Joe Alt
Master of Education
Advancing to the Head of the Class
Joe Alt is an award-winning educator who knows a thing or two about students and schedules. The Distinguished Middle School Teacher and finalist for Colorado Teacher of the Year has been an inspiration to students at various grade levels for over 20 years.
Recently, Joe took one of his most important lessons (that education is the key to success) and applied it to his own situation, when he made the commitment to pursue his Master’s degree, knowing that such an achievement would qualify him for a substantial raise in pay. His only concern was that he would be able to find a high-quality Master’s degree program that would fit into his life without disrupting his responsibilities to his current job and students.
“I looked into correspondence schools and other ‘online’ universities, but they weren’t flexible enough and didn’t have a robust online presence. I knew if I had to attend classes even one night a week or be at any scheduled lectures, it would have been too overwhelming. It wouldn't have worked out. But then I found AIU Online and discovered the online learning environment I was looking for. It’s perfect for me.”
Currently an eighth grade math and science teacher at Robert Goddard Middle School in Littleton, Colorado, Joe sought a flexible curriculum that would enable him to maintain his own high standards of teaching excellence.
He also wanted to ensure that time spent with his devoted family would not be compromised beyond a reasonable level: he has a supportive wife, also a teacher, a 17-year old daughter and a 14-year old son. With a little luck, he’d find a curriculum that would also permit time enough for him to pursue some of the outdoor Colorado activities he so enjoyed: kayaking, canoeing, fishing, hiking, skiing, scuba diving and mountain biking.
AIU Online was the solution to Joe’s search for a great university that accommodated his busy schedule... not the other way around. “I’ve made what I would consider very close relationships with four or five classmates. I really wasn’t expecting the sense of community and camaraderie I’ve found. But just as in real life, online students demonstrate leadership, intelligence, humor and flexibility. We’re all over the country, but I’d be really, really surprised if we don’t meet face-to-face somewhere someday.”
Considering the Alts’ penchant for exploring the world, it doesn’t seem an unreasonable notion that Joe might someday cross paths with former classmates. Joe has road-tripped all over the United States and has been to Australia twice. The first time Down Under, Joe drove deep into the outback for nine weeks with a friend who taught 4-wheel driving to the Australian Army. “You couldn’t find a guided tour to the places we went.” Two years ago, he went back with his family and completed more than twenty dives on the Great Barrier Reef, amongst other outback adventures.
In hindsight, the only regrets Joe has about returning to school for his degree involve not having done so sooner. “Since teacher pay in my area is heavily dependent on graduate degrees, I think I was silly to wait so long to get my Master's—not having it for the last 20 years probably cost me ungodly amounts in pay—but now I’m finally doing it, I couldn’t ask for more. I have a great schedule, interesting friends and challenging, worthwhile classes.”
As he nears the completion of his AIU Online Master’s degree, Joe looks to the future with a newfound sense of enthusiasm, commitment and self-satisfaction. Not only does he look forward to advancing his career but also the true feeling of accomplishment he expects to experience when he receives his diploma. Congratulations, Joe!
Back to Student/Alumni Profiles
