Nancy Mawhinney
Specialization: Reading Specialist, PreK-12 endorsement | Year of completion: Spring 2018 | Thesis title: N/A
Current position: Reading Specialist
Recent awards/recognitions:
Presenter at the 2016 SCORE (State Collaborative on Reforming Education) Summit Conference in Nashville, TN
2015-2016 Teacher of the Year for Andersonville Elementary School
Why did you choose to pursue your Master’s in Reading at UT?
Before attending UT, I had already obtained my master’s degree in educational theory and practice. However, I completed my reading specialist endorsement through UT. At the time, I had recently been hired as a reading specialist but needed to complete my endorsement. I contacted UT and applied for a curriculum review. It was determined I needed to complete two courses before taking the Praxis Reading Specialist exam. These courses included REED 605: Organizing and Administering Reading Programs, and REED 540: Teaching Struggling Adolescent Readers. The education program at UT has a good reputation, and I knew colleagues that completed coursework on campus. I also knew that I wanted to complete my coursework in person instead of online and that the classes would need to be offered in the evenings after work. Due to this, the campus needed to be within driving distance of my place of work. UT fulfilled all these requirements and I am pleased that I pursed and completed my reading specialist endorsement through UT.
A positive memory (or more):
My most memorable experience during my time at UT was my participation in the course REED 605: Organizing and Administering Reading Programs. I appreciated and valued that the time spent on the assignments were relevant and applicable to my daily work as an educator. The coursework allowed me to bridge the gap from theory to practice on a weekly basis in my own classroom and school setting. The climate and culture created in the classroom were equally memorable. I looked forward to the class each week and found myself invigorated during and after each class session. The experience felt like a group of colleagues meeting weekly to discuss best practices and share experiences. The knowledge and networking I have gained from this experience has lasted well beyond the semester in which I took the course.
How did the course of study in reading education at UT supported you in your current role?
My current teaching role is as a reading specialist at an elementary school. The courses I took to complete my reading specialist endorsement deepened my pedagogy in literacy. The additional knowledge I have gained through my coursework at UT has supported my reading instruction with students as well as working with adult learners in the role of a literacy coach. As an educator, I truly believe the value and necessity of being a lifelong learner. The courses I have completed at UT have supported my journey of continuously improving my effectiveness as an instructor whether it be with my students or collaborating with my fellow staff members.
Why should others consider attending the reading specialist courses and complete the certificate at UT?
The courses I took at UT to complete my reading specialist endorsement were held in the evenings. I appreciated the convenience of being able to work full time while also attending classes. I found that the two classes I took, REED 540 and REED 605, were interesting and relevant to my daily instruction. The instructors were relatable, approachable, professional, and valued student participation and collaboration in their classrooms. The time I invested in attending these courses and completing coursework was impactful and meaningful.