Giving Back and Looking Forward: Liz Kennedy’s Journey from Irish Roots to ESL Educator

In a second-grade classroom in North Carolina, Liz Kennedy helps students navigate the complexities of language and learning, drawing on a journey that began three decades ago across the Atlantic. Last year, this veteran teacher embraced a new challenge that would bring her immigrant experience full circle. She decided to “pay it forward” and specialize in teaching English to a new generation of language learners.

Born and raised in working-class Dublin, Ireland, Kennedy approached her 60th birthday as a dedicated second-grade teacher in Cary, North Carolina. After 17 years of educating Wake County’s youngest learners, she wasn’t ready to slow down. Instead, she started a new chapter in her teaching career by enrolling in the online English as a Second Language (ESL) Add-on Licensure Program.

“As I turn 60 this coming year, I reflect on my life thus far and the journey yet to travel. I have to think about how I can give back to the country that I have now called home for the past 30 years,” Kennedy explained. “I feel now as I embark on the final journey of my formal teaching career, that the role of an English Language teacher is my next adventure.”

Kennedy’s path to becoming an educator involved a unique set of challenges. Growing up in a home affected by domestic violence, she dropped out of school at 16. This meant temporarily setting aside her childhood dream of becoming a teacher. It wasn’t until decades later, after immigrating to the United States and starting a family, that she revisited this aspiration.

“I never thought this would be possible,” she reflected. “But after settling, buying a house and having two children, I started to think about achieving that dream.”

Choosing NC State’s ESL Add-on Licensure Program

With encouragement from her husband (and best friend) Gabe, Kennedy began her higher education journey at Wake Technical Community College. She earned her associate’s degree, then transferred to UNC-Greensboro and finally completed her teaching degree at age 45. “I was the first in my family to graduate from college,” she explained.

Kennedy’s classrooms reflected the increasingly diverse landscape of North Carolina schools. “I have eight students out of seventeen where English is not their first language,” she noted. This reality, combined with her own immigrant experience, led her to enroll in the program in the fall of 2024. 

The NC State ESL Add-on Licensure Program is designed specifically for licensed North Carolina teachers like Kennedy. Available entirely online through the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, the program provides formal training in applied linguistics, second language acquisition, language and culture, instruction of multilingual learners, literacy and assessment.

For Kennedy, the choice to attend NC State was both personal and practical. “My two grown-up children both graduated from NC State; my son is now pursuing a doctorate in media and communications, and my daughter is an MD/PHD, both at UNC,” she said. “I chose NC State not just because it was where my children went to college, but also because the entire process of enrolling and taking classes was very convenient.”

Balancing Family, Work and Online Education

The structure of the ESL Add-on Licensure program proved essential for Kennedy’s success. The fully online format allowed her the flexibility to continue teaching full time while pursuing her ESL certification. “The convenience of being able to be home after a full day of teaching second graders and being able to turn on my computer and be in class; not having to battle traffic or parking was a huge factor,” she explained.

Despite the challenges of balancing a demanding teaching career with graduate coursework, Kennedy found the structure manageable. The program’s design allowed her to participate in live virtual class activities and to collaborate with fellow students in breakout rooms, creating an inclusive learning environment that accommodated her schedule.

“I felt I balanced work and completing the program very well,” Kennedy said. “Everyone felt included.”

Experience in the ESL Licensure Program and Professional Impact

As a self-described “mature student,” Kennedy admitted to initially struggling with the various digital tools required for online learning.

“My biggest challenge was using all the different platforms for online classes, such as Moodle, turning in assignments on a digital platform, using Palette, Jamboard and many other digital tools,” she explained. “But every single one of my instructors, including students that I worked with in the breakout room, were extremely helpful and patient with me.”

Kennedy specifically praised faculty members Professor Alison Turner, Professor Carmen Durham and Professor Mary Astrada for their inspiration and support. 

Even before completing the program, Kennedy began implementing many strategies and activities from her coursework in her current classroom. “This program has tremendously impacted how I teach,” she noted. 

“I feel I have a better understanding and appreciation for where these students are coming from, the value of their culture and experiences, and incorporating all of this into my classroom for every student to embrace and learn from.”

On the American Dream and Looking Forward

Kennedy’s story exemplifies what she called “the American Dream.” Now preparing to complete her ESL licensure in spring 2025, she hopes to transition into an ESL teaching role at her current school or somewhere in Wake County.

“I want the next generation that makes that brave decision to come — like I did — to a foreign land, a land where many do not speak the language, a land with different traditions, customs, beliefs and values … I want to help them build and develop strong, confident language skills. I want them to feel valued and included.”

For other working professionals considering continuing their education, Kennedy offers straightforward encouragement: “If I can do it at 60, anyone can do it. You are never too old to learn new tricks! The newfound knowledge has rejuvenated me, and maybe I will continue teaching a lot longer than I planned on!”

Kennedy expects to attend the program commencement celebration with her family, marking another milestone in her lifelong educational journey. 

“The overall experience was amazing,” Kennedy concluded, reflecting on both her personal journey and her time at NC State. “I truly believe I have accomplished the American Dream and as an immigrant, on behalf of all immigrants, that’s all we ask for — to be given a fair and honest chance of fulfilling our hopes and dreams.”

Interested in advancing your career with the ESL Add-on Licensure Program from NC State Online? Visit the program page or online.ncsu.edu/programs for a full list of degree and certificate programs.