​​In the fall of 2010 I knew I wanted to continue my education. I was a first year teacher and had just completed my undergraduate degree in April 2010. It was important for me to start a master's degree not only for my professional career, but also for me personally. As I began to look into graduate schools, I knew I wanted to stand out. I wanted to go somewhere that my employers, colleagues, family and friends would know I challenged myself and went above and beyond the “typical” teacher graduate school. I knew I had to attend Michigan State University.

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As I look back at my goals those few short years ago and my goals now, not a lot has changed. I still have the same passion for education, if not stronger, and still enjoy education professionally and personally. One of my favorite subjects to learn and teach is still literacy. Because I teach such young children, I know how important literacy development is for their future success as students, in all subject areas. As I worked towards completing my master's program, I noticed that the way I taught literacy was evolving too. I now have a solid literacy block, every morning, which is comprised of reader's and writer's workshop. I love how I teach literacy, but I know that I need to continue to change and evolve for my students. Michigan State’s master's program, I believe, has taught me the skills to do this.

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Although I started with the notion of just having one area of concentration in literacy, something changed me along the way. Special education students were being integrated into my classroom and I needed to further my knowledge in this area of education. I added special education to my concentration areas for my master's program. This was probably the most enlightening, and fulfilling things I could have done. In my second year of teaching, I would get to work with one of the most wonderful students I had ever met. He was smart, challenging, and taught me something new every day. He had autism. At the beginning, the challenges began to take a toll on me personally, however this was about to change. One of the courses I took was on Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). This ASD course taught me tactics to help my students be successful in the classroom. My administration began noticing the progress I was making with this student and I always referenced my studies at Michigan State for my success. Special education had now become one of my new passions in education. It now is truly is one of the most rewarding things in my life.

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As my master's program comes to a close, I feel excited to be able to take the skills and knowledge I gained in my masters program and forever apply it to my teachings. ​​I am looking forward to adding Michigan State University to my resume and​ begining the next chapter in my professional life. Since education is still one of my personal passions in life, I believe some sort of degree, endorsement, or certification is in my near future. I look forward to my future in education and hope to continue to be the best teacher I can be.