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High School English Teachers Chatboard

Is an MA in English an advantage? Or an MAT?

by Gabe

Mar 1, 2012

I wanted to teach middle school or high school English ("language arts") since I was an freshman undergrad in college. I got a BA in English not only because of my desire, but because I, like many other art teachers, just like to read and learn. I am located in California and would ideally like to teach here. Before anyone asks: THIS IS what I want to do.

I am noticing that my options to teach in California simply require a credential certification program. These can take up too two academic years, and frankly from what I have heard of them, they do not appeal to me. BUT I do realize I need to get credentialed anyway, so I will do it.

My question: Since I will be effectively going back to school full time, I figure I go for a Masters as well. I initially thought about simply getting a Masters in English, but I have been getting advice on getting instead a Masters in Art of Teaching.

I am not sure which would be an advantage toward beginning my career in ed...See More

Ten Years In... I teach High School English in So Cal and have a Masters in English Literature. I hold a single subject secondary credential and could have easily gotten a Masters in Education coupled with my credential at a state school if I had only taken five extra classes. I chose to get an English degree instead and spent a lot more time and money on my degre...See MoreI teach High School English in So Cal and have a Masters in English Literature. I hold a single subject secondary credential and could have easily gotten a Masters in Education coupled with my credential at a state school if I had only taken five extra classes. I chose to get an English degree instead and spent a lot more time and money on my degree than my Education M.A.. degree counterparts.

Was it worth it? Not really. I mean those graduate level English classes helped me pass the CSET (thanks NCLB!) and maybe got me a job on my first interview, but I don't necessarily get to teach the classes I am truly qualified to teach, like AP Literature and American Lit (my specialization). The teachers with SENIORITY get all the classes they want, and the new kids on the block get what's left, that's just the reality. It doesn't really matter how qualified you are, if there is a half decent teacher ahead of you on the totem pole, you will end up teaching all the intervention and second language learner classes until you have made it in the district long enough for others to come in under of you. And if you find a tenure track position at a school district ANYWHERE in Cali at the moment then you are LUCKY. Money-wise the next five years look very bleak and I seriously would advise new young teachers to search out of state and save yourself the trouble. Not to sound bleak and depressing but that is the sad reality we are facing.

My advice would be if you ABSOLUTELY love English and may want to teach community college in the future or get your PhD then go for it. Otherwise just get your Teaching Masters degree. I am going back for my second Masters in Counseling because I want options in the educational arena. In hindsight I would not have pursued my Masters in English (although it made me a smarter and better person in the long run) since I want out of teaching. Good luck to you!

On 3/01/12, Gabe wrote: > > I wanted to teach middle school or high school English > ("language arts") since I was an freshman undergrad in > college. I got a BA in English not only because of my > desire, but because I, like many other art teachers, just > like to read and learn. I am located in California and would > ideally like to teach here. Before anyone asks: THIS IS what > I want to do. > > I am noticing that my options to teach in California simply > require a credential certification program. These can take > up too two academic years, and frankly from what I have > heard of them, they do not appeal to me. BUT I do realize I > need to get credentialed anyway, so I will do it. > > My question: Since I will be effectively going back to > school full time, I figure I go for a Masters as well. I > initially thought about simply getting a Masters in English, > but I have been getting advice on getting instead a Masters > in Art of Teaching. > > I am not sure which would be an advantage toward beginning > my career in education, especially given the dire > circumstances involving all things education. > > Any advice? Would an MA in English coupled with credentials > be "inferior" as opposed to an MA in Art of Teaching? For > whatever reason, intuitively I feel that the MA in English > would be better, but most of the advice I have received > recommends the other MA. > > Help! >

Mar 1, 2012

marjoryt This is all of course based on my own experience and on what I've seen. First, I'm turning 57 next week. That has a bearing on my thought processes! Second, I'm teaching for the next 10 years minimum - which also has a bearing. I earned a B.S. in English in 1977, pursued a M.A. in English but got an Mrs. degree instead, and then worked as a technic...See MoreThis is all of course based on my own experience and on what I've seen. First, I'm turning 57 next week. That has a bearing on my thought processes! Second, I'm teaching for the next 10 years minimum - which also has a bearing. I earned a B.S. in English in 1977, pursued a M.A. in English but got an Mrs. degree instead, and then worked as a technical writer/editor for years. I returned to teaching in 1998, had a terrible first year but discovered teachers.net, got a better job, then finished M.S. Secondary English Ed and now teach in a community college. If I had stayed in the high school, I'd be making more money. If I had pursued the M.S. in Administration, I'd be a principal now. So, Let's begin.

Sit down and do some future scenarios. Where will you be and what will be your lifestyle if you: a) get the teaching license and just keep it (no add ons, no change in teaching, minimum education additions to keep the basic job) b) get the MA in English and just keep it (minimum education additions to keep the basic job) c) get the M.A. or M.S. in Secondary English Education d) get the M.A. or M.S. in Education Administration or Counseling e) continue for a Ph.D. in English f) continue for a Ph.D. in Education Administration or Counseling -possibly you hadn't considered options d, e, or f - but you should!

As you consider a through f, think: how much money spent for education and how much money for salary, where will you live (home and city), what will your job responsibilities be, and will you need continuing education to keep the job?

Personally, I knew administration was NEVER going to be for me - I hate handling money and dislike firing people. Principals do both of those. Counseling just didn't seem that interesting as a job!

When I returned to college in 1998 to get my master's, my sole aims were: a) get a better teaching license=more money b) learn to be a better teacher=classroom management c) get qualified with degree and classes to move into the community college environment

An M.A. in English would only help with a and c. To get all three, I needed the M.A. in Secondary English Ed. And, to be quite honest, I was pretty burnt out on all those literature classes, since my true loves are linguistics and composition.

If I had intended to eventually teach in a university, it would have definitely been M.A. English at a different university than my B.S. and then a 3rd institution for the Ph.D.

At my community college, we have 10 full time English teachers and another 10 or 15 adjuncts. 5 of us have the background in English education, the rest are "all English." Those of us who "speak education" can deal more easily with administration and experience few to no issues in classroom management. We are also the ones to seek out, investigate, and adopt new technology, courses, activities, and opportunities to present at conferences.

A coworker of mine taught high school English for 7 years, but then earned her master's and Ph.D. in counseling. She is now the assistant chair of the Counseling Department. Although she doesn't teach, she does write constantly. She always felt the teaching got in the way of her writing.

You are doing the right thing by asking many questions. Continue to ask, and be sure to ask principals and superintendents, especially in the locale where you plan to work. They may have specific recommendations!

Mar 11, 2012

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