Dr. Kim Jay Encio joins ISUFST College of Education

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Dr. Kim Jay Encio doesn’t walk into a room announcing he is a Licensure Examination for Teachers topnotcher or a summa cum laude graduate of West Visayas State University.

If it had not been pointed out, you probably would not know.

What you might notice instead is his calm presence, quick but gentle smile, and the way he listens before responding.

ISUFST is welcoming this kind of teacher not with fanfare but with quiet appreciation for his humility and authenticity.

Born and raised in Igbaras, Iloilo, Encio comes from the same kind of community many ISUFST students call home.

“I was just an ordinary student who is fond of games and numbers,” he said.

He graduated valedictorian from Igbaras National High School and went on to earn his bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees in science education from West Visayas State University, often with a perfect 1.00 grade point.

His journey was not easy.

Behind the medals was a young man who studied day and night to keep his scholarship, memorized lessons line by line, and endured homesickness and financial struggles.

“I studied like every day was exam day,” he said. “Not because I was chasing medals, but because I couldn’t afford to fail.”

That quiet determination carried him through teaching positions at PAREF Westbridge School and nearly nine years at Iloilo National High School.

After years of teaching both undergraduate and graduate students, he is now entering a new chapter as a member of ISUFST, seeking greater professional growth among colleagues he respects and admires.

One of his most memorable moments came in an ordinary jeepney ride.

It was a regular evening until a phone call came: “Top 3 ka!” someone shouted.

Next thing he knew, he was jumping in his seat with tears in his eyes as strangers clapped and cheered.

“I couldn’t sleep that night,” he said. “It was crazy. It was too much.”

Though he achieved such honors, he remains grounded.

“I used to think that being the topnotcher and summa was everything,” he said. “But over time, I learned that titles fade. What matters is staying useful and faithful. I am just an instrument.”

Now joining other WVSU summas at ISUFST—Dr. Matthew Lasap, Prof. Glysa Regidor, and Dr. Jeena Amoto—Encio starts this chapter with quiet eagerness and a learner’s mindset.

“I chose ISUFST because I know I can grow here,” he said. “There’s so much wisdom among the faculty, and I feel grateful just to be among them.”

He is especially humbled to be joining not only his fellow WVSU summa cum laude alumni but also mentors, friends, and former collaborators—seasoned educators from MTAP, MTG, and WVSU, and fellow DOST scholars—who are now making meaningful contributions across ISUFST’s campuses.

“Being here feels like a homecoming,” he said. “Many of the people I used to look up to from afar are now my colleagues. It’s both surreal and inspiring.”

While he has experience in the basic education sector, he understands the need to adapt for higher education.

“I definitely have a lot to learn, especially from the other teachers and administrators here,” he said. “I am coming in with an open heart and open mind.”

His teaching style is anchored in empathy and flexibility.

He once doubted whether students in lower sections could learn complex math, but with patience, he saw them succeed.

“It taught me not to underestimate any learner—just adjust the approach,” he said.

He believes learning should challenge but not intimidate.

Mistakes are welcome, humor is encouraged, and understanding concepts comes before shortcuts.

“Let’s not make math scary,” he said. “Let’s make it honest, funny, and doable.”

For students who think math is not for them, he offers this: “It’s okay to struggle. Math, like life, rewards those who keep trying. It builds grit, logic, and patience—things that matter beyond the classroom.”

Off campus, he enjoys music, languages, and admits with a laugh that he can be a bit messy.

At 35, he still carries the curiosity of his younger years, once dreaming of becoming a marine engineer but now fulfilled as a teacher.

In a university like ISUFST, which aims to become Southeast Asia’s leading research hub by 2030, Encio’s presence in the Dumangas Campus College of Education is a gentle but meaningful step forward.

Not just for what he has achieved, but for what he still hopes to learn and give.

With Dr. Kim Jay Encio on board, ISUFST welcomes not only a topnotcher and scholar but a colleague whose greatest strength may be his humility.

In the landscape of education, that may be the most powerful lesson of all. (Herman Lagon/PAMMCO)