Why I Chose Education
#WhyIChoseEducation: ‘Education Has Shaped My Passion to Learn. Whether it’s Reading or Writing, I Really Do Love to Learn,’ Says Kelly Fitzgerald ‘89
With a passion for mathematics, Kelly Fitzgerald ‘89 enrolled in NC State with the hope of becoming an engineer. He quickly discovered he had more of a “love for pure mathematics than the application.” After taking some education courses, he realized his passion was in the classroom and he’s been a high school math teacher for 30 years.
#WhyIChoseEducation: ‘I Bring Compassion, Patience and Skillful Teaching to Each of the Classes I Teach,’ Says Associate Professor of Middle Grades Social Studies Education Candy Beal, Ed.D.
As the child of an Air Force airman, Candy Beal, Ed.D., moved every three years. She attended six different schools in three different countries before graduating from high school. Her experiences in various school environments and around the world have influenced her teaching as an associate professor of middle grades education in the College of Education.
#WhyIChoseEducation: ‘Teachers Can Inspire and Influence Students Both Positively and Negatively. I Decided I Wanted to be a Positive Influence,’ Says Director of Teaching Fellows at NC State Crystal Espey ’11, ’18MSA
Growing up in Fuquay-Varina with parents who are NC State alumni, Crystal Espey ’11, ’18MSA always wanted to be a part of the Wolfpack. A two-time graduate of the College of Education, Espey now works for the college as the director of Teaching Fellows at NC State.
#WhyIChoseEducation: ‘Education is a Profession Where You Can See the Impact that You are Having on the World Around You,’ Says Master of Arts in Teaching Student Nicholas Massey ‘21MAT
Nicholas Massey ‘21MAT needed a change of scenery and decided to leave filmmaking behind to pursue his passion for education. Now as a student in the Master of Arts in Teaching program, he plans to teach elementary school in Wake County.
#WhyIChoseEducation: ‘I Want to Help Young Students Deepen Their Love for Learning and Take that Forward with Them as a Lifelong Passion and Desire,’ Says Middle Grades English Language Arts and Social Studies Education Student Matin Maani ‘22
Matin Maani ‘22 experienced firsthand the impact teachers have on young people. That inspired him to want to be a teacher. An NC State College of Education student ambassador and middle grades English Language Arts and social studies education major, he shares why he chose education and his experience within the college.
#WhyIChoseEducation: ‘If We Want People to Learn About Nanotechnology, Then What We Need is Teachers Who are Excited About It,’ Says Mark McLean ‘17
Last summer, science and STEM educator Mark McLean '17 was part of the Research Triangle Nanotechnology Network’s Research Experience for Teachers (RTNN RET) program, which puts local teachers in nanotechnology labs across the Triangle. There, he gained experience in nanotechnology research that he was able to share with his students.
#WhyIChoseEducation: ‘I Have Always Enjoyed Being Around Kids from Elementary Age Through High School and/or College. I Enjoy Their Spirit, Optimism, Passion and Humor,’ Says Director of METRC Kerri Brown Parker
For the past seven-and-a-half years, Kerri Brown Parker has served as director of the Media and Education Technology Resource Center (METRC). She shares why she chose education, how education has shaped her into the person she is today and what has inspired her during these unprecedented times.
#WhyIChoseEducation: ‘Education Has the Power to Uplift or Dismantle, to Give Voice or to Silence, to Promote Justice or to Perpetuate Injustice,’ Says Director of the Master of Arts in Teaching Program Micha Jeffries
Teaching, particularly African American students, allows Micha Jeffries, Ph.D., director of the Master of Arts in Teaching program, to share her love of learning and provide an opportunity that many of our ancestors could not begin to imagine.
#WhyIChoseEducation: ‘I Believe in the Nobility of the Teaching Profession and that Quality Teachers Change Students’ Lives,’ Says Science Education Doctoral Student Matt Reynolds ‘20PHD
For Matt Reynolds ‘20PHD, being a teacher is in his blood. As a fourth generation educator, teaching has always been a part of his life, but being able to merge his passion for science with education led him to pursue a career as a science educator.
#WhyIChoseEducation: ‘I Wanted to Become a Teacher to Advocate for Introverted Students and Teachers,’ Says Elementary Education Student Nicole Renwick ‘20
As Nicole Renwick ‘20, an elementary education major, prepares to graduate from the NC State College of Education, she shares why she chose education, how education has shaped her and an experience within the college that changed her.