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NC Wesleyan University Celebrates 100% edTPA Pass Rate Among Teacher Education Students

ROCKY MOUNT, NORTH CAROLINA – North Carolina Wesleyan University is proud to announce a major achievement within its Teacher Education program: every NCWU student who submitted the edTPA assessment this semester earned a passing score, marking a 100% pass rate on one of the most rigorous teacher preparation assessments in the nation.

This milestone follows a 10-month institutional transition to edTPA, a nationally benchmarked performance assessment used to evaluate teacher readiness. Despite the challenges of implementing a new system, both traditional and Adult & Professional Studies (APS) students excelled—demonstrating the strength, resilience, and adaptability of Wesleyan’s future educators.

“Our students met an incredibly high standard, and they did it with determination, professionalism, and heart,” said Dr. Kelvin L. Spragley, Associate Professor of Education and Director of Teacher Education. “This accomplishment reaffirms that NC Wesleyan’s Teacher Education program is equipped to meet the needs of all learners and to prepare exceptional teachers for North Carolina’s classrooms.”

Dr. Joe Lane, Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs, emphasized the broader impact of this achievement on the region and state:

“Our Education faculty and students are truly building an extraordinary record. North Carolina Wesleyan University is committed to filling the much-publicized teacher shortage in our region’s public schools with inspiring and fully credentialed teachers who will raise the bar for classroom instruction in North Carolina.”

For some students, passing edTPA brings them one step closer to earning a clear North Carolina teaching license; for others—including Samantha Winstead, Grant Harrell, and Geovanni Dixon—it represents the completion of their final licensure requirement.

Dr. Spragley also recognized the collective effort behind the success, praising faculty and staff across departments who supported students throughout the demanding assessment process—from academic mentoring to technical assistance and data coordination.

Dr. Spragley praised not only the students’ perseverance but also the collaborative effort of faculty and staff who supported them throughout this demanding semester. He acknowledged:

• Dr. Hart for designing the internal edTPA infrastructure and supporting a dual-responsibility student;
• Drs. Brewer and Collins for guiding the first cohort, including APS students and those completing the Special Education portfolio;
• Dr. Gary and Mrs. Credle for serving as portfolio readers;
• Dr. Sundbom, Ms. McKinney, and Allen Meszaros from IT for hands-on assistance during the submission process—twice;
• Mrs. Lamm for her stewardship of edTPA data and communications.

“This semester stretched all of us,” Spragley noted. “But our shared commitment to excellence carried us through. As we celebrate this accomplishment, we also look ahead to next semester with optimism and a continued dedication to preparing great teachers.”

NC Wesleyan University congratulates its students, faculty, and staff on this exceptional achievement—a powerful testament to the University’s growing reputation for academic rigor, professional preparation, and student success.

About North Carolina Wesleyan University

North Carolina Wesleyan University (NCWU) is a small, private Methodist-affiliated institution with a liberal arts-based core curriculum that prepares students for professional advancement, life-long learning and responsible participation in their communities. NCWU offers liberal arts, professional and graduate degree programs for traditional, transfer and working-adult students.

NCWU offers a best-in-class value and a personally tailored private higher education experience. We invest in each and every student we accept by providing individualized awards, scholarships and grants. Wesleyan is YOUR hometown University that is Personal. Practical, and Purpose-Driven. With students from all over the United States and more than 40 different countries, the University has immense cultural diversity. In addition to its educational mission, NCWU serves as a vital economic engine for the region, contributing over $209 million to the local economy.

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