You may see how you can contribute to others and not just in your classroom. Maybe someone has encouraged you to move up to another level of (assistant principal, instructional coach, etc.) because of the leadership or talent you displayed. You may want to give yourself future options. Or perhaps you love school so much you want more.

Odds are, when you have made this decision, there is some “life” going on in your part of the world. You are likely married, and you have a child or children of your own. It is just as likely that you have established yourself as a strong teacher, and there are hours of work you put in to make your students successful. Thus, adding graduate work to your life will require finding the time to do the work necessary to get that second degree or certification.

Begin With the End in Mind

As you start your graduate journey, this author should assume (without making a donkey of himself) that you have a purpose in this journey. Maybe your goal is to be a principal, or maybe your goal is to stay in a curriculum strand and be an instructional coach or curriculum director, but either way, this will dictate what graduate degree you will be working toward. Some go for a master’s in education, educational leadership, curriculum, etc. If you are making this big decision, have in mind what your end goal will look like.

Who Can Help You Get Answers

Throughout your graduate work, assignments will require you to work with your principal or a trusted administrator (especially if you are interested in administration). You will need to consider who you will ask to be your “mentor” or supervising administrator. This person will likely need to have been in their role for two or three years, pending what the qualifications are for your program.

If you are looking at the curriculum route, is there a Chief Academic Officer or individual like that in your district who you can go to for the assignments you will have? When I was working on my superintendent certification, there was only one person in my district who qualified to be the supervising administrator. Had something else changed, I would have gone outside the district. Have this bench built in your head.

Support System

In addition to the “academic support system” discussed above, you may need an at home support system to help you complete the graduate work. For example, will there be a babysitter that comes to keep your children busy while you work for two or three hours on your coursework?

Will your spouse be willing to take the kids for most or half of a Saturday while you work at home? In your head or in your family, what does your support system look like that will help you do what you have to do to achieve the goal of that graduate degree?

Money

Another consideration for your graduate degree is how you will be paying for your next degree or certification. Have you saved for this for a long time? Is this easily doable with your salary and your spouse’s salary? Is your income low enough that you might qualify for a grant? Do you need to take out a loan? Does the college where you are going or working online have special assistance or grants for educators?

Most of the time, educators are paying most if not all of the graduate bill for their next degree out of pocket. Part of the reason this needs to be considered is that the next job you get with your degree, that raise may be needed to pay off that loan or credit card that paid for your next degree. Thus, make sure you have a plan for paying for your degree or the steps for after you get your degree. The last thing you want is to pay for two years (or three) of work and then to be strapped with that debt with no plan to take care of that obligation,

When Will You Work

This section could easily be a subsection to your support system.

• Will you be staying after school to get your coursework done?
• Will there be a night each week when you sit down and do all the work?
• Will there be time on the weekends between your kid’s soccer games for you to get to work?
• Will you stay up later after the kids are in bed because you were a night owl in college anyway?

Granted each week and month will look different, but you need to have a plan (even if it is in pencil) for when the graduate work will take place. In my experience, graduate work is mostly just that, work that needs time to get done. Your usual battle with this is volume and not so much rigor. You will find that many of the things you are doing on your campus already (professional learning communities, department chair, mentoring other teachers, etc.) will fit into many of the assignments and reflections that will be completed in conjunction with your coursework.

Since you have already started a successful teaching career, your choosing to pursue a graduate degree after you have been teaching indicates you have the academic acumen to be successful. Your biggest battle is now more about the infrastructure to achieve your goals. Successful teachers become successful graduate students.

Educators never stop learning; check out our available graduate degree programs  to hone your skills and promote lifelong learning and academic excellence.

The post Preparing for Graduate School After Working in The Industry appeared first on Graduate Programs for Educators.

Graduate school is a challenging journey that demands vast amounts of dedication, perseverance, and commitment. As graduate students navigate through advanced courses, research projects, and other academic responsibilities, the importance of organization becomes crucial. Graduate students are typically those that are maintaining a full-time career while furthering their education.

Although most graduate schools are understanding of this, the workload from both employment and college courses can be extremely overwhelming and draining if not managed properly. In addition to this, many graduate students are also juggling family obligations and responsibilities from household duties, the raising of children, and sustaining healthy relationships. Because graduate students “wear many different hats,” it is imperative that they employ organizational skills to better manage and maintain their personal and professional lives.

Staying Organized in Graduate School

To assist in success in graduate school and beyond, let us explore several tips and strategies that will aid in the organization process.

Time Management and Study Schedule

One of the cornerstones of organization in graduate school is efficient time management. With the multitude of academic tasks and work or home responsibilities, it can be overwhelming for students to keep track of deadlines and commitments. This is where a well-structured study schedule comes into play. Creating a study schedule allows graduate students to allocate time for different subjects, assignments, and research activities.

By setting aside specific time blocks for studying, research, and personal activities, students can achieve a balanced lifestyle that prevents burnout and enhances productivity. Additionally, graduate students can maintain a healthy work, school, and home life balance. As a mother and doctoral student, I set aside time each night after my daughter went to bed to work on my courses. Spending quality time with my child is extremely important to me, and I did not wish to sacrifice any time with her if at all possible. This study schedule allowed me to uphold my relationship with her and have quiet time to work or study each night.

To-Do Lists 

To-do lists are extremely useful tools for managing daily tasks and assignments. They provide a clear overview of what needs to be accomplished and help prioritize activities based on their deadlines or importance. These lists also assist in ensuring that nothing is missed or forgotten! As graduate students juggle coursework and other various duties, to-do lists serve as direct, visual reminders that keep them on track and focused on their goals. To-do lists also help direct the topic of work to be completed per a study schedule to ensure that no time is wasted or utilized incorrectly.

A Designated Study Space

An organized environment is optimal for continued success and progress in graduate school or any learning endeavor. A cluttered or disorganized study environment can hinder productivity and increase stress levels. Designating a dedicated and organized study space is crucial for effective learning. A clutter-free and well-organized study space promotes focus, concentration, and a conducive atmosphere for studying. This space should be equipped with all necessary materials, resources, and technology to facilitate efficient learning and research.

Digital Organization and Online Calendars

In today’s digital age, online tools and applications offer exceptional advantages for organizing personal and professional commitments. For instance, online calendars provide a centralized platform to track assignments, deadlines, meetings, and other important events. They can be synced across devices, ensuring that students never miss an important date. Furthermore, digital tools allow for the integration of reminders, which can be set in advance to notify students of upcoming due dates and tasks. This digital organization not only enhances time management but also reduces the likelihood of overlooking critical deadlines.

Break Up Tasks for Efficiency

Graduate school assignments and projects often involve intricate details and substantial research. Breaking these tasks into smaller, manageable components enhances efficiency and prevents procrastination. This approach not only makes the workload appear less daunting but also allows students to focus on one step at a time which leads to higher-quality work. Breaking up tasks also plays into the importance of time management as assignments reach completion through planned out steps rather than at the last minute!

Long-Term Planning: Beyond the Immediate

While daily and weekly organization is essential, long-term planning is equally vital for graduate students. Long-term planning involves setting all-encompassing goals for the semester, year, or even the entire graduate program. This can include academic, research, and personal objectives. By creating a roadmap for their academic journey, students can allocate resources, time, and effort more effectively. Long-term planning helps graduate students visualize their progress, identify potential challenges, and adjust their strategies accordingly.

Personal Growth and Balance

Beyond the academic benefits, organization in graduate school contributes to personal growth and work-life balance. When students effectively manage their time and tasks, they can allocate quality time to personal activities, hobbies, and self-care. This balance is instrumental in preventing burnout, enhancing mental health, and fostering a well-rounded and fulfilling graduate school experience.

It is apparent that organization plays an indispensable role in the success of graduate students. The complex demands of advanced coursework, research projects, and academic responsibilities require effective strategies for time management, study techniques, and task organization.

Whether through structured study schedules, comprehensive to-do lists, dedicated study spaces, or digital tools, organization empowers graduate students to excel academically while maintaining personal well-being. By embracing organizational practices, students embark on a transformative journey that not only propels them towards academic achievement, but it also nurtures their personal growth and prepares them for the challenges of their current or chosen professions.

Educators never stop learning; check out our available graduate degree programs  to hone your skills and promote lifelong learning and academic excellence.

The post How to Stay Organized in Grad School appeared first on Graduate Programs for Educators.

Another common requirement is a teacher portfolio; thankfully, this is also something educators often need to compile for job interviews as well, so it can serve a dual purpose. Read on to find out more about what a teacher portfolio is and how to create one that will stand out, as well as how you can use it to advance your career through graduate education.

What Is a Teacher Portfolio?

A teacher portfolio is a collection of information about a teacher’s practice. Teacher portfolios are typically used for two purposes: to reflect and improve upon one’s teaching career, and as an evaluative product for objectives like evaluations, promotions, graduate school acceptance, and more.

Teaching portfolios can include various items from lesson plans to evaluations, letters of recommendation, samples of student work, course syllabi, etc. There are many different ways to organize a teaching portfolio, some of which we will touch on later on in this article. Overall, the portfolio typically consists of a table of contents, the body of the portfolio, and then several appendixes.

Things to Include in Your Teacher Portfolio

There is not a curated list of items one must include in a teaching portfolio; it will differ from educator to educator and be based on their experiences, teaching philosophy, and their reasoning behind creating a portfolio.

In general, though, most portfolios include items from the following list:

• Personal information such as a resume and educational philosophy
• Teaching artifacts like lesson plans and samples of student work
• Professional documents like evaluations and letters of recommendation

As I stated before, the portfolio needs to be organized and, at minimum, include a table of contents to make it easy to access and understand. It should be a carefully curated list of documents that serve a specific purpose. The teaching portfolio is not a scrapbook of memories from one’s teaching career and should not be designed as such.

A Note About Electronic Teaching Portfolios

More and more teachers are gravitating towards electronic teaching portfolios as opposed to hard copy collections. Electronic portfolios are more accessible to a wider audience, such as potential employers or graduate admissions faculties. They can include multimedia documents such as teaching videos and online programs you implement in your classroom. You can also include voiceover text to explain the various parts of your portfolio.

Education changed drastically with the introduction of the internet, and even more so in the post-COVID-19 pandemic era. Students are completing their lessons online more frequently, and teachers must be able to incorporate online learning to stay abreast of current trends. Compiling an electronic portfolio is just one more way to demonstrate teaching excellence in an ever-changing field.

Why Is a Polished Teacher Portfolio Important for Graduate School?

A well-thought-out teaching portfolio can be an excellent asset to accompany a graduate school application. It can be used for a variety of purposes, including to showcase what classes/ content an educator would like to teach if they are accepted into a graduate program.

The act of creating the portfolio will help graduate students guide their development and success. It forces them to analyze their teaching experience thus far and prepare for future roles, as well as define their teaching style and approach. These are all important aspects for someone to understand for their continuing education and career as they help define potential career goals.

Including evaluations in one’s teaching portfolio is also a great way to demonstrate to a college or university how you react to feedback and constructive criticism, two things that are ever prevalent in graduate studies. Be sure to take time to talk about how you use the feedback as an opportunity for self-reflection, and how you incorporate it by adapting your teaching methods.

Finally, the development of a teaching portfolio can help students determine which institutions of higher learning will be the best fit for them. Once they’ve determined their teaching style and preferred methods of learning, they can use this newfound knowledge to seek out a school that will best meet their educational needs.

Graduate students who take the time to create a carefully curated portfolio will not only be more likely to be accepted into a graduate education program, but they will be more prepared for interviews as well, whether they be for graduate admissions or teaching positions. They’ve taken the time to really think about who they are as an educator and put in the work to make sure this is reflected in their portfolio, and this self-reflection will be evident when they speak about their career aspirations during an interview. Thus, it’s a no-brainer; start working on your portfolio today and help yourself achieve your future career goals.

Teachers never stop learning; check out our available graduate degree programs  to hone your skills and promote lifelong learning and academic excellence.

The post Graduate School Strategies: Updated Teacher Portfolio appeared first on Graduate Programs for Educators.

Graduate school can be a rude awakening for many who have been out of school for a while. The amount of reading and note-taking can come as a shock and might seem overwhelming for some students – especially those who are also working full-time.

However, there are a variety of study skills that students can implement to help them overcome any challenges during grad school. One in particular has become increasingly popular over the past several years – collaborative note-taking.

Collaborative note-taking is exactly what it says it is. Students in the same class work together to create one comprehensive set of notes for a class. You can work in small groups, or an entire class can contribute to one set of notes. The key to collaborative note-taking is to ensure everyone understands their role in the construction of these notes. With the uptick in apps like Google Docs and EverNote, collaborative note-taking is easier than ever.

What are the Advantages of Collaborative Note-Taking?

Creating your own study group is nothing new in the world of education. Classmates have seen each other’s strengths in class and will often reach out to one another to study before tests, complete group assignments, or to review class notes.

With the shift in learning to online classes or a hybrid structure (both online and face to face class meetings), collaborative note-taking is becoming increasingly more popular. There are many advantages to collaborative note-taking. Students are able to share their knowledge with each other and work together as if they are in the same room – even when they are not.

Online and hybrid learning may be new to some students. Hence, they might struggle with understanding how to take notes in this type of format. Collaborative note-taking will help these students immensely.

Additionally, collaborative note-taking assists students in summarizing and synthesizing complicated information and readings that they are working on in class. Students can engage with each other through the collaborative note-taking and get clarifications from one another. Students take more responsibility for their understanding of the content because they are sharing with their classmates.

The sharing of knowledge also heightens comprehension. Students learn in different ways. Therefore, one student may pick up on something that another student might have missed. Using collaborative note-taking boosts a student’s grasp of the topic or reading at hand.

Note-Taking Strategies

Small group, pairs, or whole class?

If your professor is not requiring collaborative notes, it is up to you to decide and organize your student group. You need to remind yourself what type of group works best for you. Do you want to work with just one person? Do you work well in small groups? Can you count on your entire class to contribute equally?

Assign Roles.

Organization is a top priority when constructing collaborative notes. By assigning roles from the beginning, everyone will know what they should focus on, and the notes will end up being very comprehensive. For example, one person can focus on key terms and another person can make connections to previous readings. The type of course and content will help guide you in creating and assigning the necessary roles.

Choose the best platform.

There are many different tech applications in the cyber world. Be sure to discuss with your group which one will work best for everyone. Some students may be unfamiliar with an app that you like. Take the time to show and explain how it works if you really feel that that application will be the best. Students do not have time to waste in trying to figure out complicated tech. Choose the best and most efficient application for the note-taking that you will be doing throughout the semester.

Communication.

Even though you may not be working face-to-face, your group should be encouraged to talk with one another. Questions can be asked in online note-taking platforms. Clarifications of complex topics can and should occur. Active learning can only happen if students are interacting with the content. The same goes for collaborative note-taking.

Accountability.

Counting on another classmate to provide high quality notes can be nerve-wracking. Therefore, students need to address the idea of accountability at the beginning of the semester. All students need to be held to the same high standard and promise that they will provide a comprehensive set of notes. If one student fails to do his/her part, the notes will not be complete, and the entire group will suffer. When one student is not doing his/her part, it needs to be addressed immediately.

Collaborative note-taking can be complex to get started, but all it takes is great organization from the beginning of your graduate program. Assigning roles and holding group members accountable will undoubtedly result in a positive experience for all involved.

The post Collaborative Note-Taking in Grad School appeared first on Graduate Programs for Educators.

Benefits of Informational Interviews

The benefits of engaging in informational interviews are many however here are some of the most impactful benefits.

Exploring Different Paths

For many undergraduate students, the first two years of college were exploratory and allowed time to decide on which major to focus and commit for the remainder of college matriculation. As a graduate student, however, you may not have the time or resources to explore your interests in the same way. Informational interviews for graduate students provide you with an opportunity to explore different career paths without devoting a large amount of time and money. Each interview is a unique opportunity to dialogue with someone who is currently working in the area in which you may be interested. Therefore you should take the liberty to select interviewees that represent a wide range of your interests. They will each take you on a journey into their areas of expertise, and it will be key that you capture their passions and compare them to your own.

First-Hand Knowledge about Career Paths and Outcomes

The interviewees that you chose provide an advantage over theory, statistics, and research that you may have studied regarding various career paths. They are real-time practitioners who can provide you with the most raw and up-to-date insight into their careers. Much of the information that they share with you may not have been captured yet by current research. They are able to reveal trends, upcoming changes, current mindsets and perspectives to you that you would not otherwise have gained until you were engrossed in the field for yourself. Your dialogue with the interviewees may also reveal information that you never knew or even considered regarding various career paths and options.

Identification of Potential Challenges of Certain Jobs/Programs

Because the interviewees are real-time practitioners, they not only have relevant knowledge about the field, but they also know the potential barriers that you may experience along the way. You have the opportunity to learn about the challenges in advance, which prevents you from being blindsided in the future. Instead of succumbing to the same challenges, you are able to learn from the mistakes and experiences of those who have done the work prior to you. Depending on what is shared, you also gain the information needed to decide whether or not you want to choose the same career pathway because of the potential challenges.

Tips for Conducting Informational Interviews

How to Find Interviewees

First you should clearly outline your areas of interest. Your areas of interest will determine which individuals you should target when selecting your interviewees. It is important to remember that you are seeking information about your future options. Therefore you should reach out to a wide variety of individuals based on your interests.

Once you have decided on your areas of interest, you will need to find individuals who have been successful in these areas. In most cases, successful individuals have reputations that precede them, so rely on recommendations from those you trust.

For a more objective selection, consider searching for news releases, checking the conference presenter rosters, and even utilizing business social media platforms such as LinkedIn to find successful practitioners to invite to interview. Also, be sure not to overlook those individuals who are very accessible to you such as your academic advisor, professors from your school, and even successful students who are enrolled in the school in which you would like to enroll. They are valuable resources who may be much easier to schedule.

Requesting an Interview

Regardless of whom you choose to interview, you must recognize that their time is limited and valuable. You should be very organized and flexible with your time when reaching out to request an interview. Limiting the time in which you are available to interview and being rigid with the amount of time you prefer to interview may deter individuals from consenting to be interviewed.

It is also important to be mindful of the preferences of your interviewees. Many may respond better to phone calls, others may prefer texting/virtual chat while still others may favor face-to-face or webcam interviews. When requesting an interview be sure to outline the goal of the interview and what you hope to gain in your communication.

Preparing for the Interview

As you prepare, make sure that you do your research first. You do not want to spend time asking your interviewee about his/her background and accomplishments when you could have studied this prior to the interview. Your questions should be determined prior to the interview. You do not want to come across as “winging it” or asking arbitrary questions. Avoid asking closed ended, yes/no, or extremely personal questions as they may limit the dialogue or offend the interviewee. Make sure that you are dressed professionally, choose a location that is free from distractions, and you confirm your interview with the interviewee. Engaging in practice interviews prior to the real interview is also beneficial.

After the Interview

Follow up with an email or message of thanks to show your appreciation to each interviewee. This message should reveal what you specifically gleaned from them during the interview. Many times the interviewee has consented to be interviewed to make sure that they are impacting and influencing others. They are very interested in how they may have specifically helped you. Be sure to stay connected to your interviewee by exchanging business cards or contact information. It will be very beneficial to stay in touch with them to get future updates and build your professional network.

The post How to Conduct an Informational Interview for Grad School appeared first on Graduate Programs for Educators.