Bard, A Place to Think - Master of Arts in Teaching

Hometown:Long Branch, NJ
Previous Education: Monmouth University, B.A. Interdisciplinary (History, Political Science, Education)
Work Experience Prior to Bard:
Eight years as a para-professional at the School For Children in New Jersey (a private school for Special Education),;1 summer as a teacher. Three years as a GED instructor.

Currently Teaching: 5th Grade, George Washington Elementary, Kingston, NY
I also train teachers in collaborative teaching in the areas of music and history

Why did you want to become a teacher? What are your career goals?
I wanted to convey empathy to all students regardless of where I worked. I think all students should learn something beyond American High School. My career goals? I would love to teach at a University, write books, train teachers and change children’s lives.

Why did you choose Bard?
Honestly, it was the line from Ric Campbell’s intro “…join me in changing Public School Education…” I was ready to break the rules that were not working.

What do you like best about Bard’s MAT?
The two strand requirement, the writing rigor, and the philosophy of where education is going.

Is there a particular professor or course that you especially enjoyed? Why?
I loved having Ric[Campbell], Julia Emig, and Wendy Urban-Mead. Each was an expert in his field. Gaps that I had in education they were able to fill. Dr. Emig was highly skilled in loving what you do and how to get children to read. Ric was an expert at the necessary strands to have learning take place. Dr. Urban-Mead actually lived her history. Her exams were more than fair and tested our understanding not memory.

Is there anything else you would like to share with prospective Bard students?
If you want to be prepared to do anything in life, this program is for you. Especially, if you love teaching, you will learn to combine love and true assessment…and you will change education.