As a veteran public school teacher, I know that the most sacred part of education is the student–teacher relationship. There is a power in the exchange of knowledge and the nurturing of skill sets. It is kind of like using the Force to train new Jedi. Remember the Force? Here’s the actual definition from Obi-Wan … Continue reading The Force Is With Us, Always – A May 4th Message to NC’s Public School Teachers

From The Office: Jim Halpert: [imitating Dwight] “Fact: bears eat beets. Bears, beets, Battlestar Galactica.”(From “Product Recall episode 2007). Former Sen. Jeff Tarte has taken great exception to teachers advocating publicly for public education. He recently released this tirade of pre-packaged "facts" on a Facebook post to the public. Apparently along with Phil Berger and other … Continue reading “Bears, Beets, Battlestar Galactica” : Fact Checking Former Sen. Jeff Tarte Claims on Public Education

The video that is linked to this tweet by reporter Rachel Ellis is rather telling.  The ladies who have come to talk to their representative from Alamance County are asking about raising the minimum wage for all school employees to $15. The answer they got was rather eye-opening in its ignorance and as Kris Norstrom … Continue reading You Might Want to Watch This Meeting Between a Lawmaker and Educators

Yesterday in an attempt to deflect attention away from his championing policies that have hurt public schools in North Carolina, Sen. Ralph Hise decided to deliver a math lesson for teachers and others who came to the All Out for May 1st march and rally. "For every minute NCAE protesters spent with Republican senators, 125 … Continue reading The Erroneous, Selfish Math of Sen. Ralph Hise

Almost every county and school system showed it's support for the All Out on May 1st this week. 34 school districts. 10 charter schools. There were thousands who marched. And so many more who lent support from their home districts. To think that everyone who put in a personal leave day for May 1st was … Continue reading Not All Who Marched and Rallied On May 1st Were in Raleigh

A website appeared on the political landscape in 2016 that still continues to expand the Phil Berger education propaganda machine, and it was used to tout erroneous talking points for many a legislator yesterday  in the halls of the Legislative Building on West Jones Street. If you made it inside of the building and had … Continue reading About Those “Teacher Pay Facts” Shared At The NCGA On May 1st By Certain Lawmakers

I have had the privilege of hearing Rev. Barber speak four times in person: twice at Moral Monday gatherings in Raleigh, once at the national convention of the Network for Public Education in Raleigh, and today at the All Out for May 1st Rally - again in Raleigh. If you ever get to hear him … Continue reading What the Rev. Dr. William Barber Taught Me Today About The “Teachable” Moment

My wife, Laura Laxton, wrote this post for Triad Moms on Main about Malcolm and raising a child with a dual diagnosis. It's fantastic. “Double the … Fun?” Dealing with a Dual Diagnosis Originally on Triad Moms on Main blog:  By Guest Blogger Laura Laxton If you haven’t already, meet Malcolm. He is 11; finishing … Continue reading Having a Child With a Double Diagnosis

Phil Berger and Tim Moore can already hear our footsteps and are trying to avoid as much as they can with unfounded words and actions to sequester legislators from having to meet with teachers. Berger was quoted today on NC Policy Watch with the following words: “The special interest education lobby will say just about … Continue reading Look Sen. Berger, NC is Turning Red (4Ed)!

From our State Treasurer: “Did You Know? During 2017, the state spent $3.3 billion on medical and pharmacy benefits. At the same time, costs have increased 5 to 10 percent while funding for the Plan only saw a 4 percent increase. In addition, the state has a $34 billion unfunded liability for retiree health care. … Continue reading Remember That Letter From the State Treasurer to Teachers With the State Insurance Plan?