Why did you want to work in education? What inspired you?

After being told I couldn’t be a mermaid, I decided at the age of eight I wanted to be a teacher. As I got older, the plan never changed. Thanks to great teachers, I discovered my love of knowledge and learning. I had especially wonderful history teachers who showed me that our past isn’t memorizing dates and names but a story to be shared and remembered. My love of history guided me to become a high school social studies teacher where I can share this story with the next generation.

Why did you choose CSP Global for your master’s degree in curriculum and instruction?

I chose CSP Global for my M.Ed degree in curriculum and instruction for two main reasons. The first factor was the online flexibility. Not only was I able to complete the program from the comfort of my couch, it was also at a pace that worked with my busy home life. The second factor was the affordability. I could enhance my teaching without having to worry about finances.

What skills did you gain or sharpen through your program at CSP Global, and how do you use them today?

I gained so much during my time at CSP Global. I learned how to better support my students as readers. My professors demonstrated many strategies for different reading levels. The part I struggled with was how to help all students when there were so many different abilities in one classroom. I gain student-specific and whole-classroom strategies that will support reading for all students.

I also was able to incorporate standards without compromising my student-lead courses. I was overwhelmed by the need to incorporate all the standards and keep the lessons relevant to my students. My instructors had tools that were varied to be able to scaffold the lessons and reach each of the standards in a variety of ways. With so many diverse learners in each classroom, the skills and tools I gained are enabling me to support the variety of abilities.

How has your master’s degree impacted you in terms of your current position or a position you’d like to attain in the future?

My master’s degree has given me more confidence in building my courses. As an online charter school teacher, I was looking to find ways to reach all students in an online environment. Through the master’s program, I discovered many strategies that scaffolded both reading and content learning in ways that met our state and school standards. I also now have the skills to determine where a student is for their reading levels and find material that they can comprehend and be successful with each unit.

What was a challenge you faced during your curriculum and instruction program, and who or what helped you overcome it?

There were a few challenges that came up as I was working on my curriculum and instruction master’s degree. The first one was trying to balance work, school, and home life. It was great that all the instructors had gone through the same program, so they were able to give great advice when I had concerns about an assignment or I was in a crunch. My classmates were also helpful. We were able to bounce ideas off each other and support each other when we needed something extra. The capstone was especially worrisome for me. My husband was great at helping me find time to complete my research and get it all written.

What was the biggest takeaway from your curriculum and instruction program?

The biggest take away for me was the strategies I gained. I use them in my classroom all the time. Everything from content area specifics to scaffolded instruction, I have been able to enhance my lesson plans with the strategies I gained from the curriculum and instruction program. Another big take away was the collaboration that was able to happen. I learned so much from my other classmates, and it was great to have such a variety of teachers in the same program. Elementary teachers, English teachers, teachers at brick-and-mortar schools, new teachers, teachers who had been teaching for 20+ years – we had such a great blend of experience. It was great hearing from different perspectives and knowing that the program was applicable to so many different classrooms.

What would you tell (or what advice would you give) prospective students considering the M.Ed. curriculum and instruction program at Concordia University St. Paul?

I would like to tell prospective master’s students that it is totally worth it. If you are contemplating and the only thing holding you back is worry, go for it! You won’t regret the work you put into it. The courses are relevant, the instructors are relatable, and the work itself is applicable to a modern classroom. You can do it, and you are worth it. You will gain so much, and it will show in your lessons and in the progress of your students’ achievement.

The post Alumni Spotlight: Vanessa Petek, M.Ed. in Curriculum & Instruction appeared first on CSP Global.

Why did you want to work in education? What inspired you?

I have wanted to work in the field of education since I was a child. I remember “teaching” my stuffed animals in first grade because I loved school so much that I wanted to continue the school day when I got home. When I got to high school I had an English teacher that inspired me to want to teach language arts. She pushed me to analyze literature and write in a way that nobody had up until that point. I was inspired by her teaching style and her love of literature. I have been teaching for eight years now, and I truly love each day that I get to work with students. My goal is to inspire students to love reading and writing like my teacher did.

Why did you choose CSP Global for your master’s degree in curriculum and instruction?

I chose CSP Global for my master’s degree in curriculum and instruction because the school was a good fit for my lifestyle. I wanted to attend a college that would well equip me for my role as an educator and that offered flexible learning opportunities, including online classes. Many of my colleagues attended CSP and told me wonderful things about the program, instructors, and curriculum. I am so glad that I made the decision to attend CSP Global for my master’s degree.

What skills did you gain or sharpen through your program at CSP Global and how do you use them today?

I gained many skills and sharpened others during my program at CSP Global that I still use today. I gained skills in the area of classroom instruction. I learned many instructional strategies that I use in my seventh grade language arts classroom on a daily basis. Attention was focused on helping me gain insight into relevant and significant experiences for my students to increase their achievement. I felt better prepared to work with my students after finishing my program. The focus on best practices in curriculum design, instructional strategies, and technology incorporation were especially beneficial for my job teaching students in an ever-changing global society.

How has your master’s degree impacted you in terms of your current position or a position you’d like to attain in the future?

My master’s degree impacted my current position in many ways, but it has also set me up for success for a position I would like to attain in my future. The degree I obtained allowed me to work closely with reading specialists in my building to develop and implement reading interventions for striving readers. I also have been able to use my newfound knowledge as a basis for the professional development I created as part of the literacy project team in my school. I aspire to work as a reading specialist in the future, and the program I was part of allowed me to obtain a reading license. This will help me achieve my career goals in the future.

What was a challenge you faced during your curriculum and instruction program, and who or what helped you overcome it?

I faced a few challenges during my curriculum and instruction program, but my classmates and instructors were able to help me overcome them. One challenge in particular required the help of my administrator. I was struggling to locate teachers I could observe and teach with as part of my practicum experiences. My administrator connected me with teachers in my district that allowed me to shadow them and work with them for a few days as part of my program. I am thankful to have had his support throughout my educational journey.

What was the biggest takeaway from your curriculum and instruction program?

Of all the takeaways I hold from my curriculum and instruction program, the one I hold in highest esteem is my ability to be a confident leader in my school. I gained confidence during my curriculum and instruction program. This confidence allowed me to feel more prepared and well-rounded in terms of my knowledge. I am now able to present to my colleagues at staff meetings about literacy strategies I learned about during my program. I am thankful I had the opportunity to work with such great instructors along the way in my program, because they helped motivate and encourage me in my endeavors.

What would you tell (or what advice would you give) prospective students considering the M.Ed. curriculum and instruction program at CSP Global?

If I were to give advice to a prospective student considering the M.Ed. curriculum and instruction program at CSP Global, I would tell them to speak with an advisor about any questions they have from the beginning of the process. All of the advisors and employees at CSP are extremely kind and helpful. This makes the process of applying and getting started much less stressful than it seems at first. I would also give a prospective student the advice of planning their time wisely. The program is flexible, but it is important to have an idea of how you will manage your time.

Is there anything else you would like to share?

Overall, I have found all of my experiences with CSP Global to be positive. I am so happy to have gotten my master’s degree at this school. I feel better prepared to educate my students now that I have obtained my degree in curriculum and instruction. The online classes allowed me great flexibility, the advisors and instructors were all extremely helpful, and the materials covered were pertinent to being a successful educator. I would recommend getting a master’s degree at this school for all these reasons and more.

The post Alumni Spotlight: Jacy Lawrence, M.Ed. in Curriculum & Instruction appeared first on CSP Global.