Samevelyn Morgan Rock gave 40 years to the Chattanooga Public School District. Within that time, she was a parent coordinator for all Title I schools in the district, an early childhood education teacher, a building representative for nearly 30 years, and the first African-American president of the Hamilton County Education Association. In 2014, Rock retired, but not really. She remains active in her local association—so much so that when she’s visiting a school, sometimes a parent will tap her shoulder, and say, “I want my child to be in your room. You taught me!” Rock’s response, “I’m not going to be there, but we’re going to work to get teachers like me into your child’s classroom.” And so her work with the association continues.
NEA Today for NEA-Retired Members caught up with Rock in the breakroom of East Lake Elementary School, where she taught for many years, and where her daughter works today. She’s still well-known and well-loved at East Lake. When she sits down in the lounge all the chairs around her are filled. In this relaxed environment, new educators can ask for advice on classroom management at the same time they learn about the association and why it’s important to sign up. Rock is a part of the “Retiree Experience” program. It’s a joint effort coordinated by NEA, the Tennessee Education Association, and the Tennessee Retired Teachers Association that draws on the experiences of NEA-Retired educators to support local efforts to grow the association by welcoming and supporting new educators into the profession.
When did you start teaching and why?
Teaching was the only thing I’ve ever wanted to do.
My church had a pre-kindergarten program, and I started teaching my first Sunday school class at 12 years old. I really loved kids, and wanted to give children what my parents and teachers gave to me. I came into the world with some challenges. I was dyslexic and couldn’t read until the third grade. My parents and teachers never allowed me to say, “I can’t” or “It’s too hard.” I was able to overcome my challenges and become the person I am today.
Any special moment that made you say, ‘This is why I teach’?
I spent my whole career in early childhood education and during that time I was fighting for kids to have the same things I had: the opportunity to learn. My first year teaching in a public school I had kindergarteners and first graders. All of them were behind academically two or three years. At the end of the year, all of my babies came out on grade level. That was something that made me say, “This is where I’m supposed to be.” I have so many stories of kids who have come back and said, “Ms. Rock, I’m in college,” “Ms. Rock, I got a job,” “Ms. Rock, you told us to keep trying and never give up.”
Why are you committed to the union?
In 1995, the Chattanooga Public Schools merged with the Hamilton County Public Schools. The city school district represented a diverse student and educator population, but the county didn’t have the same demographics. One of the commissioners was upset about the merger. He knew it would bring in more African-American kids and more money would need to be spent. So he wanted city teachers, myself included, to reapply for our jobs. At the time, Tennessee had tenure. I had a masters, too, and thought, “No, I’m not reapplying. I’m supposed to be moved over.” The union came in and demanded the county follow the rules of Tennessee code. It was eventually settled and everyone was placed. This is why I’m so faithful to the union: They came and made sure things were done fairly and according to state law.
Why are you still active in retirement?
How are you going to make public education better if you don’t know what’s going on? You can’t do things if you’re not involved, which is why it’s important to me to be involved. I’m investing in my own children. I also have three grandchildren and I want them and the public education system to be the best. And, if I’m going to help mine, I’m going to help yours.
What are you doing with the association now?
We’re going into specific schools. There are 30 schools and each team has one school. We either go into our school at the beginning of the day, during lunch, or the end of the day. We talk to teachers. We thank our members and we listen to their concerns. We talk to potential members, as well. When I talk to potential members, I quote Steve Harvey and tell them “We’re here to protect, provide, and stand up for you.” I explain that if they join the association they get to take advantage of so many opportunities.
What’s your goal when you speak with educators?
I’m trying to get educators involved. The education system in this country has stood back and allowed others to tell educators what’s best for students when we’re supposed to be the experts. Lawyers and doctors don’t allow you to come in and change their stuff. If it changes, it’s because they have decided this is better for my patients. Everybody thinks they have a say in education because everybody gets to go to school, but everybody isn’t willing to do the work or come in and see what’s going on. We need people to do the work.
What would you say to teachers who say, ‘I love my kids. I’ll do everything for them, but I don’t need the union to help me advocate for them’?
Yes, you do. In this country, if you don’t have the right numbers or the right dollars, you can’t change things.
People won’t hear you. Everything in the public is political, and you can’t stand alone. You can preach alone and take care of small groups, but if you want mass change, you need numbers, and we have the numbers.
What advice would you give to your retired peers?
Go back and have faith in the one tool you have that can make a difference because your legacy is that you are still a teacher—so keep working at it. Stay active. You’ll live a little longer if you do.
