Teaching
A Life of Purpose: Thai Ray Williams, Ph.D. ’25
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 […]
‘Create Something Special’: DeJané Cade ‘26, CTEC ‘25
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 […]
Educating the next generation: Kendall Wilson looks to return home to give back to her community
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 […]
Cartwright tapped to advise on new PBS show aimed at literacy education
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 […]
Cato College soars in U.S. News and World Report 2025 rankings
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 […]
Excellence in Education: Cato College’s 2024 in Review
“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 & […]
In Her Element(ary): Star Watson
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.
A Teacher that Students Need: Carley Mittag
As Carley Mittag walked through Mebane Hall, she couldn’t go anywhere without being stopped. Peers and professors alike paused to express how thrilled they were to see her…
Dynamic Teaching Duo Teresa Do and Makayla Dockery Bonded as Student Teachers
Education majors Teresa Do and Makayla Dockery were raised on opposite sides of the country, but they discovered common ground and forged a fast friendship as student teachers at Harris Road Middle School. Now they will begin their careers together. Do, a native of Santa Clara, California, and Dockery, from Norwood, North Carolina, were acquainted […]
Dr. Angela Preston to Lead UNC Charlotte’s Mebane Early Literacy Center
The Cato College of Education welcomes Dr. Angela Preston to UNC Charlotte as the director of the Mebane Early Literacy Center. Preston began her career as a special educator in the North Carolina public school system and is dedicated to advancing the field of early literacy through forward-thinking teacher preparation. Preston’s career progressed from teaching […]