So, I’ve Almost Finished my Master’s…Now What?
Jennifer Ivanoff
As I am completing work for my last Master’s course, I have mixed feelings. I am excited to almost be finished with my degree, but am also a little confused as to what my next step will be. The road into the unknown can be a scary thing.
I am a lifelong learner and cannot remember a time when I was not taking some type of class. I love taking classes and learning new things. Whether it is a class on child development or on knitting, I love the challenge of learning something new, especially when it comes to the way I teach. I want to be the best teacher I can possibly be and that means that as my students change, I have to change to meet their needs. I think the best way to do this is to have a large bag of tricks ready to go.
As this one chapter in my life comes to an end, I am at a standstill for the moment. I know that completing my Master’s is not the final destination on my educational path, but I am not sure where my life will take me next or what I will be called to do. As of now, I have not applied for another Master’s program or any more continuing education courses. But, I still want to grow as an individual and as a teacher.
One certification that I have been looking into earning is the National Board Certification. I did not hear of this until I moved to North Carolina to teach. However, this is a nationally recognized certification that is given to teachers who demonstrate skills that make for positive learning environments where all students can learn. In my school this is seen as a great honor and a hefty task to complete successfully. It consists of two parts; a portfolio and a written test. Information and materials that are required for the portfolio take about a semester and a half to compile. There are many hours of work that go into becoming a Nationally Board Certified Teacher, but I think I am up for the challenge.
Another endeavor that I want to pursue is to become certified to teach middle school math. The main reason I want to do this is because I want to teach Occupational Course of Study (OCS) math. OCS is a program for students who have IQ’s in the low 70’s and below. These students complete both academic classes at school and then go into the community to earn on-the-job training hours to earn a high school diploma. However, with the new laws and highly qualified standards, I must be certified in middle school mathematics and special education to teach this class. I am currently in the process of studying to take the Praxis this summer. I am scared of taking this test, but after I successfully pass this test I will then be highly qualified to teach both special education and middle school math and be able to teach more of the students I love so dearly.
By completing a Master’s in educational technology entirely online I have learned a lot of about myself. I am a good time manager and I am great at creating ‘to do’ list. I used to think that I needed the immediate feedback from a professor who I physically saw on a weekly basis. But, now I know that I am in complete control of my learning, and I know where to seek out additional resources as needed to be successful. The biggest thing that I have learned about myself is that I can complete whatever task is set in front of me as long as I stay organized.
I have also learned that it is my responsibility to stay up to date with the ever changing face of education and technology. With this being said, I need to continue to read articles and view different webcasts about the latest technology resources that are being used in education. One website that I like to visit for information is TED. My favorite part about this site is TED Talks. I would also like to become an ISTE member. That way I can access information from their library as well as attend the different conferences they hold each year. The information I gain from both TED and ISTE would help me to continue to be educated without participating in a formal classroom setting.
My new chapter in life “post educational technology Masters program” has a promising look. I have an idea of the goals I wish to accomplish but my goals in life are much like technology, ever changing.