WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. -- Educators met at Parkland High School in Winston-Salem to voice some of their concerns at Teacher Town Hall.

Teachers passed the microphone around to share some of their day to day battles regarding public school education funding. They say they are forced to come out of pocket to provide basic school supplies for their students and are facing several other challenges in the classroom:

1. The state of North Carolina cut classroom material funding per student in half. Each student received $65.98 in 2008, and now only get $30.55.
2. The teacher salary in the state in $9,000 less than the national teacher salary average.
3. North Carolina’s average teacher salary ranks 35^th in the nation, compared to 25^th before the “Great Recession”.
4. Teachers say the rely on sales, donations and grants to make sure their students are the education required to advance.

Educators say citizens can help change this by heading to the polls. “Vote for pro-public education candidates and do your research," teacher Stephanie Wallace says.

The event was hosted by N.C. Association of Educators, Forsyth County Association of Educators and Progress North Carolina.