Lt. Governor Dan Forest Launches "I Support Teachers" Specialty License Plates | Eastern North Carolina Now

    News Release:

Supporting the NC Education Endowment Fund

    RALEIGH/GREENSBORO/CHARLOTTE     Lt. Governor Dan Forest, joined by Senator Jerry Tillman, Senator Ronald Rabin, Senator Joyce Krawiec, Representative Jason Saine, Representative Dennis Riddell, Representative Bert Jones, Representative John Faircloth, Commissioner Kelly Thomas of the Department of Transportation, Rockingham Commissioner Keith Mabe, John Bradford, Julie Emmons representing Mark Walker and other elected officials and leaders gathered in the Raleigh, Greensboro, and Charlotte areas to launch the "I Support Teachers" specialty license plates benefitting the North Carolina Education Endowment.

    The North Carolina Education Endowment is a special fund created in 2014 to help supplement teacher compensation for North Carolina's highest performing teachers. The Endowment will be funded in multiple ways and the proceeds from the Endowment is required by law to be used only for teacher compensation that directly relates to student achievement. The goal is that, over time, the Endowment will grow to the point that it is self-sustaining, allowing North Carolina flexibility in recruiting and retaining the world's best teachers.

    The North Carolina Education Endowment can be funded in several ways:

    •   The purchasing of "I Support Teachers" specialty license plates,
    •   By individual or corporate donations through state income tax forms,
    •   Corporations and individuals making stand-alone donations,
    •   By appropriations from the general fund by the General Assembly,
    •   Through other methods to be determined in later legislation.

    By law, 500 applications and payments must be collected before the "I Support Teachers" specialty plates may be printed.

    In order to sign up:

    •   Visit www.ISupportTeachers.com,
    •   Click on "Download Application,"
    •   Follow the instructions on the application.

    "The 'I Support Teachers' license plates are the first step towards creating a sound foundation for the North Carolina Education Endowment and planning for the future of teacher compensation in North Carolina in an innovative and self-sustaining way. It is vital that we are able to recruit, attract, and retain the best and brightest teachers from around the world to come work right here in North Carolina," says Lt. Governor Dan Forest.

    The Office of Lt. Governor will be collecting and organizing the applications over the coming weeks. If you have specific questions in regards to the "I Support Teachers" specialty plates, please email ISupportTeachers@nc.gov and a staff member will be happy to help you.

    For media inquiries, please contact Kami Mueller at kami@danforest.com or by phone 765-215-1334.

    AUDIO SOUND BITE:

    For questions and media inquiries, please email Kami Mueller at kami@danforest.com.

    Contact:

    Kami Mueller
     Director of Communications, Lt. Governor of North Carolina, Dan Forest

      P: (919) 508-0109 •  C: (765) 215-1334  •  kami.mueller@nc.gov  •  kami.mueller@me.com