Spring 2025 Graduate: Mckennzie Black

Name: Mckennzie Black

Major/Degree Program: Special Education Adapted Curriculum (bachelor’s degree)

Hometown/Current City: Greensboro, NC

Hobbies/interests: Reading, Traveling, and Spending time with friends and family

What inspired you to pursue a career in education? During my freshman year of high school, I served as a peer tutor/mentor for students who were receiving special education services at my school. By the end of my freshman year, I fell in love with the idea of having my own classroom one day. Since then, I continued to serve as a peer tutor/mentor and have dedicated my career to ensuring students with disabilities receive the highest quality of education possible.

Who has made the biggest impact on your journey here? Dr. Kristin Burnette has made the biggest impact on my journey here at ECU. She has provided countless learning and networking opportunities to positively develop my skills as an educator. Additionally, and has helped me expand my knowledge on how I can provide inclusive opportunities for my future students. I am extremely grateful for each of her meaningful contributions to my education, and I am thankful that I have had her as my professor and mentor during my undergraduate journey.

What’s next after graduation? After graduation, I will be assuming the role as a teacher in a special education classroom, back in my hometown of Greensboro, NC. Additionally, I will be continuing my education through ECU, beginning the summer of 2025. I will be pursuing my master’s degree in Adult Education, with graduate certificates in the areas of Community College Instruction and Student Affairs in Higher Education.

What advice would you give to future College of Education students? A piece of advice I would give to future College of Education students, is to always remember your “why”. You will face challenges and obstacles throughout your journey but always remind yourself why you love education or decided to become a teacher. Reminding yourself of your “why” will carry you far, and help you overcome any obstacles or challenge you may face throughout your educational journey. Remembering my “why” has and continues to inspire me to be a great teacher and advocate for each of my students.

How has the College of Education prepared you for the classroom (or your next step?) The College of Education has prepared me for the classroom by providing hands on learning experiences across a wide range of learning environments. I’m thankful for the opportunity to have my positive internship experiences, which have prepared me to enter my own classroom.

From Dr. Kristin Burnette (assistant professor in special education):
The first time I met Mckennzie was during her Upper Division admission meeting. I knew within minutes she would make an excellent teacher. She exudes leadership, heart, and passion for teaching. Then, I had the privilege of having Mckennzie in my class for SPED 3005. She is compassionate, caring, and an encouragement to everyone in the class. During the course, I could see her leadership and collaboration with her peers, which are excellent qualities in a future teacher. During the Fall of 2023, Mckennzie gave up her fall break to attend an Alternative Fall Break trip with SPED 3005. Not only did she attend the trip, but applied what she learned and presented at the international TASH conference in December 2023. Mckennzie overcame her fear of presenting to a crowd, and spoke eloquently to the attendees at the TASH conference. I was so proud of her! This bolstered her to give an interview for the Think Inclusive Podcast, which has been heard by audiences across the United States. The podcast also showcased her passion for special education and her ability to advocate for more inclusive opportunities for students with disabilities. Mckennzie is a reflective practitioner. After the fall break trip, she was brainstorming ways to make North Carolina’s schools more inclusive for all students. Her final project and reflection showed the immense growth she achieved both professionally and personally over the semester. She came into my class as an excellent future teacher, she left my class as an excellent future advocate and teacher. Mckennzie is ready to change lives of students, families, her future classroom, and future school district. Wherever she goes, she will leave a long-lasting legacy on the profession as a whole, but also those who get to work with her directly.