Education Matters

There’s probably no subject that has generated more headlines and more debate over the last few years than teacher pay. How much should teachers earn? Where do we rank? Will teachers really make on average $50,000 next year? We explore this week on Education Matters. Guests: • Mark Binker, Reporter, WRAL News • Alexis Schauss, Director of School Business Administration, NC Department Of Public Instruction • Bobbie Cavnar, 2016-2017 NC Teacher of the Year

“Expanding Educational Opportunity in North Carolina” is the title of the just released report and action plan from the Public School Forum of North Carolina and the topic of this week’s show. Looking at the challenges effective teachers and leaders face every day, what would it really take to help them ensure every student in NC has the opportunities guaranteed to them in our state constitution of equal opportunity for a sound basic education? Guests: • Dr. Michael Priddy, Chairman, Public School Forum of NC • Dr. Dudley Flood, Educational Consultant • Dr. Katie Rosanbalm, Research Scientist, Duke Center for Child and Family Policy, Duke University • James E. Ford, Director of Programs, Public School Forum of NC & 2014 NC Teacher of the Year

Across our state, public schools are being asked to do more with less. Eight years after a crippling recession forced significant cuts in state spending, including in public education, many key funding areas still remain below pre-recession levels. We’ll explore with our guests, including two teachers who have felt it in their own pockets. Guests: • Jasmine Lauer, Teacher, Sanderson High School, Wake County • Rahnesia Best, Olive Chapel Elementary, Wake County • Kassandra Watson, Wake County PTA • Ashley Perkinson, NC PTA

With increasing retirements and higher turnover in our teacher workforce — along with steep declines in our teacher preparation programs — how will we ensure we have the teachers our children need? Guests: • Dr. Mary Ann Danowitz, Dean, School of Education, NC State • Dr. Van Dempsey, Dean, Watson School of Education, UNC-Wilmington • Trey Ferguson, Teacher, Leesville Road High School, Wake County • Shemika Banuelos, Teacher, Wilson’s Mills Elementary School, Johnston County