Can you share a little about your background and what brought you to UW–Madison?
I received my bachelor’s degree in secondary education from Northern Michigan University. After graduation, I started working as a high school science teacher at a school in Rockton, Illinois, where I have taught Freshman Biology and Human Anatomy and Physiology for the past three years. When looking at starting a master’s program, I was looking for a cohort style program that was not aimed towards a Type 75 (administrative certification) or solely curriculum design. I found the MSPE Program and loved it immediately because of the diverse course offerings and because it was an online, cohort style. I would not have to add any more hours to my commute, and I would still be able to collaborate and work with other educators around the country.
"It is always a balancing game when it comes to organizing master’s school work and teacher school work, and besides a few extra teacher-schoolwork tasks, this year will be no different!"
What are you most looking forward to at UW–Madison?
I currently live in Madison, so I enjoy being able to work on my classwork on campus and spend some time down at the Union Terrace! Academically, I enjoy being able to work with professors who have published some of the research we are reading and who are actively involved in the community I live in. Seeing their research and work in action shows me how valuable these courses are to our current and future students.
How do you feel going into fall semester?
Since my program has been online already, I am not too worried about anything COVID related at UW–Madison. It is always a balancing game when it comes to organizing master’s school work and teacher school work, and besides a few extra teacher-schoolwork tasks, this year will be no different!
What will your focus be this semester?
This semester my courses involve different educational data measurements and the supervision of school personnel. In my classroom I am planning to implement curriculum designs/ideas I developed during my summer course, Current Issues in Education and Classroom Management.
"I plan on continuing as a high school science teacher but may look at other positions that involve assisting at-risk students in the future."
How do you plan to stay connected with your friends, classmates, and professors this fall?
Since my classes have always been online, I have a good group of classmates that I already talk to and work with frequently online. We know we can always message each other clarifying questions and work well together on group projects. Having a school-supported online video/chat program has been very helpful in online group collaboration.
What are your career plans after graduation?
Currently, I plan on continuing as a high school science teacher but may look at other positions that involve assisting at-risk students in the future.
What are your hobbies or interests outside of school and work?
Outside of school, I enjoy hiking, biking, camping, skiing, and any other outdoor activity! My husband and I enjoy taking our dog to all of the state parks in the area on the weekends and walks on the bike paths during the week.