Reflections

Looking back over the last 3 1/2 years, I have so much to reflect on.  It has been a roller coaster of emotions, challenges, and experiences.  When I first heard of the cohort opportunity through DSU I was curious, but very leery.  It had always been my desire to continue my education and earn my master's degree, but I wasn't sure which area.  Working in the realm of alternative education, a masters in administration was probably the most logical.  However, that area did not excite me.  I wanted to continue my education working on something that would have the most positive impact on my students and the MSET program promised just that.  Knowing that there would be a cohort from Watertown added the appeal of the program.  So I made my decision.

I was nervous about the idea of taking courses via the Internet.  I had been accustomed to face-to-face instruction--that is how I was taught and that was how I taught.  Meeting with Mark Hawkes and Tom Farrell for two weeks for our first set of classes helped to establish a relationship and ease me into the world of distance education.  It help to set the tone.

There were ups and down during the program.  I experienced every emotion imaginable from afraid to zealous.  The instructors in the MSET program were outstanding.  They held high expectations for quality work, but at the same time were very understanding of my personal life.  Juggling family, work, and classes was difficult and overwhelming at times. 

I am looking forward to having time to implement many of the projects that I worked on during the course of the program.  I have been doing small things along the way, but now I'm ready to make a bigger impact on what I can do for and with my students.