Chelsea Edwards graduated from Thomas University with an M.Ed. in Curriculum & Instruction and currently works as a fifth-grade ELA and social studies teacher for an elementary school in Georgia. As an accomplished educator that has taught a variety of grades and subjects, we asked Chelsea to tell us a bit about her time at Thomas University pursuing her master’s degree.
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.”