As a 14-year NC public educator, I've worked in many distinct places in this state with many diverse faces. Rural, suburban, and urban schools all have their special characteristics and challenges. These have led me to understand how important my role is in all these communities and to the stakeholders in all these schools. NC teachers are not just educators. They are counselors that restore relationships. They are role models for students who may not have one. They are motivators to pull the best out of any student. They are guidance for a lifetime in all their students.