Alison Cavicchi

Coral Springs, Florida

College:

College of Community Innovation and Education

Degree Program:

Instructional Design and Technology MA, Educational Technology Track

---

Shaping the young minds of tomorrow is Alison Cavicchi’s calling. During her time in school, her teachers always made learning an engaging, safe, and exciting experience. Cavicchi’s positive educational journey inspired her to become a teacher and strive to create the same nurturing environment for her students.

Cavicchi moved from her hometown of Coral Springs to Orlando in 2015 to complete her bachelor’s degree at UCF in Elementary Education with a minor in Event Management and a Service-Learning Certificate. The program prepared her for her professional teaching exams, and she graduated with her Florida Educator Certification, with certifications in K-6, Reading K-12, and ESOL K-12.

For the past few years, Cavicchi taught kindergarten and first grade and feels proud of the community she created for her students. “With such an unknown world around them to grow up in, it was important to me that I create a safe, exciting, and impactful environment for their developing minds to grow in,” she says. “I worked extremely hard at advocating for students’ well-being and education and believe my dedication to my students is my proudest accomplishment to date.”

During her second year of teaching, Cavicchi’s mentor introduced her to the world of curriculum design and development. She had completed her master’s degree at UCF and spoke highly of her experience, emphasizing how it leveraged movement into her new role. Reflecting on her own positive experiences at UCF and wanting to explore new avenues for her teaching passion, Cavicchi returned to her alma mater for a master’s degree in Instructional Design and Technology, Educational Technology track. Her focus is on implementing educational technology into the curriculum in various fields.

The program is preparing her well for the next phase of her career by allowing her the flexibility to create content for her specific area of interest within the guidelines of each assignment. “The structure of my program and the consistency among professors has allowed me to personalize each assignment for the K-5 student audience I hope to continue serving. I feel far more motivated knowing the work I am putting in now is directly related to my role as a K-5 educator,” she says. Cavicchi appreciates the professors at UCF as well. “It is wonderful being able to learn from educators who have taught a variety of ages and settings and who bring their wisdom into their classrooms now,” she says.

As she transitions roles from teaching to instructional design, working in the Graduate Student Center has been another source of support during Cavicchi’s academic career. “I am grateful for the Graduate Student Center working as a graduate ambassador has increased my time on campus; I am meeting new peers, supporting the center’s goals, and assisting other graduate students during their academic journeys,” she says.

After graduating in December 2023, Cavicchi aims to become a children’s museum educator or a media specialist for an elementary school. She plans to move out of state and hopes that her practicum next summer helps open new doors to pursue one of these career paths.