Education Matters

EPISODE: On this episode, we’re joined by the 2025-26 Burroughs Wellcome Fund North Carolina Teachers of the Year. These outstanding educators have been recognized for their dedication to students and contributions to their school communities, and during the episode we hear about their inspiration, experiences and hopes for the future.

Guests:

Rachel Candaso, NC Teacher of the Year, Wellcome Middle School (Pitt County Schools)

Hannah Moon, Southeast Teacher of the Year, Emsley A. Laney High School (New Hanover County Schools)

Tamika Farmer, North Central Teacher of the Year, G.W. Carver Elementary School (Edgecombe County Schools)

Dr. Anthony Martin, Sandhills Teacher of the Year, East Columbus Junior/Senior High School (Columbus County Schools)

Chanel Jones, Piedmont-Triad Teacher of the Year, Broadview Middle School (Alamance-Burlington School System)

Tayler Bomar, Northwest Teacher of the Year, Greenlee Primary School (Mitchell County Schools)

Lydia Sale, Western Teacher of the Year, West Elementary School (Swain County Schools)

Yaronda Kilgo, Southwest Teacher of the Year, Wingate Elementary School (Union County Public Schools)

Lindsay Phillips, Charter School Teacher of the Year, Mountain Island Charter School

On this episode, we’re joined by business leaders to discuss the important relationship between businesses and local public schools in their communities, and the role those schools play in maintaining our status as a leading state for business.

Guests:

Tom Oxholm, Retired Executive Vice President, Wake Stone Corporation

Mike Hawkins, President, Pisgah Enterprises

Jarian Kereekes, Head of Social Impact & President, Equitable Foundation

Doug Shackelford, Emeritus Distinguished Professor of Taxation at UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School

On this episode, we’re joined by some outstanding educators, the 2025-26 North Carolina Wells Fargo Regional Principals of the Year. They’ve been recognized for their strong leadership and commitment to student success, and today they’ll share some insight on how they’re striving to lead learning environments that prepare students for life.

Guests:

Jason Johnson, NC Wells Fargo Principal of the Year Orange High School Orange County Public Schools

Dr. John Lassiter, Northeast NC Principal of the Year, Northeast Hertford Grammar School, Perquimans County Schools

Kelly Withrow, Southwest NC Principal of the Year, Battleground Elementary School, Lincoln County Schools

Dr. Laura Bailey, NC Sandhills Principal of the Year Scotland High School, Scotland County Schools

Dr. Jessica LaBrose Anthony, NC Northwest Principal of the Year Davenport A+ Elementary School, Caldwell County Schools

Dr. Jake E Wilson, NC Charter School Principal of the Year, Mountain Island Charter School, Mount Holly, NC

On this episode, we’re joined by some outstanding educators, the 2025-26 North Carolina Wells Fargo Regional Principals of the Year. They’ve been recognized for their strong leadership and commitment to student success, and today they’ll share some insight on how they’re striving to lead learning environments that prepare students for life.

Guests:

Jason Johnson, NC Wells Fargo Principal of the Year Orange High School Orange County Public Schools

Dr. John Lassiter, Northeast NC Principal of the Year, Northeast Hertford Grammar School, Perquimans County Schools

Kelly Withrow, Southwest NC Principal of the Year, Battleground Elementary School, Lincoln County Schools

Dr. Laura Bailey, NC Sandhills Principal of the Year Scotland High School, Scotland County Schools

Dr. Jessica LaBrose Anthony, NC Northwest Principal of the Year Davenport A+ Elementary School, Caldwell County Schools

Dr. Jake E Wilson, NC Charter School Principal of the Year, Mountain Island Charter School, Mount Holly, NC

On this episode, we’re exploring the importance of school nutrition and the innovative strategies being used to ensure every student has access to healthy, consistent meals. We’re joined by leaders from the Carolina Hunger Initiative, the Department of Public Instruction and the Department of Agriculture to discuss the challenges, opportunities, and bold ideas shaping the future of school nutrition.

Guests:

Dr. Jessica Soldavini, Research Specialist, Carolina Hunger Initiative/School Meals for All NC and Asst. Professor at the Gillings School of Global Public Health at UNC - Chapel Hill

Rachel Findley, Sr. Director of School Nutrition, NC Department of Public Instruction

Heather Lifsey, Marketing Specialist, NC Department of Agriculture

On this episode, we explore the value of partnerships between rural schools and local businesses and how these collaborations can strengthen both education and community. We’re joined by a business owner, two community school coordinators, and the president of Wilson Chamber of Commerce to discuss the impact of these vital connections.

Guests:

Ryan Simons, President, Wilson Chamber of Commerce

Krystle Lindsay, Community Schools Coordinator, Clark Elementary School, Vance County Schools

Hipp Barclift, Associate Director of the Community Schools Coordinators, Elizabeth City Pasquotank Schools

On this episode, we’re celebrating the legacy of The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, the first iteration of which was signed into law in 1975. We’re joined by educators, advocates and a student to learn more about how IDEA serves students and families across the nation.

Guests:

Dr. Tiece Ruffin, Chair, UNC Asheville Department of Education

Dr. Carol Ann Hudgens, Sr. Director of the Office of Exceptional Children, NC Department of Public Instruction

Glynnis Hagins, Attorney, Disability Rights North Carolina

Susan Book, parent and public school advocate

Lindy Southern, student, Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools

Welcome to Education Matters presented by the Public School Forum of North Carolina. In today’s episode, we’re taking a look at Eggs & Issues 2025 where the Public School Forum presented our Top Education Issues which represent the Forum’s legislative priorities for the 2025-26 biennium. Today, we’ll hear from policymakers who took part in a discussion of the challenges and strategies presented in this year’s Top Issues.

Guests:

Leader Sydney Batch, NC Senate Democratic Leader

Mo Green, NC Superintendent of Public Instruction

Catty Moore, NC State Board of Education Member-At-Large

Sen. Kevin Corbin, NC General Assembly

On today’s episode, we’re taking a look at Eggs & Issues 2025 where the Public School Forum presented our Top Education Issues which represent the Forum’s legislative priorities for the 2025-26 biennium. We will also hear from educators who took part in a discussion of the challenges and strategies presented in this year’s Top Issues.On this episode we’re joined by members of the North Carolina General Assembly to discuss the upcoming legislative long session and which education issues we can expect to hear more about in the coming months.

Guests:

Dr. Lauren Fox, Public School Forum Sr. Director of Policy & Research

Natalia Mejia, NCCAT 2023 Empower NC Beginning Teacher of the Year, CC Griffin STEM Middle School, Cabarrus County Schools

Dr. C’Monee’ Wilkins, Principal, Clarke Elementary School, Vance County Public Schools

Dr. Don Phipps, Superintendent, Caldwell County Schools

On this episode we’re joined by members of the North Carolina General Assembly to discuss the upcoming legislative long session and which education issues we can expect to hear more about in the coming months.

Guests:

Representative Lindsay Prather, Buncombe County

Senator Jay Chaudhuri, Wake County