School of Education | SES

UNC Greensboro

Skylar Sumrell leans against a tiled wall, looking at the camera with a calm expression. They are wearing a black floral-patterned top, gold earrings, and a delicate necklace. The background features small square tiles in neutral and blue tones.

Spartan Voices: Skylar Sumrell

Skylar Sumrell is majoring in Deaf Education (IDEAS). The Clemmons, N.C., native expects to graduate this spring.

Officials speak at a North Carolina emergency management briefing while a ASL interpreter Mark Lineberger signs beside them.

Paving an Educational Path for Interpreters and Advocates 

Committed to using his ASL skills, Mark Lineberger chose to major in deaf education, but unlike his classmates, he did not plan to teach. While on campus, he interpreted for other students in their classes and expanded his experience working with people with hearing disabilities.

Virginia Madorin works with a young student

UNCG Deaf Education Alumna Makes an Impact

With at least 1,500 deaf students throughout North Carolina, Virginia Madorin ‘11 serves the Deaf community in her role with the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction. Madorin is currently an IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act) consultant in the Office of Exceptional Children and co-director of the North Carolina DeafBlind Project.

Ava Cobb, with braided hair, paints a colorful mural featuring abstract and cartoon-like faces in bright colors. She is holding a paintbrush and concentrating on her work.

Spartan Voices: Ava Cobb

Ava Cobb is a Special Education major who in also minoring in Studio Art. She is from Cary, N.C., and expects to graduate in May of 2027.

Deaf Education at UNCG Celebrates 50 Years of impact

For half a century, UNC Greensboro’s Deaf Education program has empowered students, educators, and advocates to break barriers and build community—one sign, one story, and one classroom at a time.

smiley award logo

Smiley Award Nomination Window Now Open

School of Education students, as well as any UNC Greensboro student with an education major, may now apply for the 2026 Smiley Award. The application deadline is March 1, 2026.

Dr. Darrell Harris, right, with GCS Superintendent Dr. Whitley Oakley, left, at the GCS awards celebration

SOE Alums Recognized by Guilford County Schools

Guilford County Schools recently held its annual Celebration of Excellence Awards where numerous UNC Greensboro School of Education alumni were honored for their performances. Awards were handed out for Rookie Teacher of the Year, Teacher of the Year, Principal of the Year, Assistant Principal of the Year, Mentor of the Year, Social Worker of the Year, School Psychologist of the Year, School Counselor of the Year, and School Library Media Coordinator of the Year.

Sadaria Lewis sitting in a car, smiling softly with her hand resting on her cheek, sunlight shining on her face.

Spartan Voices: Sadaria Lewis

Sadaria Lewis is an Interpreting, Deaf Education, and Advocacy Services (IDEAS) major from Rochester, N.Y., who expects to graduate in December of 2027.