Why CSUF's MS in Transformative Teaching?
Whether your goal is to stay in the classroom, take on a leadership role at your school site, or prepare for future doctoral studies, earning a degree from CSUF’s MS in Transformative Teaching in Secondary Education will advance your career. Alums of the MSTT program teach and lead in districts throughout (and beyond) California, present and publish their work at the national level, teach in community college and teacher preparation programs, run educational nonprofits, and more.
Meet recent alumni of the MS in Transformative Teaching
Rodney Andres Perez
Rodney Andres Perez, former math teacher in Los Angeles Unified School District and Doctoral Candidate at the University of Washington
2021 Edwin Carr Fellow
As a student at CSUF, I was able to network with peers and faculty to develop my practice, and found that the program molded to my needs. It offered the flexibility that most masters programs don’t offer and I developed life-long friendships and thought-partners. It also had a real impact on my professional trajectory: I contributed to scholarship through publication and presentation, was a guest speaker in courses and a keynote speaker at educational conferences, and was a panelist for a National Science Foundation grant application. That all led to my admission to the PhD program in Mathematics Education at the University of Washington, where my research explores how mathematics teachers can leverage generative artificial intelligence to augment lessons that reflect culturally responsive mathematical teaching.
Click to read Rodney’s article The Four Levels of Implementing Mathematical Rap in Your Classroom
David De La Cruz Rosales
David De La Cruz Rosales, English Language Development teacher at Young Oak Kim Academy, Los Angeles Unified School District
2025 Edwin Carr Fellow
The mentorship I received in CSUF’s MS in Transformative Teaching program led to many opportunities to participate in and present at national conferences, including the Annual Meeting of the Association for Teacher Educators, the National Association of Multicultural Education and the inaugural Education Leadership for Social Justice Symposium at UC Riverside, as well as the publication of a chapter in Hispanic Perspectives on Student Support and Empowerment. After completing my MS degree, I received a fully funded research fellowship from Johns Hopkins University’s PREPPed predoctoral program where I collaborated with scholars nationwide to examine the educational experiences of Latinx communities.
Brock Lewis
Brock Lewis, 7/8th History Teacher, Brea Jr. High
2024 Edwin Carr Fellow
My experience in the CSUF Master’s Program was transformative, equipping me to become a more effective teacher for all students through the principles of just, equitable, and inclusive education. The program also gave me the confidence and skills to publish my academic research in the Discover Education journal.
Illy Quintana
Illy Quintana, Science Teacher, Walnut Valley Unified School District
MSTT Class of 2025
CSUF’s MS in Transformative Teaching helped me become a more reflective educator. I grew in confidence and clarity and saw measurable growth in my students. The program helped me use more equitable practices and student centered instruction, and elevated my voice in the profession of teaching. I chose to apply for National Board Certification as my capstone project, and I would definitely recommend the process to other teachers. It aligned perfectly with the emphases of the master’s program, and the program prepared me to succeed.
Click to watch a short video about Illy’s experience applying for National Board Certification
Paola Rosenberg
Paola Rosenberg, Plurilingual & AI Curriculum Specialist, Anaheim Union High School District, and PhD Candidate, Claremont Graduate University
The MS program at CSUF helped me further develop my ability to develop curriculum and strategically assess students in a meaningful and intentional way. It also developed my leadership skills, which I am now utilizing as a Plurilingual & AI Curriculum Specialist at the district level at Anaheim Union High School District. Through the amazing mentorship I received from CSUF educators, I am now in a PhD program, where the skills I learned at CSUF have been critical to my success.
Rebeka Stowe
Rebeka Stowe, 8th Grade Language Arts Teacher & Language Arts Department Head, Georgia Morse Middle School, Pierre, South Dakota
The CSUF MS program deeply shaped how I view my role as an educator; it gave me the tools to build strong connections with students, create a sense of belonging, and support their academic growth. The knowledge and skills I gained at CSUF opened doors to leadership opportunities, including an assistant principal position, my current role as head of the Language Arts Department at Georgia Morse Middle School, and participation on leadership and data analysis teams. Most meaningfully, my preparation led me to work with the South Dakota State Department of Indian Education through the Wóokiye Project, where I have been able to better support Indigenous students in my classroom.
Click here to read Rebeka’s article, Culturally Responsive Teaching in an Oglala Lakota Classroom
Members of the 2024 MSTT Cohort
2025 MSTT Commencement Celebrations