Making the move from teaching to administration can take many different paths. Some teachers plan to become principals right from the start, and they spend time teaching first in order to gain the hands-on classroom experience that they believe is valuable preparation for their ultimate career goal. Other teachers become interested in advancing their careers after teaching for some years and see administration as a natural next step. And some teachers are presented with the opportunity without necessarily planning on it in advance.
Most schools require assistant principals and principals to have teaching experience prior to becoming administrators, and many schools also require an advanced degree. For this reason, teachers who want to become administrators are looking for ways to earn their advanced degrees while still working full time as teachers and balancing the responsibilities of work and family life.
From Teaching to Administration
Clint and Liz Miller of Little Elm, Texas, are both former teachers who made the transition into administration and now work as middle school principals. They met while they were in college, and after graduation, Liz became an elementary school teacher while Clint began teaching and coaching football.
Both Liz and Clint ended up pursuing a Master of Education in Educational Administration degree through the online program at Lamar University. “I researched all online programs that offered what I was seeking,” Clint said. “Lamar University was at the top in every category.” He was able to complete the program in June 2011 and began his job as a principal the following month.
For Liz, time was in short supply while she was earning her degree. But the online format made everything possible — even with her busy schedule. She completed her degree in August of 2014 and started working as an assistant principal in September.
From Coaching to Administration
Doug Lum had more than a decade of experience as a high school coach and teacher before making the transition into administration by becoming assistant principal at Jourdanton Junior High, south of San Antonio, Texas.
Lum grew up playing multiple sports and originally wanted to become a sports journalist. In college he majored in communications with a concentration in technical writing. After doing a bit of radio and sports writing, he concluded “there was no money there, and you can’t survive.” He pursued an emergency teaching certification and began teaching English and coaching basketball, football, and track and field.
After years of balancing teaching, coaching and raising two children with his wife, Lum took the advice of a friend and former coach and decided to pursue a master’s degree in education. He enrolled in the online Master of Education in Educational Administration degree program at Lamar University and completed it in 16 months so he could make the career transition into administration.
He’s happy with his decision, and the timing led to his appointment as assistant principal at the very school where he had invested years as a teacher and coach. Does he miss coaching? Absolutely. “But I had this opportunity arise. Sometimes you just have to do what’s best for your family.”
Preparing for a Career in Educational Administration
The fully online Master of Education in Educational Administration program at Lamar University offers the flexibility and support that working teachers need in order to pursue an advanced degree.
Learn more about Lamar University’s online Master of Education in Educational Administration program.
Sources:
Lamar University: Meet the Millers: Husband & Wife Team Up to Teach
Lamar University: Doug Lum Moves Into Administration With His Online M.Ed. Degree
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