VGCC Instructor Heath Heads State’s Only Community College-Based SNCAE Group

Teacher Associate program head and instructor Jacquelin Heath is in a unique position. Not only is she helping steer young people in the local area into the field of education, but she also heads the only community college-based Student North Carolina Association of Educators (SNCAE) group in the state.

Heath officially formed the VGCC SNCAE chapter in 1996. Prior to that VGCC had the Education Associate Club, of which she served as advisor for 10 years.

“The club dissolved for about a year,” Heath said. “When our students began showing an interest again, I decided that the new club would affiliate with NCAE.”

Although she is proud to head the only community college-based SNCAE group, Heath is disappointed that other campuses haven’t started chapters of their own. “I think the reason there are not more chapters on community college campuses is because they have little or no knowledge of what NCAE and NAE have to offer,” said Heath.

Heath contends that being a member of SNCAE is important, particularly if one is to work in the public school system.

Heath sees instilling in her students the importance of joining SNCAE as one of the many components of her job. Currently, the VGCC SNCAE chapter has about 30 members. Last fall, several of them attended the state conference in Raleigh. “Our aspirations are to attend the national conference in July,” said Heath. “I don’t know that we will, but it is one of the goals toward which we are working.”