On this page you will find all the courses that I took to complete my master's degree along with work samples from those courses. Through Michigan State University I completed my Master of Arts in Education with concentrations in Special Education and Literacy. I began my journey in 2008 and completed it in August of 2012. Feel free to click on the links below to see specific work that I completed in each of the courses.
Summer 2008
CEP 800: Psychology of Learning in schools and Other Settings
Instructor: Robert Floden
Course Description: This course focused on the how learning can occur in different settings. We studied about different types of learners, how to teach to different learning styles and the ways learning can occur both in an out of school.
Final Reflective Essay
TE 844: Classroom Literacy Assessment
Instructor: M. Conley
Course Description: In this course I learned about various ways to assess literacy skills in the classroom. We learned how to match standards to what is being assessed and how to asess students with an IEP based on their goals.
Assessment Project
TE 891: Specific Topics in Teaching Curriculum and Schooling
Instructor: S. Melnick
Course Description: This course took an in depth look at the lives of immigrant students attending school in the United States. We learned about how these students are affected by cultural norms, importance of family values and a good education. Many of these students are burdened with the responsiblity of going to school and provding for the family.
Hispanic Case Study
Fall 2008
ED 800: Concepts of Educational Inquiry
Instructor: Steve Weiland
Course Description: Evaluated pyschological perspectives regarding the learning process both inside and outside of school. Studied traditional and progressive ideologies. Examples include: Howard Gardner, John Dewey, Vivian Paley and Mary Katherine Bateson
Reflective Essay
Summer 2011
CEP 841: Classroom Management in Inclusive Classrooms
Instructor: T. Mariage
Course Description: Analyzed existing classroom management strategies and how to apply Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS). Developed plans for how PBIS could be used both individually and school-wide. Practiced developing top notch behavioral intervention plans. Studied the benefits of proactive versus reactive management (time management of lesson plans, positive reinforcement). Became familiar with the work of Rick Lavoie.
ADHD Powerpoint Presentation
TE 846: Accommodating Differences in Literacy Learners
Instructor:
Course Description: This course is required to meet the Michigan Department of Education reading requirement. Focused on the developmental processes, instructional practices and assessment principles that contribute to effective learning of reading and writing. Studied teaching methods for accommodating the diverse needs of individual literacy learners.
Literacy Case Study
Fall 2011
CEP 843: ASD: Characteristics and Implications of Autism Spectrum Disorder
Instructor: Summer Ferreri
Course Description: This course explored the characteristics of children with ASD and interventions for working with these students. This course offered me a lot of information for working with a population of students that are included in my class each year. After taking this course I feel that I am more prepared to work with students how have ASD in my classroom. I am now better able to identify the characteristics, prepare social skills interventions and create transition plans.
Autism Spectrum Disorder Presentation
Spring 2012
TE 848: Writing Assessment and Instruction
Instructor: A. Heintz
Course Description: This course focused on writing in various genres. We learned the about the tools that a student needs to possess in order to become a confident writer. Another highlight of this class was evaluating our own expository and narrative writing. The class concluded with a unit plan for assessing student writing.
Expository Writing Unit Plan
TE 848: Writing Assessment and Instruction
Instructor: A. Heintz
Course Description: This course focused on writing in various genres. We learned the about the tools that a student needs to possess in order to become a confident writer. Another highlight of this class was evaluating our own expository and narrative writing. The class concluded with a unit plan for assessing student writing.
Expository Writing Unit Plan
Summer 2012
CEP 840: Policies, Practices and Perspectives in Special Education
Instructor: C. Englert
Course Description: In this course I explored the different policies in special education in inclusive classrooms and in special education classrooms. I learned about the different types of disabilities and learned more about the characteristics, accommodations, ifications and ways to help these students. In this course I worked in a group to create an informational web page about ADHD and also practiced writing an IEP.
ADHD Webpage
ED 870: Capstone Seminar
Instructors: M. Koehler, P. Thompson, W. Cain
Course Description: This course was designed to create a portfolio of what I accomplished while in the MAED program at Michigan State University. The purpose is to showcase some of my work, reflect on what I have learned and to share with
others my journey through the program. Completing this course gave me the
opportunity to learn about web design and new technologies.