Educator Jen Mangrum won the Democratic primary for State Superintendent of Education. She had the support of the state’s biggest teacher associations, and she won the endorsement of the Network for Public Education Action.
Jen is a native of North Carolina whose parents were public school teachers. After graduating college, she taught second and third graders and specialized in early childhood education for 15 years. She earned graduate degrees and became a teacher educator.
Distraught with the General Assembly’s disrespect for the state’s teachers, she launched a long shot campaign against the most powerful politician in the state in 2018. She didn’t win but she persisted in fighting to restore respect and dignity to the state’s educators. North Carolina has moreNational Board Certified teachers proportionally than any other state.
Her Republican opponent, Catherine Truitt, was an advisor to Governor McCrory, who led the attacks on teachers and introduced charters and vouchers. She is now leader of an online university.
NPE Action is proud to have endorsed Jen and wish her well in her November race. We hope every public school parent and teacher will help her. She can lead the charge to revive the Tarheel State’s reputation for educational leadership.
Diane Ravitch's blog 
Oh, this is great news! New educational leadership in North Carolina is so badly needed!!!!
North Carolina used to be a shining example to the rest of the country. It has now descended into Deformania. It will take a strong leader (and union action) to undo the damage.
There is no union in NC(not allowed in this state) . It will take a change in our senate and congress to undo the damage. Hopefully, Jen wins in November and we get more Democrats in the NC House and Senate.
Time to organize!!!!
yes yes yes