EdTalks

"One looks back with appreciation to the brilliant teachers, but with gratitude to those who touched our human feelings. The curriculum is so much necessary raw material, but warmth is a vital element for the growing plant and for the soul of the child."

- Carl Jung

EdTalks was a wonderful series hosted by the College of Education on NC State’s campus. There were several speakers that gave short TED-style talks about the importance of education in their lives. I thoroughly enjoyed EdTalks, and felt very motivated by the speakers to continue to pour my heart into pursuing a degree in elementary education. One common theme I noticed among all of the speakers was that they listed each motivational teacher in their lives by name. When I think back to the teachers I had in elementary school, I don’t remember all of their names, but I do remember the names of the ones that impacted my life in one way or another. I know that one day I want to be the kind of teacher that my students will remember by name as someone that believed in them and their dreams.

Scott Reingtgen, one of the speakers, spoke about how he would have never become an author if it hadn’t been for one teacher that took 30 minutes out of her day to read his work and then believe in it enough to tell him, “Scott, this dream is worthy!” That little moment encouraged him to follow his passion and changed his life. Educators play such an influential role in the life of their students, and I’m excited to have the same opportunity to love and encourage young people in the same way Scott Reingten’s teacher loved and encouraged him.