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#WhyIChoseEducation: ‘My Parents Instilled in Me the Importance and Impact Education Has on Everyone’s Life,’ Says Teaching Assistant Professor Nolan Fahrer ‘09MS

Nc State College of Education Teaching Assistant Professor Nolan Fahrer

This is part of a monthly “Why I Chose Education” series in which NC State College of Education alumni, students, faculty and staff share why they chose education.

Nolan Fahrer ‘09MS ’19EDD keeps coming back to the NC State College of Education.

He first came to the college in 2007 as a student, earning a Master of Science in Technology Education. In 2012, he returned to NC State as a teaching assistant professor of technology, engineering, and design education. In addition to serving in that role, Fahrer is the undergraduate program coordinator for the program and recently earned a doctoral degree from the College of Education.

When Fahrer isn’t on campus, he can usually be found spending time with his family, participating in outdoor sports or running. He shares why he chose education, how education influenced him and what he enjoys most about his job.

Why I Chose Education: I chose education, first and foremost, because my parents instilled in me the importance and impact that education has on everyone’s life. Second, I wanted to follow in the footsteps of my grandmother and father, who were both teachers. Lastly, I had particular teachers and coaches while I was growing up that had positive influences on me and that believed in me achieving my goals.

Why I Chose the NC State College of Education: When I reached out to learn about graduate degrees, the faculty in the NC State College of Education were welcoming and informative. The faculty were very inviting and willing to invest in developing educational professionals.

What I Enjoy Most About Being Part of the NC State College of Education: While NC State is a large community and internationally renowned for producing high quality education professionals, the College of Education feels like a tight-knit community that works together to create a supportive and innovative environment for students to flourish as future teachers and professionals.

What Others Should Know About the NC State College of Education: It is the place you want to be if you want to make an impact on students’ lives.

The Last Thing I Saw That Inspired Me: It was a quote that reads “If it doesn’t challenge you, then it won’t change you.” This quote inspired me to continue to challenge my students to impact their lives.