Education Specialist Degrees in Tennessee
The field of teaching changes on a near-constant basis, something you know well from your years spent in the classroom. This is one of the most exciting parts of teaching; no matter how much experience you have or how much you know, there is always something new you can add to your repertoire.
After earning your Master’s degree, you may be wondering what the next step is. Advanced teacher degrees in Tennessee include doctoral options and an Ed.S option. Becoming an education specialist is one way to build your teaching skills and explore other options in education.
Role of Educators With an Ed.S Degree in Tennessee
This training option is well-suited to teaching professionals want to lead, serve the teaching community, and work more effectively in the classroom. If this describes you, contact Ed.S programs below for more information.
Part of working in this field is adapting to federal and state legislative changes. Tennessee recently enacted TNReady, a testing system that aims to assess the performance of students and teachers in the Tennessee school system (Chalkbeat, 2016). However, test scores for the 2016 school year are still not available, requiring administrators and teachers to find new ways to assess the success of this program.
Teachers have enjoyed many critical successes in recent years. A study done in Tennessee colleges found that the need for remedial classes has dropped significantly over the past four years, indicating that secondary school teachers are doing well in preparing students for college (Tennesseean, 2016).
Ed.S programs in Tennessee are designed to help you reach your potential as an education professional. Request information from Tennessee schools to get started.
Getting Your Educational Specialist Degree in Tennessee
Education specialist programs are high-level programs that expect teachers to be well-versed in their area of specialty, ready to work independently, and committed to improving education in Tennessee. You need a Master’s degree in education and a current teaching license to be considered for acceptance, since the courses required at this level build on a graduate-level understanding. You may be able to complete your education in two years, particularly if you attend an online or blended program that gives you more freedom to complete coursework as you have time.
Selecting an area of study is one of the keys to success. Options vary between schools, but some Tennessee Ed.S options are listed below:
- Teacher Education
- Educational Administration
- Educational Leadership
- Curriculum and Instruction
- Culture, Cognition and the Learning Process
- Reading Education
- Science Education
- Social Science Education
- Special Education
- World Language
As you see, an education specialist degree is quite flexible. You may use it to build a career in administration, leadership, or teacher education. You may also choose to continue working with students in the classroom. The courses required clearly outline how you can expect to grow throughout your degree.
In an educational administration program, you may take courses like:
- Administrative and Organizational Theory
- Human Relations
- Curriculum for School Leaders
- Administration of Special Services
- School Finance
- Strategic Planning in Education
- Educational Law
In a classroom-based specialty, your course options are quite different. The following courses are often required for special education programs:
- Reading and Applying Research for Diverse Learners
- Supervised Readings in Special Education
- Current Topics in Special Education
- Group and Correlational Approaches to Teaching
- Single-Subject Approaches to Teaching
No matter which subject you choose, you can plan on getting quite a bit of practical experience before you graduate. If you go into administration, you may complete an internship or principalship. If you are in a teaching-based program, student teaching and classroom observation may be required.
As a graduate of an education specialist program, you may be surprised by the amount of influence you have in this field. Your extensive understanding of research and teaching techniques may make you a good resource for other teachers and administrators in your district. The impact on your classroom may be immediate.
The confidence you get from your education can help you create more challenging and relevant lesson plans, better address the teaching needs of your students, and work with other educators to meet common goals.
Working With an Education Specialist Degree in Tennessee
You may need to contact the Tennessee State Board of Education to change your teaching license. There are special license requirements for principals, district administrators, counselors, and school psychologists. Preparing for the testing process ahead of time may allow you to start the next phase of your career more quickly.
In general, Tennessee has a very strong job outlook for education professionals. Look at the list below to find information on the average salary and job outlook for different positions:
- School administrator: 14% expected growth (O*Net, 2016); $
76,850 average salary (BLS,2016 ) - Instructional coordinator: 15% expected growth (O*Net, 2016); $
62960 average salary (BLS,2016 ) - Elementary school teacher: 21% expected growth (O*Net, 2016); $
50,090 average salary (BLS,2016 )
One of the important responsibilities you take on as a graduate is being a leader, either formally or informally. You may advocate for teachers, help new teachers find their footing, or provide training opportunities as they are needed. Consider becoming active in local groups like the Tennessee Education Association and the Professional Educators of Tennessee, two of the largest teaching organizations in the state.
Investing in your education can pay off for you, your students, and the teaching community as a whole. Discover more about your options now by contacting Ed.S programs in Tennessee.
