Last year, a graduate of East Mecklenburg High School pledged $500,000 to recruit and keep great teachers if the school raised a like amount — and hid his identity.
Monday, East Meck is publicly launching a campaign to make good on its end of the deal.
Yet even before the kickoff, the gift — believed to be the largest ever to a Charlotte-Mecklenburg school — has done wonders on a proud campus struggling to keep its good image.
Teachers feel more important. Parents are involved. And the principal is determined to use the gift to place talented teachers in every classroom.
“In 36 years of teaching in five states — in public, private and parochial schools — it’s the most exciting opportunity I’ve ever seen for teachers,” said Marybeth Hughes, East Meck’s English chair. “It’s made it possible for our teachers to dream of doing things with kids that we never thought were possible.”
