Hayley Rodriguez loves teaching kindergarten, but she knows that someday she will likely want a new career challenge. To prepare, Rodriguez came home to Lamar University.
The Port Arthur, Texas, native graduated with a Master of Education in Teacher Leadership from the online program in August 2018. Rodriguez also earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education, on campus, while a three-year member of the Lamar University Dance Team.
“I decided to go back to school because I wanted an open door, just in case, for whenever I’m ready to leave the classroom,” she said. “When that happens, I don’t want to say, ‘Okay, I’m ready to get out,’ and then have to go back to school. If a really exciting opportunity opens up, I want to be able to be in the running for it. Plus, it was a good time to do it, while I am young and single.”
Rodriguez, an elementary school teacher at Port Arthur Independent School District for three years, enjoyed the online format of the M.Ed. in Teacher Leadership program.
“I enrolled in January 2017, so I started in the middle of my school year,” she said. “It was easier to start in the middle of the year because I like to get everything prepared and ready for my own class, too. In the beginning of the master’s program, I tried to find what worked best for me.”
Rodriguez quickly developed a routine, completing reading assignments during the week and homework on weekends since it was usually due on Sundays. The flexibility and accelerated pace suited Rodriguez and her schedule as she spent 10-20 hours per week on school while working a full-time job.
“The master’s degree program was a lot easier to manage than the bachelor’s program because it was online,” she said. “It was just five weeks for one course. I could focus on one thing. Then, we had a week off and the next course started. I really like that layout. I got the hang of it quickly.”
Familiar Routines
Hayley and her cousin, Carley, graduated on the same day
Rodriguez grew up with a passion for dance and a very early eye on a teaching career.
“When I was in kindergarten, I knew I wanted to be a teacher,” she said. “All throughout the years when everybody asked what I wanted to be, I always said, ‘teacher, teacher, teacher.’ I never changed my mind.”
After graduating from high school, enrolling at Lamar University was a no-brainer for Rodriguez. In addition to dancing for the university, she worked as a resident assistant throughout her time in the undergraduate degree program.
“Because I’m from Port Arthur, Lamar University was right there in Beaumont,” she said. “I always saw myself going there anyway, but I also wanted to stay close to my family. I enjoyed working for the school — it was a great opportunity. The dance team was fun, too. I made a lot of lifelong friends.”
Returning to Lamar University for a graduate degree made perfect sense to Rodriguez. Another element of the online experience she enjoyed was the open communication with her teachers.
“The instructors were always there for support if I needed something,” Rodriguez said. “It was not just the professors — the graduate assistants are also right there and ready to answer your questions. It’s not like you have to wait a whole day to get an email back — it was usually within an hour or so.”
PEDG 5326: School Community Relations was Rodriguez’s favorite — and most applicable — course in the online M.Ed. in Teacher Leadership program.
“In my classroom, I’m really big on having a relationship with the parents and open communication at all times,” she said. “I like to get the parents involved while the kids are young so that they know it’s really important to set a tone where they can stay involved throughout their child’s education and throughout their schooling. Plus, I’m still a new teacher.”
Pom-Pom and Circumstance
Graduation day at Lamar University was extra special for Rodriguez because she walked the stage the same day as her cousin, Carley Exiga, who earned a bachelor’s degree in social work. Rodriguez was glad she took advantage of the right time in her life to enroll in the M.Ed. program despite some initial apprehension.
“I had never taken an online class before,” she said. “I was very nervous. I thought I had to see it in person to learn. That’s not how it was. You can watch the videos and attend the webinars. If you can’t attend the webinars, it’s okay because you can watch the recording.
“If you have a question, you can email the professor. You get a lot of support. It goes fast. Before you know it, you’re already done and on to the next one. It’s just 18 months and you’re already done. The flexibility makes it easier.”
Overall, Rodriguez believes the Lamar University online master’s degree program made her a better teacher.
“What connected with me the most was how to improve the culture of the school and have a positive attitude and share that with other people,” she said. “You want to do things to promote positivity because the kids feed off of it, and it can greatly affect instruction and how they learn.”
Although Rodriguez isn’t sure what’s in the cards for her career, she is confident she has a solid foundation to build on when she takes that big leap.
“I never really thought of becoming a principal, but a lot of people have told me they could see me as one,” she said. “Now that I’m in the school and see how things run, I’m like, ‘Maybe down the road.’ I want to be in the classroom for a really long time because I love it. This degree definitely prepares you for leadership. It’s possible. You can do it.”
Learn more about the Lamar University online M.Ed. in Teacher Leadership program.
