By Avery Hill
Editor
As the fall semester approaches, the Thayer School of Education is undergoing a shift in direction. Dr. Ellis, who previously served as the interim dean after a shakeup in leadership left a vacancy, has had her interim title replaced with a permanent role as dean of the department.
The decision was announced in an email to the education students at Wingate by the university’s provost, Laura Hunt.
“I am pleased to share the good news that Dr. Tarra Ellis has been named Dean of the Thayer School of Education,” Hunt wrote. “Dr. Ellis has already demonstrated her leadership abilities as our interim dean over the past six months. I know her to be a dean who gets things done, brings everyone to the table, takes on challenges with care and effectiveness and works constantly to make positive strides in the Thayer School of Education.”
The UNC Chapel Hill alumna has an extensive history of teaching at both the collegiate and the grade school level. Ellis, who graduated from Chapel Hill with a BA in middle grades education, worked as a middle school teacher in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg school system for 10 years, where she discovered a deeper love and appreciation for education.
Ellis decided to further her education at UNC Charlotte, where she earned a Ph.D. in curriculum and instruction. Ellis worked at UNC Charlotte for a number of years under a variety of titles, including lecturer and assistant professor, but it was in 2015 that Ellis began her employment at Wingate University as the history and education program coordinator. Now, serving as Dean of Thayer School of Education, Ellis continues to use her decades of experience in Charlotte classrooms to shape the department.
When Dr. Ellis was first approached about leading the department as interim dean; she was unsure if she wanted the extra responsibilities that naturally came with the title, but it soon became clear that her impact on both the students and the department was undeniable.
“I did not originally seek out the position,” Ellis said. “I was asked to step in as interim dean and hesitantly agreed. I knew that I could do it, but I was not sure if I wanted to take on the responsibilities. Once I stepped into the role, I knew it was where I was supposed to be—and fortunately, the SOE (School of Education) faculty agreed. That is when I decided to apply for the position as part of the national search for a permanent dean for the Thayer School of Education. We’ve already accomplished quite a bit this past semester and we agree that it is important for us to be able to continue—uninterrupted—what has turned out to be a really good thing and a much-needed move in a positive direction.”
Dr. Ellis brings a commitment and promise of excellence to the education majors at Wingate.
“Education majors can expect a standard of us modeling the teacher education and teacher leadership principles that we emphasize in our courses,” Ellis said. “It will be student-centered with an emphasis on relationships, rigor and relevance. They can expect to see SOE faculty being empowered, supported and taking on more leadership roles in advancing our many programs and partnerships. Be on the lookout for new programs, new partnerships and new opportunities for students.”
Dr. Ellis’ vision for the Thayer School of Education is clear. Her standards for the students and staff will be high, but she will hold no one to a higher standard of excellence than herself. Her role will be not just an administrator holding meetings with university leadership but also a mentor and advocate. She will bring her invaluable experience at the collegiate level to Wingate, but perhaps even more importantly, she will draw on her many lessons learned as a middle school teacher in Charlotte, North Carolina.
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