Former CMS teacher joins others at White House to discuss education

WASHINGTON — The Trump Administration is trying to learn why good teachers are leaving schools across the nation.  It invited nine former teachers including two from the Carolinas to share concerns in a face to face meeting with the Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos.

Both representatives from the Carolinas said part of the reason they left the classroom was so they could advocate for teachers and students full time -- an opportunity they may not have been given if they stayed in the classroom.

Two years ago, James Ford was teaching world history at Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools. His work earned him the title of Teacher of Year in 2014.

Yet the next year, Ford left CMS to join a think tank focusing on education policy.

"Quite frankly, I was making $38,000 with a master’s degree and only two children. With twins on the way, at that time, is it just didn't feel feasible," said Ford.

Ford, who stood with eight other award-winning teachers, recalled that experience at the White House in a meeting with DeVos.

"You can't help but feel like, ‘Wow, all this talent should be in front of students,’" Ford said.

They all opted out citing lack of pay, support and room to make a real impact on the system, as the main reasons some good teachers are leaving.

"We want to feel like we're somebody and when we speak people listen," Ford said.

Eyewitness News looked through the most recent report on the state of teaching in North Carolina and found from 2015 to 2016 that 9 percent, or roughly 8,600 teachers, left the state.

Among those who left, 53 percent left for personal reasons and one out of ten went to teach in other states.

Ford said that's not a major exodus, but the state isn't attracting enough teachers and that's a problem.

"Ultimately the pipeline is going to start diminishing," Ford said.

Ford said that while many of the teachers didn't share the same views as DeVos, they appreciated her taking the time to listen and hope she'll use their feedback to shape policy.

Cox Media Group