EIU Department of Master's of Education in Curriculum and Instruction

Student Impact Grant

2022 - Samantha Phillips

Master of Science in Education in Curriculum and Instruction

Samantha earned her Bachelor degree at Bradley University for Middle School Teaching – ESL. She has earned her Master of science in education in curriculum and instruction at EIU. Her graduate thesis is titled, “An Exploration of Middle School Teachers’ Utilization of Culturally Responsive Teaching”. The study was a qualitative study that examined the utilization of culturally responsive teaching strategies of two middle school teachers and two principals in public schools on the Southwest side of Chicago. Samantha is currently working in the Dean’s office at EIU with the Module 1 Culturally and Responsive Teaching.

2019 - Cathleen Peno

Master of Science in Education in Curriculum and Instruction

Cathleen earned her master of science in education in curriculum and instruction at EIU. She received the College Thesis Award of Excellence with her thesis titled, “Examination of the Integration of Augmented Reality in Technology in Science Curriculum”. The study examined students’ success rate and level of engagement in a science classroom by using augmented reality (AR) specifically merge cube technology devices. Students’ success rate is measured by their grades, which was the standard measure for students’ understanding already in place.

2019 - Cheyenne Warman-Neal

Master of Science in Education in Curriculum and Instruction

Cheyenne earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in food science and human nutrition. She taught family and consumer sciences at Charleston High School before teaching in Urbana. Her graduate thesis is titled, “Investigation of the Implementation of Competency-Based Education in Central Illinois” and she presented some her initial findings at the Illinois Association of Teacher Education Conference as a lead presenter.