Graduate level educators make thesis presentations
Twelve candidates received their Master of Science in Education diplomas this May. Prior to commencement, they had presented their theses to faculty and interested guests.
The graduates are Cynthia Sprenger, Donna Scott, Alaina Santana, Jacob Sanders, Victoria Narkon, Carmen Moore, Lynne Marks, Courtney Lund, Kristina Horton, Karen Garland, Hollie Carlile, and Karen Belleque — the only graduate who presented offsite, for her employer/principal in Florida.
For the M.Ed. graduates, these 15-minute direct presentations followed by 10 minutes of Q & A represented two or more years of conducting research so as to make solid recommendations in their educational spheres of influence. Searching literature, analyzing variables, collecting data, working with advisors and revising studies were parts of that process.
The topics varied greatly based on the students’ professional goals and interests. Titles included “Teacher-Student Cultural Difference in Native American Classrooms,” “Mentoring an At-Risk Adolescent: A Case Study,” and “A Study of Placement Procedures for Junior High Math Classes.” Studies were directed toward all ages of learners in public, private, homeschool, and employment settings.
Regardless of the studies’ outcomes, however, the M.Ed. professionals are commonly equipped to analyze their programs’ effectiveness and streamline them. Graduate Alaina Santana, who researched “A Zero Tolerance Study Hall Program for High School Freshmen,” along with her colleagues, initiated policy adjustments between semesters because data showed an accountability loophole for students.
Victoria Narkon, who works with and, therefore, targeted adult learners for her project, says that she has already expanded the credentialing program she facilitates as a result of her research.
Corban faculty and personal guests of the M.Ed. graduates were invited to participate in the Q & A portion of the exercise. Director of Graduate Education Roy Bunch says, “Faculty members and visitors were impressed by the depth and professionalism of the thesis presentations.”
Bunch continues, “We are even more pleased now that these M.Ed. candidates are our colleagues and they will be representative of Corban’s graduate education programs in various and diverse educational settings.”
The M.Ed. program is for Christian educators who want to develop their leadership to address the needs of their school community. Each course equips educators to combine faith and profession by integrating a biblical worldview into personal and professional lives. Designed with the practicing educator in mind, the M.Ed. can be completed in realistic time frames and course loads.
