Appreciation is Not Enough: What Teachers Really Need and What We Must Fight For
A Note from Dayson
Dayson Pasión, Jessica Pasión, and Janice Shoffner, October 2012
I didn’t always believe my voice mattered. That changed in my junior year of high school, thanks to Mrs. Shoffner, my English teacher and one of the first people outside my family who told me I was brilliant. She didn’t just teach literature; she taught me to see my perspective as something powerful. She believed in my writing before I did. She reminded me, consistently, that I had something to say and that more people needed to hear it.
Even after high school, we stayed connected. Sometimes just a quick check-in during election season, sometimes something more, like the time we had the opportunity to hear Maya Angelou speak. Those moments mattered. Her classroom lessons were important, but her commitment to people, to community, and to voice: that’s what stayed with me.
As we wrap up Teacher Appreciation Week, I carry her impact with me. And I’m reminded that the best way we honor teachers like Mrs. Shoffner isn’t with platitudes, it’s by showing up for policies that reflect the value they bring into our lives and communities.
Digging Deeper: More Than a Gift Card
Let’s be honest, none of this is new.
Every year around this time, someone reminds us that teachers deserve more than gift cards and snacks. Here are just a few stories from this week:
On Teacher Appreciation Week, union leaders say teachers are underpaid and under attack (NPR)
Teacher Appreciation Week: Words aren’t enough (The Miami Times)
Teacher appreciation starts with better pay, not gifts (The Washington Post)
And this word from ‘your favorite educator’s favorite educator,’ José Vilson:
And every year, we collectively nod…and then, too often, move on. But it bears repeating, not because we haven’t heard it before, but because it still has not changed.
If we really appreciated teachers, our budgets, laws, and working conditions would reflect that. They don’t. So the appreciation remains performative unless it’s paired with power.
Here in North Carolina, our beginning (39th in the nation) and average teacher pay (43rd in the nation) still trail the national average. Check out the most updated report on educator pay from the National Educators Association (NEA). The NC Senate’s budget proposes raises that are meager (an average of 3.3% over the next two years), especially for veteran educators. Pair that with rising health care costs and inflation that may be a pay cut. The budget that will eventually make its way through the General Assembly may offer steps in the right direction, but they’re incremental at best. Meanwhile, the profession continues to lose talent, not for lack of love, but for lack of support.
Most gestures during Teacher Appreciation Week are emotional, not structural. Biscuits don’t counterbalance class sizes of 35. A social media post won’t close the pay gap between teachers and other professionals with similar education levels. And no amount of wear-your-jeans-to-work days can address the reality that many teachers still work second and even third jobs to make ends meet.
So what does real appreciation look like?
Sustainable salary increases that acknowledge the expertise and responsibilities teachers carry.
Professional autonomy that respects educators as instructional leaders, not test-prep technicians.
Investment in retention, not just recruitment, especially for teachers of color.
Working conditions that reflect dignity, safety, and respect, not burnout.
Standing up for public education all year long.
We say teachers are the backbone of our society, but we treat them like they’re disposable. This week, I’m asking us to move beyond gratitude. Let’s move into advocacy. Let’s honor teachers by fighting for the policies that prove we mean what we say.
RootED Resource: Share Your Story
We all have a teacher who made a difference. This week, as the hashtags fade and the appreciation posts slow down, let’s make sure the impact of educators doesn’t get lost in the noise.
At RootED, we’re collecting stories that celebrate teachers not just for who they are, but for what they deserve. These aren’t just memories. They’re evidence that teaching is a calling, a craft, and a career worth protecting.
Take a moment to share your story below, whether you're an educator, student, parent, or advocate. Who made a difference? What do they deserve in return? Your words can help shape the conversation and the policy that follows.
It only takes 2-3 minutes. Stories may be featured in future newsletters, on social media, or shared with policymakers, and always with your permission.
In the News: Governor Stein Establishes the Governor’s Teacher Advisory Committee
During Teacher Appreciation Week, Governor Josh Stein issued an executive order establishing the Governor’s Teacher Advisory Committee. This group of educators from across North Carolina will advise the Governor on key education issues and serve as ambassadors for their colleagues and communities. The committee will be chaired by Rachel Candaso, 2025 North Carolina Teacher of the Year and a middle school teacher in Pitt County.
I want to express my appreciation and hope for this new chapter of teacher voice in policymaking. I had the honor of serving as Chair of this committee during Governor Roy Cooper’s administration, and I know how deeply these roles matter. It’s more than symbolic. It’s a commitment that classroom educators should help shape the future of public education. I have full trust in the new voices carrying this forward, and I’m especially proud to see former members Elyse Cannon McRae and Bobbie Cavnar continue to serve in this capacity.
Read the article from EdNC here.
Equity Spotlight: Learning Happens Here
This week, we’re spotlighting the Learning Happens Here initiative from the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR), a bold investment in hands-on, standards-aligned learning that extends far beyond the classroom.
Through a network of over 100 museums, parks, aquariums, historic sites, and libraries, DNCR is creating meaningful educational experiences that reflect values of equity and access, community engagement, and a commitment to lifelong learning.
For example, the Learning Happens Here Field Trip Fund, a $1 million pilot program helping public schools, especially Title I schools, cover the costs of educational trips to DNCR sites. This ensures that all students, regardless of ZIP code or background, have the opportunity to explore the rich cultural and natural resources of our state.
Equally inspiring is the Learning Happens Here Teacher Ambassadors Program. This initiative brings together a cohort of outstanding K-12 educators from across North Carolina to help shape how DNCR serves today’s students. These ambassadors participate in immersive, behind-the-scenes learning experiences and serve as vital thought partners, bridging classrooms with museums, science centers, and historic landmarks.
By valuing teacher expertise, funding equitable access to enrichment, and bringing learning to life, DNCR’s Learning Happens Here initiative is a model for what it means to honor educators not just with words, but with action.
Learn more and explore resources at https://www.dncr.nc.gov/learninghappensherelanding.
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