As both an immigrant to the United States, and a transfer student from Miami Dade College, I knew that I had many choices between public and private institutions to consider for my bachelor’s degree in teaching. A good friend suggested that I look into the College of Education at FIU because of its reputation as a research institution with thirty years of service to the community. In the end, it was the quality of the teaching program that attracted me to the College of Education. In the summer of 2005, I applied and was accepted as a junior.
What has impressed me the most about the program so far is the level of practical training I have received. For every class, there is a requirement of a certain number of hours one must work in a school. This field experience has provided me the opportunity to transfer teaching theory into real teaching situations. I am able to observe how teachers implement their own instructional strategies to create an effective learning environment for their students. I have gained a lot of instructional skills from my field placements which will, undoubtedly, make me a better, more confident teacher.
Making the decision to study at the College of Education is one of the best decisions I have ever made. -Wenzhen Liang

My college career actually began in Ohio, where I attended college for nearly three years, studying education. A close friend and classmate from Ohio had transferred to FIU the year prior and really loved it. She encouraged me to consider transferring to FIU too. After careful consideration, I made the decision to attend FIU for two reasons. First, I knew that the job opportunities for teachers would be much better in the south than in the north. (Finding a teaching position in Ohio is very difficult right now and Florida has a teacher shortage.)  Second, I was simply tired of the cold weather in Ohio and ever since I was a little girl, I had always told my mom that I wanted to go to a college by the beach.  

So I moved to Florida in the summer of 2004 and I’ve been here at FIU for two years now.  I really love it – the teachers are great, the classes are fun and challenging, and I feel that the career opportunities are plentiful. This semester I began my field experience at North County Elementary School and have experienced more in my fifteen hours of work in North Miami Dade than I would have ever been able to learn or experience in Ohio.      

The decision to transfer from Ohio to FIU, particularly at the three year juncture in my college education, was a risky one, but so worth it. I expanded my horizons in more ways than I could have ever imagined. I encourage anyone who might be considering a move to Miami and FIU to do the same.  -Emily Larson     

The faculty and the courses in the higher education master's program have challenged me to grow as both a student and a higher education administrator. I have enjoyed studying courses taught by faculty who have focused their entire careers on the very specific topics being taught. The exposure to faculty members with such varied knowledge and backgrounds has lead to countless conversations about higher education and has subsequently lead to a much clearer picture of my position as a student affairs administrator. -Ron Thompson

I graduated from the Human Resource Development program in May 2005, took some time off from work to have a child, and have started working at Baptist Health South Florida as a Professional Development Instructor in the Department of Organizational Learning. Everything that we as students learned and experienced in the program is being utilized in my job role.  From needs assessment, to adult learning theories, instructional design, development, and implementation and implementation, strategic thinking-- EVERYTHING ! I am just so excited to have been a part of the HRD program and promise to make the College of Education proud!  - Melissa Garcia Usma

I started at FIU in the Masters in International Education program and soon found an area of interest in the higher education of indigenous people.  I find the study and research of this area to be very fulfilling and exciting. In the spring of 2005, I completed my master’s and am now working on my doctorate.

The College of Education faculty has been incredibly supportive and I recently presented my first paper at the 50th Anniversary CIES Conference in Hawaii. Although presenting my paper was somewhat intimidating, my COE co-presenter and advisor helped me through it with great ease. It was such a privilege to represent FIU at an international conference, as well as having had the opportunity to meet some very learned scholars in the area of indigenous studies.  
-Patricia Colangelo

I choose to attend FIU mainly for its reputation, but also for convenience. I was originally accepted into the part-time Ed.D. program offered at the FIU Pines Center. While studying at the Pines Center, I was working as a full-time teacher in Broward County and taking evening classes. Some of my best courses there were in reading and curriculum. The faculty was excellent and I learned many new strategies to help struggling readers improve their skills. Much of what I learned at night, I applied during the day in my 2nd grade classroom. 

Soon after enrolling in the Ed.D. program, I learned that the COE had created a Ph.D. program in Language, Literacy, and Culture. I applied to the Ph.D., and not only was I admitted, but I was also offered the opportunity to be a full-time student and work as a graduate research assistant. I couldn’t turn down the opportunity to have my classes paid for while studying something I loved, so I made the move to full-time and am enjoying every minute of my experience. The graduate research position has given me first-hand knowledge in conducting research, writing journal articles, and presenting at conferences.  My experiences at the COE are truly invaluable. -Cynthia Moredock