#WhyIChoseEducation: Jesse James

As part of Celebrating 90 Years of NC State Education, we asked you to share your stories of why you chose education and why you love the NC State College of Education. Below is one of the many stories we received demonstrating how we’re leading the way in education in North Carolina and beyond.

Name: Jesse James
Graduation Year: 2005
Department/Program: Middle Grades Education, Language Arts and Social Studies
Career Role & Responsibilities: I am a 6th-grade teacher at HJ MacDonald Middle School in New Bern, N.C.

Why did you enter the field of education?
I entered the field of education so that I could inspire youth to fulfill their dreams and to show them the value in education. I also entered the field to be a positive role model for students and be a positive influence on their lives.

Why did you choose to earn your degree from the NC State College of Education?
I chose NC State because of family but ended up falling in love with NC State because of the professors and the people. Billy O’Steen, Pat Dalton, Carol Pope, and Candy Beal were great influences on me and my passion for students and learning. I also had great years with all of my peers in the program.