Somebody who cares about children and wants to better their lives in more ways than one should consider a master’s in teaching because it can have a profound effect on those who attain it. Many will then enter the education field for the first time while some others will receive a bump in their pay rate as well as their teaching ability.
Note that this degree differs significantly from a master’s in education as the latter is for individuals who are more focused on the administration aspect of education than on directly teaching youngsters.
The following types of people should consider earning a Master’s in Teaching degree.
Aspiring Teachers Without an Education Degree
Oftentimes, individuals with a bachelor’s degree in something other than education decide that they want to be in the classroom and either teach the subject that their bachelor’s degree was focused around or perhaps a different one altogether. Or maybe they want to work with younger children and not have a specific subject as a focal point.
In most cases, these people will need to earn a master’s in teaching before being hired although there are exceptions as sometimes teachers who normally need one will be hired anyway and then will progress towards it while working as a teacher.
Teachers in States That Require Them to Have a Master’s Degree
Some states require all or some of their teachers to have a master’s degree, so those looking to teach in those areas will generally need to earn this degree first. However, this is another case where school districts will sometimes – or regularly – hire instructors who do not possess the required degree as long as they work towards it while employed at the school. Some states give all new hires a specific number of years in which they need to have attained that master’s degree.
Instructors Looking for a Pay Raise
In states that do not require their teachers have a master’s degree, attaining one is generally still a good idea as the achievement oftentimes bumps the teacher’s pay a good amount. The difference averages around $3,000 a year, but this is very dependent on the school district and the average cost of living within it. The annual increase can be in the tens of thousands in a small number of districts. However, note that places like North Carolina and Georgia have or are seriously considering doing away with these pay raises.
Teachers Simply Wanting to Become Better Instructors
Earning this degree is also a good idea for those who simply want to improve their ability as instructors and the positive impact that they make on young ones. Those completing this accomplishment learn how to better prepare their lessons, manage a classroom and interact with students in a manner that gets the most out of them. Taking a step back from the classroom and collaborating with current and future teachers also serves as an important educational experience for master’s degree students.
In the classroom, teachers always encourage their students to further their education. However, instructors sometimes do not take their own advice and earn a degree that would improve their ability as a teacher as well as in other aspects of their lives. Fortunately, now is the best time to start working towards a master’s in teaching.
