Bethany Meyers: A raise, and respect, for teachers

Regarding the Oct. 21 news sidebar “Pay raises for teachers and therapists adopted”: I want to thank all those in Wake County who showed they value good teachers and education staff.

I recently moved to the WCPSS from another local county, and it feels great to be appreciated. Teachers have been made the enemy and disrespected over the last several years by our state legislature and others. These negative attitudes and treatment of teachers have had a serious adverse affect on public education (which I am sure is the goal of some so they can privatize), and the pay increase is a way to show they do value those who work in our public schools.

It is not just about the money. It is about the lack of respect and treating public education as the ugly stepchild of North Carolina. I wish this were a statewide decision instead of a county one because the students of North Carolina deserve happy, educated, dedicated staff in their schools. It is hard to have that when we are treated so poorly.

Paying a decent salary is a great way to start a new trend of showing appreciation for what educators do.

This story was originally published October 28, 2015 at 3:55 PM with the headline "Bethany Meyers: A raise, and respect, for teachers."