Student Profile: De'sire Wrighten

Name: De’sire Wrighten

Current degree program: Mathematics Secondary Education, BS and Mathematics, BA

Previous degrees and institutions: N/A

Hometown: Elizabeth City, NC

Hobbies/interests: Art, gardening, and reading

What drew you to pursue your current degree?

I grew up around a mathematics education setting, my mom and my aunts are math teachers. Watching them shaped my passion for both math and teaching from an early age, and I couldn’t imagine majoring in anything else!

What is your favorite thing about mathematics education?

Watching someone go from saying “I’m not a math person” to actually trusting their own reasoning.

What brought you to ECU?

I chose ECU because it’s close to home and having family who went here as well made it feel perfect for me.

What has been one of your favorite moments at ECU?

Taking MATE 1267 with Dr. Charity Cayton my freshman year. I walked in unconfident, expecting my math classes to be boring and she made the material genuinely fun. By the end of the semester, I walked out believing I had what it takes.

Do you have advice for students looking to pursue a degree in education?

Stay passionate, patient, and open to learning throughout your journey. Take every opportunity to gain classroom experience and remember that you’re preparing to make a difference in your students’ lives.