One of my favorite stories is about the man who walks along the beach picking up stranded starfish and flinging them back out into the ocean.  When someone asks him how he can possibly make a difference when there are so many miles of beach and millions of starfish, he holds up the one in his hand and answers, “It makes a difference to this one,” then throws the starfish to safety in the sea.  That starfish thrower reminds me of great teachers who never give up and continue to work toward excellence in learning for all students in spite of the challenges facing education today.  The Department of Curriculum & Instruction at Texas State University is devoted to preparing and developing that kind of educator—diligent, caring, persistent teachers who love learning and teaching others how to learn. 

 We hope our website will help you find the information you need for beginning or furthering your career as an educator through our outstanding undergraduate and graduate programs.  Please contact us at 512-245-2157 if we can be of assistance, or email me at werner@txstate.edu.

Patrice Holden Werner, Ph.D.
Chair and Associate Professor
Department of Curriculum & Instruction