Melissa Hammerle
Professor Hammerle is one of the kindest most considerate professors that I have ever had. She cares deeply about all of her students and hopes to support them in whatever ways that she can. This class was very interesting and exposed me to new topics that I had never learned about.
Taking Education in the USA was a valuable and eye-opening experience that gave me a deeper understanding of the structures, challenges, and opportunities within the American education system. The course did an excellent job of balancing historical context with contemporary issues, allowing students to see how past decisions and policies continue to shape the classroom today. We covered a wide range of topics, including the origins of public schooling, debates over federal versus local control, the impact of socioeconomic status on educational outcomes, and ongoing discussions around equity and access. One of the strengths of the class was its emphasis on connecting theory to practice. Readings and lectures were always paired with concrete case studies, which helped to ground abstract ideas in real examples. Discussions were another highlight. The professor encouraged us to share our own educational experiences and perspectives, which created a collaborative environment where differences in opinion were respected. I also appreciated how guest speakers—teachers, administrators, and policymakers—were invited to share firsthand insights. The workload was manageable and thoughtfully designed. Assignments pushed us to think critically without feeling overwhelming. Reflection papers encouraged personal engagement with the material, while group projects required us to analyze current issues like school funding, standardized testing, or bilingual education. These projects were not only informative but also fostered teamwork and presentation skills. Overall, Education in the USA helped me see how education is deeply connected to broader social, political, and economic forces. It challenged me to think critically about my own schooling experience and about the role education plays in shaping opportunity in America. I would recommend this class to anyone interested in teaching, policy, or simply understanding the foundation of one of the country’s most important institutions.
Taking Education in the USA was a valuable and eye-opening experience that gave me a deeper understanding of the structures, challenges, and opportunities within the American education system. The course did an excellent job of balancing historical context with contemporary issues, allowing students to see how past decisions and poli …Read more
Prof. Hammerle is an amazing teacher who excelled at teaching this course. Before every class we had readings and discussion questions to help our discussion during the class period. We covered many topics from how different types of school gained traction to theories about the best teachings methods/schools.