Is there such a thing as a “retired educator”? I don’t think so. A dedicated teacher never stops caring or learning.
Judy Baghose is such an educator. With a BA and an MA from Florida, she went on to earn Special Education and Educational Leadership Certifications in Georgia, and attended Multisensory Literacy and Math Workshops at the Key Learning Center in Asheville. Among her many professional experiences were teaching grades K-6, working with special ed students, and becoming a Boys’ Town Social Skills Curriculum Trainer.
But Judy hasn’t retired!
She has tutored in Brevard at the Rise & Shine After-School Program, the Augustine Literacy Project (free instruction for disadvantaged students), Bound for Glory Camp, Inc. (literary instruction), the Boys and Girls Club, Brevard Elementary and the Davidson River School.
Judy agreed to make a short video for our county Democratic Party to share with voters as we enter election season. Democrats on Education was created by a volunteer in Henderson County, John Owens, who is a retired professional videographer.
Judy’s professional experience has taught her that public education is one of our most valuable assets and must be protected by all of us.
She says,
I’m a retired educator. I’ve been an educator since 1961. So I’ve seen a tremendous number of changes. My concern today is that more and more is required of the teachers. I think our teachers are undervalued and are not paid what they’re worth.
Curious about our state’s other rankings, I discovered that North Carolina is the 10th highest in the nation in child poverty. Yet this year the NC State budget placed “$7.7 billion in various reserves”.
Voters, please note that in 2022 “the Democratic Party controls the office of governor, while the Republican Party controls both chambers of the state legislature.” I know it’s complicated, but public schools and children don’t seem important to the current majority in the state legislature.
I asked Judy how next month’s election might affect education in North Carolina. Does it matter if Democrats win seats on the School and Commission Boards all the way up to the US House and Senate?
She said, Yes!
Democrats, locally and state-wide, care about our schools by advocating for:
Better salaries and affordable housing for teachers
Quality education that helps each student reach their potential for a successful future
Keeping students in school; dropping out can be devastating and costly for them, their families and the community
Reasons for students to stay here to contribute their skills and talents
Attracting businesses and industries with well-paying jobs
Well-maintained school buildings
Early childhood programs for all 4-year-olds
Continually improved security protocols
Judy connects the success of public schools with a healthy community. She has served as a trained Guardian Ad Litem, advocating for children in foster care.
She also knows how students qualify for assistance. In our county this year, “fifty-one percent of students district-wide are eligible for free or reduced-price lunches.”
This reminds me of two headlines in our local newspaper that, side-by-side, tell another part of the story in our state. Leadership matters.
But Judy reminds me that county residents care about our children and our public schools:
Citizens have demonstrated their support of schools by voting 60% in favor of the bond issue.
[And] volunteerism is strong in our community. Many volunteers are retirees who have no children in our schools, but contribute their hours and dollars.
In her tutoring experience here, she has
observed numerous examples of kindness, respect, helpfulness, and empathy being specifically taught to students, implemented and recognized by others. The positive [school] atmosphere clearly provides the best possible learning environment. The hallways display examples of student work and projects for an impressive indication of the coordination of academics and the arts.
In the video, Judy ends with her great belief in the abilities of teachers, staff and administrators, and in the capabilities of our young students. She says,
It’s important that we look at education as a huge piece of success for our society.
Now it’s up to us to vote for and elect local, state and national officials who care about removing damaging roadblocks in education — not about adding them. Learn about the candidates before they’re in charge!
Thank you, Judy, for sharing your experience with us, and with the students you continue to tutor.