Dr. Cynthia Schairer-Kessler
Assistant Professor
"I wanted students to be better and more thoughtful people through developing their understanding of literature and their ability to express themselves through writing."
Degrees Held:
- Ed.D. in Curriculum & Instruction – Illinois State University, 2013
- M.Ed. in Educational Leadership – University of Georgia, 2000
- B.S. in Secondary Education – University of Illinois, 1991
Career Highlights:
- Taught high school language arts at Indian River High School in Frankford, Delaware
- Taught high school language arts at Brookwood High School in Snellville, Georgia
- Taught teacher preparation as graduate assistant at Illinois State University
- Taught writing at Illinois Community College
- Created and supervised an afterschool program for underserved elementary students as part of Peoria First United Methodist Church in Peoria, Illinois
- Supervised student teachers for University of Illinois-Springfield
- Scored edTPA for Pearson
In which online program do you teach?
Which classes do you teach online?
Practicum for a Guaranteed and Viable Curriculum
What do you want your students to take away from class?
To be able to identify the role of the principal in curriculum design, implementation and evaluation; to describe the comprehensive components of curriculum; to demonstrate knowledge and use of learning standards; to demonstrate an understanding of basic unit design; to demonstrate the process to creating and articulating a plan to the implementation of curriculum at the building level; to demonstrate the ability to monitor the curriculum implementation and student performance through frequent formative and summative assessments.
Why did you start teaching?
I wanted students to be better and more thoughtful people through developing their understanding of literature and their ability to express themselves through writing.
What advice would you give to your online students?
Budget your time carefully so that you can devote your thoughts and energy to your students on their time, and to this online class on your time.
What qualities make someone particularly successful as an educator? Ability to listen and comprehend, ability to solve problems, ability to address five needs at once, willingness to improve and adapt.What is the one book you think everyone should read?
The Gatekeepers by Jen Lancaster
What do you do when you need a laugh?
Attempt a conversation with my young sons.
Tell us something interesting about yourself that your students might not know about you.
When I was a sophomore in high school, my family hosted an exchange student from Japan for an entire year. I still consider her to be my sister. I spent that year explaining everything to her: vocabulary definitions, cultural norms, idioms, and small-town dynamics. That was when I realized that I wanted to be a teacher, to spend my life explaining concepts and build toward a greater understanding.
