Inspiration Abroad – GSE Alum’s Changed Perspective on Education
For Terrell Gilkey, teaching is more than just a profession—it’s a chance to make an impact.
Before graduating from the Rutgers Graduate School of Education (GSE) in 2019, Terrell embarked on a life-changing trip to South Africa through the GSE’s South Africa Initiative program.
“While I was in South Africa, the people I met were passionate about using education as a vehicle to create change. It was admirable to see,” Terrell said.
Upon returning home, he started taking his desire to teach more seriously.
“The children in South Africa were so upbeat about going to school. It was really important to them. There, school is a community where everybody in the neighborhood has a say. It was beautiful.”
Through his experiences abroad, Terrell discovered a more profound meaning for teaching.
“In South Africa, many people told me teaching is their purpose, and they felt it’s what they were meant to be doing with their lives,” he said. “For me, the most rewarding part of the teaching experience is showing up for my students daily and letting them know that I’m here for them.”
While earning his Ed.M. at the GSE, Terrell took a class that analyzed how school districts in different socioeconomic areas of New Jersey prepared their students for different futures.
“Schools in low-income neighborhoods often focus on preparing their children for work and trade jobs,” Terrell said. “Very few students in those schools are pushed to go to college since it’s not the expectation for everybody. For schools in wealthier areas, we noticed that the curriculums focused more on critical thinking and engagement rather than memorization, preparing them to graduate and pursue different careers. There’s a huge difference between a job and a career.”
Driven to be more intentional in how he cares for his students, Terrell revised his teaching philosophy to ensure his classroom was “a safe place for students.” Terrell strives to meet the basic needs of all his students and to create a welcoming learning space. He created a self-care area with items such as a lint roller, hand sanitizer, spray deodorant, and snacks—things a student may need to get through the day.
One of Terrell’s most powerful lessons was realizing the importance of setting an example for his students.
“I want my students to see that I am compassionate and understanding, but also willing to hold them accountable,” Terrell said. “I want to be the teacher I needed and to help them reach their full potential.”
The GSE’s Ed.M. in Education, Culture, and Society degree equipped Terrell with the knowledge and resources to excel in becoming a teacher in New Jersey.
“The GSE mirrors the real-world teaching experience,” he said. “It prepares you for the classroom and provides a full picture of the way education shapes the world and how our culture shapes education. The GSE puts great people in your life.”