CHARLOTTE, N.C. — CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- After covering the recent teacher demonstrations in Raleigh, WCNC NBC Charlotte took action to help equip teachers across the Carolinas with the supplies they need to educate our children.
We believe teachers should not have to spend their own hard earned money purchasing school supplies for their classrooms.
PHOTOS: NBC Charlotte is taking care of our teachers!
THE RALLY IN RALEIGH
As thousands of people marched outside the General Assembly in Raleigh, Governor Roy Cooper showed his support for helping teachers.
During May's rally, Cooper said North Carolina's teacher pay, which ranks 37th in the country, is unacceptable. He said he will put in an extra $112 million to the state's budget.
Teachers are currently scheduled to receive a six-percent pay raise next year, but Cooper is calling on state legislators to bump that pay increase to eight percent.
"The veteran teachers have been left out. We know you are critical for the success of our schools, but we have to be willing to prioritize it and pay for it," he said.
Cooper also went on to say that this was more than about teacher's pay.
"It’s about respect, it’s personal, it’s about real investment in our schools," he said. "If I’ve learned anything, teachers don’t teach for incomes, teachers teach for outcomes."
PHOTOS: Signs at NC teacher rally
HOW CAN YOU HELP?
With the help of ER Plumbing, Walmart and our caring community, we CAN make a difference in our public schools and help our teachers!
Making a donation now is so easy, just click on the link below to access our Amazon wish list. All donations made go to teachers in need.
Earlier Saturday, NBC Charlotte hosted a school supply drive at Walmart on Pineville-Matthews Road location.
Our team was able to fill out four bins and several shopping carts as of 2 p.m. Saturday.
Erlene Lyde tells you how your contributions can really help local teachers
WHAT SHOULD I DONATE?
If you'd like to shop locally to help teachers, CMS sent a survey to the schools and these items were frequently requested from teachers:
- Earbuds for Chromebooks
- Wireless mic
- Dry erase markers
- Dry erase erasers
- Electric pencil sharpener
- Kleenex
- Color printer paper
- Color cardstock paper
- Beanbag chairs for students
- Answer buzzers
- Plastic organizing crates
- Lysol wipes
- Poster size sticky pag
- Node pad chart paper
- Highlighters
- Small white boards
Our station is proud to support the hard-working teachers in our community. We hope you’ll join us so we can give our teachers and students a positive start to the school year.