“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. This liability is a … Continue reading Have To Note The Hypocrisy: Remembering That Letter From the State Treasurer to Teachers About Insurance Costs
Dear North Carolina Lawmaker, Exactly What is the Job Description of a Public School Teacher?
Today will mark the end of the fourth week of virtual teaching (tomorrow is Good Friday). The adjustments, the outreach, the conversion of lesson plans to another format, teh communication, the... you name it. It is all a continuing reminder of what all goes into this job that most of us do not actually call … Continue reading Dear North Carolina Lawmaker, Exactly What is the Job Description of a Public School Teacher?
What My Special Needs Child With The Really Big IEP Has Taught And Retaught Me As A Teacher In This Epidemic
I am the proud parent of two children. One is a highly intelligent and academically driven young lady who looks like her mother. The other one is what some in the educational field might call “special.” He looks like his mother as well. Specifically, that child has Down Syndrome and is on the autism spectrum … Continue reading What My Special Needs Child With The Really Big IEP Has Taught And Retaught Me As A Teacher In This Epidemic
So, Where Is The State Superintendent? It’s Time For Him To Be That Leader He Claims To Have Been
Over the last three-plus years, we have become somewhat conditioned to receiving emails, glossy flyers, and other forms of blanket communications from our current state superintendent about a variety of topics presented in ways that make him appear proactive, attentive, and sensitive to the needs of public schools and the communities they serve. Below is … Continue reading So, Where Is The State Superintendent? It’s Time For Him To Be That Leader He Claims To Have Been
Looking At The Leandro Report Through The Eyes Of An Epidemic
Below are the 12 basic findings from the WestEd Leandro Report released last fall entitled "Sound Basic Education for All – An Action Plan for North Carolina." Finding #1: Funding in North Carolina has declined over the last decade. Finding #2: The current distribution of education funding is inequitable. Finding #3: Specific student populations need … Continue reading Looking At The Leandro Report Through The Eyes Of An Epidemic
“Isolation leads to teacher love” -What One Pastor Said About The Role Of Schools And Educators
Richard Groves is a former pastor of Wake Forest Baptist Church and former adjunct instructor at High Point University. I met him in the Fall of 1988 as a freshman at Wake Forest. His church met on the Wake campus in Wait Chapel, the most visible structure on campus. And I enjoyed hearing him speak … Continue reading “Isolation leads to teacher love” -What One Pastor Said About The Role Of Schools And Educators
“To all the public school haters social media stars/self promoters, and critical friends” – This Superintendent Nailed It
Scott Elliott is the superintendent of the Watauga County School System that includes Boone, home of Appalachian State University, one of the best teacher colleges in Southeast. Like so many superintendents in the state, not only is he having to spearhead the efforts to help feed students and provide resources for their well-being while this … Continue reading “To all the public school haters social media stars/self promoters, and critical friends” – This Superintendent Nailed It
If Schools Can Go To Virtual Learning, We Can Do Mail-In Ballots In November
Below is one of the several headlines and ledesacross media outlets today concerning President Trump's remarks about not wanting mail-in ballots to be used in case the country is still in an epidemic and shut-down. If schools can be forced to go to virtual learning in a matter of a day or two, we can … Continue reading If Schools Can Go To Virtual Learning, We Can Do Mail-In Ballots In November
I Am A Member of NCAE. This Year’s State Officer Elections Are Important. That’s Why I Am Voting For…
... the two people committed to "Building Our Union" & "Reclaiming Our State." When I talk with a younger teacher hired after 2014, I make sure to inform him/her of what I have that the current North Carolina General has made sure they won't (unless it changes). I talk about due-process rights and graduate degree … Continue reading I Am A Member of NCAE. This Year’s State Officer Elections Are Important. That’s Why I Am Voting For…
NC Public Education Never Fully Recovered From The 2008 Recession. What About From This Pandemic?
Consider the following tweet: Jennifer Berkshire is a well-known education blogger. Her tweet refers to a recent post on Valerie Strauss's well-known education blog for the Washington Post called "The Answer Sheet." That post, entitled "Many public schools never recovered from the Great Recession. The coronavirus could spark a new education crisis," includes this graphic … Continue reading NC Public Education Never Fully Recovered From The 2008 Recession. What About From This Pandemic?
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