It seems to be the age-old dilemma of teaching: many teachers love their jobs, but they need to earn more money to support their families. While teaching has a bad reputation for not paying well, there are several ways to increase your base teaching salary or advance to a higher-paying administrative position.
The most direct way to increase your teaching salary is to earn a master's degree in education. For most school systems, earning a master's degree means an automatic jump to the next level on the pay scale. Knowing what your pay increase should be can help you weigh the pros and cons of going back to school.
A master's degree in education can also serve you if you want to transition from teaching to administration. Most principals begin as teachers and advance to an administrative role after earning a master's degree. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the annual median wage of elementary and secondary school principals was $85,220 in 2009--significantly higher than the median K-12 teacher's salary, which ranges from $47,830 to $52,200. The master's degree in educational administration offers the most direct training for work as a principal or head of school.
As a working teacher, earning a master's degree from an online education degree program may be the most logical choice. But if going back to school (online or otherwise) simply isn't an option, there are other ways to supplement your teaching income. Consider taking on tutoring or coaching duties after school, or teaching summer school courses during your months off.
You may also be considering a career change. If this is the case, consult the Bureau of Labor Statistics for accurate salary and job trend information across industries.
Becoming a Teacher in Special Education
Now is a great time to begin a career in special education. Because of the growing number of students diagnosed with learning disabilities, special education teachers are in high demand. The BLS expects employment of special education teachers to increase by 17 percent from 2008 to 2018--faster than the national average for all occupations.
Because special-needs students face a variety of challenges, their teachers must complete an approved training program in special education to become licensed. If you already have a bachelor's degree, a master's degree program in special education is an excellent way to enter the field. With a master's degree, you may have an edge in the job market and you will be fully prepared for the unique challenges of work as a special education teacher. Some states also offer teaching certification programs that allow college graduates to transition into teaching.
Researching Online Degrees in Education
Online degrees in education are available at the bachelor's, master's, and doctoral level, and they make sense if you don't have time to attend a traditional degree program. The flexibility and autonomy afforded by online degree programs is especially convenient if you work full time.
However, online education degree programs should not be taken lightly. Any accredited online degree program requires the same hard work and diligence as traditional schooling, and you need to be motivated enough to stay on top of your workload. Before applying to programs, thoroughly research your options and make sure you understand the curriculum requirements. Also, be aware that many education degree programs require a certain amount of hands-on training, which cannot be completed online.
Benefits of a Master's Degree in Teaching
Whether you are a new teacher or a classroom veteran, earning a master's degree in teaching or another education field can enhance your career. In addition to the salary increase mentioned above, a master's degree in education gives you new tools to use in the classroom and can help you connect with students.
If you want to become more familiar with the use of technology in the classroom, consider a master's degree program in educational technology. The master's degree in educational technology focuses on how technology can enhance classroom learning and it can prepare you to incorporate advanced technology into your curriculum.
Whether you choose to focus on technology or not, a traditional or online master's degree in education can help refresh your teaching methods and motivate you to try new techniques.
Tally: Online Education Teacher - June 2010
| Posts: 8 | Top Rated Post: What is a Good Master's Program for Teachers? |
| Comments: 0 | Most Commented: N/A |
| Reviews: 3 | Most Liked: N/A |
| Facebook Likes: 0 |
Top Online Schools - June 2010
 DeVry University Combine the flexibility of online coursework with classroom learning at DeVry University. |
 University of Phoenix Whether you're seeking an associate's, bachelor's, master's or doctoral degree, University of Phoenix can help you reach your goal much sooner than you might expect. |
 Walden University Online - United States Earn a respected bachelor's degree, master's degree, or Ph.D. online at Walden University. |
Top 5 Teacher Posts - June 2010
ShareThis
Stumble!
1)
The path to setting up shop as a private-practice child psychologist can be lengthy, but the sense of professional fulfillment may just be worth it if you're dedicated to helping children. Find out more about the steps you have to take to get from an undergraduate psychology degree to a PhD in this post.
2)
Dysfunctional families can be quirkily charming in books and movies, but in real life? Not so much. There are several professional paths you can take to become a family therapist.
3)
Conventional wisdom holds that you need a doctorate degree in psychology to succeed in the field, but that's not always necessarily the case. This post explores entry-level options open to those with bachelor's degrees in psychology or related fields.
4)
Recent studies have suggested that the prevalence of mental health problems among returning war veterans has skyrocketed in the last five years. However, even first-hand experience on the battlefield can't substitute for formal training in psychology for those seeking to counsel veterans.
5)
There are many fine points of distinction that separate different areas of practice in psychology. This post distinguishes between the fields of psychology and clinical psychology and sets forth the educational requirements for each.
