Transformational Scholar and Teaching Fellow Braxton Cumbo: ‘What Inspires Me to Become a Teacher Is Seeing Personal Growth and Development’

This is part of a “Meet Our Incoming Students” series in which the College of Education will introduce some of the first-year, transfer and graduate students who will join us this fall.

Braxton Cumbo loves STEM and has a passion for teaching, which made the college’s Technology, Engineering and Design Education program the perfect fit for him. 

He is a Teaching Fellow and Transformational Scholar, and is looking forward to getting to know his fellow teacher-leaders and becoming a role model for students in his community.

The NC State College of Education’s Transformational Scholarships Program provides scholarships totaling $40,000 over four years to promising high school students from eastern North Carolina who will return to the region to teach after graduating from the college. Teaching Fellows receive up to $10,000 per year in forgivable loans to teach science, technology, engineering, mathematics or special education and engage in numerous opportunities for personal and professional growth.

Meet Braxton:

Hometown: Havelock, North Carolina

Major: Technology, Engineering, and Design Education

Hobbies and Interests: My hobbies and interests are reading, watching sporting events and exercising.

Why did you choose NC State and the College of Education?

I chose NC State because, in the decision process, everyone was very helpful and welcoming, which made me feel at home. I chose the College of Education because I aspire to be a teacher one day. NC State’s College of Education program being ranked #1 in North Carolina makes me feel confident that when I leave, I will have the skills and development to be a successful teacher.

What inspired you to become a teacher and choose education?

What inspires me to become a teacher is seeing personal growth and development among people, as well as seeing people reach their full potential. Educators make a big impact on the world and are widely needed. 

Why did you choose your major?

I chose my major because when I came to an open house last fall, I was introduced to the Technology, Engineering, and Design Education program, and it sparked interest due to my passion for teaching, as well as my love for STEM. I believe it’s the perfect balance of my career goals and interests.

What does it mean for you to be a Transformational Scholar and a Teaching Fellow?

Being selected to be a Transformational Scholar means a lot to me because it’s a community surrounded with great mentors and future teacher-leaders who have similar career goals as I do and also come from places that are close to where I’m from. 

Being named a Teaching Fellow is also a significant honor and a great opportunity. Teaching in North Carolina after graduation is an exciting thing because I will be going back to my community with the knowledge to be an amazing teacher! It also represents an opportunity to be a leader and role model within the educational environment, with opportunities to further develop your teaching skills and influence the learning experiences of others.

How will receiving this scholarship impact your student experience?

This scholarship impacts my student experience by helping me gain top-of-the-line development and quality education without having to worry about how I’m going to pay for college. Having a small but strong community in such a big school is also going to make transitioning to NC State a lot easier.

What are you most looking forward to about this year?

I’m looking forward to getting on campus and joining different clubs that can help sharpen my skill set, as well as making new friends from all over. I’m also looking forward to going to all the different events and sports games that there are on campus!