When students enter a classroom, they bring with them their entire selves. Their identities, strengths and weaknesses, their interests, and their culture often impact how students engage and what they […]
The Final Word: The Importance of Student Voice
Oftentimes when we discuss education we hear from parents, educators, legislators and advocates about what’s best for students. All of those groups undoubtedly bring something important to the conversation, but […]
Final Word: What North Carolina’s Regional Teachers of the Year Want You to Know
For this Final Word our 2022 Burroughs Wellcome Fund North Carolina Teachers of the Year shared what they wish for people to know about public education. Clinton Todd, Northeast North […]
Final Word: Words of Hope From North Carolina’s Regional Teachers of the Year
For this Final Word our 2022 Burroughs Wellcome Fund North Carolina Teachers of the Year shared what gives them hope. Leah Carper, 2022 Burroughs Wellcome Fund North Carolina Teacher of […]
The Final Word: Words From Dr. Dudley Flood
We are so pleased to have been joined by Dr. Dudley Flood who has been deep in this work, trying to ensure that every child in North Carolina has access […]
Final Word: Election Season is Upon Us, and Education is on the Ballot
Early voting has begun in North Carolina, and the importance of the 2022 election cannot be overstated. The outcome of the soon-to-be-decided races will have far-reaching implications for critically important […]
Final Word: Licensure Pathways, Recruitment and Retention
It’s no secret that well-prepared, effective teachers are invaluable in the classroom. Research shows us that teachers are the number one school-related factor that impacts student outcomes. You have probably […]
Final Word: What Gives You Hope? Our 2022 NC Principal of the Year and 2021 and 2022 Teachers of the Year Share What Inspires Them
We recently had the opportunity to talk with our 2022 Wells Fargo NC Principal of the Year, Dr. Patrick Greene, and our 2021 and 2022 Burroughs Wellcome Fund NC Teachers […]
The Final Word: Principals and the Support They Provide
By Mary Ann Wolf I have had the opportunity to work with hundreds and hundreds of principals over the years, and I am often reminded about the very unique – […]
The Final Word: Beginning Teachers
Do you know a high school or college student who wants to be a teacher? Do you know others in your community who are thinking about changing careers to become […]
The Final Word: Words of Wisdom From Dr. Dudley Flood
For our 200th episode of Education Matters, we were so fortunate to be joined by Dr. Dudley Flood, who is a legendary education hero who was instrumental in desegregating North […]
The Final Word: North Carolina Has Waited Too Long for Every Child to Have Access to a Sound Basic Education
By Mary Ann Wolf It has been nearly 30 years since the beginning of North Carolina’s school funding case known as Leandro, which was filed by plaintiffs in five poor […]
The Final Word: Supporting Trauma-Informed Practices in Schools
By Mary Ann Wolf and Elizabeth DeKonty As we continue our focus on the whole child and student mental health, it is important for us to consider how a child’s […]
The Final Word: Messages from North Carolina’s Regional Teachers of the Year
Each week on Education Matters, we offer a “Final Word,” from our host, Dr. Mary Ann Wolf, offering commentary on the state of our public schools. This week, as we […]
The Final Word: Public Schools Offer More Choices than Ever Before for Families Across North Carolina
By Dr. Mary Ann Wolf Did you know that North Carolina is a leader in global education? Our global commitments represent a unique statewide initiative that was adopted by the […]
The Final Word: Investing in Public Education Helps Us All
By Dr. Mary Ann Wolf North Carolina’s system of public education plays an incredibly important role in our lives every day. If you benefited from public schools, have children in […]
The Final Word: The Importance of Afterschool Programming
In 2020, the Afterschool Alliance released the 4th edition of the America After 3pm Report. In the report, North Carolina ranked #6 overall nationally for providing opportunities for children to […]
The Final Word: Historic Investments in our Public Schools are Needed Now
By Mary Ann Wolf You may wonder why Leandro is important for your family or community or our state? If we want to have a thriving economy that attracts businesses, […]
The Final Word: Why should Leandro be important to you?
by Mary Ann Wolf Our superintendents lead schools with a deep understanding of what our kids need to be successful in school and in life beyond the classroom. On Education […]
The Final Word: Investing in North Carolina’s public school students, our communities, and our economy
by Mary Ann Wolf Twenty-seven years ago, some of North Carolina’s most poverty stricken school districts came together to do something about the educational conditions of their children. Together with […]
The Final Word: Attracting and encouraging NC’s best and brightest to become educators
by Mary Ann Wolf As I listened to North Carolina’s phenomenal Regional Teachers of the Year during today’s episode of Education Matters, I was reminded yet again that our state […]