Erin McDonald ’09
Spanish major, Education minor
F08-S09 D-plan: R-R-R

Favorite and least favorite thing about department: Everyone in this department is absolutely passionate about educational research. On the other hand, this is a tiny department, and there’s a big transition in professors here right now. It’s hard to know if or when a course will be running. Also a shame that it isn’t a major!

Important info for potential majors: Start taking the courses required for the minor EARLY—courses are constantly changing terms and times due to the small size of the department.

Talk to me if: You are interested in a career in the spectrum of education but you are not doing the certification program, because you don’t plan to go into classroom teaching.

Most valuable academic information learned: Dartmouth has a great focus on neuroscience and research in education, so even if you don’t want to be a teacher, you can still get so much out of the courses.

Favorite class and professor: Education 64 (Development of the Exceptional Child) with Prof. Coch. I liked the format of this course because the expectations were very clear and the papers let us explore topics that suited our personal interests. Plus, Professor Coch is an incredible professor and the most knowledgeable teacher I have had at Dartmouth.

Major classes taken: EDUC 1, 16, 29, 54, 58, 64

Major journey: I was always extremely interested in education- both the science and the politics of it- but knew I didn’t want to be a classroom teacher. The education department is great because since many of the courses are based on the science of education, I know I’ll have a good background to go into literacy advocacy, research, or some other type of job in the field of education.

Major specific activities:Research Assistant Petitto Language Lab, SEAD, Education 29 TA in Winter 2009

Off Campus Program:Spanish FSP in Buenos Aires, Argentina 08S

Other activities:UGA; Ceili Irish Dancers; Delta Delta Delta – New Member Educator; Education lab volunteer; Order of Omega; SEAD; Aquinas House; tour guide

Internship experience: Assistant in Bilingual Elementary Classrooms- December 06; Mass Literacy Foundation at the Boston Herald- Spring 07; Teaching Intern: English as a Second Language, Cushing Academy (Massachusetts) – Summer 08

Emily Jasinski ’10
Psychology major, Education minor
F08-S09 D-plan: R-L-R

Favorite and least favorite thing about department:Strangely, my favorite and least favorite thing about the department are the same thing: the size. The education department is small, which is great, because it means that you really have a chance to get to know professors and other students well. On the other hand, the small number of professors can make scheduling a nightmare, as classes often change terms or are cancled.

Important info for potential majors: Talk to professors! The Ed department professors are amazing resources and they are always there to help. So whether you're confused about a class, your D-plan, or you future career, seek out a professor.

Talk to me if: you're interested in Special Education!

Most valuable academic information learned: The Ed department has really taught me how to apply scientific research to real life. I always thought psychology research was a bit impractical, but professors in the education department have completely proven me wrong.

Favorite class and professor: I took Education 50 (The Reading Brain) with Professor Coch freshman spring, and it is definitely the class that convinced me that I wanted to be involved in education. It has a reputation for being a hard class, and it is, but if you love both research and the practical aspects of education (like teaching) you'll love this class!

Major classes taken: Educ 20, 18, 50, 64

Major journey:I've wanted to be a teacher since as long ago as I can remember. However, by the time I'd gotten to Dartmouth, a fair number of people had tried to convince me that I was “too smart to teach”, and I wasn't so sure. My first couple of classes in the Education department reminded me why I love educations, and they also showed me how challenging education can be. I still want to teach, but I'm now also aware of many other ways I could be involved in the field of education.

Major specific activities: Reading Brains Lab- Presidential Scholar

Thesis status: Intended thesis with Professor Coch. I don't actually know what the subject will be yet, but it will probably have something to do with reading.

Other activities: DHMC volunteer; Aquinas House- Tucker Rep; The Navigators; Dartmouth Chamber Orchestra; Blood Drives Committee

Off-campus program: AMES FSP in Fez, Morocco, 08S

Internship experience: Intended Internship with the National Center for Learning Disabilities- 09W