Challenged to stay ahead of her students, Jane Sulser of Trussville, Ala., is exchanging her 30 years of third grade classroom experience for an EdD in Curriculum and Instruction.
There’s a lot to be counted after 30 years in a classroom — the books read aloud, the little notes and treasures shared by students, the hundreds, maybe thousands, of individual students directly taught, challenged and changed by their teacher’s attentive care and guidance. For Jane, that number of students included a few dozen student teachers.
When she retired from the school system, Jane didn’t retire from teaching. Instead, she exchanged third graders for college students at the nearby university campus where the student teachers had come from throughout the years.
After one semester, Jane was hooked. She discovered a new purpose in training and mentoring new teachers for their new and growing roles. Encouraged by her supervisor and friend, Jane decided to pursue her doctorate to expand her reach.
“I decided if I was going to teach at the college level, I needed to be Dr. Sulser,” said Jane.
Deciding on The University of Alabama for its distance-learning opportunities and the degree that she wanted, Jane began her degree on the now-shuttered Gadsden campus on Saturdays. While apprehensive about making the transition to UA Online when the Gadsden Center closed, Jane found she was still able to learn from classmates and engage with the course material.
“UA is staying a step ahead of what's out there; they’re on the cutting edge and use the latest research. We're well prepared to continue our careers. I can take whatever I've learned at UA, and I can mentor these teachers. I don't feel like I’m stuck back in the ’80s when I started teaching. I’m learning new stuff to mentor current teachers.”
Jane’s dedication to learn more so that she can be the best teacher educator she’s capable of has been noticed. She’s been recognized by the College of Education twice during Honors Week for her exceptional teaching abilities. She’s also been selected as a research assistant for two faculty members while she continues her dissertation work.
With her eyes on graduation, Jane’s not backing down now.
“I’ve got to finish this, because I still need to be on that higher ed level if I’m going to work with teachers and mentor them. I’m not there yet, but I’m still working on it. I’m going to graduate from UA. You know, there’s just something about saying that.”
Whether a fresh start or a bold move, UA Online is here for you. See all we have to offer at online.ua.edu/degrees.