Debra Schneider, Ph.D. Student Language, Literacy, and Culture Major: B.A., International Relations, University of the Pacific / M.A., Education, California State University, Stanislaus Career Plans: Teachers' professional development Home: Tracy, CA

"I appreciated the opportunity to create my own program and follow my main interest, which is collaborative work among teachers."

My reasons for choosing Berkeley:
I applied to Berkeley because it was relatively near my home in California's Central Valley. I knew I really wanted to come, however, after visiting the campus. I felt very much at home with its diversity and atmosphere. I also knew that its size would allow me to be my own person academically, and not be unduly influenced by any one advisor, as I surmised would have been the case at another university I was considering.

What I like most about my program:
I appreciated the opportunity to create my own program and follow my main interest, which is collaborative work among teachers. I am studying the workings of a teaching team from the inside out: how teachers construct a relationship and their professional knowledge. I have also benefited from my involvement with one of the GSE's research centers--the Center for the Integrated Study of Teaching and Learning (CISTL). CISTL has helped students across divisions who are interested in teachers' work to create study/reading/research groups. Together we work on our common interests, and benefit from the very different perspectives we bring to these collaborations.

My advice to prospective students:
Read deeply and widely in the research literature to discover what researchers' work most speaks to your passions. Then apply to the schools where those researchers work. I was lucky to find someone at UC Berkeley who is a well-known researcher in my main area of interest.

 

 

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