Student Testimonials
Career advancement
"In March of 2011, I was named the School District of Palm Beach County's (SBPBC) Macy's Teacher of the Year. I truly believe that one reason why I was selected was because of everything I learned at ACE and implementing in my own classroom. Thanks to ACE, I am charged with being a leader to teachers so that they can provide a world-class education to children in which they will experience authentic learning so that they can become independent thinkers." — Kristen Rulison, M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction, Reading Specialist and West Palm Beach Teacher of the Year, ACE Alumni Achievement Award Winner, Winter 2013
"Twenty-four months ago, I never dreamed that would be a graduate of a master's program and a leader among my faculty. I would describe this journey as a pathway to leadership. Although my program was in Educational Technology, the knowledge I have gained has given me the confidence, desire and the ability to lead where I had not led before. The American College of Education has completely changed my views on what it means to teach, to lead and to serve my students and colleagues. My experience with ACE was one of the defining moments of my life and set me on a path that I was not expecting, but thoroughly enjoy and will be forever grateful for wherever it leads me." — Brenda Raccuia, M.Ed. Educational Technology, Technology Leader and Teacher in the Weber School District, Utah, January 2013
"I was a kindergarten teacher before ACE. Since I earned my master's degree, I am now grade level chairperson and PTA Coordinator. I have always wanted to be a teacher who understands the newest practices and strategies — the best teacher possible. Since graduating from ACE, I am." — Denise Steudlein, M.Ed. Curriculum and Instruction, February 2011 Commencement
"In addition to mentoring teachers at my school, earning a degree from ACE makes me eligible for new teacher mentorship positions at the district and regional level. I want to lead educational reform in my state, Louisiana. My degree from ACE affords me the opportunity to effect change." — Donna Patten, M.Ed. Curriculum and Instruction, February 2011 Commencement
"By earning an ACE master's degree, I feel more prepared to teach. I am now the school technology specialist, and teachers come to me with questions about Smart Boards, MOBIs, etc. My degree has prepared me to teach other teachers about technology and how to integrate it into their own classrooms." — Sara Lowe, M.Ed. Educational Technology, February 2011 Commencement
Applicable coursework
"ACE has prepared me to adapt to the systemic changes that are occurring in our educational system. The evidence based, relevant methodology in ACE's curriculum has allowed me to manifest dramatic improvements within my own school community." — Jeremy Heck, M.Ed. Educational Leadership, Assistant Principal at Indian Oaks Academy, Manteno, IL, ACE Alumni Achievement Award Winner, Summer 2012
"ACE has provided me with the academic opportunities and the personal foundations necessary to grow and develop my leadership skills." — Irit Alkalay, Solomon Schechter Day School, Lake County, IL, January 2013
"What I learned in Reading to Write and Writing to Learn is still relevant for my science classes. Another benefit was the information in a class called Strengthening Literacy. I started reading more to my students and having them write and explain questions. These two “additives” helped my students gain higher scores on some common assessments." — Mary Tune, ACE alumna and Ambassador, February 2011 Commencement
"I think the assignments are awesome. I'm teaching a unit on "Water" (I teach 3 and 4 year-olds), and I cannot wait to try these new ideas out when we go back to school in January. I earned my master’s degree last year in Early Childhood Special Ed from a school here in Chicago, and to be honest, there were many times I wondered why we were even doing the projects we did--sometimes the workload was not relevant to anything we were doing. I am so impressed with these assignments from ACE—finally something I can use in my classroom!" — Meghan Safranek, ACE Student-at-Large, January 2013
"I am in my last class before I graduate, and I just wanted to thank ACE and my Portfolio professor, Dr. Katrina Landa, for a great experience. Dr. Landa is also my professor for my last TESOL class. She has been very accessible and extremely helpful throughout this final stage. I just recommended ACE to three very interested teachers! Thank you!" — Margaret Archer Zimmer, M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction with Specialization in English as a Second Language, January 2013
Programs that fit your life
"I chose ACE for many reasons. The first was the cost. It is lower than any other college in Illinois. I was also looking for a program that was completely online. My M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction helped me become the teacher I am today. I started the program during my second year of teaching. The classes helped me improve how I taught my classes and prepared my lessons. I learned more about how to manage classroom behaviors and how to incorporate positive reinforcement. Since I was a new teacher, ACE helped me grow and learn at the perfect time!" — Jessi Tymchyshyn, M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction, ESL endorsement and M.Ed. in Educational Leadership, December 2012
"I worked for twenty years in the military and emerged seeking a new career in which I could have a similar impact. My degree from ACE helped me to become the best teacher I could be. The lessons I learned at ACE were immediately applicable in my own classroom — on a daily basis. Attending a brick-and-mortar school would not have been an option for me. Pursuing an online degree program and collaborating with educators across the country was perfect." — Reginald Watts, M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction, February 2011 Commencement
