Cullen Belk ’24MAT: ‘I Have Become a Better Teacher through Growing in My Understanding of My Math Content’

As a current math teacher, Cullen Belk wanted an opportunity to strengthen his teaching skills and teach at higher levels within the subject. 

He found the Master of Arts in Teaching program in the NC State College of Education and now, as he prepares to graduate with his master’s degree, he is looking forward to the impact he will have on students for years to come.

Meet Cullen: 

Hometown: Charlotte, North Carolina 

Degree: Master of Arts in Teaching: Mathematics Education

Activities (Research or Extracurricular): Coaching football, hiking, disc golf

Why did you choose the NC State College of Education?

They have a great online program that is specific to teaching math.

Why did you choose your concentration?

I currently teach high school math, so I thought this program would help me become a better teacher and prepare me to teach higher levels of math.  

What’s your next step? What do you have planned after graduation?

I plan to continue teaching at the school I am at, but I would like to start teaching some dual-enrollment classes through the community college in my area.

How has the College of Education prepared you for that next step?

I have become a better teacher through growing in my understanding of my math content and learning new teaching and assessment strategies to use in my classroom.

What do you eventually hope to accomplish in your field?

I just want to teach and have a positive impact on students for a long time.

Tell us about an experience you had with the College of Education that had the biggest impact on you or your career.

My advisor for this program was [Assistant Professor of Mathematics Education] Robin Anderson, and she was great at helping me enroll in the classes I needed. I also took the mathematics education course that she taught, and it really changed the way I think about teaching math!

Why did you choose education?

I started tutoring and working with some students while I was in college, and I really enjoyed it. I thought I was fortunate to have a great experience with my teachers and mentors when I was in school, and I don’t think I would be the same person today without them. So, I wanted to try and be that person for others and working with them has been an incredibly rewarding experience!