The Things Stolen From The Christmas Stockings Of NC Teachers

When I came back as a “new” teacher twenty years ago for my second tenure in NC, Phil Berger and Tim Moore were not in power. And as a “new” teacher the following was freely given to new teachers as part of the agreement to be employed by the state of North Carolina:

  1. A salary schedule that had step increases for every year of service.
  2. The opportunity to receive due-process rights when I had obtained a continuing certificate after three successful years of teaching.
  3. A schedule that included a seven period day with two planning periods and five classes that were capped in size.
  4. Graduate degree pay as I had obtained my masters degree.
  5. Health benefits as a retiree if I retired as a teacher in NC.
  6. Money paid by the state to pursue National Boards.
  7. Paid professional development from the state as it was in the budget.
  8. The opportunity to receive longevity pay after 10 years of service like other state employees.
  9. The absence of a school performance grading system that weighs test scores over student growth.
  10. The knowledge that all monies designated for public education was actually going to public schools.

If I was to become a new teacher in 2024 with years of Berger and Moore and all of their “reforms,” how many of those would be available to me now?

None.

Funny how if those things were reinstated, then there would never be a need for recruitment efforts for teachers.

One thought on “The Things Stolen From The Christmas Stockings Of NC Teachers

  1. As a new teacher (started in fall 2023), I am furious that things in NC have gone backwards so much. I have a graduate degree. I’ve become active in my local of NCAE because I know that I won’t last long in this profession unless we get these basics back. I love teaching. I don’t love teaching under these unnecessarily hostile conditions.

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