Congratulations, Graduates!In celebration of your graduation, we asked for your Education stories & memories.

Here are just a few of the messages you shared...

A fabulous classroom managment professor in our Masters program impressed me with her tales from the classroom and real, useable strategies for management.

When I was discouraged this year with a rollercoaster of behaviors in my classroom, I went straight for my notes and materials from her class. I truly appreciate the incredible tools she provided for my work as a teacher!

- Jen Diebling Educational Psychology - MSPE

I had a life-changing experience student teachingat Leopold Elementary in a Dual Language Immersion classroom.

Our cooperating teacher was a Puerto Rican woman with a very progressive and creative approach to meeting the needs of her at-risk latino students. We learned that students need to have their basic needs met before they are able to learn, and we helped create a sense of community in the classroom. The kids loved us, but we were the ones who truly benefitted with the skills we earned in language teaching and classroom management.

I learned more in one day of student teaching at Leopold than I could have in an entire semester of methods class. I value the opportunity, and I plan to apply for Bilingual jobs in the future because of it.

- Jamie Bemis World Language Education- Spanish

Every class I had with my peers in the School of Education was a unique and special experience.

I value the times that I spent with my peers who have become some of my closest friends and who will all become amazing teachers and touch students’ lives.

I learned more from my classmates’ insights and ideas than I ever could have imagined.

I would like to thank these very remarkable future teach-ers, our wonderful TAs and professors who are such pas-sionate educators, and my mom, dad, and sister for their love and support. On, Wisconsin!

- Allison Hrkac Secondary Education - English

I came to UW after completing a 34-year career in the United States Air Force.

I chose to study Rehabilitation Psychology as I wanted my “encore career” to be in service of fellow veteransexperiencing challenges in adjustment to both the mental and physical impacts of war.

I was aided immeasurably by the University staff and the practicum/intern site supervisors where I experienced the challenges of working the the mental health field at the county, state, and federal levels. Mental health professionals truly are the “silent heroes”, coping with with long hours, demanding caseloads, and low pay. I am truly honored and inspired that UW has given me the opportunity to join the ranks of these professionals!

-Daniel Eagle Rehabilitation Psychology & Special Education

I had a wonderful experience with the School of Education.

Advisors were alwasy welcoming and ready to answer all my questions, they made me feel important and noticed on this campus.

I had received a high quaility academic and community experience from all the courses and service learning projects. Their overall support has been increadible throughout my 5 years as an undergraduate. Thank you School of Education!

-Cesilia Gonzalez Rehabailitation Psychology

I have had a number of extremely positive experiences through the UW School of Education. It’s hard to pick out one in particular to share! Instead I would like to thank a number of people in the SOE who have helped me to navigate through the difficulties of college, have contributed to my educational suc-cess, and have rounded me into the person that I am today.

First, I would like to extend a very appreciative thank you to Margot Kennard. Since my freshman year she has aided me in picking out my classes, checking on my status, and helping me find resources for anything that I needed. If she could not help me personally, she would help me find someone who could. She has been understanding, genuine, and exceedingly helpful, and I am so grateful that I could have her as an adviser.

I would also like to thank the staff in the Educational Policy Studies Department, namely: Dr. Michael Fultz, Dr. Carole Trone, Dr. Adam Nelson, and Mr. Kirk Anderson. The classes that I have been privileged enough to take with these professors have shaped my views and expanded my spectrum of understanding. Each of these professors fueled their classes with passion for their field of study, which made attending lectures much more than simply attaining an education. The impressions that they have made on me have influenced who I have become, and will influence my future practice.

Lastly, I would like to thank the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, and the professors that have given me a quality education.

A heartfelt thanks to all, and On Wisconsin! - Elizabeth Rose Communication Sciences & Disorders/ Educational Policy Studies

I have had such a wonderful experience in the School of Education. I made excellent friends, met some truly inspiring teachers and professors, and I got to work with so many amazing stu-dents. Coming from a family of educators, I have had endless encouragement, and, as I move for-ward, I will think back to my friends who helped me discover the teacher and person I hope to become.

- Anne Vander Zee Secondary Education-English

I loved being in the Kinesiology program because

you were able to have many of your classes with the

same people.

This is where I also met some of my closest friends

that I will have for the rest of my life. I also loved the

fact that I was able to study abroad in Italy for a sum-

mer. That was one of my favorite college experiences

that I will always cherish. - Breanna Smith

Kinesiology

I would like to thank all the professors and TA’s in the Kinesiology program. I could not have asked for a better experience!

On Wisconsin!- Kate WroblewskiKinesiology- EMS

I would like to thank Cohort H and Learning Community 2 for always being so supportive of each other!

We have had some great times and made amazing memories. I have made best friends here and have had amazing experiences.

- Jodie Berman Secondary Education - Math

I would like to thank Kristin Papoi and Beth Sondel

for inspiring me to be the best teacher that I can be

during my fourth semester in the Elementary

Education program.

They both had so much faith in me, and helped me to

build confidence in myself and I wouldn’t be the teacher

I am today without them. I also would like to thank

Gary Price for teaching me so much during 660!

He was really dedicated to his students during that class,

and I became a much better teacher (and writer and

debater) because of it.

- Melanie Zaferos

Elementary Education

I would like to thank my methods teacher, Tracy Carolan, for being an unending source of encouragement and wisdom through my student teaching year.

Her role in my formative year as an educator set me on the path to be the math teacher that I always wanted to be.

Furthermore, she gave her students the tools to go forward and continue to improve our practice as we make our transition into the professional world. She instilled on me the ability to balance satisfaction from a job well done with the drive to always serve my students better.

Thank you, Tracy!

-Bob Wiedenhoeft Secondary Education - Math

I would like to thank my parents, Rich and Kris

Simonson, for all of the encouragement, support,

and love that they have given me throughout my

college career. I’m so grateful for all that they have

done for me and my brothers as we continue to

find ourselves in the world.

- Kayla Simonson

Secondary Education

My favorite experience was my TA-ship where I was an instructor for students struggling academically as part of the Academic Enhancement Seminar course offered in the Counseling department. It was so wonderful to watch students grow and support one another.

- Macarena Correa Counseling Psychology

My time and work in the school of edu-cation led me down a path that eventu-ally took me all the way to Uganda for a part of my student-teaching experience. It was a journey that I will never regret, and will always remember. I would like to thank Mary Thompson-Shriver for being a phenomenal adviser and a won-derful woman. My time at the School of Education would not have been the same without her.

-Steve Strauss Elementary Education

On my first day at the School of Education, I was put into a “learning team” with three strangers. We were sent off to do something together that none of us had done before, which led to us planking on the Memorial Union Terrace.

We were having so much fun that we lost track of time and returned late to our meeting. Because of that, we were forced to sing (and dance to) “I’m a Little Teacup” in front of 60 strangers.

The three of us became collectively known as Team:Verona and spent the next four semesters learning, working, travelling, and teaching together. We ate at Wingstop and stayed up til 3 am working on an 82-page CLP. We even did a Polar Plunge together!

These three people have become 3 of my best friends in the entire world and I am so thankful for the School of Education bringing us together.

- Lauren EhlersSecondary Education-Social Studies

Some of the best times of my UW experience were spent with Cohort H while sifting through readings, collaborat-ing on projects, and sharing our best pun jokes.

I am so grateful to the English Ed group (and our fabulous teachers) for creating a space where I could take risks and grow as a teacher, a reader, a writer, and an individual.

This program ignited powerful friendships among people on whom I continue to rely for encouragement and excellent ideas about Shakespeare, social justice, and comic books. Thank you all so much.

Next year, I will be heading to Muskego High School where I will begin my career as a Secondary English Educator. Mom, Dad, and Dan, I couldn’t have done this without you all! Love you tons!

-Erica Czernicki Secondary Education - English

The best experience about the School of Education here at the UW would be my very first class in the program: Intro to Education with Professor Carl Grant.

I remember meeting him on the first day and being scared out of my mind-literally, but then I got to know Carl as he prefers to be called and found him to be a kind and nurturing individual along with the direct, in your face persona as well.

He made me realize that teaching is not about saving children, it is about seeing the amount of potential each child has and helping them to reach that potential.

Thank you Carl and UW for helping me on my journey to become the greatest educator that I can be!

- Kristan Ventress Elementary Education