I am retiring this year after more than 20 years in public education. I’ve learned one truth above all others: kids need high standards, accountability, and adults willing to challenge them to become better. We are losing that in our public schools at an alarming rate in both the classroom and the athletic arena. Too often, when our teachers and coaches demand discipline, accountability, and character, they become targets simply because some people don’t get their way or others are not willing to put forth the same effort. I have seen this time and time again, especially over the last 5-6 years. If you want to see what real leadership in education looks like, take a look at Scott Clemons the Head Baseball coach at North Stanly High School in Stanly County, NC. Coaches like him don’t just build teams, they build young men of character, responsibility, and resilience. Those are the people in education we should be supporting, not running off. We should be celebrating the success of high school programs that families want to be a part of instead of tearing them down. No matter if it is a baseball team, a Debate Club or a theater program. What school systems do not understand or seem to care about is when you attack a coach who has built a bond and relationship with his players the way Scott has, you are truly affecting the children. If we are in education for the right reason and want whats best for our kids then we need to back and support our most valuble assets. When you are willing to run off the best of the best in caring for young people, public schools are in danger. @_NSBaseball, @NSHS_Comets, @StanlySchools, @Clemdawg9, @MoGreenNCDPI, @NC_Governor, @NS_BoosterClub, @langstonwertzjr