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

Imagine the state of public education in North Carolina right before the Great Recession. The “sides” are sound and strong. There is support from the state government on all sides. Look at those four sides as four different categories that need to be fairly monitored closely and supported adequately to keep public education going strong. … Continue reading They Are Tearing Down The Once Strong Walls Of NC Public Education

Take a look at the states that surround North Carolina. While NC shares a border with 4 other states, it does not take long to travel to some others. Some lawmakers like to construct "favorable" comparisons to other southeastern states to make the argument that we as a state are fairly treating our teachers. Hogwash. … Continue reading 9 Of 10 Southeastern States Give Graduate Degree Pay To Teachers. Guess Who Does Not.

If you have driven on North Carolina's interstates in the last couple of weeks, you may have seen one of these billboards: The Winston-Salem Journal did a story on the person who started this campaign and the website PayNCTeachers.com. It's nice to see a billboard sponsored by a successful businessman who sees the value of … Continue reading Have You Seen Those Billboards? Visit PayNCTeachers.com

“You expect at least eight weeks paid vacation per year because that is what the taxpayers of North Carolina gave you back when you were a poorly compensated teacher.” – Sen, David Curtis in May of 2014 in response to a teacher letter. “I suspect that most people, if told they could work 10 months a year … Continue reading Summers Are Not Paid Vacations For Teachers – Far From It

You can be either “at” the table or “on” the table. For teachers in North Carolina, there are many other prepositions that could identify the relationship between the legislation process and teacher input such as “under” the table, “without” a place at the table, or not “behind” those closed doors. As a veteran public school … Continue reading “At” The Table or “On” the Menu: Reclaiming A Voice As Teachers in Public School Policy

If you teach long enough in the public schools, you will be fortunate enough to come across some great individuals who coach sports teams all the while teaching these very players lessons of life and success even in the wake of defeat. And I want to scream that they need to have much higher stipends. … Continue reading Public School Coaches Need Much Higher Stipends – ALL OF THEM!

In the state of North Carolina, over 56% of the state budget is dedicated to public education, most of which goes to K-12 (and pre-K) education. It’s specifically stated in Article IX of the state constitution that the state establish a free and viable means of educating school age-children. Sec. 2.  Uniform system of schools. … Continue reading Teachers Should Vote As If Their Jobs Depended On It (Because It Does)

Many times over the last 20-plus summers, I have heard from many well-intentioned people that it must be nice to have a job that allows one to only work 10 months out of a year. Some even think it’s a nine month commitment. And most of those people do not understand what all is done … Continue reading Public School Teachers: 10-Month Employees, But 12-Month Educators