“We’re caught in a trap. I can’t walk out / because I love you too much, baby. / Why can’t you see what you’re doing to me / When you don’t believe a word I say?”

I have concluded that this Elvis Presley No. 1 song should be the theme of the relationship between teachers and the General Assembly. We are nearing the end of September, and the General Assembly still needs to pass the state budget. At present, raises for teachers and state employees are still in limbo.

I have five family members who are in the education field. Three are teachers, and two are in administration. For those who are teaching, the pay scale is a sadistic joke.

In an effort to draw more teachers into the profession, the General Assembly has constantly raised the pay for beginning teachers. According to the 2022-2023 pay scale, a beginning teacher makes $37,000 - $3,700 monthly for a 10-month contract. That amount increases by $1,000 per year - $100 per month – from years 2 through 15.

At year 15, a transformation takes place. From year 15 through year 24, a teacher with a bachelor’s degree does not receive any raise – 10 years. Is the purpose of this stagnation to encourage experienced teachers to leave the profession? But after 15 years, teachers are “caught in a trap” and “can’t walk out.” Why? They are halfway to retirement.

Last time I checked, North Carolina is 5,000 teachers short – an average of 50 per county. Yet, the education show must go on, so those with little to no teaching experience and credentials get shoved into classrooms.

One of the greatest myths people who have never tried their hand at teaching believe is “anyone can teach.” After all, the schools supply textbooks and pacing guides, and some even supply lesson plans. How hard can it be?

The most significant challenge anyone in a classroom must face is controlling student behavior so teaching can occur. A teacher who cannot maintain an orderly classroom will not do a good job – no matter how good the textbook is and how fine the pacing guide and lesson plans are. “Teachers” without control do not teach – anything.

The next most significant challenge is to be so engaging that students put away their phones, stop doodling, and pay attention to the substance of the lesson for that day. I spent most of my years teaching high school students. Imagine trying to engage teenagers in the classroom.

Yet, I have close to 800 former students as Facebook friends, so I connected with many of my students in a lasting way.

For some reason, teachers with the most extensive experience and expertise are not valued in North Carolina’s schools – at least by the General Assembly. Imagine working a job with the promise of no raise for 10 years. Talk about short-sightedness.

I have seen those in my family receive a “raise,” but their health insurance premium increased more than the pittance of a raise they receive. A teacher in the 15- to 24-year range is going backwards at today’s inflation rate.

Teachers – and state employees as a whole – need some champions in the General Assembly – men and women who understand the demands their employees are facing and seek to demonstrate to these workers that they are valued.

The current approach to teachers is a resounding “meh” – no matter what assurances are coming from the mouths of politicians.

Mike Parker is a columnist for the Neuse News. You can reach him at mparker16@gmail.com.