Program Spotlight: Elementary Education

Faculty in the NC State College of Education's elementary education program are preparing North Carolina's most effective teachers and engaging in research to transform STEM and literacy education.

Sarah Carrier

“My goal is for students to develop a sense of wonder and enthusiasm for science.”

Meet Dr. Carrier

Valerie Faulkner

I’m proud that my work started in the public schools and continued into academia.”

Meet Dr. Faulkner

Jill Grifenhagen

“Every child deserves an excellent literacy teacher and elementary teachers need to be ready to meet diverse literacy needs.”

Meet Dr. Grifenhagen

Micha Jeffries

“I hope my students first see themselves as change agents. There are so many things that we can tackle as educators.”

Meet Dr. Jeffries

Joanna Koch

“I feel as though when you teach about content related to culture, you also have to model being culturally competent.”

Meet Dr. Koch

‘We Share a Commitment to Seeing Our Students Succeed and Ensuring Our Graduates Are Excellent Elementary Teachers’

Through coursework, field placements and propinquity, the NC State College of Education’s elementary education program is preparing future teachers who rank among the most effective in the state.

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A teacher works with students in an elementary school classroom

100% of students

passed their edTPA licensure requirement on the first attempt

900 hours

spent in the classroom prior to graduation

#23 ranked

elementary education program in the nation by U.S. News & World Report

Jordan Lukins

“I have been driven by a passion to create classrooms and schools where all students are valued and included.”

Meet Dr. Lukins

James Minogue

“The best teachers provide youngsters with opportunities to learn that help their ideas progress in sophistication.”

Meet Dr. Minogue

Temple Walkowiak

“I chose a career in education because I was inspired by teachers along my K-12 career, particularly my high school chemistry teacher, Mr. Lawrence.”

Meet Dr. Walkowiak

Jonee Wilson, Ph.D.

“Teaching is about providing meaningful opportunities for students to genuinely wrestle with important ideas.”

Meet Dr. Wilson

Angela Wiseman, Ph.D.

“I want my students to be teachers who will encourage, support and understand all children.”

Meet Dr. Wiseman

Betsy Knight

“I believe every student teacher has a gift to share with students. It’s my job to encourage them to fine-tune that gift.”

Meet Besty Knight

Kari Kuebel

“I want my students to come away with a sense of responsibility of what they’re signing up to do.”

Meet Kari Kuebel

Keith Walkowiak

“I appreciate the ability to collaborate and build relationships with principals and mentor teachers.”

Meet Keith Walkowiak

There’s only so much you can learn in the classroom when you’re a student, but when you’re actually going out and doing it, then you learn through experience and this program gives you those opportunities and they really support you to be able to become a prepared teacher.
Amanda Brennan ’21
B.S. Elementary Education

Caitlyn Frazier ’24: ‘I Chose Elementary Education Because I Have Always Had a Passion to Teach Kids’

Caitlyn Frazier ’24 has gained student teaching experience in North Carolina and South Africa, which will prepare her to step into the classroom once she graduates with her bachelor’s degree in elementary education.

Peyton Pugh ’23 Named Wake County Diane Kent-Parker First-Year Teacher of the Year

NC State College of Education alumna Peyton Pugh ’23 has been named a Wake County Public School System Diane Kent Parker First-Year Teacher of the Year.

My Student Experience: Teaching Fellow Charles Kellon Grows Leadership Skills as NC State Student Government’s Director of Equity and Accessibility

After joining NC State Student Government as the College of Education student senator last year, Teaching Fellow and elementary education major Charles Kellon decided he wanted to engage the campus community on a larger scale, which is why he was excited when he was presented with the opportunity to become the student-run organization’s director of equity and accessibility.

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