Rob Moore ’18PHD has a vivid memory of going to the movies after taking his Introduction to Statistics final exam in his doctoral program in the NC State College of Education, hoping to distract himself from what he was sure was a bad grade.
However, when the credits rolled, he checked his phone to find that not only had he passed the exam, but he also aced the class. This moment, he says, filled him with confidence that carried him through earning his Ph.D. in Teacher Education and Learning Sciences instructional technology concentration and his subsequent career in academia.
“I’ve carried the confidence I felt then with me through every step of my career, from my dissertation defense to the many first days of school to advising my own doctoral students,” he said. “I know that overcoming my imposter syndrome and subsequently being able to navigate the higher education landscape truly shaped me as a mentor and a faculty member.”
Now an assistant professor of educational technology at the University of Florida’s School of Teaching and Learning, Moore recently received a prestigious National Science Foundation CAREER grant to address STEM workforce skill gaps.
Below, he shares why he chose a career in education and how his time in the College of Education has stuck with him as he pursued a career in higher education.
The following interview has been edited for length and clarity.
On Why I Choose Education:
I come from a family of educators with a long history in the field, so I was raised to respect and be curious about education. From sending me to summer enrichment programs to enrolling me in the best schools, my parents worked hard to not only make sure I had access to quality education, but that I also saw education as my path to achieve future goals.
On How Education Shaped Me:
I’ve had the unique opportunity to hold positions in most levels and groups within higher education, including entry-level staff, middle management and faculty. Serving in each of these capacities has allowed me to experience higher education from (sometimes drastically) different perspectives, and therefore I understand and appreciate the value of each person and role. I take the skills and experiences from my real-world work as a staff member supporting faculty integrating technology, pair them with the high-quality education I gained in my doctoral program at NC State, and combine it all with the advice of my educational mentors to be a well-rounded and empathic faculty member. I share this perspective with my students so that they may understand the importance of perspective-taking and teamwork in a way that is relatable and relevant, and that ultimately empowers them to go forward to impact their communities.
On What I Enjoyed Most About My Time in the College of Education:
Like many doctoral students, I faced quite a bit of initial imposter syndrome. I wasn’t sure if I “belonged” in the program or even had the confidence to complete a doctoral degree. Receiving a stellar grade in Introduction to Statistics reassured me that I was academically capable, but there was a moment there too when I realized that I was personally capable and that hit home with me. The confidence from that single statistics class completely changed my entire trajectory and outlook – and showed me that I genuinely could succeed.
On What Others Should Know About the College of Education:
The community within the NC State College of Education is incredible. I am still very close with two of my classmates, Dr. Chrishele Marshall ’17PHD and Dr. Callie Edwards ’18PHD, who weren’t even in my same program. Despite having different program specializations, we found common ground through our coursework and a shared camaraderie by being in the College of Education. We’ve maintained a close friendship since and continue to support each other in each of our respective careers. Finding lifelong friends like this is a special thing that I will always cherish and credit NC State for. It’s these types of connections that the College of Education fosters, nourishes and supports.
On the Last Thing that Inspired Me:
I think some of us never really feel like we’ve “made it” until we’ve gotten an “I’m proud of you,” from someone we respect above all others. I am inspired by my incredible mentors who have nurtured me and continue to challenge me to strive for more for myself and for my students. Recently, I achieved a significant milestone by receiving an NSF CAREER grant, which I am both humbled and astonished by. More meaningful than the immense persistence, focus and hard work it took to reach this goal was sharing the news with my mentors and hearing them say they were proud of me. I am inspired now more than ever to support my own students in their pursuits of success, some of whom have already soared to incredible heights, in hopes that I will someday share the same words of pride with them that my mentors shared with me.