April 30, 2025
Spring 2025 Graduate: Brittany Foster
Name: Brittany Foster
Major/Degree Program: Master of Arts in Science Education
Hometown/Current City: Fayetteville, North Carolina
Hobbies/interests: I love to read, spend time outdoors, and travel with my family.
What’s your favorite memory from your time at ECU? One of my favorite memories from ECU was working as a student assistant at the Center for STEM Education. I loved the opportunity to collaborate with educators and students who visited the Center to enhance their classrooms. It was inspiring to be part of a space dedicated to innovation and hands-on learning, and it reaffirmed my passion for science education.
What inspired you to pursue a career in education? My biggest inspiration to become a teacher was my mom, who is an elementary school library media specialist. Watching her build strong, caring relationships with her students and make learning engaging continues to inspire me. Her dedication and love for her work inspired me to follow in her footsteps and make a similar impact in students’ lives!
Who has made the biggest impact on your journey here? I would say that my professor, Dr. Mark Newton has made the biggest impact on my journey. Dr. Newton has been my professor for several undergraduate and graduate courses here at ECU and his guidance has shaped both my teaching philosophy and classroom practices. He consistently challenged me to think critically and creatively, and I’ve applied many of his strategies and insights directly to my own teaching.
What’s next after graduation? I plan to continue teaching high school science here in Fayetteville. I also hope to further my education by pursuing a doctorate in science education in the near future. I’m passionate about lifelong learning and excited about the possibility of contributing to the field through research and leadership.
What advice would you give to future College of Education students? I would encourage future students to take full advantage of the resources and support available to you during your time at ECU, and to never lose sight of your passion for education.
How has the College of Education prepared you for the classroom (or your next step?)The COE has provided me with a strong foundation in both theory and practice. Through coursework, classroom experiences, and opportunities to collaborate with other educators, I’ve developed the skills needed to become a leader in my school. The program also fostered a mindset of continuous improvement and reflection, which I’ll carry with me throughout my teaching career.
From Dr. Tammy Lee (associate professor in science education): Brittany is an impressive graduate student. She teaches High School Earth and Environmental Science. Her action research study was entitled Promoting Student Engagement Through Talk Moves. She researched how to use talk moves to engage her students more in discussion and conversation on topics focused on impacts on our atmosphere. She employed a mixed methods study utilizing teacher reflection as part of her collection of data. The study was thorough and innovative. I strongly recommend Brittany Foster to be recognized as an accomplished graduate student and science educator.