In this episode of Put Em On The Couch, titled "Teachers Unite! A Conversation with Jen Mangrum," host Jason McCoy explores the pressing issues facing public education in North Carolina. With teacher vacancies skyrocketing, morale at an all-time low, and funding falling short, the state's education system is in crisis. We’ll dive into the challenges—like dwindling teacher pipelines, stagnant pay, and the struggle to secure necessary resources—while also examining the efforts of advocates like Brian Proffit, VP of the NCAE, who are sounding the alarm on these critical issues. We’ll also discuss the role of state leaders such as Phil Berger and the implications of the Leandro Ruling on the future of public education in the state. Our special guest, Dr. Jen Mangrum, a veteran educator and newly appointed leader with the American Federation of Teachers (#AFT), joins us to discuss her bold new role in driving reform. Dr. Mangrum will share her insights on the current state of public education, her mission to support educators, and what actions can be taken to improve the system. Tune in to gain a deeper understanding of the challenges and solutions facing North Carolina’s public schools and hear from a key figure dedicated to making a difference. To learn more about the AFT and/or what you can do to support public education, email Jen Mangrum at aft.jennifer@gmail.com or Jason McCoy at putemonthecouch@gmail.com and/or visit the AFT website at aft.org Keywords & Hashtags: #NCAE #AFT #TeachersUnite #PublicSchools #EducationReform #TeacherSupport #CollectiveBargaining #SchoolChoice #TeacherMorale #NorthCarolinaEducation #RandiWeingarten #EducationCrisis #TeacherVacancies #TeacherPay #EducationAdvocacy #JenMangrum #EducationEquity #RedForEd #TeacherUnion #PublicEducation #PhilBerger #LeandroRuling