This was in today's Winston-Salem Journal: That particular elementary school within my district literally draws from the highest tax base in the entire county. If the resources that can be compiled by the community attached to this school were not enough to keep it from having to shut down for two weeks after only kindergarten … Continue reading My School System Needs A Plan. Actually, They All Do.

The Winston-Salem/Forsyth County School System opened its school buildings to younger elementary and EC students in the past couple of weeks. Data more than proves that the virus is being spread at school. From the Winston-Salem Journal just today: Here in Forsyth County, the return of students and staff has resulted in multiple positive cases, … Continue reading Opening Schools Spreads The Virus (Especially Considering What School Bus Drivers Are Saying)

No two schools in the state are the same. We have large schools and small schools. Many in between. We have schools that are all housed in one building. Some in many buildings. Many in between. We have old school buildings. Some have fairly new buildings. Many have a mix. We have schools in the … Continue reading NC Can’t Place All Burdens On Our School Principals. But We Just Might Be Doing That In This Pandemic.

When I look at the COVID-19 Dashboard for my local school system, I honestly do not know how to interpret it or how I am supposed to apply the information to my own situation as a teacher and a parent of a public school child. I have already received notification that someone at my school … Continue reading SlowCOVIDNC – An App That May Help With All Public School Stakeholders

First there was The Office. Jim Halpert: [imitating Dwight] “Fact: bears eat beets. Bears, beets, Battlestar Galactica.” (From “Product Recall episode" in 2007). Then there was Sarah Palin. “This mama grizzly … has more reason than ever to protect our young” – Sarah Palin, 2008. There’s always been the references to Russia as a bear. “Don’t poke bear.” … Continue reading Bear This In Mind, Grizzlies Were Not Preying on Public Schools – Remembering Betsy DeVos’s “Grizzly” Defense Of Guns In Schools

That "slide" above is from a 2019 presentation about the Teachers’ and State Employees’ Retirement System (TSERS) Retirement Planning. 2019 was before the current pandemic. It would be interesting and predictably disheartening to question LEA HR directors about how many calls they are fielding from veteran teachers concerning retirement and early retirement requirements and possibilities. … Continue reading After This School Year, NC Won’t Have To Just Worry About Recruiting Teacher Candidates. It Will Need To Worry About Retaining Current Teachers.

Over the past couple of days, much has been said about the need for civility and constructive dialogue. The lead article for EdNC.org this morning asked an interesting question. Relationships. Teachers know about relationships and how to build them. Can't very much become an effective teacher or one who stays in the profession without building … Continue reading Civil Discourse in Public Education “Reform” Cannot Happen If You Refuse to Involve Teachers – Even If There Is Coffee Involved

Many have asked me over the years if a teacher can be a school board member and still be in the classroom. At least in my LEA, one cannot. Many teachers over the years have run for positions on the school board, but each has had to stipulate that he/she would step away from the … Continue reading Every Local School Board Should Allow A Public School Teacher To Serve

This picture is rather brilliant, eerie, humorous, yet foreboding. And it’s appropriate because Betsy DeVos WAS our Dolorous Umbridge. (Credit:?) I do not know who the credit should go to, but if you find out, then let me know. Here are two women who had no real experience with public education (or the education of … Continue reading The Centaurs Are Coming – Betsy DeVos WAS Our Dolores Umbridge

Dear Mrs. Truitt, It is not a secret that I didn't vote for you. In fact, I actively campaigned for the other candidate. You were the senior education advisor to a governor who championed policies that I believe did more harm in NC than good. You stood on stage with candidates for other offices who … Continue reading An Open Letter To The New NC State Superintendent