Student Ambassadors for READ MAEd Reading and Literacy Program at ECU
If you are interested in learning more about our program from a student’s perspective, please feel free to contact one of our student ambassadors. They would love to hear from you!
Syrena Bryant
Hello everyone! My name is Syrena Bryant, and I am entering my first year as a 3rd grade teacher. I currently live in Goldsboro, NC. This is my 8th year teaching, with seven of those years spent teaching 2nd grade. I have experience as grade level chair, co-chair and facilitator of professional development.
I have always wanted to be a Pirate, so when I decided to pursue my master’s degree in Reading and Literacy Education, ECU was the perfect fit! As a first-generation college graduate, my journey has had its challenges, but it has been so rewarding. This year, I am stepping into a new role as the ELA Reading teacher, which feels like the perfect mix of challenge and passion. I truly love helping students grow as readers.
I’m here to support you in any way I can as you go through this program. It’s rewarding, challenging, and you are about to join an amazing family in the Reading and Literacy Program!
Megan Kangas
My name is Megan Kangas, and I am a second-year graduate student in the online MAEd Reading and Literacy program. I earned my undergraduate degree in Middle Grades English Education from the University of North Carolina Wilmington in 2007. Since then, I have had the opportunity to teach at the elementary, middle, and high school levels across a variety of settings, including public schools, a private Catholic school, and a magnet school for technology and communication. My teaching journey has taken me to several states—Georgia, Virginia, Florida, and back home to North Carolina—broadening my perspective and deepening my passion for education. I am especially dedicated to literacy and literature. I currently teach 4th grade English Language Arts in Onslow County. I am honored and excited to serve as an ambassador, and I look forward to supporting and connecting with my fellow Pirates throughout this journey.
Emmie New
Hello, my name is Emmie New. I am a second-year graduate student in the Master of Arts in Education (MAEd) Reading and Literacy program at East Carolina University and a proud returning Pirate. I earned my Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education with a concentration in Reading in 2023.
Currently, I teach 6th grade English Language Arts in Craven County Schools. Prior to teaching middle school, I completed my internship in a 3rd grade classroom, where I gained valuable experiences under the guidance of an exceptional Clinical Teacher.
I have a strong passion for literacy instruction and am excited to share more about this incredible program and my journey with you. I look forward to serving as an ambassador and sharing my passion.
Jennifer Norman
Hello! My name is Jennifer Norman and I’m currently in my second year of the online MAED Reading and Literacy program. I grew up in Rocky Mount, NC and currently teach first grade in Wake Forest, NC. I earned a degree in sociology from UNC Greensboro and my teaching degree from Salem College. This program is wonderful and I have learned so much. It is a joy to watch my first graders grow in their reading knowledge. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out!
Jenn Parker
Hey there! My name is Jenn Parker, I’m a second year Reading and Literacy graduate student, and am honored to serve as an ambassador for ECU’s Reading and Literacy Master’s degree program as a student with Autism and ADHD. I live in King’s Mountain, NC, with my husband of 20 years and our three beautifully neurodiverse children. I earned my bachelor’s degree in Special Education, Adapted Curriculum, from ECU in May 2023 and now teach in Cleveland County, North Carolina. I am in my third year as a self-contained special educator in the SAIL program (Social Academic Instruction for Life). I began my teaching career with moderate to severe needs students in grades K–2 and currently teach grades 3–4 in the same program. My passion lies in bringing literacy to life through immersive learning opportunities, multisensory strategies, and multimodal forms of literacy instruction. I am especially committed to tearing down the wall between general education and special education literacy practices, fostering collaboration among educators to better support one another and, most importantly, to ensure student success in literacy. It is truly a privilege to be chosen as an ambassador for ECU’s Reading and Literacy Program, and I look forward to sharing my knowledge, experiences, and enthusiasm with peers and future Pirates!
Shantale Paugh
My name is Shantale Paugh, and I am currently in my second year of the online MAEd Reading and Literacy program at ECU. I earned my bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Development from UNC–Chapel Hill. I live in Nashville, NC with my husband and our two children, Sadie (4) and Isaac (7).
I am a kindergarten teacher with Nash County Public Schools and have been teaching for 13 years. My journey through the MAEd program has been such an amazing experience. This program is helping me become the literacy leader that I strive to be. I am excited to serve as a resource for others and to support fellow students in this program!
Brianna Woolard
Hi! My name is Brianna Woolard, and I am in my second year of the MAEd Reading and Literacy program. I earned my bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from East Carolina University in 2023 and was fortunate to begin teaching at my internship school in Beaufort County, NC. I have taught first grade for the past three years and truly cannot imagine being in any other grade! Reading has always been a passion of mine, and one of the greatest joys of teaching is watching my students grow as readers. Please feel free to reach out anytime with questions, for support, or for advice—I am always happy to help!