Rebecca Carter Finds Her Calling in Education

Rebecca Carter’s path to the classroom grew from life experience, perseverance, and a deep commitment to advocacy.

Originally from the Bronx, Rebecca relocated to Wilmington and has been a CFCC student on and off for many years while raising three children.

Supporting Her Son During Virtual Learning

During the pandemic, our community saw schools shift to virtual learning, and Rebecca found herself supporting her youngest son, who is on the autism spectrum. That experience became a turning point in Rebecca’s education.

Rebecca saw firsthand how challenging virtual learning was for her son, so she did what Moms do best. She stepped up. Through her hands-on support of her son’s virtual learning, Rebecca realized she had the patience, empathy, and passion to make a difference, especially in special education.

Rebecca began her professional journey at Spark Academy in a nutrition role. Within a year, she transitioned into the classroom and earned multiple promotions. She moved from kitchen coordinator to assistant teacher, and she eventually became a lead teacher.

Finding the Right Program at CFCC

Encouraged by mentors who recognized her potential, Rebecca enrolled in Intro to Early Child Education (EDU 119) at CFCC. That course solidified what she already felt. Education was where she belonged.

After initially pursuing Early Childhood Education, Rebecca found CFCC’s Teacher Preparation Program, and it was the perfect fit. The fully asynchronous format helped Rebecca balance work, parenting, and coursework.

At the same time, supportive instructors helped Rebecca see her own potential. One of those instructors, Ashley Conner, played a key role in encouraging her to take the next step.

Rebecca said Conner made herself accessible to students and pushed them to think bigger about their futures.

“She was incredibly personable and always reachable, whether by email or even her personal phone,” Rebecca said. “I learned so much from her. She challenged me to look at job postings and send them to her so we could go through them together. She would tell me honestly whether she thought I was a good candidate. No one had ever challenged me in that way before.”

Working in Special Education

Today, Rebecca works in special education at Blair Elementary with New Hanover County Schools while continuing her studies at CFCC. She describes the transition into her new role as surreal and deeply meaningful, especially given that her late mother was also an educator.

As both a teacher and a parent, Rebecca brings a level of empathy that can’t be taught in a textbook. Her lived experience enables her to quickly identify students’ needs and respond with understanding, particularly for neurodivergent children.

Beyond the classroom, CFCC has continued to support Rebecca through the BOOST program, faculty mentorship, and flexible academic resources that help her stay connected and confident in her path forward.

Looking ahead, Rebecca plans to transfer to UNCW’s Watson College of Education and ultimately earn a master’s degree in special education.

Her advice to future CFCC students is simple.

“Take advantage of the resources CFCC offers. The opportunities are there, you just have to show up and say yes.”

To learn more about CFCC’s Associate in Teacher Preparation program, visit cfcc.edu/associate-teacher-preparation.