EDUC591: Life After the Master’s Degree

1. EDUC591: Life After the Master’s Degree Ways to Continue Professional Development

2. Dispositions and Skills of the Best Teachers (W. Schubert, 1991) Maintain a sense of mission about the importance of teaching. Exhibit a love and compassion for students. Determine ways to build on student strengths. Exhibit a clear sense of meaning and direction or are in the process of revising the same. Guide their work with a quest for that which is worthwhile. Are actively involved in self-education

3. Brainstorm Activity: Remaining Actively Engaged in Self-Education • In your group take 15 minutes to brainstorm ways that you can continue to grow as a professional now that the pursuit of a Master’s degree is “down to the wire.” • Ask these questions: • 1. How can I stay current in my field? • 2. How can I maintain a network of colleagues?

4. Web Resources Teacher Tap Professional Development Rescues for educators http://www.eduscapes.com/tap National Board Certification http://www.nea.org/issues/certification/ National Board Certification Handbook http://www.stenhouse.com/0349.htm?n17

5. Host a Student Teacher; Mentor a New Teacher Tell your story. Share your craft. Don’t leave school without leaving a legacy!

6. Aspire to the Fourth Stage Willingly relinquish part of yourself to make possible the building of future generations .

7. Continue a Formal Education! Is there a future DOCTOR in the house?

8. Stay Stress-free and Healthy Be sure to maintain your health, physical and mental, by making time for yourself and your own well being.

9. Maintain a Sense of Humor Laugh at yourself! Take risks and find humor in your boo boos!

10. Maintain a Personal Life

11. Have Babies (Optional) • Parenting brings a different teacher to the classroom. • Teaching brings a different parent to the home.

12. Bask in the Rewards of Your Hard Work! “The real voyage of discovery is not in seeking new landscapes but in having new eyes.” Marcel Proust