Cato College of Education

In North Carolina, UNC Charlotte stands alone in training teachers in literacy instruction.

Brittany Anderson, a recent recipient of a CAREER National Science Foundation grant for her pioneering research on gifted Black girls in early STEM education. In her rise to national prominence, she has never forgotten the historical legacies of the places she came from.

Victor Mack, director of the Cato College of Education Office of Educational Outreach, received a 2022 Phi Kappa Phi Literacy Grant to establish the 100 Ways to Nutritional Literary program.

Mack, who partnered with Laurie Garo, senior lecturer emerita, geography and earth sciences, will work with the 100 Black Men of Greater Charlotte and the University’s Center for STEM Education Pre-college Program to implement the grant this fall.

The UNC Charlotte STEM Pre-College Program is accepting applications for fall 2022 from middle and high school students with an interest in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. 

The program’s goal is to increase the numbers of underrepresented students who pursue STEM major and careers.

Charlotte’s undergraduate elementary teacher preparation program has been named among the best in the nation when it comes to ensuring future elementary teachers have the essential content knowledge and skills they need to teach mathematics.

New program will seek to transform principal preparation.

Brittany Anderson, assistant professor of urban education in the Cato College of Education, received a $1,062,034 grant from the National Science Foundation for her pioneering research on gifted Black girls.

Brittany Anderson, assistant professor of urban education in the Cato College of Education, received a $1,062,034 grant from the National Science Foundation for her pioneering research on gifted Black girls.

Dakota Walker grew up in North Carolina’s Kings Mountain area. As a member of the Class of 2022, she will complete a Bachelor of Science in Special Education from the University’s Cato College of Education. Starting this fall, she will be teaching in an exceptional children’s resource room at Kings Mountain Intermediate School.

Jennifer Lay ’98, ’21 M.Ed. is a veteran teacher, most recently with Alamance Elementary School in Greensboro, North Carolina. She enjoys leading academically gifted students to their “aha” moments and supporting them through their student journeys. Learn more about Lay, her advice to current students and her gratitude for the Cato College of Education.

How long have you been an educator and what roles have you had?