Governor Roy Cooper has proclaimed May 3 – 7, 2021, as Teacher Appreciation Week to honor and support North Carolina’s educators and recognize their significant impact on our children and the future of our state.
Teachers change the lives of millions of children every day — and in a year where instruction could be virtual, in-person or a mix of both, their immense work and impact have provided a much-needed sense of community and connection. Despite the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, educators across America are working hard to ensure every student has the tools they need to reach their full potential.
“North Carolina’s educators work tirelessly to teach and support our children, including through a pandemic, and they deserve our gratitude, admiration and respect,” Governor Cooper said. “Educators also deserve to be paid like the professionals they are. North Carolina must do better in teacher pay.”
According to an April 2021 report by the National Education Association, North Carolina ranks 33rd in the nation for teacher pay, down from 31st in the 2018-19 school year and well below the national average. Governor Cooper has sought better pay for North Carolina’s public school teachers, including meaningful raises for teachers in each of his annual budget proposals.
Governor Cooper proposed a budget this year that includes a 10 percent raise for K-12 teachers over the next two years. Additionally, Cooper proposed that public school teachers receive bonuses totaling $3,000 this year and an additional $1,000 bonus in October 2022. State legislators have yet to act on Cooper’s most recent teacher pay proposals.