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Legislators, get thee to a classroom

What a great year we are experiencing speaking on behalf of educators across the state of North Carolina! We yearn for all educators to realize the vital importance of voicing our thoughts and opinions with those who represent us in the General Assembly. Our voices are essential for positive change to occur.

Our children deserve teachers, principals, and superintendents who will serve as advocates for them. In the spirit of advocacy, we met with a North Carolina legislator and legislative liaisons concerning critical issues in education — teacher pay, low-performing schools, achievement school districts, and the list goes on! While meeting, it became apparent that stronger communication is needed between educators and members of the General Assembly.

At the legislator’s encouragement, we decided to begin a statewide campaign to invite legislators across North Carolina into classrooms before the short session begins. Thus, the first annual “NC Legislators in the Classroom Week” will be held from April 18th – 22nd. Our goal is to open the doors of classrooms and begin dialogue between legislators and educators. We want legislators to keep their experiences in our public schools fresh in their minds as they actively debate and vote regarding our needs.

If we want to see improved changes to North Carolina public education, we must do it together. We Logo for Legislators in the Classroom weekunderstand now, more than ever, that partisan decisions are not what is best for our state, and a high-quality public education system is essential for our future!

The response has been overwhelmingly positive as many legislators are planning to attend events at the schools of the 2015 Regional Teacher of the Year Team and the 2015 Regional Principal of the Year Team. We are encouraging every North Carolina educator to call or hand-write an invitation to their senators and representatives to visit their classrooms the week of April 18th-22nd.

With the help of all North Carolina educators, we can bridge the gap between the classroom and the legislative chamber. Please join us and share on social media about your experiences using #TakeNCGA2Class!

Keana Triplett

Keana Triplett is the 2015 North Carolina Teacher of the Year. She has taught 9th, 10th, and 12th grade English for ten years at Ashe County High School.

Steve Lassiter

Steve Lassiter is Wells Fargo 2015 North Carolina Principal of the Year. Since 2013, he has served as the principal at  Pactolus Elementary School in Greenville.