Currently enrolled in the M.A.T. in Elementary Education program, and receiver of a 2022-2023 Teacher of the Year recognition, we asked student Whitney Redd to tell us about her experience so far pursuing her graduate education degree at Thomas University.
You recently won ‘Teacher of the Year’. Congrats! What was your reaction when you found out?
“What have I done?” was my initial reaction when my school announced their 2022-2023 Teacher of the Year (TOTY). It has taken me some time to digest and process this recognition. I felt pressured to perform well at work and even in school. I still consider myself a relatively new teacher because I have only been teaching for four and a half years.
Every day, I am greeted by someone who reminds me that I am TOTY. That is just a reflection of the overwhelming support and love that my co-workers and peers have shown me. My response to that is simple: “we are TOTY.” My teacher peers are amazing. I am a reflection of being surrounded by other good educators who try to give students their best.
Why did you want to work in education? What inspired you?
Before teaching, I was a behavior specialist for six years in the public school system. I have always had a passion for working with at-risk children. It became clear that students struggling academically would struggle in life without a solid foundation.
Despite the career change, I wanted to continue advocating for at-risk students by having an adverse impact on the pipeline to the prison system. Becoming an educator was another avenue to improving and increasing literacy in my community. To fulfill my licensure requirement, I decided to pursue a degree in teaching.
Why did you choose Thomas University for your M.A.T. degree?
Choosing to attend Thomas University was the best decision I could have made. When I was ready to enroll in a program, I remembered receiving an email about an informational session at work. By the way, this email was from 2020. I was hoping and praying that they had a program for me; I was in luck and enrolled in the 2021 fall cohort for the M.A.T. program. My journey at Thomas University has been a blessing and made me a better teacher from admission to now.
What skills and/or knowledge do you hope to gain by the end of your program? What career goal are you hoping to accomplish?
I was extremely apprehensive about starting this program because school has never been easy. However, since beginning the M.A.T. program, my teaching has evolved, and all I want to do is share. As to continue, I want to continue sharing my knowledge with other teachers and professionals. My goal as a student and educator is to be selfless with information and intentional with practicing what I learn.
How will those skills help you with the current climate of education?
In today’s climate, I have been challenged to consider the whole child and evolve with the students’ needs across all domains of development. During the COVID-19 pandemic, I have learned to be much more flexible and creative. I have learned how to connect with students even when we are not in the same building. The first semester of my M.A.T. program showed me how to flip my classroom using a variety of digital platforms.
This was helpful because I never knew when my class could go virtual. I’ve also learned how to create a more positive learning environment. I am more responsive to students’ academic and social-emotional needs, whether learning is virtual or face-to-face. I want to think that these skills contributed to winning teacher of the year.
What have you most enjoyed about your program so far?
Collaborating and learning alongside other educators is one of the most beneficial aspects of this program. Education is evolving, and Thomas University has contributed to my skills in the classroom. Getting feedback from my professors weekly has also made me a better educator and student.
What has been the toughest part of your program so far?
However, the most challenging part of my program is time management. When I started school, I had to figure out another time to do the bulk of my planning and case management at work. Only my fellow teachers may understand what those obstacles are like.
Over time I have learned how to take my teacher’s hat off and put my student’s hat on. Our professor, Dr. Shannon Wood, reminds us often that we are learning, and feedback isn’t always punitive, but it gives direction on meeting the expectations.
What advice would you give to prospective students considering the same program at Thomas University?
Even though the program is rigorous, it is instantly rewarding. As a current student, I highly suggest this program for teachers who are currently teaching and individuals interested in teaching. After switching careers, I never anticipated being as good at teaching as at counseling. There was so much that I did not know or understand, but the M.A.T program prepares me to be a more confident and knowledgeable educator.