Endorsements
NCTU Admin Team Announces Recommended Candidate for North Carolina State Superintendent
Mr. Bishay Elshoukarey, Director, Melissa Easley, Communications Manager, with Operation Managers Kristy Elshoukarey and Katherine Hartter of North Carolina Teachers United (NCTU) announced that Dr. Jen Mangrum has been selected as the recommended candidate for North Carolina State Superintendent of Public Instruction.
A committee of educators, who are members of NCTU, convened and after carefully reviewing each of the questionnaires selected Dr. Mangrum from a field of seven candidates. Dr. Jen Mangrum, an educator for more than 30 years is currently employed by UNC-G in the School of Education as Clinical Associate Professor in Education. Since she has been at UNC-G, Jen co-founded the STEM Teacher Leader collaborative. Prior to taking the position at UNC-G, she completed her PhD in Curriculum and Instruction and worked NC State University creating the Elementary Education program and department, where she led it for two years.
Both of Mangrum’s parents were educators and she followed in their footsteps. For twelve years, she served as an elementary teacher in two different North Carolina school districts. She then became a literacy facilitator where she modeled and coached effective literacy instruction. During this time she began consulting with the National Paideia Center, which advocates that all learners practice the critical thinking, communication skills, and attitudes necessary to earn a living, be an active citizen, and pursue a meaningful life.
“Jen Mangrum is the leader we need as State Superintendent as she is an advocate for teachers, students, and families,” said Melissa Easley. “It is clear that Dr. Mangrum is totally qualified and the best candidate to be the State Superintendent. She wants to change the current climate of respect for public education that is prevalent in the current leadership of both the NC Senate and NC House,” added Bishay Elshoukarey.
Dr. Mangum indicated on her questionnaire that she is running to be the State Superintendent because she wants to reverse the current trend to dismantle public education. She also said, “I want to make our state better for our children and future generations.”
The North Carolina Primary Election is March 3, 2020 with early voting beginning on February 13, 2020 and lasting until February 29, 2020. Voter registration deadline is Friday, February 7, 2020.