Kara Toret

Journeying to Walt Disney World and back, Kara Toret still considers the classroom “the most magical place on Earth."

Toret is a first-year sophomore at UNCW, born and raised in Wilmington. Majoring in elementary education, she aspires to teach the next generation of students. 

“Teaching is something I always find myself naturally doing. I not only help peers with challenging coursework, but I also help others work through challenges,” Toret said. 

She was awarded the New Hanover County Board of Education Future Teachers Scholarship as she pursues her studies within Watson’s Education Learning Community (ELC). 

“I have always felt this sense of fulfillment and purpose when working with someone,” she said. “Being able to see the dots connect, and confidence replace uncertainty, is a special type of reward.” 

Toret credits Watson’s ELC for her success. The program is designed for first-year students who are excited to explore the field of education while building meaningful connections on campus. It supports the students’ transition to college life while giving them experiences that foster community-building and a shared sense of purpose.  

“Watson's ELC has made the transition into college much smoother, more manageable and has made college more fun,” she said. 

Outside the classroom, Toret has been competitively riding horses for 13 years and is a member of the UNCW equestrian club team. 

“I love doing anything active and outdoors, such as going to the beach, playing volleyball and pickleball. If I'm not outside, I'm most likely playing games with my friends and family or watching a movie,” Toret said. 

A highlight of her year includes a trip to Walt Disney World with Watson’s ELC. Students participated in Disney workshops and toured the Kennedy Space Center. The trip was coordinated in December by faculty Donyell Roseboro, Amy Garrett Dikkers, Keryn Vickers and Jelene Grace.  

“The biggest takeaways for me were the ones that I can use in my future classroom. Seeing different ways to teach the same thing, while getting to know the group you are working with, is incredibly valuable information,” Toret said.

Workshops ranged from leadership development to theme park design planning. Following the trip, students created short films to reflect on their experiences. 

“The theme park design taught me how to balance work and play. What I learned from this will definitely be used when it comes to designing my future classroom,” she said. “This trip has given me several strategies that will aid in my success as a future educator.”