Education First Year Seminars

First-Year Seminars offer a dynamic introduction to university life, inviting new students to explore academic topics, innovative ideas, and cutting-edge research alongside their peers in small, discussion-based settings. These seminars, no matter the subject, are designed to spark intellectual curiosity, foster lively debates, and encourage meaningful interactions with instructors and advisors outside the classroom. Each course, limited to just nineteen students, creates a close-knit, supportive environment where participants can form lasting connections and collaborate on their academic journey.

The College of Education proudly presents the following First-Year Seminars for Fall 2024. Dive in and discover the one that resonates with you:

Explore these offerings and select the seminar that sparks your passion!

Authentic Writing in Education

Allie Wolf

Allie Wolf

Writing curriculum and instruction in the United States is deeply formulaic in reaction to demands of high stakes testing and No Child Left Behind legislation. Alternatively, authentic writing asks students to write for impact with real world purposes beyond the classroom. This first year seminar will support your transition to college while also introducing you to the application of authentic writing instruction in education. This course will culminate in an individualized authentic writing project of your own design.

Course Time: Wednesday 10:10-11 a.m.
Area of study: Special Education, Writing Instruction, and Special Education in Juvenile Carceral Settings
Favorite TV show: Parks & Recreation
Favorite Breakfast item: Muffins

K-12 Education: Revisited and Reimagined

Angela D'Souza

Angela D'Souza

This course is designed to allow first year students the opportunity to connect with each other in a small classroom setting. Throughout the semester, you will begin to reflect on how you hope to see your academic journey develop and grow through your time at UMass. In complement to your self-analysis, we will begin to question and analyze the foundations of the U.S. American public school system. To do this, we will reflect on our own socializations, particularly considering our individual and collective relationships to land, language, science, and historiography. Furthermore, the course will introduce us (as a group) to ethnic studies as a framework to (1) navigate our own socializations; (2) name pedagogical components in school institutions; (3) foster an understanding of restorative practices in learning.

Course Time: Thursday 2:30-3:20 p.m.
Area of study: Critical Indigenous Studies and Science Education
Favorite TV show: Never Have I ever
Favorite Breakfast item: Smoothies

Transition to College: Becoming Assertive and Responsible

Bing Chi

Bing Chi

This course is designed to provide first-year students with the opportunity to connect with each other in a small classroom setting. Throughout the course, you will reflect on your goals during your time at UMass, learn about the tools and resources available on campus, and develop skills and a mindset for navigating college life. You will participate in meaningful discussions, engage in personal reflection, and take part in activities designed to facilitate a successful transition to college life. These experiences will ultimately lead to a better understanding of your academic path and professional goals.

Course Time: Tuesday 11:30 a.m.-12:20 p.m.
Area of study: Play in Early Childhood Education
Favorite TV show: Friends
Favorite Breakfast item: Black tea

The Writer’s Guild; A community for Creative Writers and Creative Writing Enthusiasts

Elizabeth Norman

Elizabeth Norman

Like writing fiction? Or wish you could write fiction, but never had the chance to start? Now is your chance! In our Writer's Guild, we will explore genres, give feedback, and learn together how to put pen to paper and craft our masterpiece. In this seminar we will challenge ourselves to explore new genres, practice writing through a series of prompts, and learn the art of constructive feedback that is so vital for anyone aspiring to publish.

Course Time: Wednesday 4-4:50 p.m
Area of study: Language, Literacy, and Culture
Favorite TV show: Saturday Night Live
Favorite Breakfast item: French toast

Student Success as a Whole Person

Jungsun Hyun

Jungsun Hyun

In this class, you come to light with no reading assignments, are exposed to in-depth educational topics in discussions, and gain self-guided direction toward becoming professional as an educator. Weekly classes are structured for three goals: 1) providing direct support for first-year students, like meeting peer advisors, working together for the spring class registered, resume writing & application prep; 2) offering professionalism content, like financial literacy, time management, and self-care; and 3) inviting to explore fundamental educational topics, like epistemology, learning theories, and educational evolution with advanced technologies in classrooms. At the end of each class, the instructor will provide resources to explore further, and participants will write weekly journals to record self-growth and learning progress. Evaluation: attendance, participation, & self-assessment.

Course Time: Monday 2:30-3:20 p.m.
Area of study: Teacher Education and School Improvement
Favorite TV show: K Dramas
Favorite Breakfast item: Cheesy omelets with spinach

Foundations for Student Success

Mujtaba Hedayet

Mujtaba Hedayet

This one-credit hands-on course will help you embark on a transformative journey towards student success, seamless college transition, and exploring potential career paths related to your major. In this course, you will discover invaluable strategies, support, and resources designed to enhance your academic, professional, and personal growth. This course will give you the opportunity to interact with your peers, participate in meaningful discussions, engage in class activities, and practice critical skills such as time-management, goal setting, and networking. In this course, you will also be introduced to some current issues in education at national and international levels both by the instructor and some guest speakers. Overall, this course will allow you to grow personally and professionally, reflect on your strengths and values, and build a strong foundation for a successful college experience and beyond.

Course Time: Monday 11:15 a.m.-12:05 p.m.
Area of study: Higher Education Administration Focusing on Student Success
Favorite TV show: Planet Earth
Favorite Breakfast item: Eggs

Oh, The Things You Can Teach!

Rachel Bond

Rachel Bond

This course has many features, we will envision ourselves as teachers. We will discuss how we were taught, and how this can shape us quite a lot. We will teach each other many things, like how to write and why birds have wings. We will talk about teaching as a job and ways to do it without a sob. In the end we will all see the types of teachers we can be!

Course Time: Wednesday 12:20-1:10 p.m.
Area of study: Teacher Education and School Improvement
Favorite TV show: Cobra Kai
Favorite Breakfast item: Eggs…no bacon…no waffles. This is hard.

Treating Yourself: Redefining Self-Care

Sarah Rost

Sarah Rost

As you transition to life at UMass, it is important to understand how to take care of yourself and your mental health. In this course, we will explore important resources on campus and methods of self-care through story-telling, discussion, and personal reflection. By better understanding the necessity of self-care using a critical lens, you will be better equipped to make the transition into college life. These experiences will ultimately lead to a better understanding of your academic path and professional goals.

Course Time: Monday 10:10-11 a.m.
Area of study: Higher Education
Favorite TV show: Superstore
Favorite Breakfast item: Eggs Benedict

Practices for Student Success and Overall Wellbeing

Summer McAuslan

This course will have a strong focus on strategies for managing mental health along with academic workload. Topics include self-care, organizational strategies, mindfulness, and stress management. Creating and meeting goals will be incorporated throughout the course as a way to help students achieve the successes they hope for throughout the semester.

Course Time: Monday 2:30-3:20 p.m.
Area of study: School Counseling
Favorite TV show: Gilmore Girls
Favorite Breakfast item: Hash Browns