John Hood of the John Locke Foundation tweeted the following yesterday in response to the NEA's recent report on teacher pay that had North Carolina still well below the national average. Interestingly, he tagged it to #nced and referred all readers to a recent post by his colleague Dr. Terry Stoops, the Vice President for … Continue reading North Carolina Teacher Pay is Still 39th And Why The Cost Of Living Adjustment Argument is Erroneous
Month: April 2018
Happy Birthday to Coach Murphy – The Titan of Titans
A "Happy Birthday" to a multi-sport coach, a man of many hats, a well of positivity, an icon of a school, the most dependable staff member, and a man who defines others by the smiles they give. A "Happy Birthday" to a man who always treats you like it was your birthday - every day. … Continue reading Happy Birthday to Coach Murphy – The Titan of Titans
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Why Local School Board Elections Are So Important in 2018
Of all the political signs already spread throughout the city where I reside, at least three of four deal with local school board elections. This is not an anomaly. I cannot remember a time in an election cycle in which the majority of roadside political signs of local and state office did not refer to … Continue reading Why Local School Board Elections Are So Important in 2018
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Phil Berger’s “Historic” Spin on Teacher Pay – Empty and Deliberate
From Phil Berger’s Twitter account in May of 2014: From the July 31st edition of the New York Times: The Republican-controlled Senate’s 32-to-13 vote came after weeks of tense negotiations that divided the Republican Party and provoked intraparty accusations of political grandstanding. The Senate was expected to hold its final vote on the budget early Friday, clearing … Continue reading Phil Berger’s “Historic” Spin on Teacher Pay – Empty and Deliberate
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The Office of The NC State Superintendent – Where Doughnuts Are More Important Than Public Schools
If Mark Johnson is willing to run for doughnuts, is he willing to walk with teachers on May 16 in a day for advocacy in support of public schools? Unfortunately, most teachers in this state already know the answer to that question. Of all the issues that have surrounded NC and the General Assembly's assault … Continue reading The Office of The NC State Superintendent – Where Doughnuts Are More Important Than Public Schools
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Dear North Carolina Lawmaker, Exactly What is the Job Description of a Public School Teacher?
Almost four years ago, Sen, David Curtis delivered a rather uneducated response to a letter from a young teacher in which he outlined a close-minded viewpoint of the teaching profession (http://wunc.org/post/teacher-email-legislators-draws-harsh-reply#stream/0). Needless to say, it garnered quite a response from teachers around the state. Other public education critics have gone out of their way to … Continue reading Dear North Carolina Lawmaker, Exactly What is the Job Description of a Public School Teacher?
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The Greatest Compliment Ever Paid To A Teacher
When a former student sends you a kind email years after he has left your classroom and graduated, When you receive wedding invitations from former students, When you are sent a Christmas Card from the family of a former student, When a former student walks into your classroom just to watch how you still teach, … Continue reading The Greatest Compliment Ever Paid To A Teacher
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You Know You Are a Middle-Aged Public School Teacher When…
You Know You Are a Middle-Aged Public School Teacher When... You pull a hamstring going up the stairs right after a fire drill. You make a reference to a movie that a student claims that his parent may have seen. You fondly look back at the time when there were no cellphones in the classroom. … Continue reading You Know You Are a Middle-Aged Public School Teacher When…
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West Jones Street, The NC General Assembly, and The Eyes of Doctor T.J. Eckleburg
“But above the gray land and the spasms of bleak dust which drift endlessly over it, you perceive, after a moment, the eyes of Doctor T. J. Eckleburg. The eyes of Doctor T. J. Eckleburg are blue and gigantic — their irises are one-yard high. They look out of no face, but, instead, from a … Continue reading West Jones Street, The NC General Assembly, and The Eyes of Doctor T.J. Eckleburg
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Writing in Stream of Unconsciousness – John Hood’s Latest Op-Ed on Public Education in NC
Most times, I look forward to reading John Hood’s perspectives on education in North Carolina. They reaffirm my stances on what is happening in the Old North State and its public schools. Needless to say, I usually disagree with his stances. I also wonder sometimes at his lack of clarity. Yet there are instances where … Continue reading Writing in Stream of Unconsciousness – John Hood’s Latest Op-Ed on Public Education in NC
caffeinated rage 