Story by Phyllis Jones, SON Sr. Staff Writer
The Alabama Education Association (AEA) was founded on July 24, 1856, in Selma, Alabama.
This organization represents public education employees and is the largest education association in the state. Its mission is to promote educational excellence, serve as the advocate for its members, and lead in the advancement of equitable and quality public education for a diverse population.
In the early years, AEA consisted of only white education employees (20,000) and the Alabama State Teachers Association (ASTA) consisted of black education employees (10,000). It wasn’t until 1969 that both associations joined forces (30,000 strong) to make a better politically engaged association for those they represented. During this time, Paul Hubbert was the Executive Secretary and Joe Reed (ASTA leader) became the Assistant Executive Secretary.
Both men were considered a “dynamic duo” and served AEA faithfully and diligently until their retirement in 2011.
In AEA’s almost 166-year history, the Association has seen many changes, but its mission remains the same. The organization still has passionate, fierce leaders who want to see Alabama produce a stellar education for its students and is still a voice and a defender for its members.
Richard Mathis, who received his bachelor’s degree from Tuskegee University and his master’s degree from Alabama State University, is doing just that.
Mathis has been a member of AEA for years and has taught on all grade levels – however, he spent most of his time teaching high school. He has taught information technology, networking, business education, interactive multimedia design, and Microsoft Office classes. Even though Mathis desperately tried to stay away from the educational field, it is part of his DNA. His grandfather served as a college vice president and his grandmother was a music teacher who met and played for Ellis Marsalis, Duke Ellington, and Cab Calloway. His mother worked for a local board of education in their hometown in Georgia and his father was a principal.
In August 2021, Mathis was selected by the National Education Association (NEA), for the Organizing Fellowship Academy. The academy consisted of 12 members from across the United States and Mathis was the only one selected from Alabama. This selection allowed him to gain knowledge about the in-depth process of being a Uniserv Director. Darryl Sinkfield, who is the AEA Assistant Executive Director for Field Services, saw potential in Mathis and encouraged him to consider taking on this role.
The Fort Valley, Georgia native became AEA’s UniServ Director for District 2, in December 2021. District 2 consists of Huntsville City Schools (HCS), Alabama A&M University, Drake State Technical College, and the University of Alabama – Huntsville. This was a position that was not officially on his radar, but one that he gladly embraces. As a UniServ Director, he assists AEA members who have grievances, have been placed on administrative leave, provides clarification on policies/regulations as it pertains to the education profession, professional learning, salary negotiations, and so much more. Not only does Mathis address issues locally, but he attends sessions to learn from other states on how they handle various situations.
Mathis has always been an advocate for AEA and is very passionate about his job. AEA is responsible for the recent salary increase Alabama educators will receive October 1. Mathis expressed, “We have been in constant communication with legislators regarding this issue over the years and although it’s still not where we want it to be, it is a great help for educators in Huntsville City and throughout Alabama. It’s great to be a part of an organization that goes above and beyond to help its members.”
To date, AEA has approximately 84,000 members. Of this number, approximately 1,600 members are from the HCS district. As a member of AEA, there are benefit services available such as medical, legal services, discounts for purchases, etc. For the past two years, many employees from HCS have utilized the services that are offered. And what most people may not realize is, AEA supports not only teachers, but they also support education support professionals such as bus drivers, custodians, secretaries, cafeteria staff, etc., Superintendents, administrators, substitute teachers and school nurses are also members of AEA.
Over the years, the educator shortage has increased with the Covid-19 pandemic exacerbating it. As we are about to embark upon another school year, the education pool still isn’t as large as it used to be. Many educators – including teachers, bus drivers, cafeteria workers, etc. – are making a fast exodus out of the system due to understaffing and being underpaid. According to Mathis, the starting pay for teachers with a bachelor or master’s degree in the HCS district is higher than other districts, but the salary is still not where it needs to be, consider- ing the cost of living.
According to the FY2020 pay scale for HCS, the starting pay (step 0) for a teacher with a bachelor’s is approximately $44k and a teacher with a masters is approximately $51k for a ten-month contract.
Mathis acknowledged that education is no longer the field where college students are encouraged to seek careers. “Education has become a harder field, not just in the mindset of the pay, but what all they have to deal with,” Mathis said. “Prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, many teachers were not prepared for the technology realm, let alone prepared to incorporate it into classrooms. Now we are two years in and we are now experiencing ‘teacher burn-out,” Mathis stated. “We have to continue to build educators up to retain them so our children will get the best education.” According to Mathis, Huntsville City Schools are still on top. He continues to meet with legislators to help build a bet- ter educational system overall, while continuing to be an advocate for educators and support staff. However, like the African proverb says, “It takes a village to raise a child,” it also takes a village to help provide the best educational system for our children.
Listed below are a few “key” things Mathis would like the Speakin’ Out News readers to consider for this upcoming school year, to help teachers, education support professionals, and students be successful:
1. We need more parental and community involvement in our school buildings. By becoming involved, you can be an extra level of support for educators and students. By simply having a presence you can make a difference.
2. Classroom teachers have a full plate during a normal school day and even planning periods are extremely busy for most. Volunteers, especially retired educators, are needed to assist them as much as possible.
3. Remember, experience is the best teacher. Retired educators are encouraged to come back and assist when possible.
4. Always make an effort to attend school board meetings to be aware of what is taking place and to exercise your voice on various issues.
5. In addition to supporting teachers, please continue to support and advocate for education support professionals such as your children’s bus drivers, custodians, cafeteria workers, etc., so they can have better working conditions, salaries, and benefits.
Mathis expressed, “The success bar is set high for Huntsville City Schools, but help is needed to keep it there.” When Mathis isn’t busy with AEA- related work, he indulges in his other passion, music. He plays the piano and saxophone and plays for his church. In 2008, he was responsible for some of the musical production for the Super Bowl. Just as he grew up in a home with educators, his children (a son and a daughter) share the same experience. Mathis’ wife is the Director of School Counseling at Sidney Lanier High School (Montgomery, Alabama) and held the title, “Teacher of the Year” during her years as an elementary teacher.
