Student Profile: Jackquelyn Derritt
Name: Jackquelyn Derritt
Current degree program: BA English Education
Hometown: Jacksonville, NC
Hobbies/interests: weightlifting, baking, cooking, painting, reading, singing/guitar playing
What drew you to pursue your current degree?
Professor Jennifer Sisk from ECU, my advisory teacher (English focused) Catharine Koonce from White Oak High School, and my former high school teacher for English 2 and 3 honors as well as AP English, Stacy Freshcorn, from White Oak High School.
What made you decide to be an educator?
Throughout high school, I endured several hardships with my relationships and mental health. The most prominent and consistent thing for me at this time was the support and empathy I received from my teachers. From then on, I decided that I wanted to help struggling students who were like me, just as my teachers did, and give them a reason to keep pushing forward.
What is your favorite thing about English education?
My favorite thing about English education is getting the opportunity to explore literature from a variety of backgrounds.
What brought you to ECU?
What brought me to ECU was the welcoming environment. Students, faculty, and residents of Greenville will go out of their way to make you feel like family. Additionally, the school embraces diversity through clubs, events, inclusion, and community, which is important to me as a minority on campus. Being at ECU feels like being at home.
Do you have any advice for students looking to pursue a graduate degree in education?
Remind yourself of the potential. You can contribute great change for our future generations and change the lives of your students in more ways than you can imagine.
Any final thoughts on ECU or working in education?
I feel secure attending this school knowing that ECU graduates the most employed teachers in the state of North Carolina. The faculty and teaching program itself has made me feel more than confident in my capability to lead a classroom, and most importantly, to make a change.