“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

It is not surprising to see a headline such as this one with the current environment. It is not my job to cast blame on all of the people whose students have not been attending school for significant amounts of time. Teach long enough and you begin to understand that there’s a lot that you do not … Continue reading Attendance Matters – Two Policies All Schools Need To Have

Still have a hard time seeing how Michele Morrow can run on a platform of character development and civility. She tweeted this today: Hard to see how Morrow's older social media posts make her a viable candidate to push for "character development." https://www.youtube.com/embed/qcGu2XW5o4Q?version=3&rel=1&showsearch=0&showinfo=1&iv_load_policy=1&fs=1&hl=en&autohide=2&wmode=transparent And there’s this. And this: But look at that tweet from today a … Continue reading Michele, That School You Are Campaigning On Is Not Even In North Carolina

...send their child to a private school that he/she already attends. According to the Tax Foundation, the average per capita state and local tax collection for North Carolina is under $5,000. That's well below the highest amount allowed for a voucher for a single student. That's for anyone. According to the Urban Institute, state and … Continue reading Imagine All Of Your NC State Taxes Paying For A Wealthier Family To…

Think of these actions over the last ten years in North Carolina as far as public education is concerned: Teacher Pay  Removal of due-process rights for new teachers Graduate Degree Pay Bumps Removed  Push for Merit Pay  “Average” Raises Health Insurance and Benefits Changes Attacks on Teacher Advocacy Groups (NCAE)  Revolving Door of Standardized Tests  … Continue reading North Carolina Still Has a Severe Teacher & Teacher Candidate Shortage That Raleigh Deliberately Created