RALEIGH – Smiles were abundant at Southeast Raleigh Magnet High School’s teacher appreciation luncheon last week.

Alumni Carlton Pulley, ‘04, and his wife, Kendra Pulley, ’06, hosted the lunch, catered by Raleigh Meat Market. Carlton Pulley said he had a great experience at Southeast Raleigh Magnet High, which shaped him into the man he is today.

“This is just a way to say thank you,” he said. “Teaching can often be a thankless job, but we just wanted them to have a Merry Christmas.”

The school is rooted in one of Raleigh’s most historic Black communities. Raleigh City Councilman Corey Branch, who grew up not far from the school, was in attendance, as well as Wake County Commissioner Tara Waters.

“Of all the schools I visit, there is a deep connection between staff, educators and students,” Waters said, appreciating the special attention staff give to “meet students where they are.”

Principal Eddie Harden and his five assistant principals dug into their own pockets to purchase prizes like Tupperware containers, coffee mugs, gift cards and picture frames for games.

“We do more with less,” he said.

James McCullers is in his first year as a substitute teacher. He said he likes conversing with the different personalities of students. Of the staff, he said, they’re “like a family.”

“We laugh, we joke, and we agree to disagree, but we’re still on the same page,” he said.

Sue-Hellen Brown has taught at Southeast Raleigh for five years. She teaches AP Language and Composition, AP Literature, English 3, and Creative Writing 1 & 2.

“I love the students,” Brown said. “They want to learn, they want to be loved, they want to be understood.” She said the teacher appreciation event, which is an annual event to kick off the winter break, is a way for staff to “de-stress.”

“It’s a family,” she said.

Chris Hathcock is in his second year teaching engineering to freshmen and juniors and has become heavily involved in the athletics program.

“We had a good run in the football playoffs,” he said. “There’s a good sense of community like, ‘we’re all in this together.’”

Meghan Martinez is the career academy coordinator for the engineering and IT program. Students apply for the program in the eighth grade.

“We help them figure out if they want to do engineering and IT before they graduate,” she said.

Martinez has lived in the area for 10 years and came to Southeast for the culture and community feeling.

“Teacher appreciation is nice. It’s nice to be recognized for the work,” she said. “Southeast does a really good job at trying to provide opportunities for students and teachers.”

Harden says Southeast Raleigh is a “hidden gem” – not just the school but the community. The school is one of Wake County’s smallest, with around 1,400 students.

“It’s kinda cliché,” he said, “but [the staff] is dedicated to supporting my vision of the whole family concept and promoting the academic focus to help our students grow. We also support with love and compassion.”

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