Jenny Hart: Outstanding Student in Curriculum, Assessment and Instruction

Jenny Hart of Orrington, Maine is the 2024 Outstanding Student in Curriculum, Assessment and Instruction in the University of Maine College of Education and Human Development. You can read a Q&A with Hart below.

What difference has UMaine made in your life and in helping you reach your goals?

My coursework as a Curriculum, Assessment and Instruction (CA&I) student at UMaine has helped me feel more confident in my teaching. I feel that I can bring my new knowledge back to my district and serve as a leader at my grade level.

Have you had an experience at UMaine that has changed or shaped the way you see the world? If so, tell us about it.

My completion of this degree is nearly 30 years in the making. While at times the work seemed daunting, my experience as a graduate student reminded me of the challenges my young students face daily as they learn new skills.

What advice do you have for incoming graduate students to help them get off to the best start academically?

Do the work for yourself, not for the grade. Some of the most challenging courses I have taken have also been the most rewarding. You can only get out of it what you put into it.

Why UMaine?

I love being a UMaine student with my daughter, who is a third-year undergrad student. I also love the proximity to my home and the beauty of the campus.

Favorite UMaine memory:

My favorite memory will be graduation with my master’s degree in CA&I! I can’t wait to don my regalia, hold my diploma and say, “I finally did it!”

Special Thank You message:

Thank you to all my professors for sharing your knowledge with me. Thank you to my family for allowing the dishes in the sink to build up while I spent my evenings doing homework.