Why Now Is the Time for Teachers to Pursue a Further Degree

The educational landscape is changing at a rapid pace, particularly due to shifts in the economy and the spread of COVID-19. Whatever trajectory you had planned for your teaching career doesn’t seem as much of a surething as it did only a year ago.

Whether you’ve contemplated becoming a school or district administrator or have a higher ed position in mind, now is the time to put your plans in motion.

Trevecca has multiple options for helping you make the next move in your journey toward a fulfilling lifelong career.

Move up in your school or district

If you’ve been thinking about leaving the classroom and have your sights set on the principal’s office or beyond, it’s time to get your master’s, education specialist or doctorate degree. Add to your credentials and get promoted to a leadership position that will pay approximately 32 percent more than a classroom teacher (elementary, middle school and high school principals reported $96,400 median pay in 2019, compared to K-12 teaching positions that earned $60,247). ¹

The timing couldn’t be better, as experts predict more job openings in education within the next decade or so, particularly in administrative roles, such as principals and supervisors.

Baby boomers, people born between 1946 and 1964, currently fill many of those positions. Ten thousand members of that generation are turning 65 every single day, and by 2030, all boomers will be at least age 65.² Even though many of them plan to stay in the workforce, those in education tend to retire as soon as they are eligible, when they’ve completed a years-of-service commitment, which is usually before they reach age 65.

Citing health concerns about COVID-19, teachers and administrators in this age bracket also say they feel particularly vulnerable if they continue working in education. This is another driving force behind recent teacher retirements and resignations.

An EdWeek Research Center survey conducted in May 2020 “polled 1,907 educators—mostly teachers, with 447 principals and 446 district leaders—on their thoughts about returning to school buildings in the fall and whether they want to continue to teach at all. … A fifth of respondents said they are now ‘somewhat more’ or ‘much more’ likely to leave classroom teaching at the end of the school year. Just 9 percent said they were likely to leave teaching before the coronavirus outbreak. … And 44 percent of teachers said their colleagues were ‘somewhat more’ or ‘much more’ likely to leave classroom teaching since the coronavirus began.”³

With an advanced degree, you’re primed to assume positions vacated by exiting educators. More credentials set you apart among your colleagues, give you more options for employment, a higher salary, a greater degree of job security and equip you to lead well in an uncertain environment.

Become a college-level instructor or administrator

Passionate about teaching and learning, many educators can see themselves teaching or leading at the college level. Right now is a great time to take this path as the demand for postsecondary teachers and administrators will be high during the next several years. Depending upon the position, you may need a doctorate to teach college students; however, many staff and adjunct positions will only require a master’s degree as a prerequisite for employment.

Postsecondary teachers instruct students at public and private colleges and universities, professional schools and junior or community colleges. This segment of educational employment is expected to grow much faster than other occupations at 11 percent by adding 155,000 new jobs by 2028. The median annual wage for postsecondary teachers was $79,540 in May 2019. ⁴

The job outlook for postsecondary administrators is also encouraging with a projection to add 13,500 new jobs by 2028, which is a 7 percent growth.⁵ Postsecondary administrators oversee student services, academics, and faculty research at colleges and universities. They made a median annual wage of $95,410 in May 2019.

With an advanced degree in education, you’ll possess both the experience and the knowledge to join a college or university staff or faculty. Work in an academic leadership position or as an instructor who trains the next generation of teachers.

Face your future with confidence

Trevecca has what you need to take your career to the next level. We offer a variety of advanced degrees that will equip you to reach your goals. Choose from the following to get the credentials you need to become an educational leader:

Right now is the best time for teachers to invest in their own professional development, as opportunities abound for passionate, skilled servant leaders to truly make a difference in education at every level.

We’d love to help you fine-tune your plans and sharpen your vision for where an advanced degree in education could lead you. Reach out to an enrollment counselor with any questions; we’re standing by to help you discover your next step.

¹https://www.bls.gov/OOH/education-training-and-library/high-school-teachers.htm#tab-8
²https://www.census.gov/library/stories/2019/12/by-2030-all-baby-boomers-will-be-age-65-or-older.html
³https://blogs.edweek.org/teachers/teaching_now/2020/06/teachers_say_theyre_more_likely_leave_classroom_because_coronavirus.html
⁴https://www.bls.gov/ooh/education-training-and-library/postsecondary-teachers.htm#tab-6
⁵https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/postsecondary-education-administrators.htm