As a land-grant institution, NC State’s College of Education has long been focused on advancing equity and increasing opportunities for success in education. In fact, our mission states that “our inquiry and practice reflects a commitment to social justice and the value of diversity in a global society.” We carry out that mission through the extraordinary educators we prepare, the transformational research we conduct and the life-changing outreach we provide.
As recent health, social and economic crises have further revealed and exacerbated racial inequities and injustices, we have reaffirmed and intensified our commitment to our land-grant mission to advance diversity, equity and inclusion and to become an anti-racist college.
Here are some ways we are working to build more equitable, inclusive and supportive schools, colleges and communities where every learner has the opportunity to thrive.
Preparing Extraordinary Educators
We’re diversifying the education workforce and preparing culturally responsive educators who work in communities with greater needs but fewer resources through our degree programs, life-changing student experiences and other initiatives.
“My goal is to foster the development of a new generation of educators who are not only able to critique curriculum, pedagogy and policies through an equity lens but feel empowered to make change in schools across the state and country.”
– Sarah Cannon, Ph.D.
Assistant Director of Professional Education and Assistant Teaching Professor in the Department of Teacher Education and Learning Sciences
Students travel to Eastern North Carolina to tour schools, observe classrooms and meet with administrators in communities with higher needs but fewer resources.
We’re driving educational change and transforming the practice of teaching, leading and learning through research, publications and other scholarly activities related to equity and diversity.
“Valuing and respecting each student for who they are and what they bring to the learning experience helps create an environment where students can be their authentic selves and feel like they belong.”
– Jose A. Picart, Ph.D.
Professor of Counselor Education and Deputy Director of the Friday Institute for Educational Innovation
I see unfairness everywhere in our society and I feel as an educator and as a human who cares about other humans, it’s a responsibility to make our world better, fairer and more equitable for all. Anti-racist work is doing just that.
– Michelle Falter, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of English Education and Literacy
Living in a time of COVID-19 and when racial injustices are in broad public view, it’s more critical than ever for us to lead the way in improving education and in preparing educators who are part of the solution in addressing these challenges.
Mary Ann Danowitz, D.Ed.
Dean, NC State College of Education
BECOMING ANTI-RACIST ELA TEACHERS
A white paper written by three assistant professors outlines five steps that can help ELA teachers work toward becoming anti-racist educators.
We’re working to build more equitable, diverse and supportive communities within our college and across North Carolina through outreach, community engagement and other initiatives.
