EAST GREENSBORO, NC (September 12, 2022) – North Carolina Agricultural Technology State University has been thrust into the national spotlight by First Lady Dr. Jill Biden and U.S. Secretary of Education Dr. Miguel Cardona. It’s the first stop of the school year on the Department of Education’s Road to Success Back-to-School Bus Tour.
Biden and Cardona worked together to celebrate NC A&T’s efforts to train teachers, support K-12 education, and promote diversity in the education workforce.
Kathy Manning, U.S. Representative for the constituency that includes Greensboro, said:
Greensboro Mayor Nancy Vaughan and State Senator Gladys Robinson, as well as A&T Dean and Administrator, were among other dignitaries in attendance at the event at the Harold L. Martin Senior Engineering Research and Innovation Complex.
But members of Aggie Livewire, cheerleaders, honor students, leaders of the Student Union, and the Royal Court, along with students at the College of Education, A&T for Middle College, cheered, chanted, and formalized It was more like a pep rally than a visit. NC A&T, his STEM Early College at NC A&T, and Aggie Academy.
Harold L. Martin Sr. Chancellor greeted the audience, Monday’s U.S. News & World Report named A&T one of America’s Leading National Universities for Social Mobility and Top Campus on its list of Most Innovative Schools. mentioned in the top 10 rankings for black people. colleges and universities following record student enrollment years.
Jayden Seay, a second-year primary school student and member of the first cohort of February One Scholars, introduced Biden by sharing the story of his trip to Aggieland.
“I have always been in a class of honors and talent, but every year I feel like I have to prove that I belong there. struggle with attribution issues in schools.Teachers make a difference,” Seay says. “In my entire teaching experience, I have only had three black teachers. I was lucky to have them in my life because they were my teachers.
“The College of Education helps students become agents of transformative change in the field of education,” he said. “After graduation, I will join the 2% of teachers who are black men. I will continue this work that advances educational equity for greater justice. I want to teach in an underserved community and be the teacher I wanted when I was little.Expression is key.”
Before addressing the crowd, Biden called on students at Aggie Academy, a new STEAM school for grades 3-5 that opened last month, to join them on the podium.
“What we teach is not what we do, but who we are,” said Biden, who teaches at Northern Virginia Community College.
Obstacles like student loans, low salaries, large classes, and safety concerns discourage potential teachers.
“If we want more good, talented people in this field, if we want educators to do their best work, we need to give educators—or all of you—the support they deserve,” Biden said. ” she said, turning to the student-teacher behind her. She said, “We have to come to places like She A&T in North Carolina and say, ‘I need you.'”
“Classrooms need diverse perspectives and opportunities to learn from teachers of all backgrounds in order to better serve all students.”
Cardona agreed.
“There’s a reason we were excited to come to NC A&T as the first stop on our Road to Success bus tour,” says Cardona. “That’s because of that Aggie Pride. It’s because you’re proud not only of your history, but of your potential. You’re proud of your high expectations. I mean, your home.” Coming is actually called the greatest homecoming on the planet.
“Whatever you do or plan to do at A&T, you know your school is raising the bar,” he said. “A&T is a testament to what any good teacher knows: Set high expectations, give your students opportunities, and they will succeed.”
Dean Paula Groves-Pryce, Ph.D., said leaders across the nation have a commitment that faculty, students, and alumni of the College of Education will serve as leaders of equity, access, and advocacy in everything they do. recognizing.
“For students at our college of education, it was exciting to have the opportunity to interact with First Lady Dr. Jill Biden and Secretary Cardona today,” she said. We recognize the importance of supporting and recruiting qualified teachers and are passionate about equity in education.”