The powers that rule in the North Carolina General Assembly have been waging a war against public schools in our state for the last ten-plus years. Under the guise of “reform,” GOP conservatives driven by ALEC-crafted policies have successfully enabled and instituted privatization efforts in many forms: unregulated charter school development, expansive growth of unproven … Continue reading The North Carolina General Assembly’s Ultimate Goal: Make Veteran Teachers Extinct

Mark Johnson. Remember him? He went on to run for Lt. Gov. on a platform to expose the "Deep State". Remember when he cast himself as a champion of public education fighting against evil, unseen forces in a quest to bring effective, urgent, and positive change? Here are some more reminders of the incompetency of Mark … Continue reading Michele Morrow Makes Mark Johnson Look Overqualified For State Super

When Pat McCrory was governor, the GOP super majority changed budget protocol and made the state budget a biennial process. In an odd-numbered year, a budget is set forth to encompass the next two fiscal years. Amendments to the budget can be made in even-numbered years. Furthermore, if a budget is not passed, then the … Continue reading Please Remember That NC’s State Budget Is BIENNIAL – It Covers TWO Years

Teachers did not institute school performance grades that measure achievement on standardized test scores heavily over student growth. The North Carolina General Assembly did. Teachers did not remove longevity pay, graduate degree pay, due-process rights, and retiree health benefits. The North Carolina General Assembly did. Teachers did not create a non-transparent voucher system, rampant charter … Continue reading Don’t Like The State Of Public Education? Don’t Look At Teachers; Look At Who “Legislates” Them.

I am over three times as old as the average age of my students this year. I remember rotary phones, VHS, Walkmans, leaded gasoline, and the original release of the first Star Wars movie. I remember the peace treaty between Egypt and Israel, the fall of the Berlin Wall, the end of the Soviet Union, Columbine, and … Continue reading This Teacher Has So Much Faith In The Class Of 2024

Vacancies for jobs only tell part of the story. The calculated narratives about how badly our public schools have been performing for the last ten years are manufactured on half-truths and bolstered by a glaring lack of proper funding. When a state is sitting on billions of dollars in surplus, throws hundreds of millions more … Continue reading Dear North Carolina, You Are Losing Your Teachers

This happened in New Hanover County's recent school board meeting: "According to the new policy, the only things that can be displayed are signs or flags representing the United States, the State of North Carolina, New Hanover County, the school’s name or mascot, post-secondary institutions, school-sponsored events, sponsorships and approved curriculum. Some teachers have criticized … Continue reading New Hanover County BOE Is Throwing It Back To 1984

When August approaches, teachers begin a new school year and their “step” will increase by another year. That “step” is the number of years served in schools. Not long ago, teachers who served the state for at least ten years would receive what was called “longevity” pay as part of their commitment to public schools. … Continue reading This Teacher Has Lost Over $15K In Longevity Pay. What About You, Veteran Teacher?

One of the better political cartoons in the past few years that still pertains to today’s political environment came from Dennis Draughon at Capitol Broadcasting in the fall of 2019 around Thanksgiving. It represented a Thanksgiving dinner where teachers and schools are sitting at a smaller table waiting to see what they will be given … Continue reading Before Someone Claims That “We Will Have To Raise Taxes On People To Fully Fund NC Schools,” Tell Him To Consider These Measures First

A little over ten years ago teachers in North Carolina could receive an increase in salary and a higher certificate if they held graduate degrees. That does not happen any longer. A little over ten years ago teachers in North Carolina could receive due-process rights after a few years of teaching to allow themselves a … Continue reading The Endgame: To Make Public School Teaching A Short-Term Contract Job In North Carolina