Kimberly Jones, former North Carolina Teacher of the Year, on education funding and retention

March 23, 2026 - 18:24

If there’s a core public service in North Carolina that’s found itself most consistently in the crosshairs of hostile politicians the last several years, it’s public education. Thanks to the repeated underfunding of our schools, a growing exodus of experienced educators is crippling the system. Kimberly Jones, a respected former North Carolina Teacher of the Year, is adding her powerful voice to the call for urgent change, directly linking the state’s funding priorities to a critical teacher retention crisis.

Jones argues that chronic underinvestment sends a demoralizing message to classroom professionals. She highlights how insufficient resources for salaries, classroom supplies, and support staff create unsustainable working conditions. This environment, she states, pushes dedicated teachers out of the profession they love and discourages new candidates from entering it. The consequence is not just a staffing shortage, but a loss of institutional knowledge and mentorship that is vital for student success.

The educator emphasizes that this is a deliberate policy choice with profound consequences. She calls for a fundamental shift in the state’s approach, moving from minimal compliance to robust investment. For Jones, proper funding is not merely a budget line item, but a clear statement of value for children, for educators, and for North Carolina’s future. The current path, she warns, jeopardizes educational quality for an entire generation of students.