Karen’s Opinion

If there is one person that can change a persons life, it is a teacher. Teachers influence students in so many ways, whether it be negative or positive influence.

When my children were in high school and contemplating college, there was concern as to whether they were receiving quality education that would apply to their college studies. I was especially concerned with subjects pertaining to science, technology, engineering, and math. I had heard from other parents that their children were not prepared in these subjects and were falling behind at college.

I am happy to report that Woodrow Wilson university programs are offering quality courses in subjects that prepare teachers to become the leaders and teachers that our children need. In fact, many individuals are re-entering the education realm to study for their masters degrees or find themselves in positions necessitating job changes. The Woodrow Wilson Teaching Fellowships provide these individuals with a $30,000 stipend to complete an intensive master’s degree program at one of seventeen participating universities across the mid-west!

The rigorous curriculum provided by the teaching fellowship will insure that graduates applying for teacher jobs will be trained to their highest potential.

Who is eligible? Any college graduate who is ready to become a highly trained and effective teacher!

You can find information about the Woodrow Wilson Teaching Fellowship at www.wwteachingfellowship dot org

I have been compensated to write about this subject. The opinions are 100% my own.

There are so many sides to issues. The Tucson shooting has many of us questioning how such a tragedy can happen. I don’t like what happened but it seems as if the media will not stop talking about it. They drag it out with their questions that will never be answered. There, I said it. I’m tired of hearing about it. Sue me.

A gym teacher at our local high school has been dealing with a few belligerent students. Said students refuse to suit up and participate in gym. They are required to take so many credit hours of gym in order to graduate. The teacher decided to take large cardboard boxes and make the non-participators sit in the boxes during gym classes. The kid’s parents found out about it and got mad. The teacher got in trouble. I shake my head as the kids are laughing. They didn’t get punished for their disobedience. If, as a parent, I found out my child wasn’t suiting up for a required gym class, 1. I would tell them to get suited and participate 2. I would tell the teacher, while I didn’t appreciate the form of punishment, I admire his efforts, 3. I would punish my child at home. He would wish he could go sit in a box.

If our kids don’t suffer consequences for their actions, why should they be accountable to anything?

Whether you are a teacher who is working in their field or an aspiring teacher, you probably know the advantages of obtaining your master’s degree. For those of us who are simply interested in how this works, let me give a bit of information on why it is important and the best ways to earn a master’s degree.

Why a bachelor’s degree is not enough:
A master’s degree in teaching makes certified teachers eligible for significantly higher pay schedules in most school districts; how much more money varies widely and depends on the district. This degree also makes teachers more competitive for job openings, especially at private schools.

On to how to decide where to get your master’s degree:
Most of us hold full time jobs or are at a time in our lives where we are busy raising children and are unable to devote our time to driving to a campus. That is why the online curriculum at USC is designed to help you succeed. The master’s of arts teaching degree from University of Southern California’s Rossier School of Education will help you develop superior teaching skills. Visit the website and take the tour to view the online curriculum and see the top reasons to choose the MAT@USC.

The certification map site is also available to obtain additional information specific to your situation and gives information that clarifies the steps needed to become a teacher in your state.

Both websites hold valuable resources for those who are deciding that NOW is the time to take action on achieving their goals.