EPSE 590: A Student’s Experience
SPED provides graduate-level education to school districts where travel is usually an issue for students.
In doing this, they utilize a cohort model consisting of at least 20 students who are committed to working collectively on their degrees over a two-and-a-half year period.
Dr. Elizabeth Jordan,
EPSE 590 Instructor
After several years as an adviser for such cohorts, I’ve noticed how students seem to form unforgettable bonds with one another across various schools and districts. They do this by providing unparalleled support for one another throughout the program and also within their own schools.
Each student has his/her own journey; each having a unique personal story.
Woven throughout their experience is the bond that develops, creating a special synergy within the group. I’ve seen this bond act as a kind of support glue that holds the group together, especially when family, work, and school obligations become difficult to juggle. Often you will hear that students were able to finish the degree because of the support they received from their colleagues in class.
Here, you’ll find a digital story that provides a journey through this experience from a recent cohort. Enjoy their personal stories and see how individuals unite to form an extraordinary cohort.
Ali’s Story
Mission
What has been your proudest accomplishment in this program?
Successfully completing the program was a proud accomplishment for me. A full time working teacher, who is a single mom of two boys, one with special needs. If I can do it, anyone can!
Tell us about your final project…
My final project was a comparison between our current education system and shoes. Yes, shoes. If you think about it there is a perfect comparison between the two. The basic premise is that education is not a one size fits all and requires levels of support and different styles for different people. My Response to Intervention in middle school presentation has been very helpful as our district is moving towards implementing that model next year in our middle and high schools(s).
What is your fondest memory with your cohort?
I have so many great memories from the cohort, picking one would be hard. I would have to say the people I met and shared my Tuesday nights with, they all contributed to my learning, personal growth and funny bone.
Alison’s Story
Abbotsford
What has been your proudest accomplishment in this program?
My greatest accomplishment during this program was to work with two of my colleagues to create a math program for the Learning Disabilities Society of the Fraser Valley. The foundation for the program is based on the best teaching practices we learned during this program.
Tell us about your final project…
Completing the final project was challenging but focusing and summarizing all your course work into three goal really helped me to see how much I had achieved during this program.
What is your fondest memory with your cohort?
My fondest memories of this cohort would be the conversations in the car that I would have with my colleagues from Langley, as we commuted together to all the courses.
Amy’s Story
Maple Ridge
What has been your proudest accomplishment in this program?
Increased confidence speaking/presenting in front of peers; validation of personal philosophies, techniques and teaching approaches; better equipped to meet the needs of students, parents and colleagues.
Tell us about your final project…
Three explicit goals set the framework for my final project:
- To develop an understanding of the social, emotional and academic needs of students with different learning needs in order to increase their self-confidence, independence and self-advocacy skills.
- To further develop an understanding of best practice for children with learning disabilities to build a larger repertoire of effective teaching strategies.
- To be a leader and source of support for colleagues in my school in regards to best practice for students with different learning needs.
What is your fondest memory with your cohort?
With such a wonderful, supportive group it’s hard to choose just one! The laughter, snacks and incredible range of personal experiences shared are missed. It was great to have such a broadly experienced sounding board for issues at work, bouncing new ideas off of and encouragement when it was needed.
Learn more about Amy’s EPSE 590 Graduating Seminar final project.
Anna’s Story
Mission
What has been your proudest accomplishment in this program?
I completed a project on Metacognition in which everything I knew about learning and metacognition came together. Also, I was able to overcome my fear of speaking in public and am currently teaching a course at Kwantlen University, and I received a scholarship for co-designing and teaching a developmental math program for the LDABC.
Tell us about your final project…
My final project helped me knit threads of ideas that were present throughout the Masters program together with my values and experience. Through a framework provided by Vygotsky’s theories of learning, the goal of my final power point was to provide samples of big ideas that resonated and effected how I teach. One sample included a passion project designed to focus on self-determination and the social aspects of learning in ones ZPD. Another sample was our math project which incorporated metacognitive teaching supports presented in a developmental game based format designed to provide students with opportunities to experience and celebrate their success.
What is your fondest memory with your cohort?
My fondest memory besides the support, food, and always having someone on hand to answer a question via email was when we met together after having completed a particularly difficult course and Ali introduced us to our new instructor as ‘Team Awesome’! We did have our awesome moments!
Learn more about Anna’s EPSE 590 Graduating Seminar final project.
Carly’s Story
Maple Ridge
What has been your proudest accomplishment in this program?
Being able to merge theory and practice to provide positive changes for my students. With the help of peer tutors, my class entered and won the “INCLUDED” 2013 video contest presented by the Canucks Autism Network. In 2014, I was able to plan and host an adapted sports day for all high school aged students with special needs in SD42.
Tell us about your final project…
The academic focus of my graduating seminar allowed me to explore the following broad objectives in greater detail:
- To provide students and families with best practices in support using evidence based practices.
- To develop a deeper understanding of inclusion, and how to use this knowledge and help support colleagues with students in their classes.
- To become a leader in my community, and to help facilitate the provision of high-quality support and opportunities at the community level for individuals with special needs and their families.
What is your fondest memory with your cohort?
The lasting collegiality that was established and has continued beyond the program.
Kirsten’s Story
Maple Ridge
What has been your proudest accomplishment in this program?
Other than finishing the program itself, my proudest accomplishment is my blog designed to help teacher support gifted learners in my school district.
Tell us about your final project…
My final project was a PowerPoint presentation that supported, through research, the need for my district as well as others to have an elementary classroom for those with learning disabilities.
The other part of the project was a website designed to show my learning journey over the three years.
What is your fondest memory with your cohort?
My amazing cohort – we are a wealth of information and together we are spreading the word to change our education system needs. We are building capacity in our schools, we are collaborative, pedagogy changers and implement systems to better support our students/schools.
Learn more about Kirsten’s EPSE 590 Graduating Seminar final project.
Marta’s Story
Maple Ridge
What has been your proudest accomplishment in this program?
The book “Look at All The Colours” is my proudest accomplishment. It was a labour of love; love for my daughter and love for my profession. I work with many students, who have amazing gifts, but in our system they are not always able to express themselves to their best capability. I wish each teacher could see and praise some of these unique gifts.
Tell us about your final project…
With the “everybody is gifted” idea in mind I made a tribute presentation called Giftedness in Autism. Although the title seems specifically directed at the two certain domains: giftedness in autism, the idea is that educators should focus on what their students can do and are often very good at it rather that criticize their students needs and challenges. I needed to show that each student is valuable, each expresses it differently. On that note, not only academics matter, but so does art, music, drama, metal or wood works among other gifts. Such gifts should be praised by educators and used to students’ benefit. Let the students express themselves.
What is your fondest memory with your cohort?
I do not have one specific memory. I miss our conversations, our observations, our shared passions. Our silent nodding or loud exclamations of approval or disapproval while we pretty much always agreed on the subject of the proper, just, and student-friendly education. I miss the connection.
Learn more about Marta’s EPSE 590 Graduating Seminar final project.
LEARN MORE ABOUT EPSE 590