April 30, 2025
Spring 2025 Graduate: Kelsey Stewart
Name: Kelsey Stewart
Major/Degree Program: Middle Grades Ed, MAED
Hometown/Current City: Seven Springs , NC
Hobbies/interests: Quilting, church, and spending time with my husband and 1 year old.
What’s your favorite memory from your time at ECU?
My favorite memory is presenting my research poster at ECU’s RCAW event. It was amazing to see how much I had grown as an educator in just one short year, and the confidence I have gained over this past year.
What inspired you to pursue a career in education?
I come from a family of teachers, and it was one job I said I would never do. In college, one of my teachers gave me a job in the Math Lab where I was able to help other students in math. Seeing the light bulb go off, and encouraging my peers that they can do math lit a fire in me. From that day on I knew my purpose and that was to be a math teacher, and to make it my life mission to make sure my students know that they can do math, and that I belive in them.
Who has made the biggest impact on your journey here?
The biggest impact on my journey here is honestly all of my instructors. They expect the best and at the same time are there to encourage you and push you along the way. Through their teaching, I am much more confident as a teacher and as a leader in the education system.
What’s next after graduation?
I am going to continue teaching in the classroom while pursuing leadership opportunities in the district I teach in. My goal is to be a math coach for educators. My passion is to share all of my knowledge and help teachers believe in themselves and help them be the best possible version of themselves for their students which is the best way to help the maximum amount of students.
What advice would you give to future College of Education students?
When you want to give up, keep pushing through it. I promise you can do it, and you will gain so much confidence after going through the program. Also. don’ t be afraid to reach out to your instructors!
How has the College of Education prepared you for the classroom (or your next step?)
The College of Education has given me confidence and leadership skills to be the best teacher and leader that I can be. The program has made me reflect on my on teaching practices, and made me rethink education as a whole. Because of going through this program, I know that my students will get the instruction they need and deserve.
From Dr. Kristen Gregory (associate professor in elementary education): After several years in the middle school classroom, Kelsey returned to school for her MAEd in Middle Grades Education degree with a concentration in Middle School Math. She excelled throughout her program due to her dedication, curiosity, organization, persistence, classroom experience, and work ethic. During the research sequence, she investigated student engagement differences between her Native English Speakers and English Language Learners in her middle school math classes. From her research she identified supports and barriers that English Language Learners experienced in her class and mapped out strategies to better support them. Her findings will not only impact her own teaching but also her colleagues. I am so proud of all that Kelsey has accomplished during her program, and I know that her hard work will benefit her students, colleagues, school, and community.