Online Education - Testimonials

From: Harrison McCoy
To: Ford, Randal F
Subject: Testimonial for UTA COE
Sent: Fri 4/15/2005 8:14 AM

Dr. Ford,

I recently completed requirements for and received my Mid Level Language Arts certification from SBEC. I was recommended by UTA after completing the program in the College of Education. During that time I had attended on-campus classes with Dr. Alcala and Dr. Theriot and took on-line classes with Dr. Hadaway. I want to take this opportunity to thank you officially for the excellent experiences I had while in the program at UTA. My personal road to certification was a long and sometimes tortuous one. I actually began certification processes twice before – in two other states – at the University of California and in the Louisiana State University system. I finally finished and the practical simplicity of your program was a major factor.

As an administrator on my campus I work with many faculty members who are alternative certification interns and this year we have had ten different AC programs represented on my campus. I have had a chance to observe the quality of training that they are receiving in their programs and the way it has prepared them to work on my faculty. Bar none, the training I received in the UTA certification program exceeds what I see coming from other entities – including Region XI and Region X. I recommend it whenever I have the chance.

From: Nancy Hoehn
To: Ford, Randal F
Subject: Barcoded form for TExES test
Sent: Wed 4/20/2005 7:57 AM

Thanks Dr. Ford! I appreciate your help! I just talked with an education counselor on base today & raved how supportive everyone has been in the process. They were not aware of any online certification program that has a student teaching agreement with DoDDS. I will e-mail her the details of the UTA program today and hope her referrals won’t be all getting their certification in secondary science <grin>. We do appreciate everyone’s support & tenacity with the process. The education counselor said they have a number people asking how to get certified to teach for the DoDDS schools, while living overseas. Professional jobs are very limited for Americans overseas and there are a lot of people who would like to teach in the DoDDS schools, but have no idea of how to get started. The online program has been perfect for us. Jules even completed his certificate within a year while working full time, being sent TDY (temporary duty), and raising three teens. He’s the most field independent person I know! Thank you again for sending the form, I will watch for next week.

From: Kimberly Frazier
To: 'Nancy L Hadaway'
Subject: RE: UTA READ 5345. Newsleter Information Needed
Sent: 7/8/2003 8:00 PM Importance: Normal
Background and future plans: I taught elementary school for three years and then decided to be a "stay at home mom" when my son was born. I have been out of professional teaching for 10 years. I wanted to teach at my son's private Christian school which requires their teachers to have a Masters. In Georgia, there was not a single University that provided a masters program during the day. I wanted to go to school while my children were in school. Not being there for them after school was not an option in my mind, so I began surfing the internet for online programs. After extensive research, UTA was one of the top two reputable Universities that provided a completely online degree. It took me 18 months and a great deal of "low-sleep" nights to complete, but it has been worth every bit. I now have a position to teach third grade this fall at my son's private school. :-) Dr. Hadaway has been an immense help in making my hope become a reality. I hope to stay connected to online education because I believe it is the wave of the future.

From: Tiffany Herrmann
To: hadaway@uta.edu
Subject: Re: UTA READ5326.0 Newsletter Information Needed
Sent: 7/4/2003 8:37 AM Importance: Normal
I could not have pursued on my Master's Degree while working full time if it were not for the online classes. I teach pre-k at Lackland Elementary in San Antonio, but I live in a small town an hour outside of San Antonio. I would not have had the time to take classes every evening.

From: John Rynearson
To: hadaway@uta.edu
Subject: Re: UTA READ 5345. Newsleter Information Needed
Sent: 7/4/2003 8:16 AM Importance: Normal
Dr. Hadaway,I think I fit all three categories! I'll try to sum it up as best I can.I'm a native Texan who has been teaching English in Japan for three years. I wanted to obtain professional credentials to teach in Texas when (and if ) I come back. And if I never do come back, the M.Ed. will definitely help me in finding other teaching jobs around the world. -John Rynearson, Sagamihara, Japan; I teach English conversation, business, and test preparation courses for Nova, the biggest language school in Japan.

From: Gloria Palomo
To: hadaway@uta.edu
Subject: newsletter statement
Sent: 7/4/2003 9:03 AM Importance: Normal
I have two very active children, a full-time teaching position and a household to maintain. Without the on-line option available with the UT system, I would be unable to pursue my goal of becoming a reading specialist in a bilingual/ESL environment. This option has allowed me to continue my education, while fitting the classes into my busy schedule.

From: Lori Pierson
To: hadaway@uta.edu
Subject: Re: Newsletter Information response
Sent: 7/4/2003 9:55 AM Importance: Normal
I am so thrilled to have this online education opportunity available to me! As a single working mother of two teenagers living in Coppell, I need the flexibility to attend classes online when it's most convenient to me, and not struggle battling traffic to make it to campus on time. This online option has relieved so much stress, and given me an option that I never would have considered otherwise. Also, since I am a "special student" at UTA, this opportunity has shown me that I can handle the higher education programs and given me the confidence to apply to the graduate school, having received my undergraduate degree 24 years ago! Additionally, though, I am a visual and independent learner, and appreciate the ability to read and work at my own pace, and not have to fidget sitting in a lecture hall. When I do have questions and need the interaction, it is readily available to me. It is also nice to be able to participate on an equal basis, and not have the dominant talkers discourage the quieter ones. The learning and sharing experience is so much better, plus you can print the items worth keeping for future reference. I'm pursuing my ESL endorsement, about to take on my first year in a teaching position at a Plano Middle School teaching Spanish. However, I'm also teaching ESL to adults in the evenings. Lori PiersonCoppell, TX

From: wendy pena
To: hadaway@uta.edu
Subject: RE: Newsletter Information Needed
Sent: 7/4/2003 11:47 AM Importance: Normal
My name is Wendy Pena and I live in Arlington TX. I am a flight attendant, wife, and mother of 2 children under 3 yrs old. Without online classes I would never have been able to pursue my goal of becoming a certified language teacher.

From: Lydia Melton
To: Hadaway@uta.edu
Subject: Online options
Sent: 7/4/2003 12:57 PM Importance: Normal
Dr. Hadaway, My name is Lydia Melton and I teach ESL for Arlington ISD. I reside in Arlington. I really enjoyed taking classes online because it was convenient for me. The last six hours I took for my certification were online (Spring 2002). Taking these courses online helped me because I had 3 children and one on the way. During my last pregnancy, I was really sick so I would've missed a lot of class time but by having the online course I could work at my pace and around the sickness. Also, after working all day at school and then trying to have down time, online options made it easier. I could do my work anytime, especially after I put the children down for bed. I could squeeze time in during my lunch, if necessary. I liked the idea of not having to fight the traffic on Cooper Street and trying to find a parking spot. I could have the comfort of my home around me. I didn't have to rush to class either. Having small children at home, online options made it easier because I didn't need a sitter or make sure my husband would be home in time for the children. I hope this helps. Thank for involving me.

From: Natalie Watkins
To: hadaway@uta.edu
Subject: RE: UTA READ5361. Newsletter Information Needed
Sent: 7/4/2003 1:35 PM Importance: Normal
Dr. Hadaway, I live in San Antonio and would not be able to attend classes if online education was not an option. My husband and I share a car and transportation can be tricky. I also have a baby and it is great to not have to worry about child care options. I have a regular elementary teaching certificate and am interested in possibly pursuing a position as a reading specialist. Thanks, Natalie Watkins

From: crwmrw
To: hadaway@uta.edu
Subject: Re: UTA READ5361. Newsletter Information Needed
Sent: 7/4/2003 1:35 PM Importance: Normal
The flexibility of online classes has allowed me to pursue a Master's degree without missing special events in the lives of my children and students. The challenge to update my skills and implement new strategies benefits my current students and the attainment of the degree will give me professional options. Sandi Woodrow Special Education Teacher Shackelford Junior High Arlington, Texas

From: JeffandNancy Baker
To: hadaway@uta.edu
Subject: Re: UTA READ 5345. Newsleter Information Needed
Sent: 7/5/2003 7:22 PM Importance: Normal
We have a growing number of students who live outside the U.S. are pursuing programs with us through online courses. If this is the case for you, please write a sentence telling how you found out about the programs at UTA and relate some of the challenges of taking courses online from another country. Then, tell us about your goals and why online education has helped you meet those goals. Be sure to include your name, teaching assignment ( if applicable) and where you live. As an American living overseas, I hoped to diversify my teaching credentials to optimize my ability to reenter the American school system, ESL and reading appealed to me the most. Upon searching the internet, UTA was the only program that met my goals; online but not real time, affordable, and a Reading with ESL program accepted by my state of certification. My largest challenges have been obtaining books and materials, adjusting our calendar with the school's calendar, and finding study groups for my research papers. The school has been reasonably accomodating in meeting my overseas needs, particularly with moving between postings; however the materials issues linger.

From: DeAnna Ramos
To: Hadaway@uta.edu
Subject: Newsletter
Sent: 7/5/2003 2:08 PM Importance: Normal
I live in Jal, New Mexico, a small town in the southeastern corner of NM 8 miles from Texas on either side. I have been a prekindergarten teacher in Texas for the past three years. I chose to pursue an online master's degree because my children are in junior high and high school and I am not willing to miss out on their activities by commuting to college. I found this degree by checking out UTPB's website for online programs. DeAnna Ramos

From: Kory Hicks
To: Hadaway@uta.edu
Subject: Newsletter
Sent: 7/5/2003 2:18 PM Importance: Normal
Online courses have really helped me because it allowed me to flex my schedule more with work. I didn't have to have two evening occupied with school or to take off during the day. I also like the fact that most classes are offered online and in the classroom. I think some classes have more to offer in the traditional setting. All in all, though, online courses have helped me a lot. Kory Hicks Recreation Director Masonic Home and School of Texas

From: James Williams
To: hadaway@uta.edu
Subject: Re: UTA READ5362. Newsletter Information Needed
Sent: 7/5/2003 10:07 PM Importance: Normal
My name is Luisa Williams. I am married with one child and I am currently teaching Kindergarten for BISD. My schedule is busy and sometimes it is difficult to attend on campus classes. Online courses have been the best support to meet my educational goals. I can work at my own pace and from home. My goal it is to finish my M. of Ed. in Teaching using online courses as my principal resource to accomplish my goal.

From: Tracy and John Smith
To: hadaway@uta.edu
Subject: Re: UTA READ5362. Newsletter Information Needed
Sent: 7/5/2003 12:20 PM Importance: Normal
Being new to the Fort Worth area and having been out of college for about 5 years, I did not know about online classes until I applied to UTA to obtain certification to teach at the master's level. I was able to utilize this type of teaching to fit into my busy life with 3 children, a husband who is in the military, running my own business and being very involved in my children's school PTA boards. I was able to finish my degree requirements in about half the time it would have taken me if I had to be on campus for all my classes. I am currently working towards obtaining my teaching certification at the master's level as I have an undergraduate degree in social work but did not want to persue this area of my career any further. Tracy Smith, starting internship and residency Fall 2003 for M.Ed in curriculum and instruction to be a secondary history teacher.

From: Laura Shive
To: hadaway@uta.edu
Subject: Re: UTA READ 5345. Newsletter Information Needed
Sent: 7/7/2003 4:28 AM Importance: Normal
My name is Laura Thompson Shive and I am currently employed as a teacher and test administrator at a local Sylvan Learning Center. I had to quit my elementary classroom teaching position after suffering a brain injury in an auto accident. It is unlikely that I will be able to return to a full classroom, but working with students is smaller groups is quite feasible. I am pursuing my master's degree to become a reading specialist. At the time I enrolled in UTA's online program, I was unable to drive, so online learning was the only way that I could pursue my goal. The nearest university with a master's program meeting Virginia's requirements for Reading Specialist Certification is over an hour's commute one way. I found out about the UTA online program through gradschools.com and have been extremely pleased with the quality of education I am receiving. The flexibility of online learning as been a wonderful bonus.