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NITE Testimonials
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| NITE is unique to Cambridge College and truly survives on the verbal testimonials of its current students and its Ambassadors. The following three students relay their stories of how they became NITE students. |
Mr. Bobby L. Woodard, a third-year veteran Special Education teacher from the Metro-Atlanta area, was pleased that his summer was challenging as well as rewarding. Rewarding, perhaps, because Woodard, like many others, spent his summer attending NITE 2007. Woodard took classes toward a Master of Education degree in Special Education (Teacher of Students with Moderate Disabilities). Education was not an initial interest of Woodard’s. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and actually worked for various political campaigns. It was during this time of dealing with the monotony of politics that Woodard began volunteering in a Memphis elementary school. He reflected upon the effectiveness of his efforts and felt that education was an area of more importance, and perhaps an area where he could have a more direct influence and make a difference. A friend of Woodard’s, and an Ambassador of Cambridge College, Mr. Harston Jones, encouraged him to seriously consider the NITE program and how it could benefit him. It was not long before Woodard called the college. There were several characteristics of the NITE program that attracted Woodard, "has a more diverse population than a traditional school," and the "classes are smaller so more individual attention is given" even at the graduate level. Continuing his own education, Woodard plans on utilizing this next degree by expanding his teaching practices to those with different learning styles, high IQs, and other learning disabilities. Eventually, Woodard would like to move into more administrative roles in educational leadership, thus planning on earning a C.A.G.S, and perhaps an Ed.D. Those who have been through the NITE program know that many sacrifices must be made in order for a student to leave family, work, and other responsibilities to attend the five-week summer residency. The rewards are great. And Woodard knows this. It was an enjoyable experience to "mingle" with teachers and students. The networking alone becomes an immediate resource of experiences and knowledge from which to create new methods of teaching. Woodard says that NITE "was a great experience" and he plans to "tell a lot of people about Cambridge College." |
According to Riherd, elementary teachers teach an array of subjects. Wanting to focus specifically on math, she chose to teach at the middle school level. Riherd also decided on teaching in Georgia, because of its career options available to teachers. Having taught for the past three years, Riherd knew Georgia would only give her so many years to earn an advanced degree and attain her licensure - Riherd decided to attend Cambridge College's 2007 NITE program and pursue a Master of Education degree in Mathematics (5-8). For the first time is quite awhile, Riherd "feels on top of [her] game." She delightedly explained that she was involved in a project to create a positive change in her school. At the beginning of the year, her students were placed in "remedial math." During the course of the year, the department decided to change the name of the remedial program hoping to encourage positive reinforcement, which it did. The name was changed to "Math Enrichment," and she shared that her students' attitude toward the subject and their peers was much improved. As for NITE, Riherd experienced some positive reinforcement of her own. Initially, she expected her courses to involve more problem solving and math exercises. However, after consideration, she realized that as a math teacher, she already knew the how-to of math. What she didn’t expect was to learn the theory of math. She was experiencing a lot of writing and research about the practicality of math. Riherd concluded that these courses were confirming for her the answer to the ever-present question from students, "why do we need to know this?" She explained that the courses have "helped me confirm my own ideas that we need to know more than what our students know." |
Ms. Anetria Woodruff, from Macon, Georgia, attended the NITE 2007, Master of Education program in Special Education (Teacher of Student with Moderate Disabilities). Woodruff is learning to take a holistic approach in reevaluating education and the role of the teacher. Woodruff’s professional experience working for the Department of Family and Children Services has given her a unique perspective in the classroom – teaching is like "looking at the patient to get the full perspective of the student." Rather than being the "holistic nurse," Woodruff says she’s become the "holistic teacher." Having the experience of working with children who suffered from sexual and physical abuses, Woodruff better understands that there are so many more factors to a student’s behavior, or misbehavior, "if a kid had a bad night, this is going to cause bad behavior." For the past three years, Woodruff has also worked for Bel Arbor Nursing Center, where she easily becomes involved in the lives of those patients who are housed there. The daily interaction and the constancy of asking questions to know who they are, where they’ve been in life, and of what they are most proud can only create a rapport like no other. Woodruff enjoys indulging in the experiences of those who are older than she. Interestingly enough, she sees a commonality with working with the youth. All people, no matter their age, have stories to share. What Woodruff is learning is richer than most can ever learn in a textbook, she is learning that the spirit of the person is essential, and when you interact with others in such a way as to gain their attention and interest, you earn their trust, and this is when learning takes place. Making the decision to enter the Master of Education program was an easy one according to Woodruff, who is impressed with the knowledge-base of the instructors and the students. She enjoys the informal atmosphere of the classes, the amount of resources available, and the opportunity to participate in the weekend classes at Cambridge’s Regional Campuses to complete her program. |
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TESTIMONIAL LAWRENCE STREET I was honored when asked to express my feelings on Cambridge College’s N.I.T.E. program. Returning to school after about three years was challenging and exciting. I am 53 years old and reside in the Virgin Islands. I am the Director for Educational Services for a residential treatment facility servicing emotionally and behaviorally disturbed adolescents in St. Thomas. I am spearheading the facility’s accreditation process through Middle States Accreditation. I hold a master’s degree in Special Education, with a permanent teaching certificate in New York. In addition, I am pursuing my C.A.G.S. in Special Education Administration at Cambridge College. My hope is to then enter the doctoral program. Let me say that my experience at Cambridge College’s summer residency at N.I.T.E. was very interesting. My peers became an instant life line for me. We formed a cohort to collaborate on our assignments for added support. The educational and social bond created was phenomenal. I have never met such a group of educators who were just as focused as myself on getting a job done under any circumstance. I was overwhelmed by this experience. The professors and other support staff were cordial, professional, and informative and assisted me immensely. I had never been to Boston before and found it to be a beautiful place. The extra curricular activities were entertaining; in fact, the excursion to Martha’s Vineyard was a rewarding experience. I look forward to returning to Boston to complete my formal education. I also had the opportunity to visit and attend the Augusta, Georgia campus for a course in the fall of 2007. I am still deciding my future path of how to best use this invaluable knowledge that I am acquiring at Cambridge. I do know that wherever the Most High leads me is where I’ll follow. I have to give thanks because I wasn’t sure that I would be able to continue my higher education due to my health, but by the Grace of God I made it through the summer. Thank you, Cambridge College, for a chance to follow a dream
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