CUW Master of Science in Education—Literacy alumna Karen DeWalt reflects with gratitude on her journey of achievement.
Editor’s note: DeWalt is a 6th grade science and social studies teacher in the Slinger School District. She graduated with her master’s degree from CUW in 2023. That same year she earned the Marsha Konz Graduate Educator Award from Concordia. She shares the following about her experience at CUW:
Concordia University of Wisconsin has all the desirable elements, qualities, and characteristics of a first-rate literacy program. It is the perfect university to earn a Master of Science in Education–Literacy: Reading Teacher and/or Reading Specialist (#1316/#5017 DPI licensures). In many ways, I can compare the literacy journey to the step-by-step journey a seed takes before it sprouts into a unique plant or flower.
CUW provides a nurturing and caring professional learning community, paired with highly supportive, positive, and experienced instructors. I continued to grow as I built the skills necessary to effectively implement and manage literacy programs for K-12 students. A sensible yet rigorous, well-organized, steady, and sequential flow of literacy coursework aligned with the 12 Wisconsin Administrator Standards prepared me for real-world classroom and school experiences with K-12 students. Completing each literacy course—including the portfolio, practicum, 5017 field work, and capstone—brought a rewarding sense of joy and accomplishment.
The moment arrived when I walked across Concordia’s graduation stage at the R. John Buuck Field House with a genuine feeling of gratitude and thankfulness to the Lord, my instructors and professors, and the family members who had been on the journey with me. Most importantly, I gained the confidence to lead and put into practice my professional knowledge as a K-12 Literacy Coach, Intervention Teacher, Reading Teacher, and Specialist. I am now fostering the love of reading and writing and educating today’s youth to become lifelong learners.
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