Teaching

To say Bobbie Rowland was one of a kind would be an understatement. In a time where women educators stayed in the classroom and men made the policy decisions, she took up the cause of early childhood education in North Carolina and wouldn’t hear “no” from anyone. She became the first woman elected to any […]

Kerra Johnson graduated with honors from UNC Charlotte in 2004 as a North Carolina Teaching Fellow, earning her degree in elementary education. A lifelong educator, Johnson taught at both the elementary and middle school levels and has tutored students of all ages for nearly 25 years. Beyond the classroom, she also mentored middle and high […]

Luke Reinke, associate professor of reading and elementary education in the Cato College of Education, is a finalist for the UNC Charlotte Teaching Excellence Award for tenured faculty. Reinke is an enthusiastic mathematics educator whose work blends research, teaching and service to reimagine how future teachers learn to teach math. Known for his thoughtful, equity-centered […]

Thai Ray Williams is not your typical graduate. A 32-year classroom teacher, Williams felt called to do more for her exceptional education students after taking part in Charlotte research. Now, she’s graduating with a Ph.D. in Special Education and is turning over a new leaf as faculty at Utah State University, where she will inspire […]

It takes a special kind of person to turn an interview around on the interviewer, especially when that person is only 19 years old, but by the end of our time together, DeJané Cade was the one doing the interviewing! Watching her move throughout campus, she turned every new person she met into a networking […]

By Bryson Foster ‘23Photos by Amy Hart As Kendall Wilson approaches graduation, she wants to give back to her home community of Fuquay-Varina, North Carolina, by educating the next generation of students. “I always say don’t forget where you come from. Fuquay-Varina made me the person I am. I want to return and make it […]

Spangler Distinguished Professor of Early Child Literacy Dr. Kelly Cartwright serves as Lead Curriculum Advisor on PBS KIDS’ Phoebe & Jay, a new animated series for children ages 3-5 designed to support early literacy skills for preschoolers. “To work on a PBS KIDS series is a dream come true. It’s full circle, really – I […]

UNC Charlotte’s Cato College of Education has been recognized as one of the nation’s top 10 programs in online graduate education, tying for the No. 9 spot on U.S. News & World Report’s 2025 Best Online Master’s in Education rankings, released Jan. 21. This represents an increase of fourteen places from 2024 and marks the […]

“Educators don’t like to brag on themselves.” Whether the educators of today among our faculty or those of tomorrow like our students, this statement rings true throughout Cato College of Education. Quietly, they have moved into a role of servant leadership and tireless dedication, exemplifying how great things are happening at Charlotte. As Professor & […]

You would never catch Star Watson unprepared. Teacher briefcase packed for every potential situation, a “we’re gonna work through it” attitude, and a Charlotte green blazer that clearly meant business, she was ready for whatever the day might bring, and ready to share her why.