I’d like to tell you about someone important to me, John.

My mom, Beverly Cooper, passed away in 2013 after a long, wonderful life, but her memory continues to inspire me daily. Mom spent decades teaching in public schools in Nash County, where I grew up and where my daughters and I went to public schools.

Beverly Cooper (right) at Roy and Kristin’s wedding.

The dedication my mom gave to her students every day — nights, weekends, and summers included — showed me firsthand the lengths our public school teachers go to give children the best possible start.

As the son of a teacher and a graduate of public schools, I grew up with a deep appreciation for educators and knowing the value of a quality public school education. It’s why advocating for public education has been a priority of mine during my entire career in public service.

As Governor, I worked hard to get raises for public school teachers. Across America, too many teachers find they have to work second and third jobs just to make ends meet. Teachers can’t give their best in the classroom if they’re worried about putting food on the table at home, and if we want to hire the best teachers, we need to pay them like the professionals they are.

We also invested more than a billion dollars in early childhood learning and care to set our youngest learners up for success throughout their education.

John, these are the kinds of ambitious investments we need to be making on a national scale. Schools and teachers everywhere in NC and this country deserve the resources they need so each student can get an excellent education that will prepare them for college, a career, or whatever comes next.

Unfortunately, right-wing Republicans in Raleigh and Washington have made it clear that they’d rather take resources away from education than invest in the success of future generations. They attack the teachers who devote themselves to their profession in order to stoke fear and win political campaigns.

Students and teachers deserve better. They deserve elected leaders who are on their side.

John, I remain committed to the fight for public education. It’s just what’s right.

If you can afford a small donation today to help me take this fight to Washington, it would go a long way. My opponents have the GOP mega-donor machine lined up to spend hundreds of millions against me, and I can’t take them on alone.

DONATE

Thanks for taking the time to read,

Roy Cooper