Dear State Officials, John Wooden put it best when he stated, “I think the teaching profession contributes more to the future of our society than any other single profession.” Teachers are a crucial part of everyone’s life. There is not a single person out there who cannot remember one teacher that touched their life. Sure, we all have those teachers that act like they don’t care. However, don’t let these few teachers ruin the overall perception of teachers. Where would you be without the help of your past teachers? Would you still be a politician, doctor, lawyer, etc.? Our lovely, beautiful state of North Carolina offers students the opportunity to explore mountainous regions, as well as coastal areas. There are few states that offer the wide range of opportunities such as ours. Therefore, we should be using this to our advantage in attracting other areas of profession. However, our state has decided to not put funding into an educational system with potential. Not only is our state one with great geographical possibility, but we also have great opportunities in business. Growing up in Wilkes County I was raised around three things, NASCAR, Lowes Hardware, and Tyson. I was really close to one of those. My mother was an employee of Lowes Hardware; therefore, I was able to see firsthand how important large businesses were to our state. Also, how vital a great educational system was to them. They desired a place that would fit the need of their employee’s children. The executives of Lowes Hardware did not want to provide their employees with an educational system that was near last in the United States; however, our state is quickly heading that way. As of the 2011-2012 fiscal year, our state ranked 45th in spending per pupil and 43rd in the nation in per pupil expenditure as a shard or personal income, per North Carolina Justice Center. Also, during the 2012-2013 school year our state ranked 46th in the nation in teacher salary. How can we see we are taping into our states potential with numbers like that? If we are not funding our teachers and educational system properly, what are we saying to our students? Nelson Mandela put it best when he said, “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” Our state has the potential to be one of the most, if not the most, prosperous in the United States of America. From the beautiful Blue Ridge Parkway, to the breath taking Outer Banks, North Carolina is reaping with potential in education. All it needs is a group of people who are willing to put in a little “elbow grease” into it. I understand our state is going through a tough time in terms of dollars and cents. However, that is not a time to stop supporting one of the things that make North Carolina, our children. I want to leave you with this. Please think twice about pulling funds for education. I’m not advocating more money for teachers. The thing that is more important is more money for our children. Whether it is more funding for schools to use on technology, or more money in the different arts that a school may offer. At the same time, an increase in teacher salary could help our state fully reach the potential we desire. Our state is filled with great teachers right now, but think about how many more we could have if the salary was increased by a few thousands of dollars? Next time a bill is up to vote, think about whether it is helping the potential our state’s educational system has to offer. Also, remember teaching is the one profession that has a huge impact on our future as a state. I think our governor said it best when he said, “We cannot live off a brand that needs updating and major revamping to not only compete with our neighbors but compete with the rest of the world.” Are we doing all we can to update our education system? We can blow our neighbors out of the water if education becomes a priority in our state again. Let’s tape into the potential our state offers and support our children’s education. Thank you, Concerned North Carolina Citizen
Posted on: Wed, 24 Jul 2013 17:09:32 +0000