Simple Question, Powerful Answers:
We asked educators why they chose to enter the field of education and they shared their inspiring stories. From current students to those who have worked in education for decades, take a look at why our alumni chose to make a difference in the lives of children.
Why Extraordinary Educators Choose Us:
#1
college for education majors in North Carolina
#1
Producer of STEM Educators in N.C.
#1
most effective beginning teachers in North Carolina as rated by employers
Sources: College Magazine and UNC Educator Quality Dashboard
college for education majors in North Carolina
#1
Producer of STEM Educators in N.C.
#1
most effective beginning teachers in North Carolina as rated by employers
Producer of STEM Educators in N.C.
#1
most effective beginning teachers in North Carolina as rated by employers
most effective beginning teachers in North Carolina as rated by employers
Sources: College Magazine and UNC Educator Quality Dashboard
We offer over 50 undergraduate, graduate and certificate options across our three departments.
Why I Chose Education
More Why I Chose Education
#WhyIChoseEducation: ‘Education Really is an Opportunity For Me to Practice My Values Around Fostering Equitable Environments’ says Jemilia Davis ’19PHD

WhyIChoseEducation: ‘I Believe the Classroom is Where The Difference is Made,’ Says Edgar Huff ’13MAT

#WhyIChoseEducation: ‘There’s This Power in Being Able to Mentor and Develop Others,’ Says Richmond Hill ’01MED
Congratulations to three graduates who were selected to receive the Outstanding Doctoral Dissertation Awards during the college’s May 2023 Graduation Ceremony for their research efforts! 👏
🤩 Karen Marie Collier ’22PHD
🤩 Danielle Robin Scharen ’15, ’19MED, ’22PHD
🤩 Elizabeth Ashlyn Locklear ’22PHD
Karen won the award for the Department of Science Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Education, Elizabeth won for the Department of Educational Leadership, Policy, and Human Development and Danielle won for the Department of Teacher Education and Learning Sciences.

As part of We Teach for NC Spring Break, a group of students visited three eastern North Carolina counties – Edgecombe, Senior and Wayne – on a three-day cultural immersion trip.
“Our goal of the trip is to show that education is valued and there are fantastic things happening in those counties, even though the data may not reflect that,” NC State Teaching Fellows Director Crystal Espey said.
Over the three days, the students were able to talk to many school leaders including Valerie Bridges ’02MSA, ’10EDD, the 2022 A. Craig Phillips N.C. Superintendent of the Year and 2019 North Carolina Principal of the Year Matthew Bristol-Smith ’14MSA to learn about different experiences, innovative and cutting edge things that rural districts are doing to support their students.

#NCState23 Spotlight — Eduardo Herrera-Rodriguez 🎓
Eduardo graduated with a bachelor’s degree in elementary education. He chose elementary education because of the positive impact that education has had on his own life and how he seen it change lives. He wants to offer that same experience for kids that may have a similar upbringing as he did in this country while being a role model who may also look like them.
After graduation, he plans to work in a K-5 classroom and work with kids in all subject areas.
“I want to offer a welcoming environment and culturally responsive classroom where every single one of my students will feel as though they can and will do their best learning.”
