Instructor: Dr. Kristy Cooper-Stein

Semester: Summer 2023

This course introduced key concepts of educational inquiry through exploration of different qualitative research practices. Throughout the course, I examined works of the following educational research methods: ethnography, portraiture, historical analysis, indigenous research, and philosophy of education. Course topics relevant to these methods were explored such as schools as socializing institutions, culturally sustaining pedagogy, and educational activism. This course allowed me to consider my personal teaching practices as well as the broader systems of education through readings, discussions, and written analysis and reflection. Overall, this course helped me think more critically about the role of research in education and how inquiry and research can inform equitable and reflective teaching practices.

Instructor: Dr. Matthew Koehler and Megan Eikey

Semester: Spring 2026

ED 870 was the final course I took for the MAED program. In this course, I developed an online portfolio to showcase what I accomplished in the program and who I am as an educator. This culminating course gave me the space to reflect upon and synthesize my learning in the program. The portfolio I created contains relevant information on my courses taken, assignments completed, and reflection of learning and growth as well as more information on who I am personally and professionally. Through consistent feedback from peers and instructors, I was able to continuously revise my work and create a portfolio that I use to proudly display my achievements and development as an educator. 

Instructor: Dr. Douglas Hartman

Semester: Summer 2022

TE 831 focused on how digital technologies can be used to support teaching and learning. I examined key frameworks and topics such as International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) Standards, Technological, Pedagogical, and Content Knowledge (TPACK), Universal Design for Learning (UDL), and digital literacy and citizenship to better understand how technology can be used to enhance instruction. Throughout the course, I explored different digital tools and ways to integrate technology into the classroom. One of my favorite parts of this course was learning about design elements and being able to repurpose existing lessons and activities to be better aligned for today's digital world. This course allowed me to carefully consider technology resources as tools that can be used to benefit students and enhance learning. 

Instructor: Dr. Sandra Crespo

Semester: Fall 2023

This course focused on methods, materials, activities, and content in mathematics teaching that can be used to promote equitable learning experiences and conceptual understanding for students. I was able to explore these concepts through course readings, reflections, discussion, and student analysis. The main assignment was a research project that involved choosing a topic, conducting a literature review synthesis, planning methods for data collection, adapting tasks and classroom implementation, and reflection on my findings. This project gave me the opportunity to dive deeper into the new math curriculum (Eureka Math Squared) my school adopted and find ways to use complex math instruction through the use of group-worthy tasks. Overall, I was able to develop and execute research in math instruction while learning about and implementing the best practices for student learning in this course. 

Instructor: Andrea Varricchione

Semester: Fall 2024

The focus of this course was developing a deeper understanding of scientific inquiry and the nature of science within the context of current science education reforms. More specifically, it involved close examination of science and engineering practices in the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). To accomplish these course objectives, the assignments involved classroom application in which I planned a science unit that was based on student inquiry aligned with NGSS. This involved conducting student interviews of a natural phenomenon to assess their background knowledge, planning and implementing a unit that integrated science and engineering practices, and reflecting upon my instruction and student learning.  TE 861B enhanced my understanding of science learning through student inquiry and my ability to plan science units incorporating the science and engineering practices of NGSS. 

Instructor: Ayah Issa

Semester: Spring 2023

In this course, I learned about developmental processes, instructional strategies, and using assessment data to support effective reading and writing  instruction. I explored ways to differentiate instruction to meet the unique needs of literacy learners. A major component of this course was a literacy learner analysis project where I conducted a case study on a student in my class. I conducted assessments, analyzed data, and planned individual lessons for the student. After completing the lessons, I reflected on our sessions and proposed recommendations to further support their literacy learning. Overall, I gained a deeper understanding of providing individualized literacy instruction to create more meaningful learning experiences for students. 

Instructor: Dr. Laura Apol

Semester: Fall 2025

TE 849 explored a wide range of children's and young adult literature and examined how texts can be used to support meaningful discussions of societal issues. Through reading, discussion, and written reflection, I analyzed how author's represent identity, cultural, and social themes and consider how these topics connect to student lives and experiences. The course readings and activities allowed me to consider text relatability and criteria for selecting high quality literature in the classroom. I was able to explore many different text types and genres to develop my understanding of how personal experiences can develop the way a reader responds to a text. I explored ways to facilitate thoughtful discussions to engage students with literature that reflects diverse perspectives. Taking this course as an elective, I was not expecting the impact this course had on me not just as a teacher, but personally. It encouraged me to think deeply about the relatability of literature and how it can help someone evolve. Additionally, I grew to understand the importance of reflecting on texts through discussions and writing to synthesize the meaning and connections that can be made from reading. 

Instructor: Dr. Patricia Edwards

Semester: Transferred Summer 2022

This course was taken during the first semester of my internship year at Michigan State University. It focused on differentiating reading and writing instruction. This course taught me to use inquiry to reflect upon teaching choices, use assessment to inform instruction, and have a deeper understanding of the strands of reading that lead to comprehension. I developed a series of two day lessons that had defined learning objectives that were aligned with the Common Core State Standards (CCSS). In developing and teaching these lessons, I utilized different teaching and assessment strategies  as well as modifications and accommodations to meet the needs of diverse learners. Upon completion of the lessons, I reflected on how my teaching went and where I could improve. 

Instructor: Brittany Jones

Semester: Transferred Summer 2022

TE 803 was also taken during my student teaching internship. It focused on teaching social studies equitably that allowed students to think critically and consider multiple perspectives. I collaborated with a classmate to develop a social studies unit plan that considered the needs of all learners. After teaching the unit, I reflecting upon what went well and what could be improved to further support students. Additionally, this class allowed me to explore different resources for school, family, and community partnerships to become an advocate for student learning to ensure students receive an accessible education. 

Instructor: Andrea Varricchione

Semester: Transferred Summer 2022

Another course taken during my internship year, TE 804 focused on collecting, analyzing, and interpreting data specifically within science instruction. Through this course, I enhanced my knowledge of the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) and how to plan instruction based on these standards. Developing and teaching a science unit plan was the main focus of this course. I developed lessons around a performance expectation, utilizing the three dimensions of science learning. This allowed students to build their own scientific knowledge surrounding a natural phenomenon. Throughout the unit, I collect and analyzed student data and made adjustments to instruction when necessary to ensure students met learning objectives.