The following is a press release from the North Carolina Association of Educators
Members of the North Carolina Association of Educators (NCAE) are endorsing Jen Mangrum for the Office of State Superintendent of Public Instruction.
“It’s important that we continue to invest in our students and public schools, and candidate Jen Mangrum’s work reflects that public education is a top priority,” said NCAE President Mark Jewell. “Jen knows that a strong public education system is the cornerstone of our democracy and that all children deserve a quality education in order to be successful.”
A native of North Carolina and the daughter of two public school educators, Mangrum taught elementary school for 14 years. Twelve of those years were in Guilford County. She continues to work in public education as a professor at UNC-Greensboro with aspiring elementary school teachers. As an educator, she has the highest respect for the profession and knows that teachers are a vital piece of a flourishing district and state.
A product of public schools herself, Mangrum is described as an “entrenched” leader. She is a nationally recognized educational consultant, is a member of the League of Women Voters, and a member of the Democratic Women of Guilford County. She served as an assistant professor at N.C. State University and was a literacy facilitator for Guilford County Schools. She is a graduate of UNC-Wilmington, where she earned a degree in elementary education, allowing her to continue her parents’ legacy.
Mangrum believes that “a public education should be the ultimate opportunity for every child in North Carolina, no matter what neighborhood they live in, or what they want to be when they grow up. That can’t happen without smart, equitable re-investment in our diverse school communities.”
“Our teachers and education support professionals deserve so much more than what they have received from the current Republican leadership,” said Mangrum. “I am delighted to forge a partnership that will bring about true change for our public school employees and assure great public schools for every child.”
NCAE is the state’s largest education advocacy organization for public school employees, and represents active, retired, and student members.