***We live in a Right-To-Work state, where no state employee is permitted to strike or walk out on the job during work hours without grave consequences.  Therefore, I am calling ALL North Carolina teachers, parents, students and any other people who think that our state is moving in the wrong direction as it pertains to education, to participate in . . .

Walk to the Sidewalk Wednesdays

Every Wednesday beginning on August 28, 2013 and continuing until legislation has changed, every concerned teacher, administrator, parent, student and citizen will walk to the sidewalks in front of every public elementary, middle and high school at precisely 5:00 pm and stand in solidarity and concern.  Numbers and names will be collected, tallied, and sent to NC Governor Pat McCrory, Speaker, Thom Tillis, and other state representatives along with a letter of concern. We will roar with a silent, peaceful, but forceful message that we love the children of North Carolina, that we appreciate and revere the noble teaching profession, that we are committed to higher levels of education for ourselves, our students and our society.  However, we are embarrassed to be teachers, administrators, parents, students and citizens in the state of North Carolina in the year 2013, and we would like our state to move in the opposite direction in which it is going.

We will not be protesting during school hours or on school property. We will not be screaming or yelling.  We will be peaceful, hold signs, and stand firm in our belief that North Carolina can be, once again, at the top of the list for student achievement as well as teacher and parent satisfaction.

We will share information about this movement via Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and any other social media at our disposal. Local media, and hopefully national too, will bring attention to "Walk to the Sidewalk Wednesdays" and our state elected officials will have to respond.  


Marie Calabro
4th Grade Teacher and EC Specialist
Beverly Woods Elementary School
Charlotte, NC