Current Students
This section provides information about some of the students currently enrolled in our completely online Masters degree in Instruction and Curriculum with an emphasis on "Teaching, Learning and Facilitating Change with Educational Technology." Check back frequently to meet new students!!
Lance
I currently teach mathematics computer programming and coach football and tennis at Palmetto Ridge H.S. in Naples, Florida. I am a Florida native, and I am completing my thirteenth year as a teacher and coach in the state. I am originally from Hollywood, Florida. My wife, son, and I moved to Naples 2 years ago and absolutely love it here. Recently I had one of the most incredible experiences of my professional life. A former student's family contacted me and told me that my former student had become a math teacher and credited me with being her inspiration. I had the opportunity to observe her in her class, and she thanked me for my influence on her. Truly, the most gratifying experience I could ever have imagined.
Jenn
I’m a 6th grade teacher at Bethel-Tate Middle School, in Ohio. I teach Language Arts and Social Studies. This year is my fourth year teaching. I have been teaching 6th grade for all four of those years, at the same school, and I love it! I have enrolled in this program in order to get my masters degree. I choose online out of convenience. As we all know, time is precious and I spend a lot of my spare time working on things for my classroom and my students. So, I thought that online would be the best option for me. I just finished my first class through UF, and it was great! I’m looking forward to completing my degree through UF and hope that all of my classes are as beneficial as my first one was!
Kevin
I teach college preparatory physics at Woodward Academy. Although I've always seen myself as a lifelong learner, I've been unsure what opportunity would next present itself. After some time away from the classroom as a student, I'm really excited to undertake this online program. I think online learning represents the
future of higher education for working professionals. Physics lends itself
so well to the application of technology that exploring the educational technology field will be a natural complement to my teaching. I'm looking forward to working with people all over the country - and as I found out in my first class, the world - in
this program.
Matt
I am the Instructional Technology Coach at Brentwood Elementary School in Sarasota, FL. I've taught 8th grade math and have been a Technology Facilitator/Coach (same job, new name) for the last 5 and a half years. I look forward to honing my current skills and building upon them with new ones. This program will greatly improve my ability to affect technological change in my school.
Mary
I have a MLS (Masters of Library and Information Science) degree from the University of South Florida. Currently I'm the Distance Education Librarian at the Health Science Center Libraries here at UF. I have been in this position for about 2.5 years. I provide library related services for all distance students in HSC programs. I am currently involved in library instruction for the DL students including tutorial and web development. I'm interested in all aspects of distance education and how libraries can enhance the educational experience.
I've enrolled in this program because I've wanted to go back to school almost from the moment I finished the MLS degree. I thoroughly enjoy learning and I think an education degree will improve my ability to provide instruction as a librarian and infinitely improve my employability. I chose UF because of the reputation of the College of Education, and because I work here it makes sense. I chose the online program because of the flexibility. It allows me to continue working full time, obtaining a degree, and manage family life.
Derek
I’m a 1988 graduate of UF with a Degree in Business Administration. I worked as a systems analyst and training manager before transitioning into teaching last summer. I absolutely love it and feel I have found my calling. I am currently employed by the School District of Hillsborough County as a teacher. I taught at Bloomingdale High last year and begin at Plant High at the end of July. Plant is my alma mater so I’m very excited about returning ‘home’. I’m certified to teach Business Education and will be teaching Web Design and Business Skills this year.
I chose this program for two reasons: It is the University of Florida after all. Since I’m a graduate and a still a huge Gator fan, the program immediately went to the top of my list of choices. Second, the online program makes it so easy for me. I have two small children and a new career. Both are demanding. What better way than to work when I have the free time and at my convenience. It’s perfect.
I’m wrapping up my first two classes (both A’s I believe) and am absolutely thrilled at how much I have learned and how much I can immediately introduce into my classroom.
Jayne
I teach computer skills to Pre-K to 5th graders. However, next year my position will change. We are a charter conversion school. We really need to drop a “specials” teacher, but they didn’t know which to pick so next year I will teach half the day second grade and the other half computer. I’m looking forward to the challenge, and I also want to try out my technology integration in a “regular” classroom instead of in the computer lab. I know that’s what supposed to be happening.
I was teacher of the year in 1996 when I was teaching the Self Contained Emotionally Handicapped Class. That is where I first began to discover the impact that technology could have on instruction. ESE also has its own money, so we could be creative in how we spent our dollars. I began with Apple computers. I became really comfortable with supporting them in the school so when a position came open to teach in the computer lab, I jumped at it. I’ve been there ever since. When I first entered this position, the children were very unskilled. Now, many more have computers at home, and I really have to keep 3 steps ahead of them. Two years ago, our county started a lease program so we switched to HP computers. I am fortunate to have experience in both platforms, because as well as teaching, I still do most of the support at my school.
As for this degree, most of my training has been on the job. I really wanted to get back to school. We are so isolated in the classroom. I know there are things happening, but as a teacher, sometimes, we can just get through the day. I have attended FETC for the past 4 years, so that has helped me keep up a little. I’m hoping to share much of what I learn with my teachers and try to keep them current also. I’m hoping to enable us to do great things here!!
Christina
I teach seventh grade gifted language arts at Westglades Middle School in Florida. Although teaching is not my first "chosen career," I absolutely love the opportunities I'm presented with each day through my students. Being able to learn more about techonology integration is not just for me, it's for my current and future students as well. I expect they will reap as many of the benefits of my participation in this program as I will. I'm completing my third year of teaching, my second year with highly gifted students.
Jessica
I currently teach 8th grade reading but am about to switch to 5th grade and return to elementary school for the next school year. I live in Tamarac, FL and will be teaching here in the fall as well. I graduated from the University of South Florida with a degree in Elementary Education and ESOL endorsement. I have competed my endorsements in gifted as well as reading. I chose this program because I always want to learn more and when I saw that UF offered me the opportunity to complete my degree on-line, I jumped at the chance. I am a newlywed, married since October to the man who I have been dating for the last 11 years (we have been dating since I was 15) and I couldn't be happier.
Joey
I am the elementary principal at Westwood Christian School. Before moving to Miami in June of 2004, I worked in Memphis, TN, as a teacher for five years and as a K-12 administrator for 4 years. I chose this program because I see technology as a vital component of education today and especially of tomorrow. I plan to use the skills I acquire in this program to assist my pursuit of being an authentic instructional leader for my faculty which will in turn equip them to provide our students with technology rich learning experiences.
Shelly
I am currently teaching first grade at Woodlawn Elementary in Florida. This is my first full year as a full time public school teacher. I am on the school's technology committee. The online program is perfect for me. I am a widow with two children--ages 10 and 15--and an aging parent to look after. The flexibility of working at home is the biggest most important reason for choosing the online program.
Kim
I am currently a homemaker who taught Spanish for 9 years. Several of my students have placed in the top 3 in the state of Florida on the National Spanish Exam, and have won the Spanish Award (& Scholarship) given by the Florida Teachers of Spanish & Portuguese. I have also coached three teams for the Florida State Spanish Competition and two of them placed in the top 3 in their division. I have a lesson plan published in a local resource called "The Arts Edge".
Personally, I am raising two children to become productive citizens. I am a recreational runner and finished first in my age group in my most recent race. I am enrolling in this program because I want to keep up with current trends in education while I am at home. It will also keep my mind stimulated and fresh (patty cake only gets you so far). When I return to the work force, I would like to work with fellow teachers instructing them how to incorporate technology into their classrooms.
Vicky
I work as training manager for a real estate / mortgage / title company group. My main tasks are to evaluate, implement and train associates on new software and software updates and to communicate changes in laws. I also keep the web sites and databases up to date and often act as the IT help desk.
I live and work in Wellington, Fl, which is just west of West Palm Beach.
My background is in instructional design. I worked at AT&T Wireless for 12 years in the IT Training dept developing online courseware for a user community of 20,000. I really enjoyed it, but my old job is now overseas.
My daughter is a junior at UF. She is a Detla Zeta officer and was a cheerleader her freshman year. She is majoring in Elementary Education. She absolutely loves her life at UF. My middle daughter is a freshman at University of North Florida in Jacksonville majoring in Journalism. She is already assistant sports editor at the school newspaper, and she’s only been there a month! Then I have Emily who is 4 years old. All I can say is that life is full of surprises! Good ones, mostly!
I have been hunting for a quality online master’s program for quite some time, and I was very excited when I saw this one. I am thrilled to be a student again. An intellectual challenge is a necessity for me!
Go Gators!
