Dr. Christine Mitchell – 2026 40 Under Forty Honoree

Name:

Dr. Christine Mitchell

Current job & city you reside in:

District STEM Coordinator for Wilson County Schools – Wilson, NC

Degrees awarded by ECU and years received:

BS in Middle Grades Education in 2009 & MAEd in Instructional Technology in 2016.

Degrees awarded by other institutions and years received:

EdD in Curriculum & Instruction at University of South Carolina in 2023.

What does it mean to you to be selected as a 40 Under Forty honoree?

Being recognized as a 40 under Forty honoree is such an honor. I often wonder if what I do makes a difference and this recognition is a reminder that others do see the impact of my work in education with STEM. 

Looking back, what moment during your time at ECU had the biggest impact on your career path?

The biggest impact on my career during my time at ECU was not getting accepted into the School of Music. It completely changed the trajectory of my career. At the time, I thought I wanted to be a music teacher and viewed my rejection as a failure. However, I am a strong believer that everything happens for a reason and because of that, I found my true passion in educational technology and STEM. I changed my major to graduate from the middle grades education program in math and science. This truly placed me in the position now where I get to advocate for STEM and robotics for K-12 education.

Is there a professor or mentor at ECU that still influences you today?

Ann McClung who currently works at the ECU STEM Center. I met Ann after my time at ECU and she is amazing. She is passionate about STEM and robotics and I learn something new from her every time we have an opportunity to chat.

What accomplishment in your career are you most proud of so far?

My most proudest accomplishment in my career so far would have to be working with others to develop STEM and robotics for my hometown school district – Wilson County Schools. I am grateful to have the opportunity to work alongside innovative and passionate educators that see the value in expanding access to high-quality STEM experiences for all learners. Through our work together, we have established robotics teams at the elementary, middle, and high school levels, have two schools recognized as NC STEM School of Distinctions, provide training for teachers to incorporate STEM into instruction, and present at in-state and national conferences to other educators interested in learning about K-12 STEM integration.

What does leadership look like to you?

Leadership is about doing what I can to help others be successful, feel heard, and valued. It’s about discovering what others are passionate about and using my skill set to empower others. It’s about being present and willing to be in the trenches with others to be supportive. If I see that the peers that I support are growing personally, professionally, and confidently to make a positive impact on student learning experiences, then I know that we are making a difference together.

Service and social responsibility are central to the 40 Under Forty recognition. How do you strive to make a positive impact in your community?

I strive to make a positive impact in my community by creating opportunities that connect schools, families, and the community through STEM. Whether it is organizing STEM-focused family engagement events or supporting teachers with student-centered instructional practices, my goal is to ensure that students have exposure to experiences that could positively influence their future path.

What advice would you give current ECU students who want to create meaningful impact in their careers and communities?

I often reflect on a quote by Simon Sinek: “What good is an idea if it remains an idea? Try. Experiment. Iterate. Fail. Try again. Change the World.” With my work in STEM and robotics, I consistently advocate for a culture where failure is not something that is necessarily negative, but is an essential part of the learning process. Taking risks, experimenting, iterating, and trying again helps refine our thinking in order to grow. It is how we truly become innovators and agents of change for our careers and communities.