Growing up in the Dominican Republic, Izzete Encarnacion started her journey in education at age 13, teaching dance lessons to children in her community. Although she loved dance and the happiness it brings to people, Encarnacion wanted a change.
At 21, she switched paths and started teaching English as a second language to adults in her community. She found her passion inside the classroom.
Encarnacion, now a student in the Master of Educational Innovation, Technology, and Entrepreneurship (MEITE) program and a Fulbright Scholar, hopes to use her time at the UNC School of Education to gain strategies and methodologies to advance teacher practices in her home country. There, she is the leader of a small school with about 500 students.
“We don’t say it, but we struggle. It is amazing how in the U.S., everyone pays attention to new research coming out in the world of education.” Encarnacion said. “I am excited to be able to combine the research I’m learning with the actual practice of teaching alongside my teachers to get better results in our school.”
Before joining the MEITE program, Encarnacion traveled to England, where she completed her first master’s degree. There, she grew her teaching skills in math and volunteered as a dance teacher. Although Encarnacion said she loved the learning, she wanted a degree that she could bring back to help her teachers.
This led Encarnacion to the Fulbright Scholarship. The Fulbright program enables recipients to meet, work, live with, and learn from people around the world. With more than 140 countries represented worldwide, Encarnacion’s approval to pursue the MEITE program was, Encarnacion said, “a dream come true after many emails, discussions, and countless hours.”
“Being a Fulbright scholar changes how you see the world and gives you opportunities that you won’t receive anywhere else. You can connect with people all around the world, and most of the time, with people who have the same interests as you of other nationalities,” Encarnacion said. “This program really promotes growth and working together in an academic setting, but it also applies to the real world outside of academia.”
Through her concentration in the MEITE program, which focuses on innovation, Encarnacion has found a home at the School.
“The way the MEITE program is designed, you can come from any part of the world and feel like this is for you. You can take the things you learn and apply them anywhere.” Encarnacion said, “The diversity you see in this program is unparalleled. It has really helped me feel welcome in this university and program.”
Her next steps, after completing her MEITE program, include a 2023 graduation and the hope of expanding the knowledge of her fellow teachers in the Dominican Republic.