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Why I Chose Education

Headshot of Karen Terrell Jackson with quote: Education Has Something for Everybody

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. 

A photo of Josh Webb with the quote: In Order for a Society to Be Strong and Continue for Generations, Everyone Needs a Sound, Basic Education

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. 

Quote graphic reading: I've personally always viewed myself as a teacher educator.

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. 

Photo of Sergio Medara-Garcia with quote: Just Knowing That I Was Helping Other Students in Bridging Those Gaps, It Felt Really Good.

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. 

Aug 30, 2023

#WhyIChoseEducation: ‘There’s Something About People Who Are in The Education Field Becoming Strong Leaders’ Says Robin Pate ’91

When Wake Technical Community College Athletic Director Robin Pate '91 was an undergraduate student at NC State, he knew he had a passion for teaching and coaching. That passion led him to switch his major from civil engineering to science education and to apply for a job as a manager for the Wolpack Women's basketball team, through which he met former Coach Kay Yow. 

Photo of Samaria Warsaw with quote: 'Education Has Helped Me See the World in Different Ways'

Jul 24, 2023

WhyIChoseEducation: ‘Education Has Helped Me See the World in Different Ways,’ Says Samaria Warsaw ’21MAT

When Samaria Warsaw ’21MAT was a high school student in Indiana, AP English was her favorite class. She had grown up reading books and writing poetry, but it was that… 

Jun 27, 2023

#WhyIChoseEducation: ‘It’s the Love of Science and the Love of Sharing and Conveying That Science,’ Says Rebecca Hite ’16PHD

As a doctoral student in the NC State College of Education, Rebecca Hite became fascinated by the promise of using 3D, haptic-enabled, virtual reality platforms to convey scientific concepts. Now, she is researching those emerging technologies as an associate professor at Texas Tech University. 

Photo of Jemilia Davis with quote: Education Really is an Opportunity For Me to Practice My Values Around Fostering Equitable Environments

May 26, 2023

#WhyIChoseEducation: ‘Education Really is an Opportunity For Me to Practice My Values Around Fostering Equitable Environments’ says Jemilia Davis ’19PHD

When Jemilia Davis ’19PHD delivered the charge to the graduate students during the NC State College of Education’s Spring 2019 graduation ceremony, she spoke on looking to the past in order…