BOONE, N.C. — Dr. Tempestt Adams always knew she wanted to be a teacher. It was during her own high school experience, taking career preparation courses in computerized accounting and principles of business, that she discovered her passion to teach classes that could directly impact students’ college and career choices.

Now an assistant professor in Appalachian State University’s career and technical education (CTE) degree program, Adams said she is excited to prepare future teachers who will lead their students on a journey of exploration.

“Career and technical education is comprised of 16 career clusters nationally,” Adams said. “Any career field is likely to be linked to one of these clusters. I am motivated to help students across K–12 be exposed to these possibilities so they can make more informed college, career and entrepreneurial decisions.”

Adams teaches classes that apply to CTE in general, as well as to Appalachian’s CTE concentrations in business, marketing and entrepreneurship education (BMEE) and business, finance and information technology (BFIT). The CTE program is offered by Appalachian’s Department of Curriculum and Instruction in the Reich College of Education.

Adams said she was eager to join Appalachian’s CTE faculty in 2017. “When I learned that Appalachian was the only university in our state where students could pursue a degree in career and technical education, I was sold. I was excited about the program’s goal of being the premier choice for students interested in teaching in the field and am happy to be a part of the program’s growth,” she shared.

“I am interested in how we train and support future and in-service teachers and how we can rethink our approach to schooling,” continued Adams, who employs research-based techniques in her classrooms.

In her research, Adams seeks to uncover answers to these questions:

• How can teachers be better prepared to serve students in ways that are more relevant and effective for them?
• How can it be ensured teachers are cared for in this work?
• How can it be ensured all students have positive learning experiences?
• What are public perceptions of career and technical education?
• What is college and career readiness?

“My classes are all about future readiness,” Adams said. “It is my hope that my students can see the real-world applicability of the course content and its utility, even when the classes have ended.”

The Reich College of Education at Appalachian offers seven different concentrations for its CTE degree — both on-campus and online. Graduates of the CTE undergraduate degree programs may choose to enter the industry as teachers at the middle and high school levels, or as trainers or instructors at community colleges, career centers or cooperative extension agencies.

What do you think?

Share your feedback on this story.

Career and Technical Education (BS) - Business, Marketing and Entrepreneurship Education

Appalachian’s Career and Technical Education (BS) degrees prepare students to teach about technology, business, child development, design and engineering.

Learn more

Career and Technical Education (BS) - Business, Finance and Information Technology Education

Appalachian’s Career and Technical Education (BS) degrees prepare students to teach about technology, business, child development, design and engineering.

Learn more

About the Reich College of Education

Appalachian State University offers one of the largest undergraduate teacher preparation programs in North Carolina, graduating about 500 teachers a year. The Reich College of Education enrolls more than 2,000 students in its bachelor's, master's, education specialist and doctoral degree programs. With so many teacher education graduates working in the state, there is at least one RCOE graduate teaching in every county in North Carolina. Learn more at https://rcoe.appstate.edu.

About Appalachian State University

As the premier public undergraduate institution in the Southeast, Appalachian State University prepares students to lead purposeful lives. App State is one of 17 campuses in the University of North Carolina System, with a national reputation for innovative teaching and opening access to a high-quality, affordable education for all. The university enrolls more than 21,000 students, has a low student-to-faculty ratio and offers more than 150 undergraduate and 80 graduate majors at its Boone and Hickory campuses and through App State Online. Learn more at https://www.appstate.edu.