February 26, 2024 • 32 mins
Discover the critical distinctions in educational policy and leadership philosophies as we examine the Republican primary for NC's Superintendent of Public Instruction. Feel the pulse of NC's future as we spotlight the compelling race between Michele Morrow and Catherine Truitt, offering an insightful analysis of their platforms. Morrow, with her commitment to academic focus, school safety, and fiscal responsibility, sharply criticizes the current superintendent's policies, while Truitt's breadth of experience—from the classroom to legislative halls—underpins her dedication to closing achievement gaps and boosting literacy.
Engage with the complexities of educational reform as we break down the contentious issues shaping this election. Hear firsthand how Morrow's campaign is challenging the status quo, advocating against Critical Race Theory and for stronger parental rights in education. Meanwhile, Truitt's narrative unfolds as a seasoned educator and policy maker, striving to improve reading proficiency and student engagement. Their contrasting views on discipline, school safety, and curriculum standards paint a vivid picture of what's at stake for students and parents in NC. Join us, ensuring you're equipped with the knowledge to cast an informed vote.
Michele Morrow & Catherine Truitt
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Episode Transcript
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Amanda Benbow Lunn (00:10):
Hello friends, thanks for joining me
and the NC Deep Dive.
I am your host, AmandaBenbow-Lunn, and we are delving
into the 2024 primary election.
Each episode will cover adifferent race that will be on
your primary ballot thiselection.
When you go to vote, you willbe handed a ballot based on your
address and party affiliation.
(00:31):
If you are unaffiliatedsometimes also referred here as
independent then you will haveyour choice of which party's
ballot you would like to vote.
Please note that you are onlyable to cast one ballot and that
there are no primary ballotsfor the Green Party or the no
Labels Party.
Moreover, candidates for thegeneral election in November who
(00:52):
do not have a primarychallenger will not appear on
your primary ballot.
They get a pass directly to thegeneral election.
Due to time constraints and theplethora of candidates, and my
belief that having as muchinformation as possible is of
vast importance, our primaryelection segment will consist of
me covering one race at a time,as time allows, and going over
(01:16):
each candidate's website andwhat I can find on a simple
Google search, in case it iseasier for you to take in
information this way.
If you are short on time, youcan check out our NC Deep Dives
Voters Guide for the 2024primary election, found pinned
to our Facebook page or on thisepisode's show notes at www.
ncdeepdive.
com.
(01:38):
It will be an easy way toaccess each candidate's website
and research the candidates onyour own.
If that's a better use of yourtime, without further ado, my
friends, let's dive.
In this episode we will bedelving into the North Carolina
Superintendent of PublicInstruction for the Republican
(02:02):
ballot.
You will have two candidatesrunning for this office Michele
Morrow and Catherine Truitt.
We're going to begin withMichelle.
Her website is Morrow4NC.
com.
It's M-O-R-R-O-W, the numberfour NCcom, and it says Michelle
Morrow, north CarolinaSuperintendent of Public
(02:25):
Instruction.
A trusted and provenconservative, Michele Morrow is
the only candidate in the racefor the state superintendent of
public instruction with a provenrecord of winning the fight for
conservatism.
There are buttons where you candonate, join and contact her if
you see fit.
She says Make academics greatagain.
Michele's three-point plan fora brighter tomorrow Scholastics.
(02:50):
Thanks to state and federalpolicies, north Carolina schools
prioritize teaching childrenracially divisive and sexually
explicit content instead ofreading and math.
Our current system rewardsindividuals who embrace these
ideologies.
Instead of encouraging healthycompetition, academic excellence
and personal responsibility, weare depriving our students of
(03:11):
their constitutional right to asound basic education.
Just 35% of our fourth gradersare reading on grade level.
One out of four eighth gradersin North Carolina are proficient
in math.
26% of eighth graders areproficient in reading.
North Carolina schools ranked42 out of 50 on K-12 science
(03:32):
scores, according to Scholaroo.
Michele will end DEI andcritical race theory teacher
training on day one.
Teachers will be trained onevidence-based pedagogies for
teaching math, science andreading.
Michele will strengthenlearning partnerships with
community colleges andbusinesses in each district to
provide associate-level classesand internships in every high
(03:54):
school Safety.
Fear of violence and fear ofharassment is robbing too many
children of their right toreceive a sound basic education.
Teachers cannot teach andstudents cannot learn amid
discord and distraction.
There are no consequences forswearing at, defying or ignoring
instructors.
It is not uncommon for studentsto physically assault teachers,
(04:14):
bus drivers or their peers withimpunity.
School staff and studentsshould never be fearful in our
schools and disorder cannot betolerated.
Catherine Truitt has donenothing to support classroom
discipline and school bussecurity.
Her emphasis on quote socialand emotional learning end quote
has compounded the problem, asteachers are discouraged from
(04:35):
disciplining misbehavior, whichis leading to an increase in
anxiety, confusion and conflict.
Michele's priority is to makeschools the safest buildings in
the state.
Michele will prioritizespending on student resource
officers, video surveillance andweapons detection systems in
every school.
Based on the 2021 safety audits, Michele will advocate for
(04:56):
criminal background checks forall school staff.
As superintendent, Michele willhold public town halls with
parents, teachers, bus drivers,principals, religious leaders,
law enforcement and juvenilejustice experts.
This will uncover the mosteffective policies for our
districts.
As superintendent, Michele andher team will deploy a common
sense, discipline and safetyplan Spending.
(05:18):
Michele knows that NorthCarolina's public education
system must be fueled by afiscally conservative, free
market and competitiveenvironment.
North Carolina's educationsystem needs sound fiscal
policies and practices todeliver academic results and
support teachers and schoolstaff.
Michele will work withfinancial experts and
legislators to streamline ourspending to focus on teacher
(05:40):
recruitment and training,student resources and
infrastructure.
We must put academics first.
As a result of CatherineTruitt's partnership with
progressive programs and hermismanagement of taxpayer funds,
north Carolina's most importantdepartment is at risk.
Recent audits of NorthCarolina's Department of Public
Instruction have revealed $230million in COVID funds were
(06:03):
unaccounted for, a staffer sent$167,000 to email scammers and
CEDPI missed the federalreporting deadline for $732
million.
$8.2 million grantdisbursements were misreported
to the feds.
On day one, Michele will bringin an outside forensic
accounting team to track downevery dime of the missing
(06:26):
classroom money.
Taxpayers' money will go tounderfunded schools that
desperately need resources andsupport and to the staff who
work directly with our studentsday in and day out.
Michele will identify, decreaseor terminate wasteful programs
at the state level and endcontracts with organizations
that cannot demonstrate a direct, consistent, positive impact on
(06:47):
student success and staffretention.
We will partner with localfarmers, grocery stores and
nonprofits to serve our schoolcommunities, to lower costs,
support local businesses andenhance unity within our
districts.
Meet Michele, meet MicheleMorrow.
Wife, mother, nurse, educator,advocate.
Michelle is known throughoutNorth Carolina for working with
(07:08):
voters and elected officials topass bills that protect parental
rights and girls in sports.
She has 16 years of classroomhomeschooling experience and she
has expertise in developingrobust high school curricula for
civics, history, science andEnglish to meet the diverse
learning needs of students.
As a nurse, Michele managed ahealth clinic in the most rural
(07:29):
area in the lower 48 states andworked in an emergency
department in Texas.
As a missionary in some of thepoorest areas in Mexico, she
mentored youth and educatedfamilies to enhance their
self-sufficiency and improvetheir mental, physical and
emotional health.
In Michele's view, all childrenpossess unique strengths and
talents to bring to thecommunity.
(07:49):
She believes it is NorthCarolina's education leaders job
to create policies and removebarriers that will help develop
these attributes.
This will put every child on apath to critical thinking and
prosperity.
She does have a video thatplays, and then she goes into
family.
First, Michele is a devotedwife and mother to five
wonderful kids.
She spent most of her childhoodin upstate New York and moved
(08:12):
to Charlotte, north Carolina,when she was a sophomore in high
school.
Michelle met her husband,stuart, on a mission trip to
Mexico and, after marrying, thecouple spent four years serving
in Mexico City, where three oftheir children were born.
Michele and her family lived inMexico for several years while
working as missionaries.
Compassionate nurse, michellereceived a Bachelor of Science
(08:33):
degree in Nursing from theUniversity of North Carolina at
Chapel Hill.
She worked for several yearscaring for critically ill
patients in the ICU.
Michele moved to Texas andmanaged patients in the
emergency department.
Like all nurses, Michele workedunder pressure and had to make
decisions, using criticalthinking to quickly put
knowledge into practice.
By using her solid analyticalskills, she was able to collect
(08:56):
information, evaluate the factsand come to rational conclusions
about how to improve thequality of patient care Service
to children.
Michele and Stuart were fosterparents in Austin, texas, before
moving to Colorado to run aChristian family and youth camp.
Her responsibilities includedserving as camp nurse and
mentoring young women.
Her family moved back to NorthCarolina nine years ago when she
(09:18):
began teaching high schoolbiology, chemistry, spanish and
civics in local co-ops.
Michele's children attendedpublic, private and homeschool
over the past 19 years.
Her experience with each systemgives her a unique perspective
to bring to the Department ofInstruction Effective educator.
Throughout her career ineducation, Michele developed
(09:38):
young people into responsiblecitizens by developing their
integrity, courage, compassion,character and responsibility.
Her experience includesclassroom teaching and program
development.
While serving as director of aWake County education network,
Michele's work was grounded inhigh quality teaching and
learning, family and teacherempowerment, evidence-based
(09:58):
practices and studentpreparation for college and
career pathways.
Why, Michele?
This is an ad that is paid forby the committee to elect
Michele Morrow Vote NorthCarolina Superintendent of
Public Instruction Republicanprimary candidates March 5th.
On the left there is MicheleMorrow and Her beliefs and
Catherine Truitt, and what theyhave suggested Catherine
(10:22):
believes in or has done so firstit's critical race theory, crt.
On Michelle Morrow's side itsays leader of statewide groups
that exposed and defeated CRT inschools.
Speaker at school boardmeetings opposing CRT and porn
in schools.
Worked with lawmakers to writebills.
On Catherine Truitt's side itsays approved social studies
(10:43):
standards with CRT.
Pushed CRT for disabledpreschoolers.
Hired state equity officer saysadvanced classes are racist.
Offers CRT teacher trainings.
For the next category, parentalrights.
On Michele Morrow's side itsays led statewide petition
needed to get lawmakers to draftbill.
Lobbied the public for twoyears to convince lawmakers to
(11:06):
pass North Carolina ParentalRights Act.
On Catherine Truitt's side itsays delayed implementation of
parents' rights bill after itpassed.
Used progressives to writepolicy for schools.
Pushing sex surveys withoutparents' consent Under school
safety.
On Michele Morrow's side itsays support school officers
over social workers to fightcrime.
(11:27):
Will enact fair, common sense,discipline policies, background
checks for all school staff.
On Catherine Truitt's side itsays enacted discipline policies
based on race allows accusedslash, convicted pedophiles to
maintain teaching licenses.
No oversight for districtemergency plans Under fiscal
(11:48):
responsibility.
On Michele Morrow's side itsays limited government slash,
fiscal conservative, calling foroutside audit to track down
misappropriated millions.
On Catherine Truitt's side itsays tripled size of DPI staff
then gave 60% raises, failed twoaudits in a row,
misappropriation of $230 millionor more.
(12:10):
Endorsements.
On Michele Morrow's side itsays endorsed endorsements by
conservative school boards.
On Catherine Truitt's side itsays Thom Tillis's candidate,
moving to Michele Morrow'sendorsements.
She is proudly endorsed byClarence Henderson, a civil
rights leader, john K Amanchukwu.
He is a pastor, auditor,speaker and educational activist
(12:34):
.
She is endorsed by the SurreyGOP.
She is endorsed by iVoterGuidein North Carolina.
She's been endorsed by theHornets Nest Republican Men's
Club by a co-sponsorship withthe Mecklenburg GOP and Union
GOP and it gives a percentagethere.
Michelle Moro has 57%,catherine Truitt has 33%.
(12:56):
She's been endorsed by Luka forthe North Carolina
Superintendent of PublicInstruction and that's
lukalatinosunited.
com.
She's been endorsed by NorthCarolina Grassroots Government
for 2024, the Beaufort Observer,carolina Teachers Alliance.
Ctavotes.
org Stand for Healthcare Freedomendorses Michele Morrow.
(13:20):
She's also been endorsed byAngie Todd, an Onslow County
School Board member, who'sconservative.
Louis Rogers, also OnslowCounty Conservative School Board
member.
Pauline Bruno, a Moore CountyBoard of Education.
Robert Levy, from More CountySchool Board member, who's
conservative.
Larry Pittman, a conservativeformer NC House rep.
(13:43):
Laura Blackwell, a CabarrusCounty School Board member,
who's conservative.
She's been endorsed by policeofficer Anthony Thomas classical
conversations.
Home school leader.
Robert Bordens.
She's been endorsed by ChrissyPratt, who is in the Guilford
County Board of Education.
Don Digmann, a conservativemember of the Catawba County
(14:06):
School Board member.
Reba Beck from the Clay CountySchool Board member, who's
conservative.
Michelle Teague, a conservativeSchool Board member of Catawba
County.
Tim Settlemore, anotherconservative School Board member
of Catawba County.
Keith Locklear, a conservativeSchool Board member in Beladen
County.
And David Moore, a CountyCommissioner in Polk County.
(14:28):
She does have some videos thatyou can watch if you go to her
website.
They are entitled why I'mRunning Open Borders Endangers
NC Schools.
Michelle's On Uvaldi Report.
Michele and Wayne DePre discussCRT.
Michelle's Common SenseAssessment.
Michelle Grassroots Reformer.
She has some news articles here.
(14:48):
I'll just read through theheadlines, but you can visit
them if you so choose.
Why do convicted pedophilesstill have NC teaching licenses?
Thom Tillis endorses CatherineTruitt.
There is no greater tragedythan an untimely death at the
hands of a criminal.
Michele Morrow is honored toreceive the endorsements of
conservative School Boardmembers.
(15:09):
Close our borders, save ourNorth Carolina children,
families and schools.
Press release.
Republican North CarolinaSchool Superintendent candidate
endorses Donald Trump.
Endorsement alert.
Dr James Lindsay endorsesMichelle Moro, the most
important job in North Carolinaand another endorsement alert.
There are buttons where you candonate, volunteer and contact
(15:30):
her if you would like.
She does link a Facebook page,instagram and Twitter slash X
account.
Looking her up on Ballotpedia,it says that she was born in
Nashua, new Hampshire.
She earned a bachelor's degreefrom the University of North
Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Her career experience includesworking as a nurse, grassroots
activist, homeschool educatorand high school biology,
(15:53):
chemistry, civics, spanish andhealth teacher.
Morrow and her husband weremissionaries in Mexico for four
years.
She has also been the headnurse of a wilderness camp where
she was responsible fortraining the staff in First Aid
and CPR.
Morrow has been affiliated withthe following organizations
Liberty First.
Grassroots ConservativeCoalition of North Carolina.
Freedom Works.
Education First Alliance.
(16:14):
Carolina Teachers Alliance.
Wake GOP North Carolina AsiaAmerican Coalition.
Color Us United.
Hispano's Delcer.
Frederick Douglass Foundation.
Hslda.
Pavement Education Project.
Western WAKE Republican Club.
Christian PerspectiveRepresentatives.
Protect Children's HealthCoalition.
(16:34):
Looking at her campaign finance,according to Ballotpedia, this
is the North Carolina CampaignReporting Schedule for the 2024
election, ranging from January1st 2023 through December 31st
of 2024.
She's had a total of $9,611 incontributions with 40 unique
(16:55):
contributors.
She has had $4,954 inexpenditures, with 28 unique
payees.
She did fill out theBallotpedia's Candidate
Connections Survey, so there areabout eight questions here.
If you're interested in thoseanswers, you can check out
Ballotpedia.
Michele Morrow did not respondto my attempts to reach her
(17:16):
regarding the North CarolinaVoters Guide that I put together
.
Looking her up on Google,nothing out of the ordinary
showed up on the first page of aGoogle search.
Moving on to Catherine Truitt,her website is cathrinetruitt.
com.
It says Catherine Truitt, stateSuperintendent, former
classroom teacher.
Every decision we make abouteducation in North Carolina must
(17:39):
begin with one simple questionin mind Is this what is best for
our students?
Catherine, you have the abilityto join her team.
Meet Catherine.
Since her first days as aclassroom teacher, catherine
Truitt's priority has beenstudents.
Ensuring that students have anopportunity to receive the best
education possible is a drivingforce in her day-to-day work.
(17:59):
She recognizes that today'sstudents are tomorrow's
workforce and remains committedto readying graduates for
college or career.
As North Carolina StateSuperintendent, truitt's work is
focused on improving thestate's public schools,
expanding innovation andcreating new opportunities for
students to learn, grow andsuccessfully transition into the
post-secondary plans of theirchoice.
(18:21):
Truitt's service and educationbegan as a high school English
teacher, where she spent 10years in the classroom at both
the high school and middleschool levels.
Her last three years in theclassroom were spent at West
Johnston High School, where shetaught English to 11th and 12th
grade students.
It's this classroom experiencethat Truitt draws from when
considering how to best equipstudents, engage parents and
(18:42):
invest in teachers.
In 2012, truitt joined theInternational Center for
Leadership and Education, whereshe worked as a school
turnaround coach withunderperforming school districts
.
She collaborated withprincipals and superintendents
to craft plans to closeachievement gaps while
developing whole districttransformation initiatives.
Truitt also served as a coachfor teachers in kindergarten
(19:03):
through 12th grade, helping themdevelop strategies to foster
student engagement and cultivatelearning.
In 2015, truitt was given theopportunity to apply her
experience as a teacher andcoach to help shape education
policy in North Carolina whenGovernor Pat McCrory appointed
her as his senior educationadvisor In the governor's office
.
She coordinated policy for alldimensions of public education
(19:26):
and helped lead the developmentof strategic state education
policy goals for ages 0 to 20.
Most recently, truitt served asChancellor of Nonprofit Western
Governors University, northCarolina.
As Chancellor, she was focusedon increasing access to higher
education for the 1.5 millionNorth Carolinians with some
college but no degree, truittcollaborated with community
(19:48):
colleges, hospitals, schooldistricts and economic
development programs to ensurethat state workforce demands
were being met.
Prior to joining WGU and C,truitt served as Associate Vice
President of University and P-12partnership at UNC General
Administration, helpingstrengthen the educator pipeline
and supporting public collegesof education.
(20:11):
Truett is a 1994 graduate of theUniversity of Maryland with a
Bachelor of Arts in English.
She received her master's ineducation from the University of
Washington in 1997.
She and her husband, jeff, anattorney and captain in the US
Navy Reserves, live in Cary.
They have one daughter incollege and a son and daughter
enrolled in Wake County publicschools.
(20:31):
The button for heraccomplishments does not work.
It goes to a 404 error for pagenot found or support.
It brings you to a link whereyou can donate to her campaign
if you would like.
Instead of more one size fitsall solutions from Raleigh, it's
time to empower our teachersand principals to make the right
decisions for individualstudents.
She has some tweets that she'sput out.
(20:53):
If you're interested, you cancheck those out.
The accomplishments button atthe top of the page does work
and it says in my first monthson the job, I worked with the
General Assembly and Governor'sOffice to pass Senate Bill 220,
the Reopen Our Schools Act.
Proudly supported and helped inthe drafting of the original
House Bill 324, the Anti-CRTBill.
Unfortunately, governor Coopervetoed this legislation.
(21:16):
But my department continues toensure that we recognize the
equality and rights of allpersons.
Through our partnerships withthe General Assembly, we
continue to implement policiesthat ensure we are working
towards a highly qualifiedteacher in every classroom
across the state.
Proudly supported and workedwith our General Assembly to
ensure that the school choiceoptions continue to move forward
(21:36):
in North Carolina and thatparents are always in positions
to make the decisions that arebest for their children.
And she references the 2021budget.
2022 is the year of theworkforce.
At my department, we areworking to ensure all North
Carolina high school graduatesare college and career ready
with the skills necessary tosucceed in our state and global
(21:56):
economy.
With a passage of the ExcellentPublic Schools Act Senate Bill
387, my department and I amleading the effort to train
every single pre-K through fifthgrade teacher in a
phonics-based approach throughthe science of reading.
This will be a game changer forpublic education and we expect
to see immediate results for ourstudents.
Expand the collaboration andpartnerships between our schools
(22:18):
and our four-year colleges,community colleges, the business
community, hospitals, localworkforce boards and IT centers.
Elementary reading scoresimproved again in North Carolina
.
Elementary school students arereading at a better level today
than a year ago.
According to new data from theNorth Carolina Department of
Public Instruction, since theenactment of a standardized
(22:39):
early literacy assessmentbeginning with the 2021-2022
school year, reading scores inNorth Carolina for grades one
through three have outpacednational peers by more than two
to one.
Dpi reported read more and thatlinks to a Carolina journal.
Elementary reading scoresimproved again in North Carolina
that was put out on December11th of 2023.
(23:00):
It also says compared to2021-2022 school year, 9,308
fewer students received a labelof quote reading retained.
This year, students areconsidered reading retained if
they are not proficient inreading by the end of the third
grade.
The article also states theresults weren't all positive.
However, in keeping withpandemic era school issues
(23:22):
impacting minority students, themost reading proficiency
achievement gaps remain amongblack, hispanic and Native
American children compared towhites and Asians.
For example, 12% more blacksstudents received reading scores
indicating they need intensiveintervention compared to white
students.
The numbers are even worse forHispanic and Native American
students, at 18% and 22%respectively.
(23:44):
It says that we have much tocelebrate, but we must also
focus on supporting the childrenwho have not quite caught up,
said Amy Rine, director of theoffice of learning at the
Department of Public Instruction, in a statement.
With the letters, learningapproaching full implementation
and as teachers continue todifferentiate their instruction
based on individual studentneeds, we expect these numbers
(24:06):
to keep improving.
In her news tab the elementaryreading scores improve again and
NC article is there again.
And then there are a number ofother articles.
I'll just read you their titles.
Truett speaks to the committeeon education and the workforce
in July 27, 2023.
Truett no aggregate samples anda run toward, not from
(24:27):
accountability.
That was done.
July 27, 2023.
North Carolina K through threeearly literacy skills exceed the
rest of the country May 9th of2023.
Superintendent says changewould undermine the intent of
Title IX.
That article was written May9th of 2023.
Then there are a few more pagesof news articles, highlights
(24:47):
from around the state.
There are some pictures herewith some captions, one of which
says Superintendent Truitt wasSenator Tillis, state Senator
Lee and local leaders fromacross North Carolina discussing
best practices for schoolsafety and student mental health
.
Superintendent Truitt testifyingbefore Congress about North
Carolina's response to pandemicrecovery after prolonged school
(25:09):
closures.
Testifying in front of theGeneral Assembly's Governor Ops
Committee, where she discussedwhat DPI is doing to address
hearing loss from the COVIDshutdowns.
Spending time with NFL andNASCAR Hall of Famer Joe Gibbs,
they had the opportunity todiscuss how North Carolina can
expand unique partnerships thatprovide educational
(25:29):
opportunities to our mostvulnerable populations.
Receiving the North CarolinaSchool Psychologist Association
Legislative Award.
Visiting with UNC Pembroke Deanof Education, dr Lori Floyd.
Visiting NCGOP Vice Chair SusanMills School in Sampson County.
Tacky Christmas sweater day inAsh County Public Schools.
(25:50):
Onto her endorsements she's beenendorsed by Dan Forrest, former
Lieutenant Governor, charlieMiller and Bill Rabin, brunswick
County Conservatives.
Jason Sain, conservative StateRep, brad Overcash, conservative
State Senator, john Bell,conservative State Rep, kevin
Corbin, vicki Sawyer and JoyceCroik, Sponsors of the Fairness
(26:12):
in Women's Sports Act.
Kristen Baker, primary Sponsorof the Protect Our Students Act.
Erin Pare, conservative StateRep.
Ralph Hays, conservative StateSenator, destin Hall,
conservative State Rep DaveCraven, conservative State
Senator Ed Goodwin, conservativeState Rep, virginia Fox,
conservative US Rep, wayneSasser, conservative State Rep,
(26:34):
robeson County.
Conservative Senator DannyBritt, representative Jared
Lowery and RepresentativeBretton Jones.
She's been endorsed by Partnersfor Educational Freedom and,
lastly, she's been endorsed bySteve Troxler, the current
Agriculture Commissioner, who isup for reelection this year.
She does have a Facebook and aTwitter or X account and there
(26:56):
are links where you can donateto her campaign if you would so
like.
Looking up Catherine Truitt onGoogle search, I did not find
anything out of the ordinary.
Looking at Ballotpedia, it saysthat she was born in Cincinnati
, ohio.
She earned a Bachelor's degreefrom the University of Maryland
in 1994 and a Master's degreefrom the University of
(27:16):
Washington in 1997.
Her career experience includesworking as a Chancellor for
Western Governors University,north Carolina High school
teacher, a turnaround coach, aneducation advisor for former
Governor Pat McCrory, anAssociate Vice President for
P-12 Partnerships and theUniversity of North Carolina's
General Administration.
Truitt has served as a boardmember for TLC for the Severe
(27:38):
and Profoundly Disabled and forthe Nurse Family Partnership of
North Carolina.
Her campaign finance informationfor the 2024 election, which is
January 1st of 2023.
Through December 31st of thisyear, she's had a total of
$206,602 in contributions from177 unique contributors,
(28:00):
including the North CarolinaRepublican Council of State
Committee and the North CarolinaRed Pack.
She's had $36,371 inexpenditures with a total of 67
unique payees.
Catherine Truitt has notcompeted.
Ballotpedia's 2024 candidateconnection survey, but she did
fill it out in 2020.
(28:21):
And this would have been forthe same race, so there are a
number of questions there thatshe answered four years ago.
Catherine Truitt did notrespond in my attempts to have
her participate in the NorthCarolina Voters Guide, so we do
not have her responses in that.
And that concludes everythingthat I was able to find online
regarding the Republican ballotfor the North Carolina
(28:43):
Superintendent of PublicInstruction.
For the two candidates who arerunning for this office, michele
Morrow and Catherine Truitt.
You are eligible to vote forone of these candidates when you
go in to vote.
Democracy is the foundation ofall we hold dear.
We are better as a community,state and nation when we all
take part in our civic duty bybeing informed and casting our
(29:06):
vote.
The candidates in offices onyour ballot can have a major
impact on our everyday lives andcan have real consequences.
They create and enforce ourlaws, invest in our future
well-being, fund all the thingslike our schools and roads,
ensure we have safe drinkingwater and food to put on our
tables and advocate on behalf ofthose they represent.
(29:28):
Hopefully, keeping in mind boththe little and the big picture
of it all.
Early voting is now going on andwill continue through Saturday,
march 2nd.
Our closest early votinglocations will be the WE Hunt
Center in Holly Springs and theHilltop, Needmore Town Park and
Preserve and Fuquay Varina.
The main primary election willbe held on Tuesday, march 5th.
(29:51):
If you vote that day, it's bestfor you to go to your
designated polling place or elsesome of the races you are
eligible to vote for may notshow up on the ballot they have
available to give you Duringearly voting.
Each area in Wake County hasall the possible ballots for
Wake County Election day.
They will only have the ballotthat corresponds directly to
(30:11):
that particular precinct.
Please remember you now need tobring your photo ID.
If you happen to forget or havehad some extraordinary
circumstance happen, you willhave a few different options
provided to you, but it will bebest and easiest and most
efficient to bring it with you.
If, for some reason, youhaven't registered to vote yet,
you may register and vote at thesame time during early voting
(30:34):
at any one of the sites.
March 2nd will be the last dayto register to vote for this
primary election, and thatbrings this episode of the NC
Deep Dive to a close.
Make sure you check out all theother relevant episodes for the
2024 primary election atwwwncdeepdivecom, apple Podcast,
(30:56):
spotify, Audible or whereveryou currently listen to your
podcast.
I will be including helpfullinks for each candidate and
voting in general on ourwebsite's show notes, including
our NC Deep Dives Voters Guidefor the 2024 primary election.
We were blessed to have manycandidates take the time to
share their thoughts and speakto voters within Southern Wake
(31:16):
County.
The Voters Guide is arranged byparty affiliation and organized
in such a way to make itrelatively easy to find the
races or candidates you might beinterested in.
All candidates' websites arelinked.
If I was able to find one, Ialso consciously chose to
arrange the Voters Guidestarting at the end of the
ballot.
So often we are aware of thelarger races, yet don't hear
(31:37):
much about or take the time tolearn about the smaller races.
As always, if you have anyquestions, concerns or topics
you'd like to share, you maycontact us via social media or
our email at ncdeepdive@gmail.
com.
Thank you for engaging withthis episode and becoming a more
informed citizen.
Democracy is a team sport.
Together, we make democracywork and our communities a
(31:59):
better place to work, play andlive.
Your vote matters.
Your voice matters, you matter.
Until next time, my friendsNamaste, the love and light in
me sees and honors the love andlight in you.
Hello friends, thanks for joining me
and the NC Deep Dive.
I am your host, AmandaBenbow-Lunn, and we are delving
into the 2024 primary election.
Each episode will cover adifferent race that will be on
your primary ballot thiselection.
When you go to vote, you willbe handed a ballot based on your
address and party affiliation.
(00:31):
If you are unaffiliatedsometimes also referred here as
independent then you will haveyour choice of which party's
ballot you would like to vote.
Please note that you are onlyable to cast one ballot and that
there are no primary ballotsfor the Green Party or the no
Labels Party.
Moreover, candidates for thegeneral election in November who
(00:52):
do not have a primarychallenger will not appear on
your primary ballot.
They get a pass directly to thegeneral election.
Due to time constraints and theplethora of candidates, and my
belief that having as muchinformation as possible is of
vast importance, our primaryelection segment will consist of
me covering one race at a time,as time allows, and going over
(01:16):
each candidate's website andwhat I can find on a simple
Google search, in case it iseasier for you to take in
information this way.
If you are short on time, youcan check out our NC Deep Dives
Voters Guide for the 2024primary election, found pinned
to our Facebook page or on thisepisode's show notes at www.
ncdeepdive.
com.
(01:38):
It will be an easy way toaccess each candidate's website
and research the candidates onyour own.
If that's a better use of yourtime, without further ado, my
friends, let's dive.
In this episode we will bedelving into the North Carolina
Superintendent of PublicInstruction for the Republican
(02:02):
ballot.
You will have two candidatesrunning for this office Michele
Morrow and Catherine Truitt.
We're going to begin withMichelle.
Her website is Morrow4NC.
com.
It's M-O-R-R-O-W, the numberfour NCcom, and it says Michelle
Morrow, north CarolinaSuperintendent of Public
(02:25):
Instruction.
A trusted and provenconservative, Michele Morrow is
the only candidate in the racefor the state superintendent of
public instruction with a provenrecord of winning the fight for
conservatism.
There are buttons where you candonate, join and contact her if
you see fit.
She says Make academics greatagain.
Michele's three-point plan fora brighter tomorrow Scholastics.
(02:50):
Thanks to state and federalpolicies, north Carolina schools
prioritize teaching childrenracially divisive and sexually
explicit content instead ofreading and math.
Our current system rewardsindividuals who embrace these
ideologies.
Instead of encouraging healthycompetition, academic excellence
and personal responsibility, weare depriving our students of
(03:11):
their constitutional right to asound basic education.
Just 35% of our fourth gradersare reading on grade level.
One out of four eighth gradersin North Carolina are proficient
in math.
26% of eighth graders areproficient in reading.
North Carolina schools ranked42 out of 50 on K-12 science
(03:32):
scores, according to Scholaroo.
Michele will end DEI andcritical race theory teacher
training on day one.
Teachers will be trained onevidence-based pedagogies for
teaching math, science andreading.
Michele will strengthenlearning partnerships with
community colleges andbusinesses in each district to
provide associate-level classesand internships in every high
(03:54):
school Safety.
Fear of violence and fear ofharassment is robbing too many
children of their right toreceive a sound basic education.
Teachers cannot teach andstudents cannot learn amid
discord and distraction.
There are no consequences forswearing at, defying or ignoring
instructors.
It is not uncommon for studentsto physically assault teachers,
(04:14):
bus drivers or their peers withimpunity.
School staff and studentsshould never be fearful in our
schools and disorder cannot betolerated.
Catherine Truitt has donenothing to support classroom
discipline and school bussecurity.
Her emphasis on quote socialand emotional learning end quote
has compounded the problem, asteachers are discouraged from
(04:35):
disciplining misbehavior, whichis leading to an increase in
anxiety, confusion and conflict.
Michele's priority is to makeschools the safest buildings in
the state.
Michele will prioritizespending on student resource
officers, video surveillance andweapons detection systems in
every school.
Based on the 2021 safety audits, Michele will advocate for
(04:56):
criminal background checks forall school staff.
As superintendent, Michele willhold public town halls with
parents, teachers, bus drivers,principals, religious leaders,
law enforcement and juvenilejustice experts.
This will uncover the mosteffective policies for our
districts.
As superintendent, Michele andher team will deploy a common
sense, discipline and safetyplan Spending.
(05:18):
Michele knows that NorthCarolina's public education
system must be fueled by afiscally conservative, free
market and competitiveenvironment.
North Carolina's educationsystem needs sound fiscal
policies and practices todeliver academic results and
support teachers and schoolstaff.
Michele will work withfinancial experts and
legislators to streamline ourspending to focus on teacher
(05:40):
recruitment and training,student resources and
infrastructure.
We must put academics first.
As a result of CatherineTruitt's partnership with
progressive programs and hermismanagement of taxpayer funds,
north Carolina's most importantdepartment is at risk.
Recent audits of NorthCarolina's Department of Public
Instruction have revealed $230million in COVID funds were
(06:03):
unaccounted for, a staffer sent$167,000 to email scammers and
CEDPI missed the federalreporting deadline for $732
million.
$8.2 million grantdisbursements were misreported
to the feds.
On day one, Michele will bringin an outside forensic
accounting team to track downevery dime of the missing
(06:26):
classroom money.
Taxpayers' money will go tounderfunded schools that
desperately need resources andsupport and to the staff who
work directly with our studentsday in and day out.
Michele will identify, decreaseor terminate wasteful programs
at the state level and endcontracts with organizations
that cannot demonstrate a direct, consistent, positive impact on
(06:47):
student success and staffretention.
We will partner with localfarmers, grocery stores and
nonprofits to serve our schoolcommunities, to lower costs,
support local businesses andenhance unity within our
districts.
Meet Michele, meet MicheleMorrow.
Wife, mother, nurse, educator,advocate.
Michelle is known throughoutNorth Carolina for working with
(07:08):
voters and elected officials topass bills that protect parental
rights and girls in sports.
She has 16 years of classroomhomeschooling experience and she
has expertise in developingrobust high school curricula for
civics, history, science andEnglish to meet the diverse
learning needs of students.
As a nurse, Michele managed ahealth clinic in the most rural
(07:29):
area in the lower 48 states andworked in an emergency
department in Texas.
As a missionary in some of thepoorest areas in Mexico, she
mentored youth and educatedfamilies to enhance their
self-sufficiency and improvetheir mental, physical and
emotional health.
In Michele's view, all childrenpossess unique strengths and
talents to bring to thecommunity.
(07:49):
She believes it is NorthCarolina's education leaders job
to create policies and removebarriers that will help develop
these attributes.
This will put every child on apath to critical thinking and
prosperity.
She does have a video thatplays, and then she goes into
family.
First, Michele is a devotedwife and mother to five
wonderful kids.
She spent most of her childhoodin upstate New York and moved
(08:12):
to Charlotte, north Carolina,when she was a sophomore in high
school.
Michelle met her husband,stuart, on a mission trip to
Mexico and, after marrying, thecouple spent four years serving
in Mexico City, where three oftheir children were born.
Michele and her family lived inMexico for several years while
working as missionaries.
Compassionate nurse, michellereceived a Bachelor of Science
(08:33):
degree in Nursing from theUniversity of North Carolina at
Chapel Hill.
She worked for several yearscaring for critically ill
patients in the ICU.
Michele moved to Texas andmanaged patients in the
emergency department.
Like all nurses, Michele workedunder pressure and had to make
decisions, using criticalthinking to quickly put
knowledge into practice.
By using her solid analyticalskills, she was able to collect
(08:56):
information, evaluate the factsand come to rational conclusions
about how to improve thequality of patient care Service
to children.
Michele and Stuart were fosterparents in Austin, texas, before
moving to Colorado to run aChristian family and youth camp.
Her responsibilities includedserving as camp nurse and
mentoring young women.
Her family moved back to NorthCarolina nine years ago when she
(09:18):
began teaching high schoolbiology, chemistry, spanish and
civics in local co-ops.
Michele's children attendedpublic, private and homeschool
over the past 19 years.
Her experience with each systemgives her a unique perspective
to bring to the Department ofInstruction Effective educator.
Throughout her career ineducation, Michele developed
(09:38):
young people into responsiblecitizens by developing their
integrity, courage, compassion,character and responsibility.
Her experience includesclassroom teaching and program
development.
While serving as director of aWake County education network,
Michele's work was grounded inhigh quality teaching and
learning, family and teacherempowerment, evidence-based
(09:58):
practices and studentpreparation for college and
career pathways.
Why, Michele?
This is an ad that is paid forby the committee to elect
Michele Morrow Vote NorthCarolina Superintendent of
Public Instruction Republicanprimary candidates March 5th.
On the left there is MicheleMorrow and Her beliefs and
Catherine Truitt, and what theyhave suggested Catherine
(10:22):
believes in or has done so firstit's critical race theory, crt.
On Michelle Morrow's side itsays leader of statewide groups
that exposed and defeated CRT inschools.
Speaker at school boardmeetings opposing CRT and porn
in schools.
Worked with lawmakers to writebills.
On Catherine Truitt's side itsays approved social studies
(10:43):
standards with CRT.
Pushed CRT for disabledpreschoolers.
Hired state equity officer saysadvanced classes are racist.
Offers CRT teacher trainings.
For the next category, parentalrights.
On Michele Morrow's side itsays led statewide petition
needed to get lawmakers to draftbill.
Lobbied the public for twoyears to convince lawmakers to
(11:06):
pass North Carolina ParentalRights Act.
On Catherine Truitt's side itsays delayed implementation of
parents' rights bill after itpassed.
Used progressives to writepolicy for schools.
Pushing sex surveys withoutparents' consent Under school
safety.
On Michele Morrow's side itsays support school officers
over social workers to fightcrime.
(11:27):
Will enact fair, common sense,discipline policies, background
checks for all school staff.
On Catherine Truitt's side itsays enacted discipline policies
based on race allows accusedslash, convicted pedophiles to
maintain teaching licenses.
No oversight for districtemergency plans Under fiscal
(11:48):
responsibility.
On Michele Morrow's side itsays limited government slash,
fiscal conservative, calling foroutside audit to track down
misappropriated millions.
On Catherine Truitt's side itsays tripled size of DPI staff
then gave 60% raises, failed twoaudits in a row,
misappropriation of $230 millionor more.
(12:10):
Endorsements.
On Michele Morrow's side itsays endorsed endorsements by
conservative school boards.
On Catherine Truitt's side itsays Thom Tillis's candidate,
moving to Michele Morrow'sendorsements.
She is proudly endorsed byClarence Henderson, a civil
rights leader, john K Amanchukwu.
He is a pastor, auditor,speaker and educational activist
(12:34):
.
She is endorsed by the SurreyGOP.
She is endorsed by iVoterGuidein North Carolina.
She's been endorsed by theHornets Nest Republican Men's
Club by a co-sponsorship withthe Mecklenburg GOP and Union
GOP and it gives a percentagethere.
Michelle Moro has 57%,catherine Truitt has 33%.
(12:56):
She's been endorsed by Luka forthe North Carolina
Superintendent of PublicInstruction and that's
lukalatinosunited.
com.
She's been endorsed by NorthCarolina Grassroots Government
for 2024, the Beaufort Observer,carolina Teachers Alliance.
Ctavotes.
org Stand for Healthcare Freedomendorses Michele Morrow.
(13:20):
She's also been endorsed byAngie Todd, an Onslow County
School Board member, who'sconservative.
Louis Rogers, also OnslowCounty Conservative School Board
member.
Pauline Bruno, a Moore CountyBoard of Education.
Robert Levy, from More CountySchool Board member, who's
conservative.
Larry Pittman, a conservativeformer NC House rep.
(13:43):
Laura Blackwell, a CabarrusCounty School Board member,
who's conservative.
She's been endorsed by policeofficer Anthony Thomas classical
conversations.
Home school leader.
Robert Bordens.
She's been endorsed by ChrissyPratt, who is in the Guilford
County Board of Education.
Don Digmann, a conservativemember of the Catawba County
(14:06):
School Board member.
Reba Beck from the Clay CountySchool Board member, who's
conservative.
Michelle Teague, a conservativeSchool Board member of Catawba
County.
Tim Settlemore, anotherconservative School Board member
of Catawba County.
Keith Locklear, a conservativeSchool Board member in Beladen
County.
And David Moore, a CountyCommissioner in Polk County.
(14:28):
She does have some videos thatyou can watch if you go to her
website.
They are entitled why I'mRunning Open Borders Endangers
NC Schools.
Michelle's On Uvaldi Report.
Michele and Wayne DePre discussCRT.
Michelle's Common SenseAssessment.
Michelle Grassroots Reformer.
She has some news articles here.
(14:48):
I'll just read through theheadlines, but you can visit
them if you so choose.
Why do convicted pedophilesstill have NC teaching licenses?
Thom Tillis endorses CatherineTruitt.
There is no greater tragedythan an untimely death at the
hands of a criminal.
Michele Morrow is honored toreceive the endorsements of
conservative School Boardmembers.
(15:09):
Close our borders, save ourNorth Carolina children,
families and schools.
Press release.
Republican North CarolinaSchool Superintendent candidate
endorses Donald Trump.
Endorsement alert.
Dr James Lindsay endorsesMichelle Moro, the most
important job in North Carolinaand another endorsement alert.
There are buttons where you candonate, volunteer and contact
(15:30):
her if you would like.
She does link a Facebook page,instagram and Twitter slash X
account.
Looking her up on Ballotpedia,it says that she was born in
Nashua, new Hampshire.
She earned a bachelor's degreefrom the University of North
Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Her career experience includesworking as a nurse, grassroots
activist, homeschool educatorand high school biology,
(15:53):
chemistry, civics, spanish andhealth teacher.
Morrow and her husband weremissionaries in Mexico for four
years.
She has also been the headnurse of a wilderness camp where
she was responsible fortraining the staff in First Aid
and CPR.
Morrow has been affiliated withthe following organizations
Liberty First.
Grassroots ConservativeCoalition of North Carolina.
Freedom Works.
Education First Alliance.
(16:14):
Carolina Teachers Alliance.
Wake GOP North Carolina AsiaAmerican Coalition.
Color Us United.
Hispano's Delcer.
Frederick Douglass Foundation.
Hslda.
Pavement Education Project.
Western WAKE Republican Club.
Christian PerspectiveRepresentatives.
Protect Children's HealthCoalition.
(16:34):
Looking at her campaign finance,according to Ballotpedia, this
is the North Carolina CampaignReporting Schedule for the 2024
election, ranging from January1st 2023 through December 31st
of 2024.
She's had a total of $9,611 incontributions with 40 unique
(16:55):
contributors.
She has had $4,954 inexpenditures, with 28 unique
payees.
She did fill out theBallotpedia's Candidate
Connections Survey, so there areabout eight questions here.
If you're interested in thoseanswers, you can check out
Ballotpedia.
Michele Morrow did not respondto my attempts to reach her
(17:16):
regarding the North CarolinaVoters Guide that I put together
.
Looking her up on Google,nothing out of the ordinary
showed up on the first page of aGoogle search.
Moving on to Catherine Truitt,her website is cathrinetruitt.
com.
It says Catherine Truitt, stateSuperintendent, former
classroom teacher.
Every decision we make abouteducation in North Carolina must
(17:39):
begin with one simple questionin mind Is this what is best for
our students?
Catherine, you have the abilityto join her team.
Meet Catherine.
Since her first days as aclassroom teacher, catherine
Truitt's priority has beenstudents.
Ensuring that students have anopportunity to receive the best
education possible is a drivingforce in her day-to-day work.
(17:59):
She recognizes that today'sstudents are tomorrow's
workforce and remains committedto readying graduates for
college or career.
As North Carolina StateSuperintendent, truitt's work is
focused on improving thestate's public schools,
expanding innovation andcreating new opportunities for
students to learn, grow andsuccessfully transition into the
post-secondary plans of theirchoice.
(18:21):
Truitt's service and educationbegan as a high school English
teacher, where she spent 10years in the classroom at both
the high school and middleschool levels.
Her last three years in theclassroom were spent at West
Johnston High School, where shetaught English to 11th and 12th
grade students.
It's this classroom experiencethat Truitt draws from when
considering how to best equipstudents, engage parents and
(18:42):
invest in teachers.
In 2012, truitt joined theInternational Center for
Leadership and Education, whereshe worked as a school
turnaround coach withunderperforming school districts
.
She collaborated withprincipals and superintendents
to craft plans to closeachievement gaps while
developing whole districttransformation initiatives.
Truitt also served as a coachfor teachers in kindergarten
(19:03):
through 12th grade, helping themdevelop strategies to foster
student engagement and cultivatelearning.
In 2015, truitt was given theopportunity to apply her
experience as a teacher andcoach to help shape education
policy in North Carolina whenGovernor Pat McCrory appointed
her as his senior educationadvisor In the governor's office
.
She coordinated policy for alldimensions of public education
(19:26):
and helped lead the developmentof strategic state education
policy goals for ages 0 to 20.
Most recently, truitt served asChancellor of Nonprofit Western
Governors University, northCarolina.
As Chancellor, she was focusedon increasing access to higher
education for the 1.5 millionNorth Carolinians with some
college but no degree, truittcollaborated with community
(19:48):
colleges, hospitals, schooldistricts and economic
development programs to ensurethat state workforce demands
were being met.
Prior to joining WGU and C,truitt served as Associate Vice
President of University and P-12partnership at UNC General
Administration, helpingstrengthen the educator pipeline
and supporting public collegesof education.
(20:11):
Truett is a 1994 graduate of theUniversity of Maryland with a
Bachelor of Arts in English.
She received her master's ineducation from the University of
Washington in 1997.
She and her husband, jeff, anattorney and captain in the US
Navy Reserves, live in Cary.
They have one daughter incollege and a son and daughter
enrolled in Wake County publicschools.
(20:31):
The button for heraccomplishments does not work.
It goes to a 404 error for pagenot found or support.
It brings you to a link whereyou can donate to her campaign
if you would like.
Instead of more one size fitsall solutions from Raleigh, it's
time to empower our teachersand principals to make the right
decisions for individualstudents.
She has some tweets that she'sput out.
(20:53):
If you're interested, you cancheck those out.
The accomplishments button atthe top of the page does work
and it says in my first monthson the job, I worked with the
General Assembly and Governor'sOffice to pass Senate Bill 220,
the Reopen Our Schools Act.
Proudly supported and helped inthe drafting of the original
House Bill 324, the Anti-CRTBill.
Unfortunately, governor Coopervetoed this legislation.
(21:16):
But my department continues toensure that we recognize the
equality and rights of allpersons.
Through our partnerships withthe General Assembly, we
continue to implement policiesthat ensure we are working
towards a highly qualifiedteacher in every classroom
across the state.
Proudly supported and workedwith our General Assembly to
ensure that the school choiceoptions continue to move forward
(21:36):
in North Carolina and thatparents are always in positions
to make the decisions that arebest for their children.
And she references the 2021budget.
2022 is the year of theworkforce.
At my department, we areworking to ensure all North
Carolina high school graduatesare college and career ready
with the skills necessary tosucceed in our state and global
(21:56):
economy.
With a passage of the ExcellentPublic Schools Act Senate Bill
387, my department and I amleading the effort to train
every single pre-K through fifthgrade teacher in a
phonics-based approach throughthe science of reading.
This will be a game changer forpublic education and we expect
to see immediate results for ourstudents.
Expand the collaboration andpartnerships between our schools
(22:18):
and our four-year colleges,community colleges, the business
community, hospitals, localworkforce boards and IT centers.
Elementary reading scoresimproved again in North Carolina
.
Elementary school students arereading at a better level today
than a year ago.
According to new data from theNorth Carolina Department of
Public Instruction, since theenactment of a standardized
(22:39):
early literacy assessmentbeginning with the 2021-2022
school year, reading scores inNorth Carolina for grades one
through three have outpacednational peers by more than two
to one.
Dpi reported read more and thatlinks to a Carolina journal.
Elementary reading scoresimproved again in North Carolina
that was put out on December11th of 2023.
(23:00):
It also says compared to2021-2022 school year, 9,308
fewer students received a labelof quote reading retained.
This year, students areconsidered reading retained if
they are not proficient inreading by the end of the third
grade.
The article also states theresults weren't all positive.
However, in keeping withpandemic era school issues
(23:22):
impacting minority students, themost reading proficiency
achievement gaps remain amongblack, hispanic and Native
American children compared towhites and Asians.
For example, 12% more blacksstudents received reading scores
indicating they need intensiveintervention compared to white
students.
The numbers are even worse forHispanic and Native American
students, at 18% and 22%respectively.
(23:44):
It says that we have much tocelebrate, but we must also
focus on supporting the childrenwho have not quite caught up,
said Amy Rine, director of theoffice of learning at the
Department of Public Instruction, in a statement.
With the letters, learningapproaching full implementation
and as teachers continue todifferentiate their instruction
based on individual studentneeds, we expect these numbers
(24:06):
to keep improving.
In her news tab the elementaryreading scores improve again and
NC article is there again.
And then there are a number ofother articles.
I'll just read you their titles.
Truett speaks to the committeeon education and the workforce
in July 27, 2023.
Truett no aggregate samples anda run toward, not from
(24:27):
accountability.
That was done.
July 27, 2023.
North Carolina K through threeearly literacy skills exceed the
rest of the country May 9th of2023.
Superintendent says changewould undermine the intent of
Title IX.
That article was written May9th of 2023.
Then there are a few more pagesof news articles, highlights
(24:47):
from around the state.
There are some pictures herewith some captions, one of which
says Superintendent Truitt wasSenator Tillis, state Senator
Lee and local leaders fromacross North Carolina discussing
best practices for schoolsafety and student mental health
.
Superintendent Truitt testifyingbefore Congress about North
Carolina's response to pandemicrecovery after prolonged school
(25:09):
closures.
Testifying in front of theGeneral Assembly's Governor Ops
Committee, where she discussedwhat DPI is doing to address
hearing loss from the COVIDshutdowns.
Spending time with NFL andNASCAR Hall of Famer Joe Gibbs,
they had the opportunity todiscuss how North Carolina can
expand unique partnerships thatprovide educational
(25:29):
opportunities to our mostvulnerable populations.
Receiving the North CarolinaSchool Psychologist Association
Legislative Award.
Visiting with UNC Pembroke Deanof Education, dr Lori Floyd.
Visiting NCGOP Vice Chair SusanMills School in Sampson County.
Tacky Christmas sweater day inAsh County Public Schools.
(25:50):
Onto her endorsements she's beenendorsed by Dan Forrest, former
Lieutenant Governor, charlieMiller and Bill Rabin, brunswick
County Conservatives.
Jason Sain, conservative StateRep, brad Overcash, conservative
State Senator, john Bell,conservative State Rep, kevin
Corbin, vicki Sawyer and JoyceCroik, Sponsors of the Fairness
(26:12):
in Women's Sports Act.
Kristen Baker, primary Sponsorof the Protect Our Students Act.
Erin Pare, conservative StateRep.
Ralph Hays, conservative StateSenator, destin Hall,
conservative State Rep DaveCraven, conservative State
Senator Ed Goodwin, conservativeState Rep, virginia Fox,
conservative US Rep, wayneSasser, conservative State Rep,
(26:34):
robeson County.
Conservative Senator DannyBritt, representative Jared
Lowery and RepresentativeBretton Jones.
She's been endorsed by Partnersfor Educational Freedom and,
lastly, she's been endorsed bySteve Troxler, the current
Agriculture Commissioner, who isup for reelection this year.
She does have a Facebook and aTwitter or X account and there
(26:56):
are links where you can donateto her campaign if you would so
like.
Looking up Catherine Truitt onGoogle search, I did not find
anything out of the ordinary.
Looking at Ballotpedia, it saysthat she was born in Cincinnati
, ohio.
She earned a Bachelor's degreefrom the University of Maryland
in 1994 and a Master's degreefrom the University of
(27:16):
Washington in 1997.
Her career experience includesworking as a Chancellor for
Western Governors University,north Carolina High school
teacher, a turnaround coach, aneducation advisor for former
Governor Pat McCrory, anAssociate Vice President for
P-12 Partnerships and theUniversity of North Carolina's
General Administration.
Truitt has served as a boardmember for TLC for the Severe
(27:38):
and Profoundly Disabled and forthe Nurse Family Partnership of
North Carolina.
Her campaign finance informationfor the 2024 election, which is
January 1st of 2023.
Through December 31st of thisyear, she's had a total of
$206,602 in contributions from177 unique contributors,
(28:00):
including the North CarolinaRepublican Council of State
Committee and the North CarolinaRed Pack.
She's had $36,371 inexpenditures with a total of 67
unique payees.
Catherine Truitt has notcompeted.
Ballotpedia's 2024 candidateconnection survey, but she did
fill it out in 2020.
(28:21):
And this would have been forthe same race, so there are a
number of questions there thatshe answered four years ago.
Catherine Truitt did notrespond in my attempts to have
her participate in the NorthCarolina Voters Guide, so we do
not have her responses in that.
And that concludes everythingthat I was able to find online
regarding the Republican ballotfor the North Carolina
(28:43):
Superintendent of PublicInstruction.
For the two candidates who arerunning for this office, michele
Morrow and Catherine Truitt.
You are eligible to vote forone of these candidates when you
go in to vote.
Democracy is the foundation ofall we hold dear.
We are better as a community,state and nation when we all
take part in our civic duty bybeing informed and casting our
(29:06):
vote.
The candidates in offices onyour ballot can have a major
impact on our everyday lives andcan have real consequences.
They create and enforce ourlaws, invest in our future
well-being, fund all the thingslike our schools and roads,
ensure we have safe drinkingwater and food to put on our
tables and advocate on behalf ofthose they represent.
(29:28):
Hopefully, keeping in mind boththe little and the big picture
of it all.
Early voting is now going on andwill continue through Saturday,
march 2nd.
Our closest early votinglocations will be the WE Hunt
Center in Holly Springs and theHilltop, Needmore Town Park and
Preserve and Fuquay Varina.
The main primary election willbe held on Tuesday, march 5th.
(29:51):
If you vote that day, it's bestfor you to go to your
designated polling place or elsesome of the races you are
eligible to vote for may notshow up on the ballot they have
available to give you Duringearly voting.
Each area in Wake County hasall the possible ballots for
Wake County Election day.
They will only have the ballotthat corresponds directly to
(30:11):
that particular precinct.
Please remember you now need tobring your photo ID.
If you happen to forget or havehad some extraordinary
circumstance happen, you willhave a few different options
provided to you, but it will bebest and easiest and most
efficient to bring it with you.
If, for some reason, youhaven't registered to vote yet,
you may register and vote at thesame time during early voting
(30:34):
at any one of the sites.
March 2nd will be the last dayto register to vote for this
primary election, and thatbrings this episode of the NC
Deep Dive to a close.
Make sure you check out all theother relevant episodes for the
2024 primary election atwwwncdeepdivecom, apple Podcast,
(30:56):
spotify, Audible or whereveryou currently listen to your
podcast.
I will be including helpfullinks for each candidate and
voting in general on ourwebsite's show notes, including
our NC Deep Dives Voters Guidefor the 2024 primary election.
We were blessed to have manycandidates take the time to
share their thoughts and speakto voters within Southern Wake
(31:16):
County.
The Voters Guide is arranged byparty affiliation and organized
in such a way to make itrelatively easy to find the
races or candidates you might beinterested in.
All candidates' websites arelinked.
If I was able to find one, Ialso consciously chose to
arrange the Voters Guidestarting at the end of the
ballot.
So often we are aware of thelarger races, yet don't hear
(31:37):
much about or take the time tolearn about the smaller races.
As always, if you have anyquestions, concerns or topics
you'd like to share, you maycontact us via social media or
our email at ncdeepdive@gmail.
com.
Thank you for engaging withthis episode and becoming a more
informed citizen.
Democracy is a team sport.
Together, we make democracywork and our communities a
(31:59):
better place to work, play andlive.
Your vote matters.
Your voice matters, you matter.
Until next time, my friendsNamaste, the love and light in
me sees and honors the love andlight in you.
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