompassing conduct outside the
on social
school day. Be sure any content
itiv e
media sites presents you in a pos
and professio nal light.

Only use your school account for school business.

Use your personal email address to contact friends
and family or to contact your professional association
about employment-related concerns.
Resist the urge to vent your frustrations via a Facebook status update or visible message to a friend.
Keep your school life as far away from your social

ce.
As alw ays, use PENC as a resour
relevant
We can hel p you fin d policies
answer
to your local sch ool system and
ts and
your questio ns abo ut your righ
ial media.
responsibilities wh en using soc

media persona as possible. What may seem like an

innocent comment may be interpreted negatively.
Do not utilize personal social
media during school hours.
You are on duty even when you are not supervising
students. School systems routinely monitor social
media sites, including Facebook. Only log-on to personal accounts on your free time, away from school.

Do not communicate with students through

instant messaging applications or text messages.
If some special circumstance requires that a student
have access to your mobile phone number, ensure
that there are clear expectations for when phone calls
should be placed and for what school-related purpose.
Avoid using your personal phone by signing up with Remind101 - a
free way to message parents and students. www.remind101.com

page

15

Your Professional File:

Six Essentials
The professional file has several functions: Use it as a portfolio, a storage
space for important documents and a place to stash fond memories. You
can use a collapsible file or a small file box. Here are six items every
teacher should include in their professional file.
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16

Get in Line Online

PENC Online
PENC has a variety of resources to assist you.
Visit us at www.pencweb.org for a variety of
helpful information including:
Workshops
Find out when and where the
next PENC Praxis, National

l
l
a
w
e
i
V great
e
s
e
th ources
res home!
at
Online Resources

Board Certification or other

professional development

NC Center for the

workshops are being held

Advancement of Teaching
www.nccat.org

in your area.

NCCAT is a recognized national

Legislative and

leader in professional develop-

Policy Updates

ment programming for teachers.

Stay informed through

Established by the state legislature in

our eNewsletters and

1985, NCCAT provides a year-round

Legislative Alerts. We

curriculum of intensive cross-disci-

provide our members

plinary seminars in the sciences, arts,

with current information

humanities, technology, leadership,

on relevant topics on a

communication and health and

regular basis by email.

wellness. NCCAT is a place where

teachers advance teaching as an art

Scholarships and Grants

and a profession through a wide range

Each year, PENC awards scholarships and grants to

of experimental study and learning opportunities.

members in order to assist them in meeting their

NCCAT keeps good teachers teaching.

professional and personal goals. We offer 32 New

Teacher Grants to members in their first three years

LEARN NC

of teaching who demonstrate a need for instructional

www.learnnc.org

supplies, as well as two Continuing Education

LEARN NC, a program of the University of North Caro-

Scholarships and one Teacher Assistant Scholarship.

lina at Chapel Hill School of Education, provides lesson

plans, professional development and innovative web

Publications

resources to support teachers, build community and

Read the latest or archived issues of The Voice, our

improve K-12 education in North Carolina.

quarterly newsletter, legislative updates and other

PENC publications.

page

17

Get in Line Online contined

on the next page

Get in Line Online, continued

TeachersCount

Discovery Channel School

www.teacherscount.org

school.discoveryeducation.com

TeachersCount is a non-profit organization devoted

This site features lesson plans, discussion guides and

to supporting K-12 public school teachers in the

classroom activities to complement the Discovery

United States. They seek to grow the culture of

Channels educational television shows.

teacher appreciation and support and to provide

Edutopia

free resources to educators.

www.edutopia.org
PBS Teacher Source

George Lucas non-profit foundation documents

www.pbs.org/teachers

and disseminates information from the most excit-

Scan PBS programming and online lesson plans for

ing classrooms. You can find a wealth of resources

relevant ties to your curriculum. You can search by

to assist you in your efforts to transform schools and

subject, topic, grade level and standard. The sites

can sign-up to receive their magazine, all for free.

Standards Match will show you how the lesson

plans match up to state and national standards.

s
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page

18

Licensure
Middle School/High School and K-12 Special Subject
Area Teachers who completed their teacher education
program in North Carolina
Conversion of a Standard Professional 1 License
to a Standard Professional 2 License requires:
Three years of teaching experience

Standard Professional 1 License

Teachers with 0 to 3 years of teaching experience will
receive a Standard Professional 1 License (Initial Teaching License), if they have completed an approved North
Carolina teacher education program and meet the
federal definition of highly qualified, (HQ) which is:

For New Elementary/Exceptional Children Teachers

Pass Praxis II examinations

Completion of any professional development

prescribed by the employing school system;

For New Middle School/High School and K-12 Special

Subject Area Teachers (e.g., second language)
No test is required provided the individual has at least
the equivalent of an academic major in the subject area
of the license. Middle grades teachers who do not have
24 hours in the subject area(s) of the license must take
the required Praxis II exams.
n

satisfy NCs Praxis testing requirements OR

receive a satisfactory evaluation in the most recent

year of employment in North Carolina, which verifies
your ability to positively impact student learning

 erification of the LEAs intent to offer you re-employment

V
for the following year. You are not required to accept the
offer of re-employment.

All teachers who completed an approved teacher education program in another state,
and were designated highly qualified in that state, must meet the requirements as
listed above to receive the Standard Professional 2 License in North Carolina.
Teachers with 3+ Years of Teaching in Another State
Teachers who are fully licensed and highly qualified in
another state and have three or more years of teaching
experience in another state AND who meet NCs Praxis
testing requirements OR have National Board Certification
will be issued the Standard Professional 2 License.

LEA recommendation

Elementary/Exceptional Children Teachers and Middle

School/High School and K-12 Subject Area Teachers
who have met North Carolina Test requirements
A rating of Proficient on the North Carolina Teacher
Evaluation Instrument for the most recent year of
employment in North Carolina

One of the following options:

AND

Standard Professional 2 License

The Standard Professional 2 License is a 5 year renewable
license. To be issued a Standard Professional 2 License, the
continuing license (note: NC does not issue a permanent
license), teachers must complete the following steps,
according to specialty area:

Three years teaching experience

The recommendation of the employing school system;

AND

Teachers, with 0 to 3 years experience, who completed an approved teacher

education program at a regionally accredited college or university in another
state and met that states requirements to be designated highly qualified,
must meet the requirements as listed above. It is the responsibility of the
individual to provide verification of the HQ status from the other state.

 rating of Proficient on the North Carolina Teacher

A
Evaluation Instrument for the most recent year of
employment in North Carolina

Teachers who are fully licensed and highly qualified in

another state and have three or more years of teaching
experience in another state BUT who have not met NCs
Praxis testing requirements or earned National Board

Professional Development as
required by the LEA

page

19

page
Licensure contined on the next

Licensure, continued
Certification will be issued the Standard Professional 2
License after one year of satisfactory teaching in NC
with the recommendation of the employing LEA which
includes verification that the LEA will offer the teacher
reemployment. The teacher will not be required to accept
the offer of re-employment.
Note: To be eligible for the Standard Professional 2 License, beginning teachers must
be rated Proficient on all five North Carolina Professional Teaching Standards.
Lateral Entry License
An individual who has not completed an approved
teacher education program may be licensed under
the following lateral entry provisions:
1. Be selected for employment by a North Carolina
school system;
2. Hold at least a Bachelors degree from a regionally
accredited college/university and one of the following:

a. A bachelors degree or higher that is relevant to

the subject area being taught; OR

b. 24 semester hours of coursework in core area with

the following exceptions: Elementary Education of
Exceptional Children (teacher of record) requires a
passing score on the Praxis II subject assessment
prior to employment; OR

c. Passing score on the Praxis II subject assessment

test(s) for the area license
-orPassing score on the American Council on the
Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) (note: this
only applies for World Languages and does not apply to English)

3. Have a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA)

of 2.5 or have five years of experience considered relevant
by the LEA, or have passed the Praxis I exams and have
attained one of the following:

a. a GPA of at least 3.0 on all work completed in

the senior year; OR

b. a GPA of at least 3.0 in the major; OR

c. a GPA of at least 3.0 in a minimum of

15 semester hours of course work
completed within the last 5 years.

A person who holds a lateral entry license shall complete

a program that includes the following components:
1. completion of an approved teacher education program in
the area of licensure at a college/university or completion
of a program of study outlined by the Regional Alternative
Licensing Centers (RALC);
2. attain a passing score on appropriate Praxis subject
exam(s) during the first three school years of holding
the lateral entry license if the exam(s) was/were not
the basis of qualifying for the license;
3. completion of a staff development program that includes
a two-week training course prior to the beginning of the
work assignment;
4. completion of a cumulative of six semester hours of
course work in the approved program each school year;
5. successful completion of a three-year Beginning Teacher
Support Program in the lateral entry license area;
6. completion of all above requirements within 3 years
of becoming eligible for a lateral entry license and
recommendation of the college/university or RALC
for clear licensure.
Individuals who possess five or more years of experience
considered relevant by the LEA and satisfy testing
requirements (currently Praxis II) for the licensure
area within the first year of teaching shall be issued
a Standard Professional 1 License upon:
1. Completion of the NC TEACH modules or the
equivalent through an approved teacher education
program: 1) The Teacher, The Learner, and The School;
2) Diversity; 3) Content Area Pedagogy. (Note: The NC
TEACH modules are offered and administered through
NC colleges and universities with approved teacher
education programs); AND
2. Completion of the NC TEACH module on Instructional
Technology or the equivalent through an approved
teacher education program, community college, or
through professional development
offered by the LEA; AND

page

20

3. Completion of one year of successful teachings

as verified by the employing LEA.

The employing school system shall formally

commit to supporting the lateral entry teacher by:
1. providing a two-week orientation that includes:

a. lesson planning,

b. classroom organization,

c. classroom management, including positive

management of student behavior, effective
communication for defusing and deescalating
disruptive or dangerous behavior, and safe and
appropriate use of seclusion and restraint,

e. the identification and education of

children with disabilities.

2. assignment of a mentor on or before the

first day of the job;
3. providing working conditions that are
appropriate for all novice teachers;
4. giving regular focused feedback to the teacher
for improving instruction; and
5. assisting the individual in accessing prescribed course
work and professional development opportunities.

d. an overview of the ABCs Program including the

standard course of study and end-of-grade and
end-of-course testing, and

For individuals working through the RALCs to complete licensure requirements, they may be completed as follows:
GENERAL PEDAGOGY COMPETENCIES

COMPLETED THROUGH

Educational/Instructional Technology

Approved Teacher Education Program, Community College

or Local Education Agency (if employed)

Understanding the Learner: Human Growth and Development

Approved Teacher Education Program or Community College

Learning Theory; Learning Styles; Motivation;

Approved Teacher Education Program or Community College

How Children/Adolescents Learn

Meeting Special Learning Needs; Exceptionalities; Diversity

Approved Teacher Education Program

Literacy/Reading Methods

Approved Teacher Education Program

Instructional Methods

Approved Teacher Education Program

School Policies/Procedures

Approved Teacher Education Program, Community College

or Locall Education Agency (if employed)

Home/School/Community Collaborations

Approved Teacher Education Program, Community Collefe

or Local Education Agency (if employed)

Classroom Management/Organizing the Classroom to maximize Learning

Approved Teacher Education Program, Community Collefe

or Local Education Agency )if employed)

Prescribed academic content coursework that is available through community colleges may be used to satisfy licensure requirements.
(General pedagogy competencies can be satisfied as outlined in the chart above.)
Licensure requirements will continue to change. These licensure

page

21

requirements are current as of 2013. To check on the current

status, please check with the Licensure Section, Department of
Public Instruction, at 800.577.7994 (outside North Carolina) or
919.807.3310 (within North Carolina).

Each One, Reach One!

If EACH ONE of us strives to REACH ONE new member, we could double our
membeship in just one year double the impact and strength of our voice!
In the coming year, well be challenging you to recruit one member. We try to make it
an easy choice by providing the lowest first year teacher rates, the lowest annual dues
and fantastic benefits! To reward you for your effort, you will receive a $27 (Educator)
or $14 (Support/FirstYear Teacher) discount on your membership for reaching one
new member!
We want your feedback on helpful tools and information that we can provide to assist in recruiting
colleagues. Please contact Bill Medlin, Associate Executive director, at [email protected] with any
suggestions or requests you may have. We look forward to hearing your input and making
Each One, Reach One a great success in the upcoming year!

Partner Level Membership Free!

Any PENC member who enrolls three PENC members in a membership year is eligible to receive a free
membership for that same year. For more information on how to claim your Partner Membership, please
visit our Levels of Membership page under the Benefits of Membership tab on our website.

page

22

Membership Levels
Educator | $162
For teachers, administrators, professors, coaches, and all other
licensed personnel who want complete services and benefits.*
Note: If you join after January 1, you pay only $120 for membership through June 30.

First-year Teacher | $84

Join or re
new
online at:
www.pencw
eb.org

For first-year teachers who want complete services and benefits.*

Support | $84
For substitutes, teacher assistants, custodians, bus drivers, physical therapists, and other non-certified staff
who want complete services and benefits.*

Student | $25**
For North Carolina full-time college, university or community college students (undergraduate or graduate)
who want complete services and benefits.*

Associate | $25
Open to retirees, school board members, or individuals who do not need professional liability and employment
rights insurance but who want to enjoy the other benefits of Membership.

Partner Membership | FREE

Any PENC Member who enrolls 3 PENC members in a membership year is eligible to receive a reimbursement
for their annual dues for that same membership year. To claim the membership reimbursement, the
recruiter must log onto the PENC website, www.pencweb.org, and fill out the Partner Membership submission
form. Once the 3 members have paid and memberships have been verified by the PENC office, you will be
credited with a refund for that membership year. This membership also includes professional liability and
employment rights insurance. If you have any questions please contact [email protected].

PENC Membership runs from July 1 through June 30 each year.

*includes professional liability and employment rights insurance
** Full-time as defined by your college or university. This is not intended for members who are employeed full-time by a school system.

page

23

Membership Form
RENEWAL

NEW MEMBER

Date ______________________

Send completed form with payment to Professional Educators of NC, P.O. Box 17129, Raleigh, NC 27619.

Full Name _________________________________________________________

Social Security # _________________________________________________
Home Address __________________________________________________
City _____________________________________________________________
State ___________________________________ Zip ____________________________________
Home Phone __________________________________ Cell Phone ______________________________________
Email (Personal): ___________________________________________ (School): ________________________________________________
School ___________________________________________________ City/County _______________________________________________
Position/Subject ________________________________________________________ Yrs in Educ. _________________________________
MEMBERSHIP LEVEL (see previous page for descriptions)
Each One Reach One: I have recruited the following: _______________________________________________________
E1R1 Educator Rate: $135
Educator: $162

E1R1 Support/First-Year Teacher Rate: $70

Educator: (Jan 1-Jun 30) $120 Support: $84 First-Year Teacher: $84

Student: 25 (College:___________________________ ___ ) Associate: $25 Partner Membership: Free!

$

If you are joining as a Partner Member, list the names of your three member recruits: _______________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
METHOD OF PAYMENT
Check Enclosed Payable to PENC for Full Amount
Credit or Debit Card for Full Amount: Visa MC AmEx Discover
Cc# ________________________________________________________CVVCode ________________Exp. Date _______________________
Signature _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Installment Payment (complete form below)

INSTALLMENT PAYMENT FORM

Please complete the information below, and return the form no later than October 15.
Bank Draft: I authorize Professional Educators of North Carolina to initiate electronic debit entries to my:
____ checking account* (or) ____ savings account (I acknowledge that the origination of ACH transactions to my account must comply with
the provisions of U.S. law. This authority will remain in effect until I have cancelled it in writing.)
Financial institution name: (please print) ________________________________________________________________________________
Financial institution city and state: __________________________________________________________________________________
Account number ________________________________________ Routing number _________________________________________
Signature _________________________________________________________________________ Date ____________________________
* Please attach a voided check.
Credit or Debit Card Draft: Visa MC AmEx Discover
Cc# ____________________________________________________ CVV Code ______________________ Exp. Date _____________
Signature ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Notes
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

The voice for Educators

Professional Educators of North Carolina
PO Box 17129, Raleigh, NC 27619
tel: 919.788.9299 or 800.542.8844
fax: 919.788.9307
www.pencweb.org