Kali Koppen attended the University of Georgia as an undergraduate student, earning a Middle Grades Education degree. Afterwards, she decided to continue her education at the University of Georgia with the online M.Ed. Reading Education program.

 

Q: Where are you from?

Kali: I am from Augusta, but I was a military brat so I didn’t live there long.  I went to UGA for my undergraduate in Middle Grades Education and then decided to do the online Reading Education Masters.

 

Q: Where did you work when you started the program, and what did you do?

Kali: I was actually living at home and decided to double the recommended classes since I wasn’t working.  So instead of taking 2 each semester, I took 4.  It took me 4 semesters to finish the degree instead of 6.  I took 3 in the fall, 4 in the spring, 4 in the summer, and then the final course the following spring when it was offered.

 

Q: Where do you work now and what do you do?

Kali: I work at a middle school in Fairfax County, Virginia which is about 20 minutes outside of Washington, D.C.  I teach sixth grade science.

 

Q: What made you decide to earn your degree from the University of Georgia?

Kali: When choosing a Masters program I wanted something to expand on my middle school background.  As a future science or social studies teacher, I found that the undergraduate program did not focus on literacy.  I only took one required class for literacy during my 4 years there.  So I wanted to expand my knowledge of how to include literacy and literacy skills into my science classroom.

 

Q: What advice would you give current or future online students?

Kali: I learned so much more than I ever thought I would being in an online program.  You definitely get out of it what you put into it.  I learned so much more than I ever thought I would.  Be dedicated, read the syllabus for each course carefully, and enjoy learning from the comfort of your couch!