If you’re a teacher you know that continuing your education is not only required, but it’s also the best way to stay up to date on new trends and standards in our schools. Of course, there are benefits to getting your MEd (Master of Education).
You also know that obtaining Continuing Education Units (CEUs) not only benefits you, as an educator, but it also has an impact on your students. But did you know that you might be able to count your Master’s studies towards your required continuing education credits?
Yes, going back to school to get your MEd (Master of Education) can be time-consuming, and it can also cost a pretty penny. So why do it? It’s not like teachers have a lot of free time floating around.
Why do it? Because you became a teacher to make a difference in students’ lives. So here’s what a Master’s in Education can do for you…
The notorious pay bump
We’ll start with the most obvious and instantly gratifying–the teacher pay scale. Having your Master’s will earn you an extra $5,000+ each year. I’ll try to stay off my soapbox, but that extra money is pretty nice when you’re living on a teacher’s salary.
We all know teachers don’t choose the profession for the money–but a little extra never hurts, right?
In-depth pedagogical studies
Master’s programs cover different topics than your typical Bachelor’s plan of study. Coursework for a Master’s program will cover things like theories of education, teaching strategies, forms of assessment, and student learning and behavior patterns.
Yes, there is brief exposure to those topics during teachers’ undergrad years, but going through a Master’s program will encourage you to apply them to your classroom specifically.
You can bring the issues you’re encountering in your school to class with you and discuss them as a group. Which brings me to my next point…
Your professional network will expand exponentially
Not that you couldn’t work to grow your network of teachers locally, but enrolling in a Master’s program gains you access to views from across the world (in some cases).
Have a transfer student that’s coming to you from a different part of the country? Sure, you could call up his previous teachers and ask for some background information, but you could also call up a friend from your program and ask about the culture difference the student might experience.
We know student success and buy-in is dependent upon the details. It’s about what we know and how we deliver that knowledge to them.
Taking on leadership roles
By getting your Master’s in Education, you are opening doors to leadership positions within your school or district. Not only would you become eligible for teacher leadership roles, but you could also be a department head or work your way into administration.
There are areas for growth both in and out of your classroom. Getting your M. Ed. will help you accomplish the goals that you have set for yourself.
Become a more effective advocate
Getting your M.Ed. and taking on leadership roles sets you up to become an expert in your district. This puts you in an excellent position to advocate for your students and bring about system-wide change.
As a teacher, your number one priority is providing the best education possible to the students that walk through the front door of the school each day. If there was something you could do to increase your ability to effectively educate your students, why wouldn’t you do it?
For 5 more, less obvious reasons to get your M.Ed. take a look at this article.
Thank you for what you do everyday for our nation’s youth.
