Press Releases

Read news directly from Parents for Educational Freedom in North Carolina.

Celebrating Exceptional Educators: Wilmington Teacher Wins National School Choice Week’s North Carolina Educator of the Year

Only Five Educators from North Carolina Selected in First-Ever Honor for Teachers

Wilmington, NC (Thursday, January 27, 2022) -- In celebration of National School Choice Week, Parents for Educational Freedom in North Carolina is honoring and awarding five educators in our state as part of the first-ever National School Choice Week North Carolina Educators of the Year.

National School Choice Week is the world’s largest celebration of opportunity in education and is a nonpartisan, nonpolitical public awareness effort. Nominations poured in from across the state, and one of the five winners is from Wilmington.

Heather Fahnestock has been an educator for more than 20 years and currently focuses on math and sciences for the 9th through the 12th grade at Waterview Learning Academy.


Celebrating Exceptional Educators: Fayetteville Teacher Wins National School Choice Week’s North Carolina Educator of the Year

Only Five Educators from North Carolina Selected in First-Ever Honor for Teachers

Fayetteville, NC (Wednesday, January 26, 2022) -- In celebration of National School Choice Week, Parents for Educational Freedom in North Carolina is honoring and awarding five educators in our state as part of the first-ever National School Choice Week North Carolina Educators of the Year.

National School Choice Week is the world’s largest celebration of opportunity in education and is a nonpartisan, nonpolitical public awareness effort. Nominations poured in from across the state, and one of the five winners is from Fayetteville.

Shannon Johnston is a 42-year educator and teaches classes for 6th through the 12th grade at The School of Hope.


Celebrating Exceptional Educators: Greensboro Teacher Wins National School Choice Week’s North Carolina Educator of the Year

Only Five Educators from North Carolina Selected in First-Ever Honor for Teachers 

Greensboro, NC (Wednesday, January 26, 2022) -- In celebration of National School Choice Week, Parents for Educational Freedom in North Carolina is honoring and awarding five educators in our state as part of the first-ever National School Choice Week North Carolina Educators of the Year. 

National School Choice Week is the world’s largest celebration of opportunity in education and is a nonpartisan, nonpolitical public awareness effort. Nominations poured in from across the state, and one of the five winners is from Greensboro. 

Christine Lawe is a 21-year educator and currently focuses on reading for Kindergarten through the 6th grade at New Garden Friends School. 


Celebrating Exceptional Educators: Salisbury Teacher Wins National School Choice Week’s North Carolina Educator of the Year

Only Five Educators from North Carolina Selected in First-Ever Honor for Teachers

Salisbury, NC (Tuesday, January 25, 2022) -- In celebration of National School Choice Week, Parents for Educational Freedom in North Carolina is honoring and awarding five educators in our state as part of the first-ever National School Choice Week North Carolina Educators of the Year.

National School Choice Week is the world’s largest celebration of opportunity in education and is a nonpartisan, nonpolitical public awareness effort. Nominations poured in from across the state, and one of the five winners is from Salisbury.

Angela Galloway is a nine-year educator and teaches classes from 1st grade through the 6th grade at Yadkin Path Montessori.


A Celebration of School Choice Across North Carolina

A Celebration of School Choice Across North Carolina

Our Nation Unites During National School Choice Week, Educational Choice the Reason for the Celebration

Raleigh, NC (January 24, 2022) – Students, parents, families, and educators across the United States join in the annual celebration of National School Choice Week, and here in North Carolina, school choice continues to shine. Parents for Educational Freedom in North Carolina, a statewide non-profit established in 2005, proclaims once again that school choice is here to stay in the Old North State.


PEFNC Applauds Support for School Choice Expansion in North Carolina

Raleigh, NC – Mike Long, President of Parents for Educational Freedom in North Carolina, released the following statement regarding legislative proposals that would empower more families in North Carolina through school choice and educational options. 


Governor Cooper holds firm on attacking scholarships, denying low income families equal access in education by eliminating the Opportunity Scholarship Program

Raleigh, NC – Mike Long, President of Parents for Educational Freedom in North Carolina, released the following statement regarding Governor Roy Cooper’s proposed budget:

“Once again, Governor Roy Cooper has proposed a state budget that fails to meet the growing demand and need from families seeking equal access to the school of their choice. By cutting funding for North Carolina’s Opportunity Scholarship Program, Cooper is holding firm on his belief that the scholarship program (which currently provides support to over 16,000 students from lower income households) is “an expense we should stop in our state.” (Governor Cooper in his own words)

The Opportunity Scholarship Program, and the thousands of students the program serves, is an investment not an expense. 


PEFNC Founding President Darrell Allison named 12th Chancellor of Fayetteville State University

PEFNC President Mike Long on announcement that Darrell Allison is named 12th Chancellor of Fayetteville State University:

"I want to offer a congratulations to my friend, colleague, and founding President of Parents for Educational Freedom in North Carolina, Darrell Allison on this exciting news. The UNC System Board of Governors could not have picked a more dedicated leader to education; I know that Darrell will bring the same commitment to excellence to Fayetteville State University that he has at every step in his time serving students and families in our state. The PEFNC family wishes him and Fayetteville State University well. Our state has a storied tradition of HBCU pride, and there is no doubt that Darrell will embody that Bronco Pride in this new role."


Defining Stats of 2020

As we look forward to 2021, check out the stats that defined parental school choice in 2020!

Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos Hosted by PEFNC

U.S. Education Secretary Betsy DeVos Joins Parents, Elected Officials at PEFNC Event in Raleigh

Event underscores the growth and importance of parental school choice in the Tar Heel State

Raleigh, NC (October 5, 2020) – U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos joined a panel of North Carolina families at an event in Raleigh today. Also joining the Education Secretary were NC Senate President Pro Tem Phil Berger and state Senators Deanna Ballard and Joyce Krawiec.