TELS-GSA

Officers

John Hensley, Chair

John is a 4th year PhD candidate in Teacher Education and Learning Sciences: Social Studies and also a full-time social studies teacher in Wake County. He has masters degrees in economics from Clemson and in teaching from NC State. His research interests are centered on civic education, especially in creating curriculum that encourages students to use inquiry methods and critical paradigms to identify problems in their communities and take informed, meaningful action to solve them. 

Amber Moore, Vice Chair

Amber Moore is a 2nd-year doctoral student in Teacher Education and Learning Sciences: Literacy and English Language Arts at North Carolina State University. She received a Bachelor of Science in Communications from East Carolina University and a Master of Arts in Curriculum and Instruction from UNC-Charlotte. Amber’s research interests focus on participatory research design using visual and arts-based methods to situate learning and meaning making, exploring sustainable practices for teaching historical trauma to promote social justice and civic engagement. Beyond this work, she is passionate about preparing preservice teachers to create equitable learning environments that honor the lived experiences and perspectives of students. 

Samantha Duke, Treasurer 

Samantha Duke is a 3rd-year doctoral student in Teacher Education and Learning Sciences: Literacy and English Language Arts. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in English and Spanish from Queens University of Charlotte and a Master of Arts in English Literature from North Carolina State University. While working on her Master’s she served as the AEGS representative for GSA, and she is excited to be involved in GSA once more, this time representing TELS and the College of Education. She studies preservice teacher preparation and support, specifically how preservice teachers engage in classroom observation, critical reflection, and peer mentoring. In her work with preservice teachers, she aims to create spaces of belonging in which students are empowered to think critically and to challenge established norms as they develop their own teacher identity and praxis. Her concerns with accessibility and equity in education are mirrored in her work with digital inclusion efforts across North Carolina. 

Jennifer DeLarm, Social Coordinator 

Jennifer DeLarm is a 2nd-year doctoral student in Teacher Education and Learning Sciences: Learning Design and Technology. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of South Florida and a Master of Science in Instructional Design and Technology from the University of Tampa. Her research focuses on hybrid and virtual learning in higher education, concentrating on student motivation and transformative learning using ID theories/methodologies, technology, and AI. Her current work as an Instructional Designer focuses on designing and developing engaging and motivating e-learning. 

Vandna Gill Bindra, Faculty Advisor

Dr. Bindra is a Assistant Teaching Professor in the Department of TELS. She is also a graduate of the doctoral program at NC State in Curriculum and Instruction with a focus on Educational Psychology

Officers, Election Process

Every spring, nominations for officer roles are collected online from the student body. After the nomination period, online elections are held for the student body to vote for the upcoming year’s GSA representatives. Representatives of the TELS GSA in leadership positions must be either master’s or doctoral students in the Department. They must maintain at least a 3.5 cumulative GPA. Each officer may hold their respective position for up to two academic years to be served consecutively. If a position has been held for two academic years, the member cannot hold another leadership position.

If you would like to know more about support services for graduate students offered by the College of Education, contact the Office of Graduate Student Support Services: https://ced.ncsu.edu/graduate/graduate-student-services/