North Cook News

Interview with Aisha Collins

Aisha Collins is about to graduate with her doctorate from National Louis University’s National College of Education. Her story, like many others, involves rigor and determination. We sat down with Aisha to discuss her educational career path–which includes a chance encounter with Gloria McDaniel-Hall, assistant professor, before she even began studying at NCE–, her dissertation, and what’s next for her career. 

NCE: What is your degree of study from NLU?

Aisha: After graduating with a B.A. degree in Elementary Education from Eastern Illinois University, I attended NLU to pursue a M.A. degree in Curriculum and Instruction. After utilizing this degree to deepen my knowledge in student development, I went on to obtain an Administration and Supervision Ed.S. (Type 75 Certification) from NLU. In 2020, I began my pursuit of obtaining a doctorate degree from NLU in Teaching and Learning with a major in Post-Secondary, Teaching and Instructional Leadership.

NCE: Tell us about your career path. Where did you start? How did you get to where you are today?

Aisha: After graduating with my undergraduate degree, I began teaching 2nd grade in Chicago Public Schools. Like many teachers, the year was met with many challenges and experiences that led to personal as well as professional growth. After teaching for two years in Chicago, I spent the next four years in urban teaching and assumed the role of classroom teacher, lead teacher, and instructional dean, during which I supported new teachers. Then, I went on to work as an assistant principal and principal. When I realized my true desire was to work more closely with students, I returned to teaching in urban schools. Currently, I’m working as a kindergarten teacher, and I am able to build students' foundational reading and math skills and develop social emotional skills that will support their future learning experiences.

NCE: What are your aspirations as an educator?

Aisha: During my own experience as an undergraduate student in an educator preparation program, I encountered professors who truly cared about their pre-service teachers’ success. This led to my desire to emulate this true authenticity in preparing up-and-coming teachers for the tenacity it takes to succeed in urban teaching. Also, the multi-faceted opportunities I’ve had in working with low-income communities around the country for over fifteen years allowed me to be able to recognize the needs of new teachers entering the field. These needs, when left unmet, can lead to new teachers in high-risk schools to begin their career with a deficit mindset, or a lack of preparation for the challenges they will face.

As an educator, I aspire to become a professor in a teacher preparation program that prepares teachers to implement effective teaching practice, especially in low-income schools. I wish to motivate teachers to express their desires to teach and support their development in learning best practices to do so. I also want to improve the ways that preparation programs’ structure student teaching experiences and coursework that addresses the needs of teachers and students.

NCE: Since 2007, you have worked with Gloria McDaniel-Hall on and off. Could you tell me a little bit about your experiences with her from beginning to her being on your dissertation committee?

Aisha: Since 2007 when Dr. McDaniel-Hall became the first person to hire me as a teacher, she has been someone I could always reach out to for professional and personal advice no matter what position I held. Her calm yet excited disposition in every encounter built a level of trust in our relationship that I knew that no matter what my next goal was in life, she would be willing to be my support. Therefore, when I decided to return to work on my doctorate degree, she was the first person I called to share my intentions. Upon reaching the milestone to choose a dissertation chair, she again was the first person I called. Throughout the process, she has been a constant advisor with her wealth of knowledge in, not only teaching, but also leading.

NCE: What is the title of your dissertation and what was the focus of your research?

Aisha: My dissertation title is “Examining Teachers’ Perception of Preparedness to Teach in Low-Income Schools after Completing a Masters of Arts in Teaching.” To help address the issue of teachers leaving the field of education within their first five years of teaching, I focused my research on teacher dispositions and skills that studies have found to be effective in successful teaching in urban, low-income communities. Using surveys and interviews, I found that teachers felt that educator preparation programs prepared them for some areas (such as instruction). Still, there are other areas that respondents felt that they needed more preparation.

NCE: How would you describe your experience at NLU?

Aisha: My experience at NLU has been very rewarding. The coursework and classes were relevant and have been instrumental in my professional development. I encountered professors who truly cared about my well-being and success. The supportive faculty and rigorous degree program prepared me to be influential in my field and was an important factor in continuing to pursue my doctorate degree with NLU.

NCE: What's next for you? What advice do you have for aspiring educators?

My next step is to pursue a position within a university where I will develop, implement, and evaluate innovative teaching methods, as well as observe and support both teacher candidates and cooperating teachers in developing pre-service teachers.

To those who wish to pursue continued education, the biggest take away I have is, “Don’t forget your WHY.” Continuing education is a very arduous and sometimes lonely pursuit, but it is well worth it when you think of your purpose in this world, and the impact you can have when you follow your heart.

Original source can be found here