Achieving Professional Development and Growth

Pursuing further education in the field of teaching can lead to opportunities for career development and growth. To understand the benefit of further education in the teaching field, you must start by answering the question, "what is professional development for me?"
 
In general terms, professional development in the field of teaching involves completing educational courses to learn skills that can qualify you for higher paying teaching jobs and even careers in related industries. However, not everyone has the same goals for their teaching career. Setting your goals and deciding what you want to achieve will help determine what professional development path you should take.

Professional Development Paths

Although different routes can be taken towards professional development, options typically revolve around furthering your education. The choice comes with choosing what you want to study and at what level.
 
Types of educational programs include:
  • doctorate degree programs in education
  • master of education degree programs
  • teaching skills and class management courses.
Many colleges and universities offer advancement courses. However, it is a good idea to thoroughly research your school of choice to make sure you will be learning the correct skills for your desired advancement.
 
Local community colleges, universities and online programs all offer professional development resources and programs.

Jobs Available with Higher Education

While earning more advanced degrees may seem appealing, understanding what they can get you may be more incentive to enrolling and completing these programs. Some of the academic leadership positions open to those with advanced degrees include:
  • Assistant Headmaster
  • Assistant Principal
  • Dean
  • Director of Instruction
  • Headmaster
  • Principal
  • Program Director.
Attaining Tenure
Tenure is essentially a job contract that prohibits a professor from being fired without just cause. Tenure can only be earned by the highest level of educators who have significantly contributed to their institution and have demonstrated excellent teaching skills.
 
It takes six or seven years to move up in the ranks to what's called a "tenure-track." Once a teacher has moved from the position of instructor to professor, his academic performance, research and overall contribution to the institution is reviewed. At this point, a teacher may or may not be awarded tenure.

Earning a Master’s Degree in Education

Courses taken in an education master's degree program cover educational practices and delve into other academic issues.
 
Earning this advanced degree can be done on a full or part-time basis, and your courses may include:
  • Child and Adolescent Psychology
  • Contemporary Education
  • Positive Conflict Resolution
  • Psychology of Learning
  • School and Society
  • Social, Ethical, Moral and Legal Issues
  • Teaching and Learning Styles
  • Teaching Strategies.

Doctoral Studies in Education

Enrolling in a doctoral studies program is advantageous for those looking to advance into a leadership position in faculty or administration.
 
Like a master’s degree curriculum, teachers who pursue a doctoral degree will become educated in areas of management, analytical problem-solving, critical thinking and research.
 
A person acquiring a doctorate degree in education may either earn a Doctor of Education (Ed.D) or Doctor of Philosophy in Education (Ph.D.).

Courses in Professional Development

If earning an advanced degree is not your desired path, there are plenty of individual courses you can take.
 
Depending on what professional career development institute you go with, some courses are offered in a classroom setting, online or both.
 
Teaching skill courses may include:
  • strategies for different teaching methods
  • strategies for language
  • strategies for student assessments.

As far as behavior and class management courses are concerned, general courses that could be offered include:

  • effective discipline in the classroom
  • student emotional skills
  • student social skills.
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