This announcement turned out to be another example of bad legislation to take more control over local districts and stifle every LEA's ability to use funds for vital needs. From the N&O this afternoon: North Carolina lawmakers plan to give each teacher $400 to spend on classroom supplies by taking $37 million away from local … Continue reading Thanks to Lisa Godwin, NC’s 2017 TOY For Speaking Out With Words and Actions Against Another Horrible Piece of Legislation

Mark Johnson has a habit of making major announcements as a way of "engaging" the people of North Carolina. Prepared statements on issues that desperately need teacher input but are about crafted legislation put together in back rooms and usually has a glossy outside but rather brittle on the inside. There was the Feb 19th … Continue reading Another Major Announcement for April 3

Last Thursday a bill was filed that would let retired teachers come back to help in Title I schools. From the News & Observer on March 29th: Senate Bill 399 filed Thursday would let retired teachers work at Title I schools or schools that receive a D or F grade under the state’s school performance system … Continue reading “They’re our best teachers” – Then Treat Them Better to Make Sure There Will Always be Veteran Teachers

What is linked to is an an op-ed from a University of Georgia edcuation professor Peter Smagorinski in response to a recent study by Stanford's Eric Hanushek who many may know as the economist who contributed to Waiting for Superman. It starts, Get Schooled recently ran an essay titled “New study: Achievement gap persistent and resistant to … Continue reading “Easier to blame teachers for achievement gap than tackle poverty” – A Must-Read from the Atlanta Journal-Constitution

...Angie Scioli, founder of Red4EdNC and fierce public school advocate, penned not only an incredible piece on why we should also march this May 1st, but one tjhat could not have been more perfectly timed. She begins, I went on a “listening tour” this week and talked to some NC teachers.  I sensed some ambivalence … Continue reading The Best Explanation on Why Teachers Should March This Year As Well Is From…

Imagine you as a teacher found out that a symbol associated with you and your profession was the actual antithesis of what you are supposed to stand for. Take for instance the apple. A shiny red apple. However, there is a sordid version of its history. There is that fruit closely associated to that original … Continue reading Apples, Raised Fists, and Communism. A Teachable Moment From a Single Tweet.

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

The following was sent out today as a statement from Sen. Phil Berger's office. Since when does an announcement need to be announced? It seems reminiscent of the big announcements that Mark Johnson was building suspense for in February to be revealed at a privately held dinner. And it screams of three specific things. First, … Continue reading Three Things To Consider About Berger’s April Fools Day Announcement Concerning “Education Legislation”

Simply put, North Carolina needs more counselors, nurses, social workers and psychologists in public schools. Why? Because "everybody hurts. Sometimes." Teach for twenty years in public high schools and you become entrenched in the lives of young people. Thousands of them. Literally thousands. If you take the avocation of being a teacher seriously, then that … Continue reading “Everybody Hurts” – How R.E.M.’s Iconic Song Tells Us To March on May 1st for More Services in NC’s Public Schools

Does it not make sense that if Mark Johnson and his cronies were listening to teachers closely and acting upon what those teachers were concerned about in these last few years, that we as public education advocates would not even have to entertain the thought of another protest on May 1st? Below is Johnson's reply … Continue reading About the Statement Issued Today From the State Superintendent Who Has Never Rallied For Public Schools