For those who have always dreamed of a career in teaching, hearing about the different issues affecting the American educational system today can be discouraging. Lack of required funding, unnecessary standardized testing, and overcrowded classrooms are only a few of the many problems that need to be resolved.

Often overlooked, however, is the potential that individual teachers have to make meaningful contributions and changes within the education system. In this blog, we’ll detail some of the most significant ways that an advanced degree in education can enable teachers to make a positive impact on your community.

Advanced degrees for teachers can impact student lives

Perhaps most simply, a graduate education degree will provide you with valuable teaching skills that will enable you to help your students succeed. Despite the systemic issues affecting the education system, individual teachers have amazing potential to influence students in a positive way. Pursuing an advanced degree in education will allow you to hone your skills as an educator and learn about new and useful pedagogical techniques to help your future students.

In programs like Neumann's MS in Education, teachers are prepared to: 

• Employ strategies to create culturally responsive classrooms. 
• Design and implement curriculum development projects. 
• Adapt pedagogy to teach — and lead — in an inclusive society. 

Smaller classes allow for individual attention and in-depth discussions. You will have time to ask questions, get to know your professors, and collaborate with your fellow students. In a deliberately designed program like Neumann's, the benefits of your advanced degree in education is reflected in your students' long-term success.

Inspire Change on a Larger Scale within your Community with an MS in Education.

Quality education in local schools is widely considered to be one of the most important assets of a strong community, and a graduate degree in education will qualify you for many significant roles to make a difference in your local schools.

As a principal or vice principal, you will be able to make important decisions regarding funding and logistics for your school, and in doing so, you can ensure that each choice made is in the best interest of your students.

Being able to impact schools on a large scale influences positive change in families and the community at large. 

Strong schools with capable leaders attract more families to the community by providing more available resources, building trust throughout the community, and setting a positive tone for the local area. 

Fulfill your Innate Potential as an Educator with an Advanced Degree.

Hardly insignificant is the sense of personal fulfillment that you’re sure to experience in choosing to pursue a career that you’re passionate about.

What aspects of teaching most excite you? The right graduate degree in education will help you learn how to harness your own talents and skills for your career. In turn, your career will bring you joy.

We know being good at your job is not enough to sustain a career, you must also enjoy your job. The benefits of enjoying the work you do should not surprise you. Overall happiness, fulfillment, and confidence all increase when you enjoy working, and alternatively, stress levels lower.

An Advanced Degree in Education Can Prepare You to Enter the Nonprofit World.  

If you're interested in using your pedagogical expertise in the nonprofit sector, you're in luck. There are many nonprofit organizations that are dedicated to working on everything from improving literacy rates and closing the achievement gap to implementing helpful after-school programs and developing summer academic programming.

A graduate degree in education will equip you with the knowledge and skills necessary to support (and even lead!) these organizations and initiatives. You’ll be able to identify the areas that need work in your local education system and then work with nonprofits to help children in your community receive the best education possible.

Toward an Advanced Teaching Degree.

Whether you decide to work for an education-focused nonprofit, seek an administrative position in your local school district, or work directly with students in a classroom, an advanced education degree is certain to help you make an impact on your community.

If you’re interested in pursuing an advanced degree that will guarantee you a rich and dynamic career path, access our guide to an online MS in Education.