‘I have to put myself first’: Former CMS teacher leaves traditional classroom to teach high school students virtually”
Sep 14, 2026
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — Carson Nelson’s classroom has no desks, whiteboards, or students sitting nearby because the former Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools teacher now starts his workday from home, teaching high school students online through a virtual charter school serving South Carolina.
“I like meeting my kids where they’re at,” Nelson said. “I like finding things that can help them, and I like creating things for them.”
Nelson began his teaching career in his native West Virginia before moving to Charlotte, where he taught high school English at East Mecklenburg High School. He says burnout, low pay, and frustration with traditional in-person learning ultimately pushed him to leave the district.
“When I was in West Virginia, as a first-year teacher with my master’s, I was making more than when I came here at CMS as my third year as a teacher,” Nelson said.
He also said he felt educators were often valued more for meeting administrative requirements than for a student’s personal well-being.
“Even though we’re there in person, I never felt like a lot of the systems cared about the person,” Nelson said. “It was more about what was on paper.”
Now, instead of commuting across Charlotte for work, Nelson teaches high school students remotely on Carolus Online Academy, a tuition-free virtual charter school that serves students across South Carolina.
“There are certain educators who thrive in CMS and in that brick-and-mortar setting,” Nelson said. “I was just not that person, and I decided for the first time, you know what? I have to put myself first, because if I don’t, I can’t help the kids that are in front of me.”
Nelson’s decision comes as North Carolina continues to see educators leave the profession at high rates.
The latest report from the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction shows teacher attrition continues to increase statewide. While state lawmakers approved teacher pay raises during the 2026 short session, education advocates argue more work is needed to keep experienced teachers in classrooms.
“We are losing teachers at an alarming rate,” said Heather Koons, Director of Communications and Research for Public Schools First NC. “I think it’s too bad that North Carolina lawmakers aren’t doing more to figure out how to keep those sorts of teachers in the classroom.”
When asked if he would ever consider returning to a brick-and-mortar campus, Nelson’s answer was immediate.
“Nope,” laughed Nelson. “Never, ever, ever.”