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Jon Rogers
M.A.Ed. with Graduate Teacher Preparation, 2006
After serving in the Army, Jon Rogers attended an Antioch open house that was just what he needed to make up his mind about graduate studies.
"...the discussions my cohort embarked upon about equity in the classroom and how it could be implemented was truly heartfelt. ... The small cohort setting, in my mind, is the best way to go about educating future educators."
"I went to an open house and was immediately convinced that Antioch was the place for me. The small cohort setting provided a unique opportunity to work closely with a great group of professionals and future educators," Rogers says. Today, he's a teacher at Denny Middle School in West Seattle.
His Antioch education, he says, has global implications for him.
"I truly believe in Antioch's message of social justice in our global village, and I have every intention at some point throughout my career to teach in a developing country in Africa.
"I'm more passionate than ever about equity and equal access for underprivileged students in developing countries. I see myself writing grants in the future to help fund programs in small African countries that help educate future generations of world leaders.
"Antioch helped allow me to take my curriculum to a global scale, again fostering social justice issues," he says.
He calls his master's thesis a fruitful and rewarding experience.
"All the research and time put into that project really tested my resolve," he notes. "I truly feel this independent study made me a more capable educator!"
His best memories, however, are discussions with others in his cohort.
"Simply put, the discussions my cohort embarked upon about equity in the classroom and how it could be implemented was truly heartfelt. Seattle Public Schools are committed to issues of social justice, and I felt that Antioch more than adequately prepared me for instilling this in our students," he describes.
"I tell prospective students the experience I had at Antioch was instrumental to my professional development as an educator. The small cohort setting, in my mind, is the best way to go about educating future educators."
For those who fret about the cost of furthering their education, Rogers has these tips.
"Don't let cost get in the way of your future," he says. "Think of it as an investment, and take out the aid necessary to become the successful educator you know you can be. We need more educators with fresh approaches and new ideas for helping kids achieve academically."
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