State Senator Rachel Hunt recently embarked on a comprehensive visit to the Sampson County school system, visiting the Hobbton district, and immersing herself in dialogue with students, teachers, and administrators. This visit aimed to gain a firsthand understanding of the challenges, successes, and requirements within the educational landscape from a grassroots perspective.
Throughout the visit, Senator Hunt engaged in in-depth conversations with students, faculty, and administrative staff at various levels, aiming to grasp the nuanced realities faced by rural public schools. The senator toured classrooms, observed teaching methodologies, and actively participated in discussions, valuing the insights shared by those directly involved in the education process.
"I had a great time visiting with the incredible staff and students of the Sampson County Public Schools,” said Senator Hunt. “NC’s public schools are in my DNA. My mother was a proud public school teacher who understood the positive difference a good teacher makes in the lives of their students. My dad was the “Education Governor” who led the charge for Smart Start and raised teacher pay to the national average.”
During her second term as a re-elected member of the House of Representatives in 2021, Hunt penned Senate Bill 329 and its companion House Bill 420 known as the “K-3 Reading Improvement Act” which provided funding for one teacher assistant for every classroom in kindergarten through second grade and one teacher assistant for every three third grade classrooms.
Expressing her commitment to advocating for effective educational policies, Senator Hunt remarked, “Getting the chance to see first-hand the work schools are doing to prepare the minds of tomorrow is an invaluable experience and I'm looking forward to coming back in the future.”
At Hobbton Middle School, the senator was greeted by HMS Beta Club Vice-president Nellie Bass. The senator conversed with students in Daniel Hursey’s Project Lead the Way class, watching students program computer code and build robotic race cars. Students in Mr. Hursey’s class shared with Hunt how much they enjoyed hands-on learning, even if the coding was difficult.
The senator’s next stop was at Hobbton High School, where she was escorted by the HHS SGA President Sa'Tori Lorenzo. Hunt stopped at the media center where she met the school’s newest student intern technician River, dropped in on Mrs. Stephanie Sullivan’s Social Studies class to talk about the legislative process and take questions from students, and ended her visit learning about the school’s Peer Group Connections (PGC) program from its advisor Angela Martin.
The final stop for the senator was at Hobbton Elementary School, where she was greeted by the reigning Hobbton queens, Ansley McLamb, Little Miss Hobbton, Blakesley Thornton, Petite Miss Hobbton, and Emerson Thornton, Tiny Miss Hobbton. While there, Hunt gained a better understanding of the Science of Reading/LETRS curriculum being taught in elementary schools. She visited Madison Melvin and Sara Daughtry’s classes, watching students fully engaged in literacy learning with their teachers. Hunt’s last stop at the school was the cafeteria where she enjoyed lunch with students.
"It's invaluable for our elected officials to step into our rural public schools, engage with the students, teachers, and administrators, and listen to their experiences and needs,” said SCS Superintendent Dr. Jamie King. “The visit has been incredibly insightful for the senator, and our team and it reinforces the importance of tailored support and resource allocation to ensure every student has access to quality education."
The visit highlighted the senator's commitment to improving education and ensuring the development of adequate school resources. “Here in NC, education should be the cornerstone of our future, and I'm committed to ensuring every child has the tools they need to succeed,” said the senator.
The senator's interactions underscored the importance of addressing specific challenges faced by rural schools, including infrastructure, resource allocation, and educational equity. By actively engaging with the community, Senator Hunt aims to use these insights to inform legislative efforts and advocate for policies that enhance the educational experiences of students in rural areas.
About Senator Hunt:
Hunt was first elected to the North Carolina House of Representatives in 2018, after defeating the incumbent Republican Representative Bill Brawley by only 68 votes. Hunt was re-elected in 2020 in a rematch against Brawley. In 2022 Hunt was elected to the North Carolina State Senate to replace Senator Jeff Jackson who vacated the seat to run for the United States Senate. On November 8, 2022, Hunt defeated Cheryl Russo in the race to represent the 42nd State Senate district. Hunt is currently running for Lieutenant Governor of North Carolina in 2024. Hunt is the daughter of former Governor and First Lady Jim and Carolyn Hunt. An attorney and certified College Counselor, she is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and the University of South Carolina School of Law.
