Edd5

=EdD 5= Directions: To enter text click Edit this Page, enter text, and Save. I will create additional pages as needed. Please start your entry with the following information.
 * Name and job title: Dr. Mary Sheedy Kurcinka
 * Graduation Date or Anticipated Graduation Date: May 2012, Dissertation completed August 2011
 * Name of Course(s) for which I was your teacher: EdD 5 Educational Leadership Doctoral program
 * Title of Dissertation/Capstone. Raising a Spirited Infant: Parents' Reactions and Responses to Sleep, Self-Regulation and Temperament Related Behaviors

Teaching: I requested Dr. Vivian Johnson as my dissertation adviser. I have been highly impressed by the quality of all the teaching staff in the EdD 5 program, but it was Vivian who truly stood out for me. Vivian demonstrated openness and tremendous flexibility in meeting my needs and interests as a student. She did this, even when doing so meant additional work and effort on her part.

I found that as a teacher and adviser Vivian established very high, yet achievable standards. At the same time, she provided concise, clear, and detailed feedback as well as the support necessary to help me be successful.

I was challenged as a student working with Vivian. She forced me to reflect upon my own practices and to grow but always in a caring and nurturing manner. After a meeting with Vivian, I once told another colleague, "I'm being pushed to the max and loving every step of the way."

Vivian has an uncanny ability to take the "big picture" and break it into mangeable parts as well as to visualize the connections between key components. This skill allowed her to provide me with the guidance I needed to complete my disseration.

As a teacher, Vivian knows where she is going. I was extremely grateful as I moved through the EdD program to realize the continuity and sequencing of the program. Through her guidance and outstanding teaching I found myself totally prepared and feeling confident as I began the dissertation process.

I also took detailed notes describing the teaching stragies Vivan utilized in her courses. I have been in the field of education for 30 plus years, but I truly believe my teaching has improved because of my opportunity to observe and learn from Vivian.

Vivian is also a highly skilled researcher. She knows methodology. She knows APA style. And she has the ability to help students develop and articulate meaningful and achievable research questions.

I highly recommend Dr. Vivian Johnson for tenure at Hamline. She is the kind of teacher, researcher and educational leader needed to make Hamline's EdD program one of excellence.