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

State Superintendent Catherine Truitt and DPI are attempting to "change" the school performance grading system. They don't need to be changed; they need to be eliminated. For almost ten years, this system of "measurement" has stigmatized public schools and been used to create a false narrative that has fueled privatization efforts like vouchers. Remember that … Continue reading Go Ahead And Permanently Eliminate School Performance Grades; They Only Map Poverty, Health Care Access, And Food Deserts – Not School Effectiveness

It’s happening. Almost as if it was scripted and arranged beforehand with the switch of Rep. Tricia to the GOP over “personal grievances.” It’s House Bill 823. The ultimate school choice bill. You might want to look at this part: This bill is not something that North Carolina is entertaining alone. These types of bills … Continue reading Expanding Vouchers In NC Is Not About Helping Low Income Families

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. Ten years ago teachers in North Carolina could receive due-process rights after a few years of teaching to allow themselves a chance for defense if their jobs … Continue reading The Endgame: To Make Public School Teaching A Short-Term Contract Job In North Carolina

I have taught in public schools for over 25 years. Thousands of students have come through my classroom doors to hopefully engage in lessons to help them read more closely, write with more voice, speak more eloquently, and listen to others more attentively. And in every class on every school day, each of those students … Continue reading A Tribute To Dr. Joseph Milner – My Favorite Teacher

One tweet today seems to have provided more proof that extending vouchers in North Carolina is not giving more parents school choice, but giving more money to those who already send their students to provate schools.

A June 2nd, 2018 report in the News & Observer by Ned Barnett entitled “Three out of four N.C. voucher schools fail on curriculum” highlighted the findings of the NC Chapter of the League of Women Voters on the state’s voucher program. It stated, Fundamentalist Christian schools are receiving most of the money from North Carolina’s 4-year-old … Continue reading That NC State Study on NC’s Voucher Program? It Was Paid For Propaganda

Here is the salary schedule that is in place for the 2022-2023 school year. For those who are not teachers, make sure to pay attention to years 15-24. Frozen. 10 years of the same. There is no longevity pay during these years as well. Someone who has been teaching for 24 years makes the same … Continue reading 10 Frozen Years: The NCGA’s Plan To Eliminate Career Teachers

Sen. Phil Berger and his cronies including people like Tricia Cotham have had 12 years to “improve” our public education system. 12. The number of grades in a standard progression through a public school. Here are a few of the actions taken in those 12 years. 1. Teacher Pay Kept Well Below National Average 2. Removal of … Continue reading You Can’t Put “Kids First” If You Put Teachers Last