North Carolina is blessed to have a state superintendent, June Atkinson, who has said publicly that in her thirty years as an educator, she has never known a worse time for public education in the state. So far, she has been unable to slow down or shame the privatizers now running the state’s education system into the ground. She needs help.
This North Carolina teacher wonders if there are district superintendents like our hero educators in upstate New York and in Long Island who are willing to speak out on behalf of children, teachers, and communities. Are they willing to stand up to a reckless, extremist legislature and governor who are determined to privatize education and monetize the children?
After she read what Dr. Teresa Thayer Snyder wrote, she commented:
“She is a courageous and humble inspiration. Her message went viral, much to her surprise, and now being honored by you, Diane, that message will reach even more people. I know that we must have administrators like Teresa in NC, who will one day speak up for us and stand with us. When I first read Teresa’s blog post I wept. I thought maybe, just maybe, we CAN save public education.”
Diane Ravitch's blog 
It’s more complex, though, than just what the Legislature is doing. What about RttT?
And let’s don’t forget that Dr. Atkinson is a huge supporter of Common Core and RttT. No disrespect intended, but I’m not sure I agree that she is a hero.
I did not name her as a hero.
I think the confusion was that we don’t feel blessed to have June Atkinson representing us. But, your most important comment about June was not saying that we “are blessed to have a state superintendent…” but that “SHE NEEDS HELP.” (emphasis added)
Here’s one superintendent who is speaking out:
“If you value larger classes and fewer adults working with our children; less instructional supplies and no pay increases for teachers, then this is the budget for you,” said Walter Hart, superintendent of Hickory Public Schools.
Not fro a superintendent but here’s a pretty great letter from an NC teacher to an NC politician:
http://bit.ly/11YLz0Z
Former state superintendent Bob Etheridge has decried the GOP assault on education in NC:
http://www.journalnow.com/news/state_region/article_9fadaa0e-ffa2-11e2-9bd0-0019bb30f31a.html
I have called Martin Nesbitt on the phone, sent him a letter, approached Wayne McDevitt at a fund raiser, invited him to a party at our home (fundraiser for music in schools), emailed Dr. Atkinson (I love her middle name, it is really cool, seriously), emailed all reps in my surrounding districts about my concerns over RttT and how we need some creative wild card, perhaps, to redirect the focus of our state education. Dr. Atkinson has replied (to a question I had about budget), but otherwise nobody replied except one very conservative rep who does not like Common Core.
I am not sure how one goes about being a hero for public Ed in NC right now other than just being positive, serving the children well, and being responsible in our jobs as teachers. It is too hard to tell how things are going to go.
I started my own little LLC to maybe throw in some creativity.
I think all the teachers who are trying to do right by the children are the heroes. I think as a whole we are confused about how to balance our commitment to children with the political battles going on around us. I have been praying for a hero every day.
Very-well said! Teachers will continue to take care of the children, and as I told a friend, we must take care of each other! We have no unions here in NC, for we are a right to work state. I strongly believe that our political foes and friends will see how strong we are. All will see our determination to make this upcoming school a success despite of the budget cuts, etc. Our togetherness will be stronger than any union. WE ARE ONE!
Reblogged this on Kmareka.com and commented:
Watching the scary right-wing-turn of politics in North Carolina — it gives us another good reason not to move there — decimated schools.
June Atkinson isn’t our hero. She supports the Common Core and wants teachers to do the same.
http://www.newsobserver.com/2013/06/04/2939241/movement-against-common-core-education.html
Now, granted, I think that NC Lt. Governor Dan Forest hates the Core for all kinds of tea-party-ish reasons, but June backs it for all kinds of Alec-y reasons. I’m still holding out for a hero. (Cue music)
Diane,
You know less about June Atkinson than you think. She is a big supporter of Common Core…and her answer to parents who have concerns, “don’t believe the propaganda”.
I’m sure you appreciate the respect she has for the people who pay her salary.
Give her a call…and let her convince you all your concerns are propaganda.
ajbruno14 gmail
I’m not a North Carolina educator, but a former educator in Philly and new doctoral student in Ed Policy. I’m horrified by the current conditions of public education, but compelled by outspoken public ed advocates like June Atkinson. While my voice may be relatively small now, I will be vocal about helping expose privatization, charters and school choice for everything destructive that they truly are.
No way…she was one of the signers of RttT. Absolutely no hero there.
…and we are NOT blessed to have her as our state superintendent. She is really a politician.
Diane, you ask about a hero in North Carolina. Let me tell you about my friend Chris Weaver, a very talented, progressive teacher in Asheville NC. He was recently named “Best Teacher” by the local the local newspaper the Mountain Xpress. He turned down the honor and suggested an alternative. Read his powerful letter to that newspaper here:
http://mountainx.com/article/51895/The-real-Best-Teacher
Chris is the type of teacher who inspires his colleagues, the kind of teacher you want your children to have. And he knows that the really best teachers are those who fight for all children to have the best possible education, and that all teachers deserve the respect, the tools, and support of their communities to succeed.
I’m sorry I have to disagree. Look at the statistics and you will probably find most superintendents send their kids to private schools, as do most advocates for public education in the senate and the congress.Why should the state have complete control over education, and what is wrong with creating competition and offering parents more choices as to how their children will be educated?