Cyrene St. Amant
Current Student- M.A., Educational Administration
Graduate student in the Charter College of Education, Department of Applied and Advanced Studies in Education, with a focus on educational leadership
Particular fields of interest are Equity, Social Justice, Teacher Leadership and Family/Community Partnerships in urban public schools.
Cal State L.A. experience:
"This is my second master's degree. I completed an M.A. in Education, Option in Reading, along with a California Reading and Language Arts Credential in the spring of 2008 from Cal State L.A. In that program, not only did I gain new knowledge and skills, but I encountered a faculty that was supportive and integral to my decision to continue my education beyond the M.A. in Education."
"As a graduate student, I cultivated my interest in research and scholarship on the topics of culturally responsive teaching, early literacy, and family involvement with the encouragement of my professors which resulted in recognition from the University for my work."
"Through my affiliation with Cal State L.A., I received a fellowship through the Charter School of Education and the National Writing Project to participate in the Los Angeles Writing Project (LAWP) during Summer 2008. My experience with the LAWP allowed me time to explore and develop my capacity as a writer and as a teacher of writing."
Why Cal State L.A.?
"I considered other institutions in the CSU and UC systems before I applied to Cal State L.A. However, two factors influenced my decision to attend Cal State L.A. First of all, as a teacher I continually encountered research and scholarship of professors at Cal State L.A. that was consistent with my approach to teaching and learning in inner-city schools. Secondly, two colleagues completed the program that I was interested in applying to and they reported very positive experiences."
"Once at Cal State L.A., I found that I was among practioners who were diverse in a number of ways. We were from a variety of school districts, small and large and we represented a wide range of cultures, ethnicities, and social classes. We also shared a common interest in developing effective teaching strategies based on research that supports children who mirrored our backgrounds-children who may be second language learners, live in high poverty or working class neighborhoods, and/or of cultural minorities whose strengths and traditions have not always been appreciated in school settings."
"At Cal State L.A., theory is grounded in the practice of teaching and learning in an urban environment."
Future plans
To continue my growth as a teacher-leader and to be part of policy making in the area of urban education on a district or state-wide level.
To earn an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership in an urban studies program.
To become a professor in Teacher Education and Urban Studies at an institution of higher learning in California.
Contact the Graduate Studies Web Administrator
Office of Graduate Studies | Division of Academic Affairs
Office: Adm710
Phone: 323.343.3820 | FAX:323.343.5653
