Engaging with like-minded professionals and scholars in EdD in Instructional Leadership has been particularly rewarding. The collaborative environment and student-centered approach, coupled with a commitment to excellence, diversity, inclusion, and lifetime learning objectives, have encouraged insightful dialogues and shared learning. The faculty dedication has not only inspired me but also propelled me to embrace a leadership role in education. ÌýAs an alma mater, ³Ô¹ÏÍ·Ìõ has been more than an educational institution; it has been a crucible for my growth shaping my lifelong commitment to advocating for educational equity, inclusion, and excellence.

As I have navigated through this enriching educational landscape, my ambitions solidified: to teach and inspire future professionals in critical disciplines where I consider myself an expert, business, accounting, and finance.

The EdD program with its focus on Instructional Leadership supported me in becoming a careful decision-maker.Ìý The program afforded me the skills I needed to build a comprehensive academic program which is grounded in research when working as a founding administrator in charter schools in urban settings.Ìý These skills have also supported me in using both data and research as I have worked to refine those programs to continuously improve student outcomes. ÌýThe program also allowed me to grow presentation skills, which has also been an extremely important skill set in my work as an instructional leader.

While participating in the program, I was pushed to think deeply and critically.Ìý I learned a tremendous amount about learning styles, which I use in my work with teachers and teams.Ìý Additionally, through the mentorship of the professors I interacted with both during my time in the program and afterwards, I was able to clarify my educational philosophies and hone my skills as a leader.

Participating in the program, in particular the dissertation process, gave me the confidence to persevere with intensity and passion, which also has been helpful to me in my professional journey.Ìý In the end, I chose to complete the Ed.D. degree for myself and in doing so, I inspired my own children, who are now adults, to push themselves to pursue their academic goals.

Now, I am now pursuing an EdD in Instructional Leadership. So, for 40 years, Westconn has been in my life. The staff and curriculum have positioned me to excel in all my chosen endeavors.

³Ô¹ÏÍ·Ìõ has always been flexible with my military and Police schedules and continues to be accommodating. I have been internationally recognized by the Infantry Association with the Order of Saint Maurice for my mental health work with soldiers and, most recently, I was inducted into the Connecticut Veterans Hall of Fame.

Completing the Doctorate in Instructional Leadership and the administrative certification will allow me to have impact on a greater audience as I continue my career in counseling, safety, and school leadership.

Ìý

Sandra Peña

³Ô¹ÏÍ·Ìõ Doctoral Student

The EdD program had a tremendous impact on me professionally and personally. Through the doctoral program I developed a mentor relationship with my advisor who provided me with direct instruction, and support that was consistent, extensive, and ingrained in the structure of the coursework. From exploring a dissertation topic, to honing and refining a focus, to developing a literature review, my advisor was with me throughout the entire process.

I chose the EdD program at ³Ô¹ÏÍ·Ìõ because I wanted to develop my knowledge of educational theory and data analysis so that I could view educational issues through a scholarly theoretical lens when addressing problems to serve my school community. Not only did this program push me to develop the research skills needed to be a critical contributor to solving educational issues, it also has helped me to take a reflective approach to improving teaching and learning and to grow and be thoughtful regarding modern educational issues.

During my time in the EdD Program I developed the self-efficacy to take on anything. I worked through the birth of a child, raising a family, serving as a Captain in the Army National Guard, my husband’s deployment, working full-time and countless other life events. Throughout the journey, the support from my advisor, the faculty members, and my peers was unwavering. I am beyond grateful for the personalized learning experience provided to me through the Instructional Leadership Program and for the growth and development opportunities I have been able to access as a result of completing the EdD program.

When I decided to pursue a doctoral degree, I was 55 years old. I looked at numerous Doctor of Education (Ed.D) programs in Connecticut, and ³Ô¹ÏÍ·Ìõ stood out for many reasons. The Ed.D program at ³Ô¹ÏÍ·Ìõ is rigorous and provides me with a rich, quality educational experience.

The classes are designed to support the busy schedule of working educators, which has been a benefit to me. The professors are absolutely amazing, not only for their expertise but for their commitment to student success and their accessibility to meet with students in the evening and even on weekends. The cohort model allows me to develop meaningful relationships with a select peer group. This collaborative group learning experience stretches our collective ability to understand the complexity of educational issues from diverse perspectives.

The program has also challenged my presuppositions about educational problems and reforms. It allows me to further expand my understanding of the workings of our educational system. The Ed.D program at ³Ô¹ÏÍ·Ìõ is helping me develop the critical thinking skills I need to solve problems, have a positive impact with others, and be effective in initiating social change in educational organizations.

It is never too late to go back to school, and if you are considering doing so, ³Ô¹ÏÍ·Ìõ’s Doctor of Education in Instructional Leadership will be a program worth pursuing!

I joined Cohort 10 in fall 2022 and was blown away from the sense of community within the cohort and Doctor of Education in Instructional Leadership program. From my fellow cohort members to the professors, everyone has extended a warm welcome and been extremely helpful in getting me acclimated to the program. As a whole, we are a group of professionals with diverse personal and professional backgrounds.

I thoroughly enjoy the exchange of ideas, experiences, helpful tips and stories in and outside of the classroom. The community aspect of the program combined with the opportunity to earn a Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) as well as a Certificate for Intermediate Administration and Supervision (Endorsement #092) made ³Ô¹ÏÍ·Ìõ the only choice for continuing my education. I look forward to the many career doors that will open as a result of completing this program. However, I am already aware that the ³Ô¹ÏÍ·Ìõ program has added value to me professionally and personally by providing me with deeper understanding of educational organizations and leadership skills that can be applied not only to my classroom, but my other roles and responsibilities, especially within athletics, as well.

Dissertation:

Even early in my professional career, I had a strong interest in earning a doctorate degree. Twenty years ago, when I began this journey, it was far less common for practitioners. When I found out about ³Ô¹ÏÍ·Ìõ’s (at the time) new Instructional Leadership program, I knew I had found a perfect match. Many Ed.D. programs have a more general focus on leadership, but ³Ô¹ÏÍ·Ìõ’s focus on instruction is unique and was perfect for me as someone who was dedicated to the “boots-on-the-ground” approach to educational improvement.

The program helped me realize that I could expand my impact on schools with a laser focus on what was actually happening in classrooms and how to become a better teacher as well as support others in the process.Now, as a principal, I use my developed skills and philosophies from my doctoral program to lead innovation and improvement in an urban magnet school. I also am blessed to be part of a close-knit network of educators throughout the region who have graduated from this important, impactful program.

Dissertation:

I received my Doctorate in Instructional Leadership from ³Ô¹ÏÍ·Ìõ in 2008. The five years in the program were challenging, but very rewarding.

As a member of Cohort One, the Alpha Cohort, I have made lifelong friends and colleagues. The doctorate degree has allowed me to become a Superintendent of Schools in three districts that partner with ³Ô¹ÏÍ·Ìõ. I continue to be involved at ³Ô¹ÏÍ·Ìõ and I am fortunate to work as an adjunct professor at the university as I teach the ED800 Educational Leadership class and mentor 092 administrative candidates.

I have a passion for public education and support the teaching profession. I am currently the president of ³Ô¹ÏÍ·Ìõ’s Phi Delta Kappa and stay involved with the university on many levels. I am on the NESDEC Board of Directors and the chairperson of the Women’s Leadership Group for CAPSS.

The doctoral degree has offered me varied experiences and has allowed me to meet wonderful educators, children and families and embrace school communities.

I am thankful to ³Ô¹ÏÍ·Ìõ and the opportunities it has given me in my educational career and forever grateful for the outstanding faculty and programs.

The Northeastern Educational Research Association (NERA) announced that Anne Heath, Pauline Goolkasian, and Marcia A. B. Delcourt received the Lorne H. Woollatt Distinguished Paper Award for their submission,ÌýThe Impact of Teachers’ Self-Efficacy Beliefs on Instructional Practices for English Language Learners.ÌýThe paper received the highest ratings for its relevance, theoretical backing, clarity, design, analytical procedures, and presentation of results and conclusion.

The lead author, recent doctoral graduate Dr. Anne Heath, received a NERA travel stipend to present the paper on Saturday, April 15 at the 2023 meeting of the American Educational Research Association (AERA)ÌýConsortium of State and Regional Educational Research Associations (SRERA). Dr. Heath and Dr. Delcourt presented the paper at the 2023 AERA Annual Meeting held in Chicago, IL, Thursday, April 13 – Sunday, April 16, 2023.