On May 14, UW–Madison will celebrate its Spring 2022 Commencement. We reached out to a few of our students who are graduating from programs in the School of Education to learn about their favorite UW–Madison memories and future plans. Following is a Q&A with Rosie Miesner, who is graduating with a PhD in educational policy studies.
Where are you from, and what brought you to UW–Madison?
I grew up on a farm in the Catskills in upstate New York. I then lived in New York City for 11 years before coming to Madison. UW has an excellent educational policy program — I continue to feel grateful that I’ve spent the last seven years surrounded by so many amazing people!
Why did you decide to pursue graduate studies?
I was a teacher for six years, two of which I spent as a special education teacher in Madison. As a teacher, I continuously felt torn between the needs of my students and the resources at my disposal. I decided to pursue a degree in educational policy to better understand the broader context of teaching in American public schools and to one day contribute to pragmatic, progressive educational policies.
Tell us about your research.
My dissertation research examines how special education policy evolves from the federal to the local level and how it enables or constrains the work of teachers in practice. I also hold a broader interest in policy convergence within K-12 education, and I’m especially interested in how and why people maintain or subvert policy in practice.
"As a teacher, I continuously felt torn between the needs of my students and the resources at my disposal. I decided to pursue a degree in educational policy to better understand the broader context of teaching in American public schools and to one day contribute to pragmatic, progressive educational policies."
What was your most meaningful experience at UW–Madison?
For the last six years I’ve worked as a project assistant for the Wisconsin Center for Education Research. I’ve collected data across the state, attended myriad meetings in which senior researchers debate ideas and study designs, and connected with practitioners, administrators, and policy makers from the school through the state level. This role provided me with crucial experience at the nexus of research and practice, and my time with WCER immensely supported my development as a researcher.
What class or professor had the greatest impact on you, and why?
I took Sociology of Education with Dr. Linn Posey-Maddox my first semester of graduate school. It felt like drinking from the firehose — so much to learn! Dr. Posey-Maddox helped develop my understanding of power dynamics within education — particularly in terms of race, gender, class, and dis/ability — and the coursework challenged my assumptions about schooling. The class continues to shape my orientation toward educational policy and my understandings of what is possible in school spaces.
What advice would you give to incoming students?
Graduate degrees are not solitary pursuits — develop your community and draw on friends for support, navigating coursework, conducting research, and completing many, many pages of writing.
Talk to students across cohorts and departments. Our peers hold a wealth of information, especially when it comes to the hidden curricula of graduate school. Also, hold on to your interests that are unrelated to graduate school. Connections outside of academia can help you maintain a sense of perspective.
What are your favorite “hidden gems” on campus or in Madison?
The 13th floor lounge in WCER (Educational Sciences building) is a great lunch or study spot, with an amazing view of the isthmus! Also, visit the conservatory at Olbrich Gardens to beat the midwinter blues — a few laps of warmth, humidity, and greenery goes a long way when it’s February in Wisconsin.