Renee Chandler
Program Director for the Master of Science in Education
How long have you worked at UW-Stout?
I have worked at Stout since fall 2008 and as program director for the MS in Education since May 2009. I initially taught special education courses, primarily face-to-face with undergraduate students. Now I work primarily online with graduate students.
What do you like most about working with the online master’s in Education program?
I really enjoy meeting students from a wide variety of places. We have students from all over the United States and overseas, as well. The online aspect of the program allows us to learn about education in so many different places.
I also appreciate the fact that my students have the flexibility to participate in class on a schedule that meets their needs. They are working adults with busy lives and they need to be able to access the course when they can fit it into their schedules.
Some people say that online teaching does not allow you to get to know your students, but I actually feel like I know my online students better than many of the face-to-face students I have had. You don’t need to be in the same room with someone to have a strong connection with them. We have great discussions in our online class that really allow me to know what my students are thinking.
What other information would you like to share?
My research agenda, to date, has focused on two primary areas: high-poverty schools and universal design for learning (UDL). My passion for high-poverty schools stems from my first teaching position where I worked in a high-poverty rural school. UDL has become central to my research agenda because it provides a way to meet the needs of a wide range of learners within the context of one learning environment. I strive to design my online classes so that all students have an optimum learning experience.
What is one piece of advice you would give the world?
Find something you enjoy doing and have fun with it. If you don’t like what you are doing, do something else! Don’t be afraid to change and try new things.
