UMassD's education 4+1 master's program is preparing Colleen Reynolds '16 for a career as a math teacher.
Year: Class of 2016
Major: Mathematics
Program: Education 4+1
Minor: Leadership & Civic Engagement
Hometown: Ipswich, MA
Leadership: Admissions Ambassador
Next steps: Completing master's degree in education
Prepared for teaching
I chose 91色情片 because it has the 4+1 program for education, which allows you to get your undergraduate and graduate degrees in less time.
My education classes have prepared me for teaching on all levels, whether it鈥檚 lesson plans, individualized education plans, classroom management, or even creating teaching portfolios for job applications.
I completed my pre-practicum hours at Global Learning Charter Public School and in the fall was placed at Durfee High School. I made a fantastic connection with the dean of mathematics at Durfee and was hired as a long-term substitute teacher. I鈥檓 now teaching algebra in my own classroom鈥攁n experience for which I鈥檒l forever be grateful.
The potential for impact I can make working in Fall River is awe-inspiring, and it makes me want to work in a high-need district. However, my dream is to go back to my hometown and teach where I grew up. For now, I鈥檓 seeing where my path in life takes me, but I hope to end up wherever I can make the biggest impact.
Sharing passion for math
Being a high school math teacher has been my dream since I was a little girl. I鈥檝e had inspiring teachers who have shown me that educators have a great ability to influence, motivate, and mold the minds of young students.
Teaching isn鈥檛 about relaying information to the next set of minds, but rather using a wide range of skills to help students in all aspects of their lives while promoting knowledge and love for the subject matter.
That鈥檚 a big reason why I think students who love math should consider becoming a teacher. When you have a passion for something, it becomes easy to share your passion with others, which is how enthusiasm is created and love for various subjects is passed on.
UMassD is 鈥渉ome鈥
There is such a thing as a home away from home. I was born and raised in the same house, so adjusting to college was a huge change. I never thought I would feel as though I truly belong somewhere else, but now I call UMassD my home.
While living on campus, I鈥檝e learned a lot about what it means to be a community member and how much of an impact you can make in others鈥 lives.
The sense of community here is really special. I haven鈥檛 found many places where you can simply feel like you belong, but 91色情片 is one.
Faculty who inspire
The faculty are genuinely invested in your success. They make an effort outside of their office hours to accommodate your schedule and needs.
I had the amazing opportunity to be in one of David Milstone鈥檚 classes. Not only is he a fantastic professor鈥攁nd Associate Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs鈥攂ut he also does so much for our community.
He is a one-in-a-million type of person who would go out of his way, simply for the success of his students. I decided to add a leadership and civic engagement minor because of him.
Opportunities for leadership
My leadership and civic engagement minor will allow me to broaden my horizons and get a better understanding of what it really means to be a leader.
In my leadership class, I鈥檝e discovered a lot about my personal styles. This has made a great impact on the way I now view myself and ways I can improve in the future.
I鈥檓 also a Resident Assistant on campus. The position has drastically changed the way I behave as a leader as well as a community member. It鈥檚 taught me what it truly means to help others. I know the experience will carry on with me forever.