Kennedy Forbes, class of 2018, knew she wanted to be a teacher from the time she was in middle school, and would later discover her interest in family and consumer sciences as a senior in high school.

She is in the Career and Technical Education (BS) - Family and Consumer Sciences Education program. Kennedy said she has professors in Appalachian State University’s Reich College of Education (RCOE) who act as mentors and inspire her.

As an upperclassman, Kennedy said she has found her professors “treat me more as a peer than a student. By that, I mean that they address me as a fellow teacher and want me to think of myself in this way.” 

Of student teaching, she said, “From the field experience, I have seen multiple examples of topics we have discussed in class being played out in the classroom.”

Kennedy hopes to begin teaching a culinary class after graduation, yet said she would be happy teaching any of the classes within her field.

She would also like to be a club advisor for Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) after graduating. Kennedy is currently president of Appalachian’s Student Association of Family and Consumer Sciences (SAFCS) and vice president of the Technology and Engineering Education Collegiate Association (TEECA).