Why I Chose Education

Mar 8, 2022

#WhyIChoseEducation: ‘My Thing Has Always Been Helping Kids and Helping Adults Help Kids,’ Says Autumn Guin ’20PHD

Autumn Guin '20PHD is using the knowledge and skills she's honed in the NC State College of Education to follow through on the university's land-grant mission and help kids as part of NC State Extension. 

Feb 17, 2022

#WhyIChoseEducation: ‘Choosing Counselor Education Means That I’m Educating Those Future School Counselors Who are Going to be in the School System for the Next 50 Years,’ Says BJ Durham ‘22PHD

BJ Durham ‘22PHD, a graduate assistant in the Office of Graduate Student Success and a self-described “counselor at heart,” works hard to help graduate students in the NC State College of Education thrive. 

Jan 27, 2022

#WhyIChoseEducation: ‘Education Just Has, To Me, The Most Meaning and Purpose and Joy of Anything That I’ve Done,’ Says Adjunct Associate Teaching Professor Sue Wasiolek

Sue Wasiolek, often known simply as Dean Sue, is a fixture at Duke University, where she served as the dean of students for the past 40 years. While it is in that role she is best known, for more than a decade she’s also been a part of the NC State College of Education, where she teaches the graduate level course EAC 778: Law and Higher Education. 

Dec 1, 2021

#WhyIChoseEducation: ‘I Want Students Not Only to Be Proficient Readers but to Enjoy Reading and Learning,’ Says Courtney Weathers ‘21

An experience with a literacy nonprofit in high school inspired Courtney Weathers ‘21 to explore the best practices in literacy instruction, so all students can become confident, independent readers. 

Oct 27, 2021

#WhyIChoseEducation: ‘Regardless of Who is Educating Me or the Topic I’m Learning About, a Proper Education is Incredibly Powerful Long-term,’ Says Top Flight Computers Owner Chris Touchberry ‘13

When small business owners, videographers or PC gamers need custom computers to meet their computing needs, they often turn to Chris Touchberry ‘13. Touchberry utilized the skills and relationship building experience he gained in the NC State College of Education’s technology, engineering, and design education program to launch the custom PC business Top Flight Computers. 

Aug 10, 2021

#WhyIChoseEducation: ‘I’m Really Focused on Finding Untapped Skills and Getting Individuals in Jobs for Social and Economic Mobility,’ Says Lance Gooden ’22EDD

Watching his mother serve as an advocate for underserved students in Vernamfield, Jamaica, Lance Gooden ’22EDD developed a passion for increasing educational success for all learners within the field of education. As a community college administrator, he strives to help underserved and disadvantaged populations navigate the community college system and succeed. 

Jul 22, 2021

#WhyIChoseEducation: ‘My Personal and Professional Mission is To Expand and Improve the Socioeconomic Mobility of Traditionally Underrepresented Communities,’ Says Marshall Anthony Jr. ’16MED

A higher education researcher and someone raised around a culture of activism, Marshall Anthony ’16MED strives to make a difference in educational policy and serve as an activist for underrepresented communities as a policy analyst for higher education at the Center for American Progress. He shares about his experience with the NC State College of Education and why he chose education. 

Jun 22, 2021

#WhyIChoseEducation: ‘A Quality Education is a Game Changer for All Children, But is a Dire Need for Children in Poverty,’ Says 2021-22 CCRESA Regional Superintendent of the Year Valerie Bridges ’02MSA, ’10EDD

When Valerie Bridges '02MSA, ’10EDD was growing up, she witnessed firsthand the impact a teacher could have on the lives of students through her mother, which inspired her to become an educator. As superintendent of Edgecombe County Schools, Bridges, who was named the 2021-22 CCRESA Regional Superintendent of the Year, shares why she chose education, why she chose the College of Education and how education has shaped her. 

May 17, 2021

#WhyIChoseEducation: ‘I Am Motivated Daily by the Opportunity To Have An Impact. Everything is About Impacting and Inspiring People To Be the Best Version of Themselves, Whatever That Is,’ Says Peter Eley ’08MED, ’11PHD

While working at St. Augustine’s University as a webmaster and data manager, Peter Eley ’08MED, ’11PHD was inspired to pursue a career in education. With an interest in mathematics education, he was encouraged to attend the NC State College of Education and work under the guidance of Lee V. Stiff, Ph.D. And for the past 11 years, he’s been a professor of math education. 

Apr 19, 2021

#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.