Thank An Educator

Recognize and celebrate the educators who made a difference in your life.

We are devoting this season of giving thanks to express our appreciation to the educators who made a difference in our lives and who are transforming lives, schools and communities across North Carolina, the nation and the world. Join our #ThankAnEducator movement to receive a complimentary T-shirt and for the chance to be featured in a series of college-wide videos that will be shared far and wide.

3 Ways You Can Join the #ThankAnEducator Movement

Make a Gift in Honor of an Educator

Make a gift in honor of an educator who made a difference in your life. Your gifts between now and Nov. 30 will go directly toward providing scholarship and fellowship support to students preparing to enter the field of education or those already in the field looking to enhance their impact by pursuing an advanced degree.

Make a Gift

Write a Note of Thanks in Honor of an Educator

Is your love of reading inspired by your high school English teacher? Did your undergraduate advisor help you find your dream career? Submit your stories and notes of appreciation about the educators who made a difference in your life through our online submission form.

Submit Your Note of Appreciation

Record a Short #ThankAnEducator Video

Share your story and expressions of gratitude about the educators who made a difference in your life by emailing us a short video or posting one on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram using #ThankAnEducator. Your video submission may be considered for a series of #ThankAnEducator videos we will unveil in the spring.

Email Us Your Short Videos

Mike Ward '77, '81MS, '93EDD

My High School Teacher Brought Spanish to Life

Iwinosa Idahor '09, '11MED

My Educators Helped Me Work Towards Excellence

Casey Holmes

My Teachers Showed Me How to Love History

Joseph Jacobs

My English Teacher Made Learning Fun

Whitney McCoy

My Teachers Taught Me Respect and Leadership

"One in particular [educator] that comes to mind instantly is Mrs. Buckin, my high school math teacher. To that point, I did not enjoy math and she showed me how to have fun with math. She changed my opinion of math. It’s wonderful how an educator can change your opinion of a subject."

-Amber Moshakos, NC State College of Education Board Member

"I had just moved to a new school district, and [my third-grade teacher] took the initiative to meet with me over the summer weekly so that I could catch up and make sure that I was on par with the students in my class. She made a big difference in my life."

-Kathy Sischo, NC State College of Education Board Member

View More #ThankAnEducator Videos

Submit Your Note of Thanks

More of Your #ThankAnEducator Stories

Thank You

from Sondra Ayscue '99MR

Mrs. Anne Smith was my mentor at Bunn Elementary School in Franklin County in my second year of teaching. She was and still is an amazing person and educator. Mrs. Smith was like my school mom in that she lead me through the trials of being a new educator and offered support that only an excellent teacher and carrying person could offer. I will forever be grateful to her.

Dr. Candy Beal changed my life by being a passionate powerhouse in middle grades education. Whenever I tell someone I am a middle school teacher, their first reaction is something of apology or applause. I will never forget how Dr. Beal said to respond to this situation. She said something to the affect of how it's the best part of the job and it is a privilege to work with these young adults. She also lit the fire in me for being passionate about history and creating opportunities for students to learn and become invested in their communities. Thank you Dr. Beal for what you have done and continue to do!

Haley Kerr '14

from Allison Price

Ms. Holmes was my fourth grade language arts teacher. She allowed me to be myself. I didn’t like to read and yet I loved her classroom. She helped me find ways to think outside the box and become curious about reading.

My middle school health and PE teacher, Mr. Tyson, taught me what it means to be genuinely interested in your students' lives. He invested in me, not just as a student or athlete, but as a person, always encouraging me to have character and to pursue a lifelong standard of excellence.

-Lauren Bowling '16MAT

Thank You

from Whitney Robertson

I can say with great confidence that Dr. Marc Grimmett has changed my life. . .I will always be grateful to [him] for being as authentic as he is for his students and community.

from Jasmine Wiggins

I've been lucky and have had several educators make an impact on my life. One in particular is Professor Robert Porter. He encouraged me to consider graduate school and acted as an incredible resource regarding scholarships and research/travel opportunities while I was in college.

My mother home-schooled me for many years and taught me how to be independent, responsible, and intellectually curious. She's a special education teacher for Louisa County Middle School in Virginia now, and continues to change lives every day through her passion and love for education.

- Kaitlyn Sewell

Thank You

Allison Echstenkamper ’14

My assistant principal always supported me during my first two years of teaching.

from Vance Herring '81

Dr. Willis Parker changed not only my life but many students within the School of Education and other universities my establishing Collegiate Chapters of VICA. He was a dedicated educator in the vocational and Industrial education department in the 70s and 80s. Dr. Parker had an amazing talent for memory and never forgot a single student he taught.

from Shaun Lynch

"[Dr. Hal J. Daniel III's] course challenged me academically and stimulated my lifelong interest in studying the human body. This experience changed my whole perspective on education and would become the foundation in my career trajectory."

Dr. Jim Hughes was my special ed professor, when I was at State '81-'82. He presented his lectures, with humor and warmth. After class, we'd meet him at local fun places to discuss the lesson and have fun!! Once, he scheduled a canoe trip for 6 of us to navigate New River; he made learning such fun! Thank you, Dr. Hughes, for your knowledge and the fun ways you used to impart it!!

Margaret St. John '83MS