My Vision & Priorities for Building a Stronger Moore County
Teacher Retention
Educational Quality
Student Well-Being
Every time a teacher leaves, Moore County Schools loses its investment in recruitment and training. In addition, it is getting hard to find quality candidates to replace teachers who leave. North Carolina is experiencing a worsening teacher shortage, and we must compete with better-funded school systems for the few candidates available.
The key to teacher retention is teacher working conditions. During the past year, large numbers of teachers have left, and many more are seeking opportunities to leave, and families are experiencing the resulting chaos. This exodus is the result of actions of the current Board of Education, which have created an oppressive work environment.
There's no mystery to keeping teachers happy. Teachers thrive when they are treated with respect and professionalism, provided good leadership, and allowed adequate planning time to prepare lessons. All policy changes must either maintain or improve teacher working conditions.
Student Well-Being
Educational Quality
Student Well-Being
Although we would like to think of childhood as an idyllic time, the truth is that we have children in our schools carrying enormous burdens, only some of which we know about.
Doing all we can to maximize student well-being helps prepare them to be adults with a healthy self-concept. We must also be frank about the dangers children face. Children who are struggling emotionally are at risk of bullying, exploitative sexual relationships, drug use, and recruitment into gangs or trafficking situations.
The current board has reduced or eliminated supports for children's well-being. They have created jeopardy by removing behavioral supports and mandating harsh punishments. They have been aggressive in seeking to invalidate those in marginalized groups that are known to be at higher risk.
Child well-being must be restored as a priority, and all children known to be at risk must be supported and validated. Counselors must be fully supported in using their professional expertise to help our students.
Educational Quality
Educational Quality
Educational Quality
The elements of excellence are
- The best possible teachers we can recruit, develop, and retain
- Adequate planning time for those teachers to prepare excellent lessons
- The best possible leadership in schools, in the Central Office, and on the Board of Education
- Appropriate instructional support and professional development
- Strong relationships between communities and schools
- Buses that run reliably and get children to school on time
- Counselors who are empowered to use their professional expertise to best support children
- Policies and supports to ensure all children feel safe, recognized, valued, and validated
- Sports, arts, and extracurricular programs that give every child an opportunity to shine