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Will a Master's Degree Matter?
Are you on your way to earning a degree?
Featured Author:
Jill Hare
Jill is a graduate of Vanderbilt University and received her Masters from Teachers College, Columbia University. Before joining the team at TheApple, Jill was a teacher in Nashville, New York and Atlanta, where she was named Teacher of the Year in 2003. An excerpt of Jill’s teaching career will be published in the summer of 2010 in The Teachable Moment.
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After graduating from college, I knew I wanted to get a graduate degree at some point, but when?
I knew I wouldn’t go back to school if I stopped the routine, so I pressed forward and went straight through. I learned three important things: my undergraduate degree had not prepared me fully for the classroom; a master’s degree is expensive; working full-time and going to school was hard work.
What you learn in college is up to you, right? Well…kind of. How are you supposed to know what you need to learn? How can you filter out what’s important from the information that takes up extra space in your brain? The education classes and experiences I had in my undergraduate years are helpful when they belong to a larger picture of my education- but in isolation, they wouldn’t have done me a lot of good. I continued the next 3 years after college in New York City to obtain my Master’s. Adding more city experiences and alternative school options helped me create my own voice as an educator. After seven years of higher education, it all started to click. Notice I said “started.” I had yet to have my own classroom. That’s when the real journey begins. Year after year in the classroom those 7 years of higher education and 2 degrees started to work for me. I saw how the analysis I had done and written about was happening in my classroom, and with that prior knowledge, I had the power to influence change.
I pursued my Master’s with college loans following close behind me, so I took the extra time and payed for my degree as I could. Though it was very expensive, it’s not something I regret spending money on. My husband always says, “Why did you spend so much money to get a Master’s and then become a teacher?” My response? Just because it’s not a high paying job doesn’t mean that it doesn’t require the highest education available.
It’s exhausting working and going to school! If the degree program you enroll in is right for you, then you’ll find it will shed new light on your job in the classroom and give you energy to achieve your goal.
Teachers don’t work their way up the corporate ladder, but getting a degree can help you earn more yearly and open doors to different jobs within the education field. If you haven’t made the choice to continue your education full-time, try out a class at your local university. Hopefully your class will do two things for you: fulfill your re-certification requirements and give your teaching new purpose and life.
Degrees Held By American Teachers
Bachelors 52%
Masters 41%
Specialized 4.7%
PhD. .7%
- From the Institute of Education Science/US Department of Education
e3_
over 1 year ago
8 comments
I want to pursue my noble profesion,thru schoolarship program,in your state if you trusted to my email every time you inform to me.Far place like mine is only a dream.,but Ibelieve God will find ways becauseHe knows what is inside my innermost.to help not to earn more than i expected because teaching is not a career you will find money this is continous learning to impart good quality education.
cashinteach
over 2 years ago
2 comments
I went back to school to be a teacher when I was 35. I graduated at 41. I stopped going to school and worked for 2 1/2 years, before going to get my masters. Life is hard but what isn't. I love going to school and learning. It does make me a better teacher. I will be getting my masters hopefully before my children graduate from college.
EDU6
over 2 years ago
126 comments
This narrative is a pointer to ' how to look ahead ', ' go ahead ' and spearhead the cause of teacher education in a simple, homely tone.
Nisfornimfa
over 2 years ago
28 comments
I think it's always important as a teacher (and in any profession) to continue to develop yourself professionally. I mean you'd wanna be the best teacher possible and if getting your Masters will help you grow, then why not? And I think since teachers are becoming so high in demand, having a Bachelors won't allow you to stand out. I think getting your Masters will give you that extra oomph to go further. But I think it's also important to get classroom experience so you have something to apply what you learn.
cheeriobaby
over 2 years ago
56 comments
good article. I recently thought about the whole education degree thing. I have always planned to get my masters however, it has been frustrating me that someone is allowed to teach Kindergarten with a CDA... no offense to anyone, but I was in a position where I had to debate wether or not is was worth the time and money to achieve my initial goal.
lonkaupender
almost 3 years ago
2 comments
can any one help me in getting degree from free of cost without fees payment if there please help me