Dr. Jen Mangrum is a native North Carolinian and the daughter of two elementary school teachers. Jen studied Elementary Education at UNC-Wilmington before obtaining her Masters in Early Childhood Education from East Carolina University. Jen spent fourteen years teaching elementary in Onslow and Guilford Counties, then continued on to receive her PhD in Curriculum and Instruction from UNC-Greensboro. In 2004, Jen started the Elementary Education program at NC State University. Jen is now a professor at UNCG, preparing future teachers in the School of Education. She is now candidate for state superintendent of public instruction.