Whether you’re interested in the different master’s degrees in Education available, or searching for professional insights about different careers after graduation, it is important for you to know: Nationwide, schools need educational leaders, now more than ever before.

No matter the grade level, teacher leadership is essential to lessen the learning disparities exasperated by the Coronavirus pandemic. Leaders in teaching and education are needed to step forward and help to advance access to education for all.

The Unsettling State of Students in America

According to a 2021 Report released by the Department of Education, the negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on American students persisted from elementary and secondary settings to postsecondary environments.

Within the enlightening statement, the Office for Civil Rights offered the following academic observations:

• For grades K-12, “emerging evidence shows that the pandemic has negatively affected academic growth, widening pre-existing disparities. In core subjects like math and reading, there are worrisome signs that in some grades students might be falling even further behind.”
• For postsecondary students, increased barriers affect “students of color, students with disabilities, and students who are caregivers, both for entry into higher education and for continuing and completing their studies.”
• For both groups, “nearly all students have experienced some challenges to their mental health and well-being during the pandemic, and many have lost access to school-based services and supports.”

“At all educational levels in schools throughout the country, we have tremendous strengths,” the report concluded. “And yet, we also have deep cracks in the foundation…As our nation’s schools take steps to emerge from the pandemic, we have an extraordinary opportunity to move forward with full awareness of these cracks and recognition of the essential need to address and repair them.”

Universal Design for Learning: Increasing Equity in Education

Universal Design for Learning (UDL) is an inclusive and interactive educational framework based on cognitive neuroscience research.

The application of Universal Design for Learning increases access to education and embraces variations of learning differences by reducing and removing cognitive, intellectual, organizational, and physical barriers for all students.

UDL is guided by three academic principles — engagement, representation, and action and expression.

• Under the engagement guideline, educators examine the significance behind individual student motivation.
• Under the representation guideline, instructors ensure they demonstrate their lessons in multiple ways, representing various people and perspectives.
• Under the action and expression guideline, educators provide students with multiple ways to express their curriculum understanding.

While you may not find UDL within a traditional master’s in Education (M.Ed.) program, it is an emerging concept that is being adopted by teachers and educators nationwide. Thus, it is surfacing as a valuable subject taught in educational leadership programs. For example, at Goodwin University, the Master’s in Teacher Leadership – a different type of master’s degree in Education – the curriculum employs and embraces UDL principles. On top of applying UDL practices to the M.Ed. curriculum, the Teacher Leadership program also prepares graduates to apply UDL in their future classrooms, after graduation.

A Different (and Flexible) Path Towards Your Master’s in Education

Pursuing a Teacher Leadership master’s degree in Education, like any graduate program, can feel daunting—especially if you are working full-time, or juggling other priorities. However, it does not have to be. There are flexible programs available.

Perhaps that is why you are looking for a different master’s degree in Education to begin with: You are seeking something more flexible.

Today, many career-focused schools offer accessible academics, from less stringent admission requirements and course credit advantages to flexible instruction formats and schedules.

For example, exclusive benefits that Goodwin offers its future M.Ed. teacher leaders include:

• GRE scores are not required for admission.
• Goodwin grants up to six credits from prior learning for students entering the program as part of the Alternative Route to Certification.
• Goodwin’s Master of Education in Teacher Leadership degree is offered entirely online, with a blend of live virtual learning sessions and asynchronous independent study.
• Master’s in Teacher Leadership students can work full-time while in school and complete their degree in as few as 15 months part-time.

Core Courses in Teacher Leadership

The M.Ed. in Teacher Leadership program is meant to deepen candidates’ understanding of classroom dynamics, data-driven decision-making, and educational theory.

Fundamental classes in a graduate teacher leadership curriculum include course content on effective learning environments, instructional coaching, leading professional learning, social foundations of education, and more.

Goodwin University’s Master’s in Teacher Leadership was designed to support collaborative classrooms with professors who provide outstanding in-the-moment mentorship.

Goodwin-enrolled teacher leaders also gain access to informative online workshops, dedicated librarians, and devoted writing tutors tailored exclusively for advanced graduate work.

Teacher Leadership Careers: In the Classroom and Community

Teacher Leadership master’s degree programs renew and reinforce educators’ commitment and passion for their professions.

Career options for M.Ed. Teacher Leadership graduates are not limited within school walls — in fact, this graduate degree can lead to a wide range of opportunities across industries. Teacher leaders of tomorrow can become career counselors, instructional coordinators for museums, and postsecondary education administrators, among other callings.

A benefit to classrooms and communities alike, teacher leadership applies to any role requiring training, effective empowerment, and meaningful management techniques.

Leverage the foundations of teacher leadership.

Lead the way to a fulfilling career.

Are you ready to increase your educational impact? Learn more about teacher leadership today!