Dr. Lara Reem's journey in education spans 29 years as a dedicated teacher at Washington Community High School. Her commitment to her field led her to pursue a Doctor of Education (EdD) degree from the University of Illinois Learning Design & Leadership (LDL) online program, where she recently earned her doctorate.

Lara's research journey stemmed from her years of experience in the field, focusing on the professional development offered to music teachers by school districts. Her motivation to investigate the experiences of music teachers led her to pursue her EdD, where she delved into published research, theoretical approaches, and conducted surveys and interviews to articulate the unique challenges faced by music educators.

💡Career Objectives and Achievements:

Throughout her EdD journey, Lara learned to break down massive projects into smaller steps, effectively budgeting her time to balance her studies with full-time employment and family responsibilities. Her completion of the program was supported by the flexibility it offered, enabling her to navigate personal emergencies while receiving guidance and encouragement from Drs. Cope, Kalantzis, and Francis.

💡 Advice for Graduate Students:

Reflecting on her experience, Lara says that “one of the most valuable facets of the work was reading articles and finding that researchers have been addressing this issue for decades, with varying amounts of success. Discovering that this work has been a point of interest for multiple researchers gave me the confidence to continue to pursue my own research and highlight the issue and needs of this particular point in time.”

🎉 Celebrating Success:

Lara's journey through the LDL EdD program was characterized by the flexibility to develop her research topic from day one. Grateful for the opportunity to conduct her dissertation research while continuing her professional career and supporting her family, Lara acknowledges the unique benefits of the online program, including access to library facilities, advisor support, and the ability to tailor coursework to her research interests.

🌟 Reflecting on Achievement:

Completing her EdD in 2022 marks a significant milestone in Lara's career and personal growth. She is grateful for the opportunity to contribute to the scholarly literature while continuing her dedication to teaching. Her journey exemplifies the transformative power of education and the ability to effect positive change within one's field.

Dr. Lara Reem's story serves as an inspiration to aspiring scholars and educators, showcasing the value of lifelong learning and research in advancing educational practices. Congratulations, Dr. Reem, on your remarkable achievement!

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