Jeremy Williams teaches third- through fifth-grade math in Chicago Public Schools and is graduating from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln with his Master of Arts with a specialization in elementary teaching in May 2025. He shares about his experience in this Q-&-A.
What inspired you to pursue your master's degree?
I pursued my master's degree to deepen my understanding of research-based teaching practices that could directly improve student outcomes and classroom experiences.
What made Nebraska's program the best fit for you?
Nebraska's program stood out because of its strong focus on practical application, flexibility for working educators, and commitment to equity and innovation in education.
How has your experience in the program helped shape you as a teacher?
My experience in the master's program has profoundly influenced my teaching practices and overall growth as an educator. The flexibility to choose courses aligned with my interests and professional goals allowed me to explore topics deeply relevant to my work. As an intermediate math teacher, I gained valuable insights into developing my own math identity and understanding how to recognize and support the math identities of my students. This has helped me create more inclusive, engaging instruction that connects each of my diverse learners – and their families – to meaningful mathematics learning in the classroom.
What does it mean to you to graduate from Nebraska?
Graduating from Nebraska brings me such a sense of achievement, and the connections and friendships that I have made will be lifelong. I am extremely honored to have had the opportunity to learn, grow and achieve under the leadership of all of my instructors, and my advisor, Dr. Sarroub.
How will this degree help you impact your students and community?
It is such an amazing accomplishment to not only graduate from Nebraska, but to be receiving my first master's degree is incredible! The increased mathematical knowledge that I have obtained has helped my students and me tremendously. My fifth-grade students began the year at the 43rd percentile rank. We are ending the year with more than 71% of the students meeting and exceeding their learning targets. I am confident that my work at Nebraska contributed greatly to their phenomenal growth. The future of my students is limitless. Their dreams of becoming scientists, doctors, engineers, and yes, even a math teacher, will allow them to speed toward the trajectory of success. The skills that my students continue to master can be used in any career path of their choosing.
What advice do you have for individuals considering this master's degree program?
The advice that I would give to anyone considering this program would be to go for it. There is nothing to hold you back. With a vast array of online and on-campus courses to choose from, Nebraska is definitely the place that can and will meet the needs and interests for even the most diverse student levels.
"Education is not preparation for life; education is life itself."
–John Dewey
"An investment in knowledge pays the best interest."
–Benjamin Franklin
"Time will still pass, you might as well work hard and have a degree to show when it does."
–Tessa Goldsmith
College of Education and Human Sciences
Teaching, Learning & Teacher Education
