gc-why walden

g c a s o n 1 2 3 @ g m a i l . c o m 7 7 0 . 7 1 2 . 1 7 1 9 h t t p s : / / s i t e s . g o o g l e . c o m / s i t e / g c a s o n 1 2 3 /

2014

Why Walden? A response to, “Should I get my next degree

from Walden University?” M. Glenn Cason, Ed.D.

M. GLENN CASON, ED.D.

Table of Contents Curriculum ...................................................................................................................................... 1

Quality............................................................................................................................................. 1

Online Structure .............................................................................................................................. 1

Online Interface .............................................................................................................................. 1

Teachers .......................................................................................................................................... 1

Students in your class...................................................................................................................... 1

Time Requirements ......................................................................................................................... 2

Support ............................................................................................................................................ 2

Software .......................................................................................................................................... 2

Writing Support .............................................................................................................................. 2

Library............................................................................................................................................. 2

Resume............................................................................................................................................ 4

© 2014 M. Glenn Cason, Ed.D.

Great questions! I'm actually a Walden Ambassador! I loved it. Now, to expound on that:

Curriculum I looked for years locally and nationally for the curriculum that I wanted to study. I had wanted

to get my doctorate for as long as I can remember (high school?), but wasn't sure in what

area. I'd been looking at programs &/or applying for information since 1996. As I got more

serious about it, I narrowed it down to online--credited--degrees only. Walden had the

curriculum I wanted.

Quality Once enrolled, I found out that more than a few of the students attending had switched over from

other online schools b/c those schools were not ____ (fill in the blank) and the students became

very frustrated. They commented how much better Walden was than their other school. That

reassured me that I had made the right decision--and it was.

Online Structure The curriculum is "pure" and there is no extraneous information. Everything is geared to what

you need to know for the degree or how you will apply your degree or what you need to know

specifically to help you for the class. You know on day 1 exactly what you have to do, when it's

due, and what is expected. It's wonderful. Everything that is done is done for your knowledge

and success; you don't have to listen to some teacher telling stories, take rabbit trails for 30

minutes, and then forget what they were supposed to be talking about. There is no wasted time.

Online Interface The interface/"classroom"/interaction is streamlined and efficient. Their software/interface helps

you keep track of what you've done and what you haven't. It's excellent.

Teachers The teachers are VERY qualified; excellent; the best. They have extensive knowledge and

experience in their field and know how to help you. They are very strict; nobody's messing

around; they treat you like an adult. They are there to guide you into the unknown of getting

your degree. Sometimes that's pretty, sometimes it isn't, but it works.

Students in your class Your classmates are very dedicated, knowledgeable, and helpful. I had a group of 3-5 “friends”

in every class that I worked with, shared ideas, asked questions, etc. Several of us were in the

same class several times; the classmates you are with are one of the best parts of the program.


Time Requirements There were more people than I expected who started the program but didn't finish it. Some were

because of life issues (parents, deaths, severe illnesses, etc.) and some were computer issues:

computer crashes and they hadn't saved or backed up their work (who would be that stupid?) and

they lost everything. Plan on at least 20 hours/week for work. I worked almost every night after

supper until bed. That gave me about 10-15 hours a week, and then I worked all morning until

lunch on Saturday which gave me about 5 more hours, and then a couple of hours Sunday

night. I loved the work b/c I was learning so much - I couldn't get enough. When the degree was

over in October, I went into withdrawal; I wrote 2 “books” that Christmas break...

Support The online & phone support is excellent, the best. You make a call or online chat (preferred),

and you don't have to talk to someone who gets your information and forwards it to someone else

who will get back w/you - the first person you talk to takes care of the issue, every time -

period. It's phenomenal, uncanny. When there are teacher/instructor/Chair issues, the person in

charge takes care of it - quickly. Everyone is there to see that you complete your degree, without

minimizing the degree or work. You have a shoulder to cry on if you need it, but they are all

problem solvers to get the job done.

Software Microsoft Office

One Note: a must. If you don't know what it is, look in to it. Everything is in one place

and all material is searchable.

EndNote (or other bibliography software): a must. I used EndNote and loved it.

Speech dictation: on Windows - it's already in there. It is really effective and helpful

when you can talk faster than you can type. I used it when I had to take notes on books,

chapters, articles, videos we had to read/see, and it was great.

Writing Support Need help with getting the words to work correctly? Send it to writing support. They are a

group who not only know how make suggestions to improve your work, but also they do it in the

nicest way! I never felt demeaned or inferior when I got my work back with all those red

comments on it… You can also target areas of the paper and ask specific questions – they

respond with excellent advice.

Library You’ve never used a library like this! It is the world at your finger tips. If you can’t find it, the

librarians will. These librarians are not like the ones you had in middle school that can’t quite

work the VHS or projector; they are seasoned professionals committed to knowing their job, and

helping you with yours. They can find anything. It’s unbelievable…


Hope that gives you an idea. If you want to be in touch, please do. I'll answer anything you

need if I haven't here. Also, if you need advice/help during the process, let me know - be happy

to help.

See also my “Surviving a Doctorate: Year One” on my website.

M. Glenn Cason, Ed.D. https://sites.google.com/site/gcason123/

https://sites.google.com/site/gcason123/


Resume M. Glenn Cason, Ed.D.

Douglasville, GA 30134

770-712-1719

[email protected]

My doctoral study, Activating Prior Knowledge With Cues and Questions As a Key Instructional Strategy to

Increase Student Achievement in Low Socioeconomic Middle Schools, and other supporting documents can be

found on my online portfolio here: https://sites.google.com/site/gcason123/

PROFESSIONAL INSTRUCTION Prepare and deliver six standards-based, teacher-directed, student-focused, interactive instructional lessons to a

diverse student population each school day. Prepare and teach ongoing remedial writing or math needs-based

instructional units.

Mentor to first year teacher with over 100 hours of observation, evaluation, planning, and interaction which

helped create a positive and successful teaching/learning environment. Selected as Mentor Chair for 2013.

Developed complete instrumental curriculum and elementary music education program resulting in increase in

participation in the instrumental music program. Created new band curriculum and provided instruction for

instrumental students from 7th through 12th grade

Prepared, programmed, and managed all details for an exclusive Jazz Band performance for a campaign rally

for President George H. W. Bush in 1992 and an exclusive band performance for Paul Coverdell in the only

Senate run-off election in the United States in 1993.

Chairman of Southern Association & Accreditation of Schools 10-year study music subcommittee. The study

resulted in new classes, programs, teaching techniques and evaluation procedures for all music classes.

Created, organized, and developed the first cooperative learning program for Algebra and Pre-Algebra students

which resulted in increase in overall student achievement

Prepare and guide diverse students in the Robotics Club to work as teams to construct robots, design and run

movement instructions, and document and analyze results based on changing requirements. Prepare and

provide weekly, free, after-school guitar instruction available to the student body at the local school. Student

mentor.

Herschel Jones Service Excellence Award 2003, five-time Service Award Recipient; Nominated for Herschel

Jones Teacher of the Year 2005; Teacher of the Month May 2008, March 2009, November 2010

EPCOT Center Walt Disney World Grand Opening Celebrations and Dedication Ceremony Musician 1982

National Association of Jazz Educators Special Citation for Outstanding Musicianship 1980

Marching Band: Grew from 100 to 125 members in one year; unprecedented retention of volunteer 8th grade

marching band students; placed 8th in the Upper-State Finals Contest

Created Honor Band which was straight Superior-rated at the 2004 and 2005 Trills and Thrills Concert Festival

as well as the 2006, 2007, and 2008 Large Group Performance Evaluation; Tiger Band: football games, pep

rallies; elementary school orientation and recruiting; winter, spring concerts; Tribute To Our Troops fund-

raising concert; students have made District Honor, Region, and/or All-State symphonic band, concert band,

jazz band or orchestra every year to 2009; created curriculum and provided instruction for new general music

classes

Created detailed positive reinforcement merit system which increased participation, morale and interest in

music program

Instructed intermediate and advanced symphonic bands, marching and jazz bands, advanced theory classes,

guitar, music appreciation classes and orchestra; performed grade II—VI music

mailto:[email protected]

https://sites.google.com/site/gcason123/


ADJUDICATION AND PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES ADJUDICATOR

6 Years Georgia Governor’s Honor Program Final Interviews

7 Years All-State Band Final Auditions

7 Years District Band Honor Band Auditions

3 Years Cobb County Fall Solo & Ensemble

2 Years Lassiter High School

Georgia Music Educators Association District Six Jazz Ensemble Festival

EVALUATOR AND PRESENTER

o Judge:

2014 Phi Delta Kappa International Pi Lambda Theta Future Educators Association National

Conference Job Application Interview Finals

2013 Kappa Delta Pi International Honor Society/Association of Teacher Educators’ National Student

Teacher/Intern of the Year Award

2013 Kappa Delta Pi International Honor Society Harold D. Drummond graduate scholarship

foundation scholarships

2012 Phi Delta Kappa International Future Educators Association National Essay Competition

2011 Celebrating 100 years of Kappa Delta Pi Convocation Presentation Proposal

o Poster presentation of “Activating Students’ Prior Knowledge: A Key Instructional Strategy for Increasing

Student Achievement in Low-Socioeconomic Middle Schools” at the 2014 Georgia Music Educator’s

Association State Conference and 2012 Walden University Winter Research Symposium

o “Saxophone Teacher’s Handbook” presented to Georgia Music Educators Association District 7 Honor

Band directors 2012

o Presentation to local faculty: “Fair is not equal”; Discipline with Dignity, Chapter 5: Consequences vs.

Punishment; “Differentiating instruction: Why bother?”; Activating Prior Knowledge with Cues and

Questions: A Key Instructional Strategy to Increase Student Achievement for Low-Socioeconomic Middle

School Students.

MASTER CLASSES, SAXOPHONE CLINICIAN, AND BAND CLINICIAN

4 Years East Paulding High School Symphonic and Concert Saxophone Master Class

3 Years North Paulding High School Symphonic and Concert Saxophone Master Class

South Paulding Middle School Saxophone Master Class

McClure Middle School Saxophone Master Class

3 Years Cartersville Middle School Saxophone Master Class

Moses Middle School Saxophone Master Class

Kennesaw High School; Harrison High School; Lost Mountain Middle School; Woodstock Middle School;

Clinician Moses Middle School, Paulding County High School, South Paulding High School, East Paulding

High School; Guest Conductor East Paulding High School

INSTRUCTOR

Academy of Performing Arts: Flute, Clarinet, Saxophone

8 Years Paulding County High School Marching Band

5 Years East Paulding High School Marching Band

2 Years Hiram High School Marching Band

1 Year South Paulding High School Marching Band


FORMAL EDUCATION WALDEN UNIVERSITY

Doctor of Education in Teacher Leadership—2011; 4.0

Project study Activating Prior Knowledge With Cues and Questions As a Key Instructional Strategy to Increase

Student Achievement in Low-Socioeconomic Middle Schools found here:

http://gradworks.umi.com/34/69/3469058.html

NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY

Master of Music in Saxophone Performance—1985

Finalists for Doctorate of Musical Arts in Instrumental Conducting—1996

UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA

Bachelor of Music Education and Performance Certificate—1984 Cum laude

President’s Honor List, Dean’s List, Honor’s College

CLINTON HIGH SCHOOL

College Prep Diploma—1980, High Honor Graduate

National Honor Society, International Thespian Society, Honor Thespian

CONTINUING EDUCATION BIBLE TRAINING CENTRE FOR PASTORS

Certificate of Completion; Bible Training for Church Leaders, 300 hour curriculum

FURMAN UNIVERSITY

South Carolina Governor’s School for the Arts—Gifted and Talented Education—1986, 1987

Nature and Needs and Curriculum and Strategies for Gifted and Talented

Created second-year teacher G&T training Internship Program

Developed process for evaluating G&T students in school systems

UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA

Orff: Level 1 Certification

AUGUSTA COLLEGE (now Augusta State University)—Post Graduate Classes

Exceptional Children; Research/Statistical Analysis; Foundations/Philosophy of Education

LAW FIRM RESPONSIBILITIES ADMINISTRATION: Administrator Office

Manager

ACCOUNTING: Controller, Collections Director

HUMAN RESOURCES: Personnel Manager,

Benefits Administrator, Payroll Administrator

OFFICE SERVICES: Telecommunications

Manager, Librarian

INFORMATION SYSTEMS: Manager of

Information Systems, Network Administrator

OTHER DUTIES: Billing & Collections, Payroll &

Benefits Administration, Office Systems &

Facilities

AFFILIATIONS, ACTIVITIES, AND PUBLIC SERVICE Memberships have included: Phi Delta Kappa International Professional Association in Education, Executive

Board Member/Secretary for the Alpha Epsilon Xi chapter of Kappa Delta Pi International Honor Society in

Education, Pi Kappa Lambda National Music Honor Society, Phi Mu Alpha Music Fraternity, Professional

Association of Georgia Educators, Georgia Music Educators Association, Music Educators National

Conference

Founding member of the Cobb Wind Symphony (1999 to present); featured performances at: Midwest

International Band and Orchestra Clinic 2011 and the Grand Finale Concert in 2003, Georgia Music Educators

http://gradworks.umi.com/34/69/3469058.html


Association In-Service Conference 2005, 2007, and 2010, CBDNA/NBA Southeast Convention 2006 and 2008,

Cobb County (GMEA District XII) District Honor Band 2006, University of Georgia’s JanFest 2010, recipient

of the Sudler Silver Scroll

Bramlett Towneship Architectural Control Committee Chairman (2003-2005); Spinnaker Cove Condominium

Association Director (2001), Vice-President (2002)

American Taekwondo Association: Brown Belt Recommended; published amateur photographer

Recording artist for six commercial albums, featured saxophone soloist performer, volunteer director and

performer for community quartets and jazz ensembles. Featured with East Paulding High School Symphonic

Band at Troy State Band Clinic, 2003. Recipient of NAJE Special Citation for Outstanding Musicianship and

John Philip Sousa Band Award. Co-originator of Instrumental Ministry Resources, Inc. music publishing

company; saxophonist at Brevard Music Center; producer for South Carolina Governor’s School for the Arts

Teacher Internship informational video.

Involvement in major musicals as Music Director/Conductor: Stop the World I Want to Get Off; Orchestra

Member: Oklahoma!, Once Upon a Mattress, Brigadoon, The Music Man, 1940s Radio Hour, Atlanta Passion

Play, Man of La Mancha, The Sound of Music, They’re Playing Our Song; and Cast Member: Camelot, Annie

Get Your Gun, Hello Dolly!, Lil’ Abner, and Dark of the Moon

COMPUTER SKILLS APPLICATIONS Created spreadsheets for 3-year tracking and scheduling of all middle school students in Connections classes at

Herschel Jones Middle School 2006-2009 and Ritch Middle School 2012-2013

Created spreadsheets for projecting budget allocations, profits, managing $1M+ cash flow, monitoring 401(k)

contributions, calculating bonuses, tracking account balances, expenditures, staff work days, office purchases,

and financial analysis and projections

SPECIAL EVENTS ACTIVITIES Conducted the Alto Saxophone III/IV sectional of the Northwestern University Alumni Saxophone Orchestra

celebrating the 50-year teaching legacy of Dr. Frederick L. Hemke.

Organized sales, processing and distribution of 45,000+ tickets

Supervised production and distribution of 62k+ brochures; maintained, updated and supervised customer

database of 62k+ names

Evaluated previous office systems, then collaborated with staff to create new office procedures and systems

resulting in significantly increased accuracy rate (~100%) for all tickets sold

Created spreadsheets and databases for weekly analysis of profits ($400k+) and mailing lists (6k+ names)

WORK EXPERIENCE 8/02-Present Instrumental Band Director, Paulding County School District

Ritch Middle School: Cassandra Dobbs, Principal (2012 to present);

Herschel Jones Middle School: Craig Wilcox (2008-2012); Scott Viness, Principal (2006-2008);

Kimberly Fraker, Principal (2004-2005); Eddie A. Mosley, Principal (2002-2004)

8/01-8/02 Law Firm Administrator: Dupree, Poole & King

2/00-8/01 Law Firm Office Manager: Lord, Bissell & Brook

9/97-2/00 Law Firm Administrator: Gorby, Reeves, Peters & Burns, PC

9/94-8/97 Law Firm Administrator: Isaf, Vaughan & Kerr;

8/95-6/96 Substitute Band Director: Clinton High School

9/93-7/94 Office Manager: Atlanta Passion Play Box Office

8/88-7/93 Instrumental Band Director: Thomson High and Norris Middle School; Shamrock High School

8/85-7/88 Instrumental Director: East Middle School; Thomas Sumter Academy

gc-why walden

Documents