Issue Position: Education

Issue Position

I grew up in North Carolina and I am the product of our public school system. I am proud of my education. I graduated from Page High School in Greensboro, went on to Appalachian State where I graduated with degrees in Marketing and Business Management. After changing careers in 2011 and starting my own business, I went back to school and earned an Associate's Degree in Early Childhood Education from Stanly Community College. I currently serve on the North Carolina State Board of Community Colleges, Stanly Community College's Early Childhood Education Advisory Board, and I served on the PTO Board for Marvin Elementary School for the past two years.

I am also a parent of two children in our public schools and one in preschool. I know firsthand the complexities of our school systems and the struggles that parents, students, and teachers deal with on a daily basis. Parents should have the opportunity to decide which educational environment is best for their children. Students deserve an education that will help each one of them reach their fullest potential and prepare them for a successful career. Teachers deserve our respect, our support, and need to be more highly valued.

A strong public school system is critical to the long term success of our children, our community and our state. That starts with a curriculum or set of state standards that meets the needs of our students. It requires more teaching time and less time preparing for tests. It requires hands on learning, problem solving, and critical thinking skills. Education should not just be about the attainment of knowledge, but the ability to think, adapt, and continue to grow. Today's measure of success is how many students graduate. Tomorrow's measure of success must become how many students are prepared for life and a successful career.

Source