Thank an Educator

This American Education Week, we are asking you to share your stories about the educators who made a difference in your life and how they are transforming lives, schools and communities across North Carolina, the nation and the world.

Your #ThankAnEducator Stories

From: Robin Pate ’91

“Coach Kay Yow had this incredible ability not to see people for who they were but for who they could become. I’m so thankful she saw me that way.”

From: Oneisha Leonard-Henry ’23MAT

“One teacher tutored me after school, and when I didn’t have transportation, because my mother worked, she would drive me home. She was like, “I don’t care how far you live from school. I’ll take you.” I always had a great education.”

From: Grace Bondanella

Srta. Aponte in third grade taught me at an early age that I know more than I think and that I can do hard things! She let me start showing my personality and never made me feel out of place in her classroom. I later got to volunteer and help in her class and even visited her on my high school graduation day to say thank you.

From: Lauren Shackelford

Dr. Steven Miller is the reason why I’m able to finish college. He’s advocated for me when I couldn’t do it myself, encouraged me when I felt entirely defeated, given me space to figure things out on my own when I needed to, and forgiven me when I didn’t follow through on responsibilities. Dr. Miller taught me about compassion and second chances. I hope to pass that kindness on as much as I can as an educator one day.

Thank an Educator graphic with NC State t-shirt and bag

Share Your #ThankAnEducator Story

Post your #ThankAnEducator story on Instagram with the hashtag #ThankAnEducator or email educationmarcom@ncsu.edu for a chance to win an NC State prize pack.

Email your story

Your Thank You Cards

Take a look at the thank you cards members of our Pack wrote to the educators who have made an impact on their lives.

Two smiling students with Thank an Educator signs

Dean Sztajn holding a Thank An Educator sign

A student holding a Thank an Educator card

A woman holding a sign that says Thank an Educator

A student showing a Thank an Educator card

Two women standing with Mr. Wuf, who is holding a sing that reads

Two students with Thank an Educator cards

A student displaying a Thank an Educator card

Two people holding a Thank an Educator card

A Thank an Educator card held by a student

A student and future teacher with a Thank an Educator card

A student with a Thank an Educator card in her hands

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More #ThankAnEducator Stories

From: Bella Gonzales

“Mrs. Doorman saw me, and she knew I was going to be a teacher. She’s since passed away, but I wish I could thank her. She really brought me here.

From: Mike James ’17

“My first Black male teachers, Mr. Jamie Humphrey and Mr. Jimmie Newkirk poured so much into me — teaching me about business, teaching me about English, and just so much about life in general.”

From: Bethany Lee

“I had a really great high school chemistry teacher, Kerissa Armstead, and she inspired me to decide to stick with science education.

From: Erica Prentice

“After the unexpected loss of my little brother this summer, Dr. Jenn Ayscue reached out to provide her sincere, heartfelt condolences. She continued to check in with me — not with concerns of deadlines, but because she genuinely cared about me as her student. As years pass, I’m sure memories of endless literature review research and APA editing will fade, but I know without a doubt, my feelings of gratitude and appreciation for Dr. Ayscue and her leadership will remain.”

From: John Constantino

“I was a new student from a different country, so everything was foreign to me, and I knew no one. My fifth-grade teacher made me feel included and helped me adjust to everything while also helping me enjoy what I was learning. I want to be someone like that for someone else in the future. I want to make a difference in my students’ lives and be someone they can see as a mentor and role model.”

From: Rylee Sherwood

“Thank you to Mr. Haynes, my eighth grade history teacher, who treated us like intelligent individuals, who challenged us, who fed us with drawer snacks when we felt we would starve before lunch, who trusted me to house/dog/babysit when I got older, and who continues to be an amazing mentor for me to this very day!”

Myah Webb

Thank you to Mrs. Wagner for forever changing my life. You not only inspired me to pursue becoming a high school teacher, but formed me into the woman I am today. You have showed me nothing but kindness and compassion from the first moment I met you the summer before my freshman year. I am incredibly thankful that I am able to call you my teacher. Thank you for the endless love and support.