Thinking about getting Master's Degree...

[pianoronni37]

I am 26 years old and I am thinking about going back to school to get my Master's Degree, possibly starting in the Fall of 2010.

I have my BA in English, and it really hasn't gotten me very far. At first I didn't want to teach because I felt strongly that I wanted to work in an office... and that has stifled my creativity and my brain waves so much, I can't seem to fathom going to work every day in a cubicle.

I want to get my MS in Education, and teach high school English.

Can anybody who has done this, give me some advice?

Should I quit my job, pick up a part-time job and live sparingly on my husband's meager paycheck while going back to school full time?

Should I go to school part time while keeping my full-time job??

Also, is this just wishful thinking on my part that being a teacher will develop my creative mind more and make me happier, or will I just be stressed to no end (I know this is a personal question, but I just don't want to spend the money and time and find out I hate teaching... which I doubt I will)?

I just need help, advice and support!!

Thank you guys so much!!

 

[Whitty]

Check into online schools....my husband is currently getting his Master's online and working full-time too. That way he can go to school on his time rather than have to meet somewhere at a designated time. You can do it!!! Good Luck!!

 

[pa disney fan]

In my state (PA), there are programs where you can teach (earn money ) and get your grad degree/teaching certifications at the same time. Perhaps look to see if your state offers anything like this? This way you will know whether or not teaching is really for you.

I feel teaching is a very demanding and stressful job, but also very rewarding!
You will probably get many thoughts and opinions about teaching but in the end
it is something only you can decide if is right for you or not.

Good Luck!

 

[Inigo]

I got my master's degree and teaching license in a program that allows one to complete both at once. It was a 3 semester course, and required a master's thesis. It was a full-time program, and included student teaching in the last semester, as well as coursework that semester. Check to see if your local schools of Education offer a similar program.

You would probably not be able to get a teaching license in an on-line program, although there are programs that offer an MS in Education.

 

[PinkRhombus]

A former coworker of mine went back and got her Masters and works with a program here in KY called First Steps. It's for minor developmental issues in younger children (2-3). I think some speech issues. Occupational therapy (like not wanting to touch wet foods). I'm sure there are other areas besides just in classroom teaching positions.

Could you take classes towards the masters that deals with that kind of thing? Very flexible and pays more, from what I hear.

 

[fraggie]

I have a MEd in Education Administration. I completed it while teaching full time with a 10 month old when I started. It took me 2 yrs. to complete with a Principal Certification. Check your local colleges...some will have a combo face to face and online program. You can take night classes and summer classes and get it finished and work too.

 

[casndan]

Unless you live in a very flexible state in order to get your teaching license you are going to have to do student teaching. In Colorado there is a teacher-in-residency program where if you can find a school to hire you which can be a little difficult but definitely doable, you can simultaneously get your masters/teaching license. You really should begin by calling a local university that has an education program and asking them what the requirements are for your state.

 

[Teacher510]

OP, I thought for a second that you were my DD! She is currently writing her Master's thesis in English. She had planned to get her PHD and try to teach at a college but her acceptances didn't give her enough to live on. She is now moving to Nebraska to be near her BF who is working toward his PHD in physics. She has decided to get a Masters in secondary ed from the U of Phoenix online. They arrange student teaching where you live. Some of my colleagues have done grad work through them and were very happy.
If DD stayed in NJ she could follow our Alternate Route program and take the Praxis for certification. Check with you state's Dept. Of Ed.
As far as liking teaching-you would probably qualify to sub in your town which would give you some idea, although it is tougher to sub than to have your own class. If you don't need benefits (or a living wage!) it might be a good employment option. You'd become known to administrators and this could help you when you are ready to teach.
I couldn't imagine doing anything else but it's not for everyone. Feel free to PM me if you have any questions that I might be able to answer. Good luck!

 

[Corwin12]

I just graduated from Plymouth University last Saturday with an MBA. The program was a combination of online instruction with face-to-face classroom time. I finished the program in a year and a half while working full-time. There were a lot of people in my classes outside of New Hampshire, so I am guessing Plymouth must have an attractive program and attractive prices, comparatively. They also have an extensive education program. The website is www.plymouth.edu if you want to take a look. Good luck!

 

[SeansMom]

I worked in a school district for about 7 years (as a nurse, not a teacher) and I was just accepted into a masters program (midwifery, not school nursing). My thoughts:
1) Get into a school and do some volunteer work BEFORE you put that much time, money, and effort into your Master's degree. Try to spend a significant amount of time with each age group. I found I LOVE the K-3 but not so much the middle school pre-teens/early teens.

2) Lots of people work and get their degrees. I don't think I'd add money stress to college stress if you can help it.

3) Have you researched the need for teachers in your area? Seattle, WA, just gave something like 170 teachers their walking papers, and our little district won't be replacing resignations/retirees. LOTS of cutbacks with the financial crisis hitting public education quite hard.

4) Did I mention getting into a school to see if you like it? While I adored some of my job, there are parts of it I just don't miss AT ALL. Some of it you have to experience for yourself to know if you'll love it, or at least enjoy it, day to day.

5) If you still think "YES, this is what I want" then do it!

 

[StephMK]

I have been researching this and waiting to hear about my financial aid options to get my teaching cert/masters combo in Elem. Ed. I have a BA in Psych, work in business and hate office life too! I also have the same fears but figure no job is perfect and I'll never know if I don't try.

In our state, you have to be certified to sub but there are several programs that get you certified in 14 mo or so if you do secondary ed. Definitely do a search on your state & you should be able to find all the programs in your state that are approved for certification.

There are also some financial aid options for returning students to be teachers. Once you look at the programs, you'll probably get a better feel for which job option you might do. Since the programs here are mostly daytime, I'm hoping to go FT & work PT to get through it faster. Plus student teaching is FT for a semester.

Good luck!! It's exciting & scary to make a move to change paths!

 

[lastminutemom]

3) Have you researched the need for teachers in your area? Seattle, WA, just gave something like 170 teachers their walking papers, and our little district won't be replacing resignations/retirees. LOTS of cutbacks with the financial crisis hitting public education quite hard.
!

I am surprised it took so many posts to get to this point. Across the country, almost without exception, systems are cutting back. Class sizes are being increased and other drastic actions are being considered (in California they are considering shrinking the school year by 7 days).

In our state, GA, which has been one of the fastest growing states in the country for the last decade or more, even the fastest growing counties have hiring freezes or are laying off people.

Because most school systems rely on property tax digests to bring in tax revenue, most systems have a shrinking budget as property values decline. This decline in values is expected to last even when the economy begins to improve.

Even in good economic times, English teachers weren't a high needs field. Consider earning a special ed certification with it.. but you need to have a ton of patience to go that direction.

First and foremost, before doing anything else, you need to get into a school. Find out about subsituting. I can't tell you the number of people I know who have teaching degrees but don't use them because they couldn't stand them.

 

[pianoronni37]

All of this information that you've all given me has answered some of my concerns, so I thank you!

I have friends and family who also have their degrees in Education. A few of them are working, a few of them have been laid off, and even more of them are working in retail/administrative roles because they just flat out did not like teaching.

In college I was a Resident Assistant, and I know this does not even compare with teaching, I really enjoyed helping the residents and I even tutored a few in English - I really miss that.

I very much enjoy working with older kids - younger ones are much more difficult for me. I couldn't work with special education, I have two friends one in NY and one in MD who are special education teachers - one of them even has a brother who is autistic, so she grew up with the challenges - and they are both burnt out after only a few short years. I don't possess the ability that very few do - but I commend anybody who chooses that profession, I think it is probably one of the most difficult.

There are districts around me (in Upstate NY) that are hiring English teachers - whether they will in 3 years or not is up for scrutiny. I am flexible and relocatable.

I've looked into online programs and they seem to be a great fit for my lifestyle at the moment, but it is difficult to find accredited programs - especially since in NY state we do have to student teach for the semester.

Thank you all for your input! I still have no decisions, but I will probably look to start part time in Fall of 2010 and then possibly go full time the following year.... but again, still unsure...

 

[casndan]

Someone mentioned working while you are in school I'd just like to warn you that working while you are student teaching is practically impossible, you will have a full time job student teaching on top of doing some sort of portfolio and preparing for your lessons everyday. You will be the lead teacher for a portion of the time you are student teaching and you will be responsible for filling the entire day with quality instruction.

As far as a job in the area I'm at people are having a somewhat difficult time securing positions in Elementary Schools but not in secondary, I'm sure that stuff varies greatly based on where you are.

Good luck with whatever you decide!

 

[deb24k]

I just wanted to add that you will find teaching satisfactory if you are passionate about your students acquiring your vast content knowledge and imparting them with necessary skills for future development. My experience with persons who have made career chages to teaching has been that those who are most passionate about their content and less passionate about how to impart their knowledge in a meaningful way struggle greatly in the classroom but those who are passionate about providing their students with growth, content knowledge, and opportunity flourish. I also wanted you to be aware that although you may not choose to go down a special education route as a focus you will have children with varied learning disabilities and or social/emotional/behavioral difficulties in your classroom. Your teaching experience will be greatly benefitted from understanding their nature and needs. Classroom management will make or break you. They don't tell you that when you sign on to teaching! Good luck in whatever path you choose. Hopefully you will feel teaching a a rewarding job that enables you to be your best self.

 

[tasha99]

Have you considered speech language pathology? It's special ed, but the classes that I've seen are very small (even individual). I was surprised to find out that the school slp even helps with writing--I observed a small group of teens work on their persuasive essay skills. It's not quite English literature, but there is a high demand for slps right now. Plus, if you ever decided you didn't want to work with kids, you could always get a job in a hospital.

Anyhoo, I'm kind of in the same boat as an English major working in a law office, and that's what I've decided to go back to school for. I've been working and taking postbac courses this year, and I'll start my Master's this summer.

 

[NotUrsula]

Have you considered being a trainer? Not teaching kids in a school, but teaching adults in offices. Sometimes the work requires extensive travel, but lately not so much, because now a lot of it is done via software like NetMeeting. You also do not need a Master's or a teaching license to do it.

 

[PinkRhombus]

Or you could also, instead, see what of your credits would apply towards another type of bachelor degree? You may be close.