teaching alumni

May 25, 2023

Retired Air Force Senior Master Sgt. Terry Hennings ’15MAT Named 2023 Wake County Public School System Teacher of the Year

When Terry Hennings retired from the Air Force after serving for 25 years as a combat medic, he knew what he wanted to teach. Now, he has been named the Wake County Public County System 2023 Teacher of the Year 

May 15, 2023

Megan D’Agostino ’22 Named Wake County Diane Kent-Parker First-Year Teacher of the Year

In the middle of a math lesson, a team from the Wake County Public School System burst into Megan D'Agostino's room with a surprise — she has just been named one of four Diane Kent Parker First Year Teachers of the Year. 

Apr 27, 2022

Jessica Richardson ’15, ’22MSA: ‘I Chose Education Because I Believe That Each Student Deserves an Exceptional Education from Champion Teachers Who Advocate for Them’

When Jessica Richardson ’15, ’22MSA decided she wanted to grow more as an educator, she enrolled in the NC State College of Education's School Administration program. Now, as she graduates, she feels she prepared her for the next step in her career, where she will serve as an assistant principal. 

Jun 28, 2021

Wake County’s Diane Kent-Parker First-Year Teacher of the Year Sallie Allen ’20MAT Recognized for Focus on Flexibility, Advocating for Future Educators

Sallie Allen ’20MAT began her career as a teacher just as Hunter Magnet Elementary students returned to in-person learning. Her ability to be flexible while also advocating for future teachers led her to be named a Wake County 2020-2021 Diane Kent-Parker First-Year Teacher of the Year. 

Jun 28, 2021

Wake County’s Diane Kent-Parker First-Year Teacher of the Year Valerie Ahrens ’20MAT Recognized for Building Connections, Focus on Strengths-based Perspective

When faced with the challenges of remote learning, elementary school teacher Valerie Ahrens ’20MAT rose to the occasion. Her ability to build connections and her focus on a strengths-based perspective led her to be named a Wake County 2020-2021 Diane Kent-Parker First-Year Teacher of the Year. 

Jun 7, 2021

N.C. Council for the Social Studies Student Teacher of the Year Talia Laing ’20MAT Hopes to Facilitate Diplomatic Discussion and Create Opportunities in Her Classroom for Students To View Historical and Contemporary Issues from Other Perspectives

As an undergraduate student studying archaeology, Talia Laing ’20MAT had the opportunity to participate in overseas excavations, which magnified her love of history. She plans to bring those experiences into her future classroom, teaching students how to learn history from different angles -- a philosophy that helped earn her the 2020-2021 N.C. Council for the Social Studies Student Teacher of the Year honor. 

Sep 2, 2020

Nash County Teacher of the Year Jessica Richardson ‘15, ‘22MSA: ‘No Other Institute Will Prepare You for Having a Depth of Content Knowledge, Classroom Management and Instruction. At NC State, You are Truly Part of a Family’

Through her experiences at NC State, Jessica Richardson ‘15, ‘22MSA recognized the importance of community. And her commitment to providing a safe, inclusive community for her students at Nash-Rocky Mount Early College High School is one of the reasons she was named the 2020-21 Nash County Teacher of the Year. 

Jun 24, 2020

Passion for Science, Students Leads Ashley Bailey ‘00 to be Honored as 2020 North Carolina Charter School Teacher of the Year

Ashley Bailey ‘00 is the 2020 North Carolina Charter School Teacher of the Year. As a biology teacher at Roxboro Community School, she shares her love of science with her students, who grow to love the subject, too. 

Jun 17, 2020

Johnston County Public Schools Outstanding First Year Teacher of the Year Sarah Bowman ‘19: ‘My Goal is to be the Teacher I Needed as a Student for My Students’

When COVID-19 forced schools to move to online instruction and remote learning, Johnston County Public Schools Outstanding First Year Teacher Sarah Bowman ‘19 was prepared. She drew from her experiences in the NC State College of Education. 

May 21, 2020

Wake County’s Diane Kent-Parker First-Year Teacher of the Year Brianna Barbour ‘19 Recognized for Instilling Students With Sense of Purpose

The speech, by Latin American civil rights activist Cesar Chavez, was long, about 12 pages. Brianna Barbour ‘19 knew it was a lot for her Apex Friendship Middle School students,…