Krista Lassiter Carr – Spring 2026 Graduate
Name:
Krista Lassiter Carr
Major/Degree Program:
Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction- Secondary English Education
Previous degree(s):
Bachelor’s in Secondary English Education- Saint Gregory’s University 2011
Hometown/Current City:
Tarboro, NC by way of Arkansas
Hobbies/interests:
Spending time outdoors, gardening, baking, and spending time with my dog Toby
Krista was also a Teach For America Corps Member ’24.
What’s your favorite memory from your time at ECU?
Attending ECU is a way to honor my family through my education. My mom and many of her siblings are ECU graduates, and she earned her degree in education from ECU. Getting to follow in her footsteps and become a 2nd generation Pirate has been a dream come true for me. Also, earning a degree from what I have always considered the pinnacle of Teacher Education is mind-boggling!
What inspired you to pursue a career in education?
I actually struggled quite a bit in school (mostly because I was bored), but somehow managed to graduate. A semester before graduating high school, my sophomore English teacher, Charlotte Miller, asked me about my plans after graduating. I didn’t have any, and she said, “Well, you’d probably make a pretty good English teacher,” so I ran with it. I love helping students, and I have a special place in my heart for those who are bored with school. As I have grown, I have found it important to bring my privileged, private school education to places that perhaps don’t have all the resources they need because every student deserves a high-quality, free, public education.
Who has made the biggest impact on your journey here?
Todd Finley has been a wonderful advisor and mentor throughout this journey. His sense of humor, balanced with his understanding of what it is to balance full-time teaching with full-time studies, has helped immensely.
What’s next after graduation?
I plan to continue teaching high school as long as I can. When I can’t teach in public schools any longer, or if the opportunity arises, I would love to teach others how to be excellent teachers. I would love to become a beginning teacher coordinator or an education professor (maybe even at ECU!).
What advice would you give to future College of Education students?
BALANCE BALANCE BALANCE. As I approach graduation, I will be finishing my 15th year as a high school teacher. Balance your time, studies, and temperament. Being a full-time student and full-time teacher is difficult, but it has helped me set a real-life example for my students preparing to go to college in August.
How has the College of Education prepared you for the classroom (or your next step)?
I have definitely refined my practice and added new skills to my teaching toolbox. Understanding how to ethically use AI in the classroom, articulate research findings, and communicate with “adults” has been great for my career.