Student Comments

The middle level program has been very informative. In the program so far, I have learned about the history of middle schools, the difference between middle schools and junior high schools, the philosophy of middle schools, and qualities of exemplary middle schools. I have also learned about young adolescents and qualities that make them different and unique. I can honestly say that each night when I left class, I had learned at least one new thing about middle schools and/or young adolescents each night. I can not say that about all of my undergraduate courses. This program is helping me to become a better, more knowledgeable middle level teacher.

Shannon Knowles, Rock Hill School District

Being part of the middle level graduate program at Winthrop was a wonderful experience for me. I learned so much about young adolescent development and teaching strategies to help them be successful. The program is designed to help teachers incorporate the research they are studying in their classroom situation. Many opportunities are given for students in the program to utilize what they are learning. I also enjoyed the opportunities to discuss strategies and techniques with other middle school teachers. I would highly recommend the program to anyone interested in enhancing their middle school teaching experience.

Robin Reynolds, Rock Hill School District

Throughout my experience in the Middle Level Masters program I have grown tremendously. My growth has occurred in many areas, from growth as a teacher, an advocate for young adolescents, and a professional, to growth as a learner, a unique teacher, and one who has a true passion for her job. I have learned so much and have a much deeper understanding of what is required to be an effective teacher. Because of my participation in this program, my students will be taught better, cared for more, and be challenged to be the best they can be.

Robin Madden, Rock Hill School District

I have enjoyed my cohort experience. I have learned a tremendous amount of information that has helped me improve my teaching. Dr. Blackburn is an excellent teacher and a very caring advisor. She always takes time for her students and their needs. Dr. Blackburn truly exemplifies what she teaches!

Katherine Ledford, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools

I can honestly say that the Middle Level program has revolutionized my teaching. Not only do you learn about what the needs of young adolescents are but how to structure your teaching to meet those needs. You learn to interpret as well as conduct research--using it to improve your teaching and your school. I consider the knowledge and skills learned in the program invaluable and could not imagine teaching without them. In addition to these benefits is that of the cohort. The value of having a group of fellow teachers/students going through all of the same courses you are is priceless.

Karl Kosko, Rock Hill School District

Being part of the Middle Level graduate program has helped me tremendously! Since I began teaching in the middle of the program, I have learned so many techniques and strategies that help me meet the needs of adolescents so that they can become successful. The program has truly helped strengthen me as a teacher, and I feel that I know so much more about what adolescents need and ways to accommodate them. Every class that I have had in the Middle Level program has taught me so much about teaching, and I can honestly say that I am a better teacher having gone through this experience!

Lindsay Grant, Rock Hill School District

As I get closer to graduation, I look back on my experiences in the middle level program and realize just how much I have grown as a teacher. I have learned so much about adolescents and characteristics of a true middle school. I leave each class with new ideas and new strategies that help my students achieve academically. Being a part of this program makes me realize how much I enjoy teaching middle school students. Sharing this experience with other teachers has also been wonderful. I have grown so close with my fellow classmates because we have each other to lean on.

Jessica Bennett, York School District

Like so many other teachers, I never thought I would end up teaching middle school. Throughout my undergraduate studies I concentrated on secondary education with a concentration in English. I always wanted to be a high school English teacher. After I graduated I was disappointed to only receive interviews from middle schools. I decided to try it, thinking that it would probably be easier since the kids would be younger. I will spare you the details of my first year as a middle school teacher and fast forward to my current third year in which I have grown to see myself nowhere else. I owe a lot of this feeling to my current enrollment in Winthrop's off campus cohort. Within only a year I have learned not only about myself as a teacher, but what it takes to make a middle school successful. The off campus cohort has provided me a convenient and challenging way to professionally grow. Although I have never stepped foot on campus, Dr. Blackburn has made our group feel supported and a part of the university. I highly recommend anyone interested in professionally growing to look into what Winthrop has to offer.

Adam Myers, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools

As I progress through the Middle Level program, I see my growth as a teacher and as a leader. I often ask myself, how can someone teach middle school students without knowing what I have learned. I am aware of my students' needs and am equipped with knowledge and skills to be responsive to them. I drive an hour one way to attend class, but I feel like it is well-worth my time. In every course that I have taken, I have been able to implement what I have learned, and it is useful and practical. The support that I receive from my professors and classmates is amazing.

Natalie House, Richland School District 2

Being part of the Middle Level Cohort at Winthrop University has helped me to grow in many ways. I've learned to use educational research to guide my teaching. I've always tried to be innovative in my teaching, but now I use research based methods and techniques instead of the new trend. Overall, the program has made me a wiser teacher, and I have more confidence in myself as an educator and leader in my school. I have enhanced my research skills, developed a better understanding for how to help improve the middle school where I teach, and learned more about myself as a teacher and how I impact my students. It is a wonderful program and I am glad I have been able to participate in the program.

Gin Sorrow, Fort Mill School District

I have achieved far more than I expected from the Middle Level Masters program at Winthrop. The pay increase was my primary reason for entering the masters program, but the techniques and the knowledge outweigh the pay increase by far. I have definitely become a better teacher. I have developed a better perspective of what a quality middle school is and have a better understanding of the students (adolescents) I teach. I think the students have gained from my journey at Winthrop, I have shared information, research and problems with them throughout my graduate studies. Dr. Blackburn did a great job of building unity in this cohort that allowed us to stay together and assist one another. I have learned a lot about myself and about education in general. I could not imagine continuing in this profession without the knowledge I learned in the program (research and techniques).

The Masters of Middle Level Education program has given me new insight into teaching. I have gained a new understanding of the physical, emotional, mental, and developmental needs of my students that has allowed me to better serve them in my classroom. I highly recommend this program to any teacher who serves as a leader and mentor to adolescents. Dr. Blackburn has been the most helpful professor of any I have had. She had helped me to become a better teacher as well as a better person. While I was in the middle level master's program, I became more confident in my teaching and professional abilities. I learned how to do better research and how to make informed decisions that benefit my students. I am no longer simply a middle school teacher - I am now a middle school educator!

This program taught about who I am as an educator. I know my weaknesses and my strengths. I learned not to compare my success as teacher to others because I am unique. I am a traditional teacher and that doesn't make me a bad teacher. I just need to learn to use more variation in my instruction. I also learned that I can do things that I never thought I could do, like synthesizing information in a paper and making it look like a genius did. When I first started the Middle Level Programs I almost changed to a degree in Educational Leadership because I didn't think the program could offer me anything that would help me progress outside of the classroom, but I was so wrong. I have grown professionally and personally through this program. I have accomplished things that I thought were unachievable. One of my most pleasant experiences in my graduate program was having a caring advisor like Dr. Barbara Blackburn.

The Middle Level Education program at Winthrop University was GREAT!!! In my classes, I was given the opportunity to correlate the unique and creative ideas learned at the undergraduate level, with supporting research and analysis.

Being an elementary school teacher for over 15 years, I was very hesitant about transferring to the middle school level. Now I am glad I did. The Masters in Middle Level Education program has helped me to understand young adolescents and my daughter, who is in middle school, much better. The strategies I have learned have help me better assess their developmental needs and way of thinking. With the years of experience I have, including the five years I have been in the middle school, I thought I knew kids, but through this program I have learned things about middle school adolescents that I never knew existed. Dr. Blackburn's continued support and encouragement has help make the transition to middle school a pleasurable experience for me. She has also helped me become a better writer and taught me how to do good research. If you are a middle school teacher who is interested in pursuing a masters degree, I highly recommend this program.

None of my friends or fellow teachers could understand why an almost 50 year old teacher would want to go to graduate school, but I'm so glad I did. It has been a wonderful experience which has enriched my outlook on life and definitely impacted my classroom instruction and practices. I have a renewed enthusiasm for teaching!

In the middle level program, I have learned many things about middle school students. This program has helped to become more aware of my students' needs and how to address those needs in my classroom. I have also learned to become a researcher and learned about many middle school issues that have benefited by school.

Kelli Mew, Fort Mill School District

I would recommend the MLED program to those teachers wishing to broaden their teaching experiences and career. I cam into the program to get a Masters degree, but when I graduated I will have gotten much. I have gained some of the closest friends and colleagues that I have ever wished for. It truing has been a growing and teaching experience.