Simply put, there exist some famous pairs that when mentioning one you must mention the other. Think of peanut butter and jelly, R2-D2 and C3PO, Ernie and Bert, Wardolf and Statler. There’s eggs and bacon, cookies and milk, Itchy and Scratchy, and Moonpies and RC Cola. Here in North Carolina, one cannot keep public education … Continue reading Wardolf and Statler Eating Moonpies and Drinking RC Colas While Talking About Public Education and Politics
Public Education
From the Vault – Imagine Them Apples / Why Teaching Is Like Farming
From exactly one year ago. The kind folks at the Winston-Salem Journal printed this. Considering the time of year and the issues facing public education, I thought I would put it on the blog. Last August, Business Insider published a report from the Brookings Institute highlighting the 15 cities where poverty is growing fastest … Continue reading From the Vault – Imagine Them Apples / Why Teaching Is Like Farming
Oh Brother, Where Art Thou Reform? I Mean Re-Form?
In October of 2014 toward the end of the contentious and expensive Senate Race between Kay Hagan and Thom Tillis, I wrote a piece that Chad Nance and the Camel City Dispatch kindly posted entitled “Oh Thom Tillis, Where Art Thou?” It explored the use of the crossroads motif in the film Oh Brother, Where … Continue reading Oh Brother, Where Art Thou Reform? I Mean Re-Form?
The Reward of Having Respect
In a recent report from the Lumberton NC paper The Robesonian (“McCrory: Former teacher inspired pat proposal”), Sarah Willets quoted Gov. McCrory as being inspired by a former teacher to suggest a pay hike for teachers in this election year. He said: “Ruth Revels was one of those teachers who had a lasting impact and … Continue reading The Reward of Having Respect
North Carolina’s Playbook to Dismantle Public Education
When the GOP won control of both houses in the North Carolina General Assembly in the elections of 2010, it was the first time that the Republicans had that sort of power since 1896. Add to that the election of Pat McCrory as governor in 2012, and the GOP has been able to run through … Continue reading North Carolina’s Playbook to Dismantle Public Education
Legivangelists and Others who Praise the Lard
Having grown up in a small town in the deep South during the 1970’s and 80’s, it was not uncommon to view televangelists on weekends, especially when only four or five channels were available to watch. Claims made by these people were seemingly noble and altruistic, but they always asked for money to do God’s … Continue reading Legivangelists and Others who Praise the Lard
UnLOCKEing the John Locke Foundation – Dr. Terry Stoops and Charter Schools
This open letter is written to Dr. Terry Stoops, the Director of Research and Education Studies at the John Locke Foundation, particularly in reference to his March 3, 2016 perspective in EdNC.org entitled “Charter schools are here to stay, so deal with it.” Dr, Stoops, Again, public education is a focal issue in … Continue reading UnLOCKEing the John Locke Foundation – Dr. Terry Stoops and Charter Schools
North Carolina’s State Fish – the Red Herring
North Carolina has the dogwood as the state flower, the cardinal as the state bird, the plott hound as the state dog, the Fraser Fir as the state Christmas tree, and the emerald as the state gem. We also have the channel bass (red drum) as the state fish. But that needs to change. I … Continue reading North Carolina’s State Fish – the Red Herring
Open letter to Rep. Julia Howard – Why are you a primary sponsor of HB2 and not defending it?
Dear Rep. Julia Howard (R) – Davie, Forsyth County, The April 3, 2016 edition of the Winston-Salem Journal carried a front-page article from Richard Craver entitled “Lawyers: law has wider impact” which talked about the variety of implications of HB2 other than the “bathroom” issue. While it is no secret that I and many others … Continue reading Open letter to Rep. Julia Howard – Why are you a primary sponsor of HB2 and not defending it?
What if Teachers Could Evaluate Gov. McCrory on the Six Standards Used to Measure Them? Yep, if you are a teacher, you want to read this.
What if we teachers and educators were allowed to measure and assess the effectiveness of government officials on a yearly basis? I know, we can vote them out, but have you ever thought about maybe using the criteria of the six standards to measure someone like Gov. McCrory? In this last budget proposal, Gov. … Continue reading What if Teachers Could Evaluate Gov. McCrory on the Six Standards Used to Measure Them? Yep, if you are a teacher, you want to read this.
caffeinated rage 