05/01/2026
May is Teacher Appreciation Month with Teacher Appreciation Week being May 4-8th and National Teacher Day is May 5th. Our May issue celebrates our local teachers. Teachers do so much more than teach and are neighbors, caretakers, friends, counselors, second moms and dads to our kids. What better way to show a teacher that you appreciate them than to march with them tomorrow on May 1st at Halifax Hall in Raleigh, starting at 10am. If you cannot go to the rally, the next best thing is to help a teacher attend by watching their children or showing support to them in other ways tomorrow and next week. The teachers on our covers were nominated by students and parents all over our community. If you think we missed some great ones, please reach out so that we can include them next year!
Teacher pay in NC ranks 46th nationally, 48th adjusted for inflation. 2/3 teachers have to get 2nd or 3rd jobs to pay their bills. Teachers at year 15 get no salary increases for the remainder of their careers. Jobs at Costco, fast food management and nannying (for one family!) pay more per hour than teaching now. Most teachers have as much education as lawyers and doctors. All work at least 210 days a year and most put in much more than 8 hours a day and work weekends and summers on lesson plans, leading clubs, helping students, working dances and coaching athletics, in addition to CEUs and professional development. Those who teach know it is the hardest job in the world and we all should know it is one of the most important.
Thank you to all of our teachers past, present and future. We support you in all you do and hope tomorrow's event helps improve our schools and increases your pay. You all deserve so much more and at the very least, our respect and appreciation.
Also in this issue, learn about Big Day at the Lake and the Smithville Community Legacy Project from Mayor Bilodeau and the town's communication efforts from Emma Mondo of the Town of Cornelius, Cornelius resident and Hollywood protege and TV star, Lacey Stodgill and her next projects, concerts at The Cain Center for the Arts from student reporter, Tessa Rosenberg, skin cancer prevention tips, and all the June events happening around the lake.
Our community experts offer tips and insight on a variety of interesting topics. Learn all about custom framing trends from Kim Saragoni of Four Corners Framing and Gallery, how schools and community amenities affect home values from Nikki Calden at Calden Home Connections, what to ask at your annual policy review from Angie Becker of the The Becker Agency and the best (and worst) things to splurge on for home renovations by Sarah Fiel of Home Theory .
We are honored to welcome our new community business partners and sponsors BozaBoards Grazing & Event Design, Carolina BioOncology Institute, The Serve Pickleball + Kitchen and Bee Organized Lake Norman to the Lakeside Living Family.
We are also excited to announce that Lakeside Living LKN has been awarded the Best of North Carolina Award for Marketing Services. Offering the ONLY community and town focused publications in Lake Norman with the largest direct-mail distribution, affordable AI-integrated websites, social media and web display ads, listings services, and reputation management, we do all platforms for the lowest price in the area, helping our local small businesses build awareness and business in the Lake Norman region. Thank you to all the business owners and residents who voted for us!
Thank a teacher, love on your mothers, congratulate a graduate and remember those who served and died defending our great democracy.
Photo by Words & Pictures by Jeannie DeSena
