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

Rep. Craig Horn. For finding ways to use technology for technology's sake and for trying to use preschoolers as bait to fuel an already sketchy industry. It is HB 485. A Virtual Early Learning Program. In other words, it is virtual preschool for 3 to 4 -year olds. In the three page proposal, Horn and … Continue reading The Most Insane Education Bill of the 2019 NCGA Yet Belongs to…

When 500,000+ people in the state of North Carolina could have health insurance if North Carolina simply expanded Medicaid as so many other states already have, then you are dealing with a legislative body that is not interested in helping many stay healthy. Medicaid expansion would be a great step in combating the forces of … Continue reading Expanding Medicaid for Students: A Reason to Go All Out on May 1st

If you do not remember the confirmation hearings of Betsy DeVos from a little over two years ago, here is a refresher: She did not know what IDEA was – the Individuals With Disablilties Edcuation Act – and that it was a federal mandate that covers all schools. She did not know the difference between … Continue reading DeVoid of the Need of Special Needs Students: The Absolute DeVastation of Betsy DeVos

News today that HB377 (test reduction) passed through the house chamber of the NCGA is another indication of the the shift in power that has occurred in the General Assembly since the last election. Actually, that testing bill is not the only one to gain some traction. There are multiple bills with support concerning calendar … Continue reading It’s 2019 And Now The NCGA Is Interested In Helping Public Schools?

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 “behind” the table. As a veteran public school teacher, when … Continue reading “At” The Table or “On” the Menu: Reclaiming a Voice As Teachers in Public School Policy

Dear Rep. Horn, I recently came across this tweet you offered this past Ides of March and wanted to  inquire on its meaning and context as well as offer a veteran teacher's point of view. First, what sunshine are you referring to? And what gold are you referring to? If these are your metaphors for … Continue reading Dear Rep. Horn, You Might Need to Clarify Your Tweet About Public Ed in NC