An evening with students of today offers hope for the teaching profession of tomorrow

Last Monday, the day after U.S. Constitution Day, N.C. State University College of Education students taught us about time.

How it’s time we listen.

How it’s not time to give up.

How it’s time we learn — and believe in — the newest generation of adults.

N.C. State’s Talley Student Union — the cool kids call it “Talley” — was bustling during the burgers-and-tacos portion of this evening.

Drum players were doing their thing outside the doors.

Students lounged in comfy booths, wearing AirPods and staring at their laptops.

Howling Cow’s line moved steadily, with Banana Pudding the ice cream of choice.

Talley’s third floor drew a curious collection of students in T-shirts and shorts, others in suits, and an energized pack wearing Wolfpack Red shirts that read “Student Ambassador.”

How clever of N.C. State’s College of Education to create a Student Ambassadors program — selected from its best students — to “serve as professional liaisons for the college with recruitment, campus events and service.”

The Student Ambassadors were everywhere, greeting guests and their friends with the same level of enthusiasm. “Do you have a program?” “Are you registered?” “We have cookies over there!”

Gen Z on the Teaching Profession

Inside a spacious room with 200-plus chairs, Dean Paola Sztajn smiled perpetually while greeting familiar faces and new ones. Cherry Crayton, the college’s executive director of marketing and communications, kept a close eye on her wristwatch as she seamlessly checked off one to-do and then another. Mics working? Check. Name tags distributed? Check. Student speakers assembled? Check.

At 6:30 p.m., Cherry approached Terry Hennings, the evening’s master of ceremonies, and mentioned that the program needed to be delayed three minutes because of traffic issues. If Cherry ever wants to leave education to keep train stations or airports on schedule, she’ll be hired. Three minutes later, she was back, giving Terry the cue. It was time.

The program titled “Gen Z on the Teaching Profession: A Candid Conversation with Future Teachers from NC State” was a partnership of N.C. State’s College of Education and The News & Observer. Many of the conversations were in sync with a recent story by The N&O’s T. Keung Hui on how NC schools have more than 3,500 teaching vacancies.

Monday’s conversation profiled plenty of speakers who understand the challenges and generational importance of teaching.

Terry the emcee is a Garner social studies teacher and the 2023 Wake County Public School System’s Teacher of the Year. Closing remarks came from Valerie Bridges, aka Dr. B, the recently retired superintendent of Edgecombe County Public Schools and the 2022 North Carolina Superintendent of the Year.

First-year NC State education students

Dr. B was magic in her brief time on stage — offering encouragement and hope while focusing on the stars of the night — five first-year students, barely three weeks on campus but committed to becoming career educators.

Kayla Connor from Holly Springs wants to teach elementary school students. A former champion gymnast, she didn’t stumble even when her mom asked a question from the audience.

Olivia Ferlito from Raleigh is an elementary education major who plans to minor in voice performance. She’s an extrovert who has seven teachers in her family tree.

Coley Welch from Morganton wants to teach science, and his motivation came from his mom. He’s part of the Goodnight Scholars Program named after alums Jim and Ann Goodnight of Raleigh.

Dariana De Leon from Tarboro plans to teach middle school math and return to Edgecombe County. She didn’t speak often during the conversation, but when she did it came with conviction and courage.

Then there was Joshua Webb of Rocky Mount, an English language arts and social studies major, who spoke with eloquence about diversity, pay and how to combat all the obstacles: “Teachers need to teach.”

Article 9 of the North Carolina Constitution offers a passive acknowledgment of education’s importance statewide. And the new state budget calls for teacher raises that amount to 7 percent over the next two years. The new governor will see a 20 percent pay increase.

After two years, a 7 percent increase equates to $14.22 per work day (before taxes) for the lowest paid Wake County teacher —regardless of the level of unruly students, misbehaving parents or potential lockdowns.

On this Monday, though, all was good.

Unlike Carolina Panthers fans, the Talley audience stayed until the end Monday night. The teaching game can be rough and filled with unexpected hits, but maybe this generation of future teachers know what we don’t.

That it’s time we listen, don’t give up … and let teachers teach.

Bill Church is executive editor of The News & Observer.