Why I Chose Education

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. 

Mar 17, 2021

#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. 

Feb 17, 2021

#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. 

Jan 13, 2021

#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. 

Dec 21, 2020

#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. 

Nov 23, 2020

#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.