I have been meaning to write you all semester, but after taking the Praxis II today I knew I really needed to write you.  I have been participating in Urban Semester this whole semester and I have really been able to apply what I learned in your class.  I have realized that I know a lot more about teaching reading then my peers and have actually given my supervising teacher some great ideas for teaching reading AND writing in her classroom.  I can't wait to student teach next semester to apply even more! 

I was so nervous about the Reading Specialist test on the Praxis today, but it was not nearly as bad as everyone told me it would be.  I believe I had such an easy time because of everything I learned in your class.  Whenever I came to a question I did not know right off the top of my head, I would think back to your class and most of the time the answer would come to me.

I thank you so much for being such a great professor.  You have truly inspired me to be a great teacher and I hope someday I will know half as much as you do about teaching literacy.  I have definitely learned more from you than any other professor at Ball State.  Thank you so much for being an inspiration and for everything you have taught me.  I truly feel blessed to have had you as a teacher!!!

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My only concern would be when are they available and are certain classes only available during certain semesters.  I am a swim coach here, and would most likely only do summer, and spring semesters on line due to the crazy schedule of coaching in the fall.  Would that be possible?   I am super excited to know that I can get my degree from BSU!!  I really realized how great of a school I came from when I began teaching.  So many older teachers have told me that I have a lot of knowledge and experience for only being a 2^nd year teacher.  I owe that all to BSU!

Thanks for taking the time to get back to me!

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       Thank you for your reply. I became interested in your program while searching the Internet with google for an on-line university with NCATE accreditation and a reading specialist license. I found several programs, but chose to apply to Ball State because of the great reputation the university has.

       The only other concern I have is that I am planning on substitute teaching while pursuing the degree. You mentioned that the classes have a project component. Will I be able to complete the projects without having my own full-time classroom? I just completed student teaching in a fourth grade departmentalized reading classroom and my cooperating teacher has offered to let me use her class for any research or field experience if it is needed, would this be acceptable? Will I run into complications trying to complete this program without being near the Ball State campus?

       I spoke with the WV Department of Ed and your program DOES meet the requirements for a reading specialist license in WV. I have also submitted an on-line application, paid the application fee, and requested my transcripts to be sent to the school. Are there any other requirements or prerequisites for applying to the program? Also, what is the deadline for admission to enroll in the Summer 07 semester?

        
Thank you for your help!

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I don't know if you remember me, but I was in your EDEL 350 a few years back.  I am now enjoying my first year teaching in Fairfax, Virginia.  The reason I am writing is because I am working on my lesson plans and it reminded me of EDEL 350.  The school corporation that I work for is very interested in the Marzano Strategies.  I recently attended a workshop with our principal on how to incorporate the strategies into our everyday teaching.  I feel great about my lessons because I put many of the proven strategies into my lessons, and I feel that EDEL 350 really helped me.  There are so many things a new teacher like me has to worry about, but this is one area that I feel extremely comfortable, in fact, the book all staff members were required to read this year was Marzano Strategies that Work.  I sure was relieved to have read it and kept it. 

Hope everything is going well at BSU.