Tammy Winstead
Program: Reading Education/ Teacher Education | Terminal Degree: Master of Science Specialization: Literacy Education | Year of completion: 2019 | Thesis title: Non-thesis option
Current position: N/A
Why did you choose to pursue your Master’s in Reading at UT?
My goal was to take the six required courses for a reading specialist endorsement. The reason I decided to seek a master’s degree was twofold: first, I realized there were only five more classes to obtain a masters and second, I already had a masters, and adding another one could, eventually, increase my pay— providing I was hired in a certified teaching position. The University of Tennessee was where I received my master’s degree nearly fifteen years prior to taking REED courses, so I had great confidence in its reputation. Another reason I chose UT’s reading program was due to a recommendation from a colleague, Lynn Tschaplinski, who had received her reading specialist endorsement from UT.
A positive memory (or more):
First, all the professors I studied under were absolutely fantastic. From the perfect student- teacher ratio to their individual teaching pedagogy, they went above and beyond my expectations. For me, each class brought its own unique perspective to reading education. With every lens, the focus provided individual professors the liberty to expand on his/her given topic of study. Never before have I experienced classes that involved so many hands-on activities that were relevant to the assigned readings. Not only were these activities practiced directly after reading about them, but they were a continuous spiral—resurfacing and blending when discussed in later sessions. I particularly appreciated that student application and participation was calculated in each course’s explicit rubric. It was pretty amazing that my professors all managed to connect with their students’ strengths and helped to make them feel part of the literacy circle.
How did the course of study in reading education at UT supported you in your current role?
For the last couple of years (2018-2020), I had the wonderful privilege of being a reading interventionist. I accepted this position the year before I completed my masters in reading education, so I was thrilled to be asked to serve in this role. For the first couple of months in this new position, I was given autonomy to insert the reading programs I felt necessary. The research from my graduate classes matched my pedagogy toward teaching reading, which matched the program I felt most comfortable using.
Why should others consider attending the reading specialist courses and complete the certificate at UT?
I won’t sugarcoat it – the classes were demanding and are part of the reason I feel so pleased to have accomplished this goal. When you love learning, every aspect of the research and topics that are taught, becomes an enjoyable and satisfying journey. The trajectory of my professional career has not been a traditional one. Before I began taking REED courses, I barely had the minimum requirement of teaching in the classroom for three years, and it had been 25 years since I last took a teacher’s exam. So, I was pleased to have passed on the reading specialist praxis on the first attempt, whew! Small class sizes paired with extraordinary educators made my reading education experiences simply like no other and worth every effort put forth into this process. My professors created a learning environment that not only engaged students but constantly challenged them.