SOMERS - A few years ago, Brian Gaudio was disappointed by his whole experience with the teacher education program at the University of Wisconsin-Parkside.

He wasn't getting the support he wanted or the classroom instruction he needed.

Then Kelly McFatter drove to Gaudio's house in Kenosha and took him to visit a school in Racine, where he eventually got a job as a teacher.

McFatter is now the subject of a complaint from a fellow faculty member, who says she shirked state requirements when running the program.

Gaudio, 28, was among McFatter's first class of student teachers after she arrived at Parkside in 2006 to become the university's director of teacher preparation.

Gaudio, who is now in his second year of teaching, said that he felt, at the time, like he wasn't being adequately prepared at Parkside, but McFatter convinced him to stick with it.

"Many good teachers have come out of Parkside, but it has to do with the individuals themselves and not the program," Gaudio said. "For me it was a godsend that (McFatter) was there. I don't know if I would have finished the program if she wasn't."

A faculty member painted a different picture of McFatter by filing complaints in January with Parkside officials and the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction alleging McFatter was not following DPI requirements in running the program.

A report from the DPI is due out in the coming weeks after officials visited the campus Monday to investigate the allegations against McFatter. The complaints alleged that McFatter inaccurately advised students in the program; awarded students credit for coursework that wasn't earned; and allowed students to student-teach without completing the appropriate coursework before doing so.

McFatter resigned from Parkside in March over the issue and has since returned to Louisiana, according to one of her students. She was allowed to continue teaching a few courses, but left early, the student said. The students finished at least one of her courses online.

McFatter's contract was set to expire June 30. Friday was the last day of classes for Parkside students.

While the nature of the allegations could be a setback to some students in the teacher ed program, McFatter's departure left some upset and confused about their future prospects in the job market, once they do graduate, with Parkside's name embroiled in the current situation.

Mike Meier, a senior in the teacher education program, said he is disappointed by the way the university handled the situation and treated McFatter, who joined the Parkside faculty in 2006 after working at Louisiana State University.

"No one is really being honest with us, the students in the teacher ed program. It affected the way she taught the class. It affected the way we students tried to learn in the class," said Meier, 33. "We loved what she did for the teacher ed program in the short time she was here."

A DPI spokesman said officials are drafting a report based on the information they gathered Monday during interviews with students, faculty and administrators.

The state in 2006 gave Parkside full approval to run its teacher education program, which is good for five years. DPI officials likely wouldn't have returned to review the program until 2011, said spokesman Patrick Gasper.

In a letter to the state, Gerald Greenfield, Parkside's interim provost, said an internal review substantiated many, but not all of the allegations against McFatter.

"Our review indicates that the director of teacher preparation was inconsistent in her record-keeping and at times inattentive to the proper sequencing of courses," Greenfield said in his March letter to DPI officials. "Nonetheless, it appears that all students recommended for licensure completed the stipulated requirements."

Greenfield could not be reached for comment Friday. Attempts to reach McFatter were also unsuccessful.

As Gaudio was finishing his certification at Parkside, he was hopeful that McFatter could turn around the teacher education program that once had a poor reputation.

Now he's not so sure.

"I thought within five years Parkside's program would be salvageable. I don't know what changed. The program was headed in the right direction (under McFatter)," Gaudio said.