When did you decide to pursue a graduate degree? 

I knew, after a few years in the classroom, that I needed an additional degree, but I had no clue where I wanted to obtain that degree from. I considered all types of programs from schools all over the United States. I spent countless hours (just ask my wife) researching, discussing, and considering all the options before me. One day, in my box at work, I received a flyer about Thomas University. The flyer spoke of respecting the time and obligations of working adults, small class sizes with caring professors (completely true), and a program completed from the comfort of your own home. I realized how convenient this sounded and decided to go for it. My experience allowed me the opportunity to grow professionally and helped me adapt in the classroom. I have bragged about this program many times and am honored to share my experience at Thomas University with you all.

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

I joined the United States Marine Corps straight out of high school. I was well prepared for that setting thanks to my parents, teachers, and coaches. As a Marine, I was thrust into situations where I was teaching other Marines how to do specific skills. I was able to train other Marines how to shoot and realized how much I enjoyed teaching. Those experiences, along with the vast amount of respect for my childhood teachers, inspired me to continue serving others through teaching.

Why did you choose Thomas University for your master’s degree in curriculum and instruction? 

One point that sold me on attending Thomas University was the convenience of never having to leave my home to obtain the degree. My wife and I were new parents at the time. The idea of leaving the house one night a week was not appealing. The program being completely online and class being every other week was important to my family and pushed us toward this particular program.

The program also sold me on the academic challenge it promised. Course descriptions allowed me to understand how I could grow professionally in the classroom and allowed me to visualize how I could influence teachers if I decided to pursue the role of subject department chair (which I now am) or instructional coach.

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

Prior to earning my degree in curriculum and instruction, I opposed using technology in my classroom. The curriculum and instruction program helped me see the benefit technology adds to a classroom environment. I did my research on flipping classrooms and continue to use videos to flip my classroom in order to protect my instructional time with students. I also gained experience in understanding how social-emotional learning impacts students in the classroom and now use restorative language when interacting with students.

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

Quickly after completing my degree, I moved into the position of social studies department chair for my school. I have learned how the curriculum aligns vertically and how to plan to support students across grade levels. I have been able to plan school-wide initiatives in this position and have enjoyed implementing strategies I learned while earning my degree. I plan in the future to move into administration and know that understanding how curriculum is written, including the hidden curriculum, will benefit me greatly.

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

Writing research papers at the undergraduate level does not compare to writing at the graduate level, especially when you are responsible for completing the research and sharing your findings. Completing the research component of the degree was the most challenging academic requirement I have ever participated in. I gained confidence I could complete the task from my professor. Dr. Moak, in particular, was instrumental in my success. She explained the process systematically (even planning individual video meetings) and provided examples of excellent student work. Dr. Moak, along with other professors at Thomas University, are dedicated to helping students through the difficulties they face.

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

I walked away from the curriculum and instruction program at Thomas University with the understanding that I was now able to impact students across the school building, not only in my classroom, by planning curriculum and encouraging other teachers to implement research-based strategies in the classroom. My degree gave me the knowledge and confidence to implement technology in the classroom that leads to higher student achievement, and I have improved my formative assessment practices.

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

Do not be afraid to take risks during your program. I disliked using technology in the classroom. I decided to use that fear and research the impact of technology on instruction to validate what I believed. I found that I was wrong.

The thing you must take advantage of, more than anything, is the knowledgeable staff. The professors are talented, caring, and desire success for you as a student. The program will provide you with opportunities to grow professionally and advance in your career.

Is there anything else you would like to share?

Do not wait for the “perfect” time to complete your degree because the “perfect” time will never arrive. You deserve the opportunity to grow now. Your colleagues and students will benefit from you having earned this degree. You will not regret the decision.

The post Alumni Spotlight: Ryan London, M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction appeared first on Thomas University.

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

I have wanted to work in education since I was in third grade. I was inspired by my third-grade teacher. She was very caring and made learning fun. Her love for educating students sparked an interest in teaching. I found myself navigating back to my true love after starting a family. I was teaching preschool overseas in South Korea when I decided to go back to school and finish my education degree. I wanted to share my love of learning in a fun way for students of all ages.

Why did you choose Thomas University for your Ed.S. degree in teacher leadership?

I chose to get my Ed.S. degree in teacher leadership from Thomas University because it provided a convenient and cost-effective degree program. I loved the concept of the blended classroom instruction during the week and not having to take an admission test. Also, I wanted to complete my degree within a two-year time frame and increase my yearly salary. Thomas University allowed me to check off all of the reasons why I should go back to college and get another degree. I have no regrets. I’m glad I decided to get my Ed.S. from Thomas University.

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

My coaching and mentoring skills have opened up opportunities to share innovative teaching practices. I have gained knowledge on how to effectively mentor teachers. As a mentor, I empathize and establish a rapport with my mentees. I tend to continuously reflect on my teaching style and pedagogy. I find myself automatically creating and implementing professional learning plans or providing topics for professional learning. I seek new ideas for teaching and learning through professional development. I provide support for my colleagues and put into practice the pedagogy, strategies, and philosophies that I have learned from my program at Thomas University.

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

My teacher leadership degree has allowed me to be chosen for additional leadership roles at my school. I have been assigned several new teachers in the TAPP program. I am often asked to lead professional development and mentor beginning or new teachers at my school. I have a voice and I am being heard. My administrators often ask for my advice on various topics relating to our school improvement plan, improving student achievement, and professional learning communities. Also, it has opened up the opportunity for me to pursue leadership, coaching, or teaching positions at the collegiate level in the future.

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

The challenge I faced during the teacher leadership program was managing my time. It was difficult when I had deadlines at home, work, and school. I leaned on my family and my cohort. We were able to work out a schedule to get everything done. My family helped alleviate some stress of being “Super Mom”. A group of teachers in my cohort was experiencing the same problem. We held each other accountable and established additional work sessions along with deadlines to ensure all assignments were turned in on time.

What was the biggest takeaway from your teacher leadership program?

The biggest takeaway from my teacher leadership program was the accessibility of the professors. There were several times when I could not understand what was expected of me, especially with the GACE. I was apprehensive about asking for help. I spoke to my professors and they cleared up any misunderstandings that I had. I learned that I don’t have to be intimidated by my professors and that they are there to help me be successful. After I completed my degree, the professors were still accessible, provided guidance, and support as I polished off my GACE Tasks.

What would you tell (or what advice would you give) prospective students considering the Ed.S. teacher leadership degree program at Thomas University?

I would advise prospective students that are considering attaining an Ed.S. teacher leadership degree from Thomas University to establish relationships with the teachers in your cohort. This is critical. As a teacher leader, you will need to build relationships with your colleagues, which can lead to you having a better experience while attaining your degree. Your colleagues in your cohort will be able to help you navigate through the highs and lows of life, your teaching job, taking college courses, managing your time, and holding you accountable. Please don’t go in with the mindset of just attaining your degree without getting to know the teachers in your cohort.

Is there anything else you would like to share?

I would like to thank Thomas University for providing this opportunity for me to get my Ed.S. degree in Teacher Leadership. I have created long-lasting relationships with fellow teachers in my cohort. The teachers in my cohort have become a part of my extended family. Our families have experienced joy, pain, and sorrow throughout our time at TU, but we were able to lean on each other and provide support. We became a close-knit family, and we helped each other navigate through the trials of life to ensure that no one was left behind. We all graduated!

The post Alumni Spotlight: Joyce Beaufort, Ed.S. in Teacher Leadership appeared first on Thomas University.

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

I wanted to work in education because I have a genuine passion for loving and nurturing children into lifelong citizens. What inspired me was my lineage of educators in my family. They always talked to me about the importance of education and why it’s important to make an impact.

Why did you choose Thomas University for your Ed.S. degree in teacher leadership?

I chose Thomas University because it was affordable and because of the hybrid module. It offered me flexibility as well.

What skills did you gain or sharpen through your program at Thomas University and how do you them today?

I gained more confidence in myself as a teacher leader. I gained more insight on the benefits of mentoring and coaching. The skill that I was able to sharpen was the ability to implement more leadership roles for other teachers in my building. I was able to empower teachers to break out of isolation, and I sharpened a professional network of teachers to promote a vision of educational excellence.

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

My education specialist degree has impacted me in terms of my current position because I have many more leadership opportunities such as lead mentor of our new teacher induction program and also realigning how to teach reading. A position I would like to attain in the future would be a specialist in training new teachers, as well as critical trends in curriculum and instruction.

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

A challenge that I faced during my teacher leadership program was the GACE tasks and writing them efficiently. Dr. Gale Neal helped me with my thoughts and how to streamline the process. She gave me advice such as “Don’t overthink it.” Every time I sat down to complete this tedious task, I always heard her voice.

What was the biggest takeaway from your teacher leadership program?

My biggest takeaway from the teacher leadership program was that it’s important to build your leadership skills. I also learned that deepening your understanding of education helps to sharpen your skills and influence change.

What would you tell (or what advice would you give) prospective students considering the Ed.S. teacher leadership program at Thomas University?

I would tell prospective students that are considering the Ed.S. teacher leadership program to go for it, defy the urge of quitting, and to not be fearful. I would tell them that this program will build your leadership skills and will help you be effective in communicating and building relationships.

Is there anything else you would like to share?

I would like to share that the program empowered, enlightened, and engaged me to embrace leadership.

The post Alumni Spotlight: Monica Jones, Ed.S. in Teacher Leadership appeared first on Thomas University.

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

Growing up I always wanted to be a superhero, nurse, or doctor. I believed all of these careers, real or fictitious, lend themselves to helping others. I was a child who struggled through school, almost failing fifth grade. I went through middle school and most of my high school years not understanding why I struggled so much. How was I supposed to achieve my great heights if I could not even be an average student? Finally, in my junior year of high school, my trigonometry teacher showed me how to be successful not only in school but in life. From that point on I knew that teachers could do the same thing a doctor, nurse, or even a superhero could do. Save lives! After my junior year, I knew exactly what I wanted to be: a teacher.

Why did you choose Thomas University for your M.Ed. curriculum and instruction degree?

As my second year of teaching started, I knew that I wanted to enter into my graduate degree. The question I asked myself was where to go? There was a local college that everyone attended and said was easy, but was that what I wanted? Easy? This college also required me to take an entrance test that was expensive, so I started looking elsewhere. Thomas University contacted my school board and had a meeting for candidates looking to start a graduate program. I decided to attend. The first thing that grabbed my attention was the programs they offered. Even though I taught elementary at the time I am also certified in other areas from middle to high school. Thomas University is one of the rare colleges that offers curriculum and instruction master’s degrees. Not only did they offer the degree I was looking for, but the program was also completely online. This was very beneficial for my family and me.

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

Thomas University educated me so much during my graduate program. One class that made me grow as a teacher was my assessment class. This was one of the first classes in my program. I always knew how important assessment data was in education, but I never knew that there were so many fun ways for students to take assessments and make data easy to gather for me as a teacher.

Something new that I learned from my time at Thomas University is how to purposefully use technology in the classroom. I designed my own website and learned how to use technology for a flipped classroom.

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?

In my current position as a fifth grade ELA and social studies teacher, my knowledge that I gained from Thomas University has improved my teaching skills. I have been able to display the importance of technology in the classroom. I use laptops every day with my students using the skills that I learned from Thomas University to advance my students’ skills and knowledge of the state’s standards and life. I hope the knowledge that I gained from my graduate program at Thomas University helps me grow as a teacher and one day become an instructional coach, so I can pass on my knowledge to others.

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

I was hoping to start and complete my graduate degree before I had any children. Well, that did not happen. To all future moms and dads or current moms and dads with the question of can I complete a graduate program while being/becoming a parent, YES YOU CAN! This was an unexpected twist to what my husband and I were expecting. I was presented with difficult assignments on top of lesson plans but never wavered. My workload from school was not unbearable. Most assignments that were given pertained to the related tasks I was already doing inside the classroom.

The teachers that I had were accommodating with the birth of my child and were extremely helpful in rearranging my due dates. Most assignments I had to turn in before my baby came, but it wasn’t as difficult as I was anticipating. So, if you are trying to blame your family or your future family for furthering your education, DON’T. I can promise that the TU family cares about you as a student. They try to work with you and accommodate situations that you might not anticipate.

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

There are so many takeaways from Thomas University that I can take out into my life. I know now that I can do anything if I put my mind to it. I know how to be a better teacher. I know what it means to be a good leader and role model to others. I also know that one day I can apply ALL of my knowledge and be the best instructional leader and/or administrator I can be. The confidence that I have discovered in myself would not be possible if it wasn’t for the staff and teachers at Thomas University.

What would you tell prospective students considering the M.Ed. curriculum and instruction degree program at Thomas University?

If you are considering Thomas University, I would highly encourage that you make that jump. The knowledge you will receive will outweigh any cost you might think of. It was not by far the easiest, but it was the most knowledgeable program that I have ever been through. You will push yourself to heights that you might not imagine, and you will learn so much about yourself as a teacher and a person. In the words of Edmond Mbiaka, “Greatness is what happens when you aren’t afraid to relentlessly push yourself to tear down all your walls of limitations.”

The post Alumni Spotlight: Chelsea Edwards, M.Ed. in Curriculum & Instruction appeared first on Thomas University.

After navigating through some telephone prompts, I was greeted by a friendly voice from Thomas University. I explained that I was not a student yet, but needed help deciding if I could afford to enroll in the program I had been accepted into. The representative was very helpful and kind, taking time to explain concepts such as lifetime loan limits and Thomas University disbursement practices. I left that call feeling confident that I could finance my degree. My options, listed below, were both viable and affordable for teacher-learners like me.

Payment Plans

One thing I learned about Thomas University early on is that they are dedicated to making graduate school convenient for teachers, and finance is no exception to this dedication. I was pleasantly surprised to find that on top of the tuition discounts that are available to teachers who pursue off-campus programs, students can also pay tuition in three or four installments. This means that unlike many universities, prospective students who are not using financial aid do not have to produce all or even half of the tuition before beginning classes. For a teacher, this means that tuition can be factored into your monthly budget throughout your time as a Thomas University student. Students can make payments online, by phone, by mail, or in person.

Financial Aid

Like many adult learners, I was leery of taking out loans on top of the undergraduate loans I had yet to pay off. After weighing all factors, however, I decided that financial aid was the best method for me to finance my degree. The financial aid process was not new to me, but what made Thomas University stand out was the level of support. Financial aid personnel was available by phone and email for my numerous questions, and they took the extra step of issuing reminders for deadlines. By applying for and accepting financial aid, I was able to complete all of my classes without worrying about the cost. I am now done with my degree and have a higher salary that enables me to make payments on my loans.

Thomas University understands that paying for a degree can be a roadblock for some teachers who wish to pursue advanced degrees. As such, the university has designed payment options that are affordable, and they offer the optimal level of support through the financial aid process. Since that day when I spoke to the Thomas University financial aid office for the first time, I have never regretted my financial investment in my graduate degree.

The post How I Paid for my Graduate Degree from Thomas University appeared first on Thomas University.