Her Story
About Krista
Krista Carr serves as an English teacher at Tarboro High School within Edgecombe County Public Schools. With 16 years of experience as a licensed professional teacher across three states, she brings expertise in engaging reluctant learners, classroom management, and curriculum design and instruction. Carr earned her bachelor's degree in secondary English education from St. Gregory's University in Shawnee, Oklahoma in 2011 and recently completed her master's degree in curriculum and instruction for secondary English from East Carolina University in May 2024. She is an alumna of Teach for America and a member of the North Carolina Association of Educators, part of the NEA, as well as the Teach for America Rise Fellowship. Carr attributes her success to sheer and utter stubbornness, refusing to be unsuccessful in her endeavors. She values respect and integrity in both her work and personal life and advises young women entering education to fake it till they make it while remaining open, flexible, and adaptable.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Krista
01What do you attribute your success to?
Sheer and utter stubbornness. I refuse to not do it. I refuse to be unsuccessful in it.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
Regardless of how you see yourself, you are likely to be the most successful adult that the students that you teach ever meet.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Pretend that you're not scared. Fake it till you make it, because no one knows what they're doing in education for their first couple of years. You've got to be open, flexible and adaptable, and ready to not have all the answers.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Devaluation of the role that public schools play in the community. Missing retaining good teachers due to financial incentives going to beginning teachers. North Carolina doesn't pay for master's degrees. Funding to make education a livable career. Divide between schools and communities needs to be bridged for better partnership with parents.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Respect and integrity. You've got to do what you say you're gonna do. You've got to do the right thing even when no one's looking, without threat of reward or consequence. Everybody deserves respect.
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