Why I Chose Education

Jun 26, 2024

#WhyIChoseEducation: ‘I Still Think That It Helps Us Build a Better Society When We Ask Rigorous Questions and Study Them Well,’ Says Stephen Day ’15PHD

Stephen Day '15PHD has a passion for helping students better understand economics, and now serves as a term associate professor at Virginia Commonwealth University and director of its Center for Economic Education. 

May 30, 2024

#WhyIChoseEducation: ‘Education Is a Career Trajectory That Allows You to Learn a Whole Lot in Order to Understand It Yourself, But Also to Share It With Other People,’ Says Jennifer Buelin ’12PHD

Jennifer Buelin '12PHD, senior program manager for Workforce Development and Career and Technical Education with the ASHLIN Management Group, has spent her career seeking out new learning opportunities that allow her to give back to others. 

Apr 29, 2024

#WhyIChoseEducation: ‘We’re Here To Support Schools That Have a Direct Impact on the Lives of Our Children,’ Says Orange County Schools Superintendent Danielle Jones ’12MSA, ’15EDD

Danielle Jones '12MSA, '15EDD started her career as a middle school mathematics teacher; now, as superintendent of Orange County Schools, her goal is to support every one of her educators who is working to make an impact on the lives of students. 

Mar 29, 2024

#WhyIChoseEducation: ‘My Teachers Had a Big Impact on Me, and I Wanted to be That Person for Other Students,’ Says Meghan Larson

Between hurricanes and the COVID-19 pandemic, Meghan Larson's experience as a K-12 student was not an easy one. That's why this Transformational Scholar wants to become a teacher — to provide students in eastern North Carolina with the opportunities she missed. 

Feb 27, 2024

#WhyIChoseEducation: ‘Education Has Something for Everybody,’ Says Karen Terrell Jackson ’14PHD

Karen Terrell Jackson '14PHD, an assistant professor at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, can see now how her early interest in research and testing led to a career in educational evaluation. But, as an undergraduate student and aspiring chemist, she never imagined she would be an educator, much less the recently named president-elect of the American Evaluation Association. 

Jan 25, 2024

#WhyIChoseEducation: ‘In Order for a Society to Be Strong and Continue for Generations, Everyone Needs a Sound, Basic Education,’ Says Transformational Scholar Josh Webb

Josh Webb, a middle grades English language arts and social studies education major, is looking forward to taking what he is learning in the NC State College of Education's Transformational Scholarships Program and using it to build a strong foundation for his future students in Edgecombe County. 

Nov 29, 2023

#WhyIChoseEducation: ‘I’ve Personally Always Viewed Myself as a Teacher Educator’ Says Jerianne Taylor ’04EDD

Enrolling in drafting classes as a high school student paved the way for Jerianne Taylor '04EDD to become an educator. Now, she prepares future technology education teachers as a professor and director of the Career and Technical Education program at Appalachian State University. 

Oct 4, 2023

#WhyIChoseEducation: ‘Just Knowing That I Was Helping Other Students in Bridging Those Gaps, It Felt Really Good,’ Says Sergio Madera-Garcia

Sergio Madera-Garcia, a master's student in the higher education administration program, works to take advantage of opportunities to support students and educators. 

Sep 27, 2023

#WhyIChoseEducation: ‘Being Able to Apply Knowledge is Actually a Pillar of My Life,’ Says Mike Ferrell ’11

Mike Ferrell '11 runs a company, Ferrell 27 Creative Media, that provides virtual web production, as well as video production, graphic design and other services, for companies such as Nike, Harley Davidson, General Mills and Boeing. It's a multifaceted role and he attributes his success in it to the multifaceted degree he earned in the NC State College of Education. 

Sep 19, 2023

‘Teaching is the Backbone of Humanity:’ Gen Z on the Teaching Profession

On Monday, Sept. 18, NC State's College of Education and The News & Observer hosted a panel discussion called Gen Z on the Teaching Profession in the Talley Student Union on NC State's campus.