Why I Chose Education
#WhyIChoseEducation: ‘I Hope to Apply the Knowledge That I Am Learning to Help Young Adults With Their Career Exploration and Goals,’ Says College Counseling and Student Development Graduate Student Sabrina Spencer ’22MED
Growing up in a single parent household, Sabrina Spencer ’22MED witnessed her mother’s tenacity and grit to pursue a career as a middle school teacher. That experience inspired Spencer to want to help others. Pursuing a Master of Education in college counseling and student development, Spencer shares why she chose the NC State College of Education, how education has shaped her and how the college is preparing her for the future.
#WhyIChoseEducation: ‘I Have Always Felt that a Degree in Education Led to a Multitude of Employment Options Even if I Did Not Become a Teacher,’ Says Engineering and Technology Education Doctoral Student Tangie Fleming ‘98, ‘24PHD
The knowledge and skills Tangie Fleming ‘98, ‘24PHD gained from the technology, engineering, and design education program led her to start her own digital and print media consulting company, TGF Consulting, where she has thrived as an education consultant. Now, she is pursuing her Ph.D. in Learning and Teaching in STEM in the engineering and technology education program area of study.
#WhyIChoseEducation: ‘I Want to Teach Kids to be Kind and Accepting of Others and Teach Them to be Confident in Themselves While Giving Them the Support They Need to Succeed in Life,’ Says Elementary Education Student Emma Wilson ‘21
Emma Wilson ‘21 was always told she would make a good teacher. But she never considered it until her senior year of high school. However, it wasn’t until Wilson enrolled in the exploratory studies program at NC State where she discovered teaching was a natural fit.
#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.