SPENCER --- Governor Pat McCrory sent a special video message to teachers and educators across North Carolina this weekend before the first day of school, thanking them for their hard work and pledging his continued support to improve teacher pay. More than 1.5 million public school students across the state will head back to the classroom on Monday. “Teaching is hard,” Governor McCrory said in the video. “It’s a skill, it’s a passion, it’s a love, it’s a profession. It’s not just cramming in knowing what the subject matter is; it’s interacting, it’s understanding methods of teaching, it’s understanding your students.”

Governor McCrory said he is committed to continue working for pay raises for all teachers.

“I want to let you know I’m doing my best, working very, very hard with the legislature to continue the pay raises,” said Governor McCrory. “We've committed to spending over $1 billion in teacher salaries during the next fiscal year.”

In the video, Governor McCrory recalled when he was a student teacher while a senior at Catawba College, and what it taught him from a teacher’s perspective. He recorded the video at North Rowan High School in Spencer where he student taught.

“I just want to say thanks for starting off a new year, and making a difference in fulfilling the potential of so many young kids throughout North Carolina,” said Governor McCrory.