Let’s state the obvious. For many, Teacher Appreciation Week is nothing more than a warranted time for leaders to issue empty platitudes for the public to see and hear when the realities of their actions and policies are far from appreciating the teaching profession.

If you follow the twitter account of the State Superintendent and other DPI officials, then you know about recent travels to many school districts for chances to observe great things that have always been happening in our schools.

But the words that are shared and the observations given sometimes totally miss the mark and while they show an intent to “appreciate,” more times show ignorance.

So school report cards should not show a grade? Catherine Truitt received campaign the maximum amount allowed in contributions in 2020 from both Mr. and Mrs. Jim Goodnight, the founders of SAS which calculates the EVAAS scores and the actual School Performance Grades.

But this tweet from the State Super and members of NCDPI and the State Board of Education especialluy does not sit well.

Yes, these are good people who want to do good things, but while “Teacher Appreciation Week” was happening, a host of actions by lawmakers to weaken public schools and teachers was happening.

Here are a few:

Personal leave that requires teachers to list a reason.

A “transparency” bill.

There’s a change proposed for the voucher system where a family of four that actually has an income a little above the state median could actually by eligible for voucher money?

There’s a bill to “strengthen” school discipline practices.

Add that list other recent issues that need attention.

There’s the witch hunt fromt he Lt. Gov.’s office.

So when this teacher sees this,

I want to ask them to take public stance on each of those aforementioned issues that (besides the pandemic) have big impacts on public education here in NC.

Then maybe we can make a more informed decision as teachers about whether we feel appreciated.