Smart Education Decisions

“The future of any society depends on its ability to foster the health and well-being of the next generation. Stated simply, today’s children will become tomorrow’s citizens, workers, and parents. When we invest wisely in children and families, the next generation will pay that back through a lifetime of productivity and responsible citizenship. When we fail to provide children with what they need to build a strong foundation for healthy and productive lives, we put our future prosperity and security at risk. “
— National Scientific Council on the Developing Child, November 2007.

Over half of North Carolina’s $21.3 billion budget goes to education.  As a public school teacher for 25 years, Patsy has the first-hand experience and  knowledge to be a leader on this critical issue.

• Support programs for early childhood education and new parent education.
• Create and require a course in the 9th grade which will include financial literacy, pertinent sex education, child development and civic responsibility. There are currently excellent courses which are being taught to some students, but if it were a required course for all ninth graders, it would save the state money in the long run by reducing the dropout rate, teenage pregnancy, and domestic violence.
• Support arts in the schools. Students have different modes of learning and different talents. This would help students develop their individual potential and help them stay involved in the education process.
• Support professional educators.  A greater respect for classroom teachers needs to be fostered among parents and the general public. Teaching is an emotionally draining profession and deserves to be held in high esteem by the public for whom we are educating our next generation.
• Ensure equal opportunity to a public education at all levels in order to have a citizenry which is willing and able to contribute to society. Our future as a nation depends on it.