More teachers pursuing higher education

Elementary school principals Rhonda Dunham, Sydney Herbst and Ruth Ann Orr all lived together for a month this summer. They rented a three-bedroom condo not far from campus in Columbia, Mo., while they attended classes at the University of Missouri. They were finishing up coursework to earn their doctoral degrees.

The three found out they each passed their written competencies about two weeks ago. At the end of the month, they will complete an oral competency exam, and then begin writing their dissertation. Once it is approved, they will have their doctorate.

"It was pretty intense. Any time you are trying to go to school and hold down a job it's not so easy," Herbst said.

There are multiple reasons teachers or administrators cite for going back to school: more pay, to stay abreast of education trends, to change jobs within the field or get support from other educators.

At Clippard Elementary this year, six teachers are participating in the same program to earn a master's degree. Amber Horrell, a teacher at Franklin Elementary, joined the group also.

Horrell said she was told the class is the biggest it's ever been; there are about 40 people involved this year while in the past its been closer to eight.

District wide, 45.4 percent of Cape Girardeau public teachers had a master's degree or higher in 2006. In comparison, the number was 42.2 percent in 2003. Statewide, the numbers are 50 percent for 2006 and 45.7 percent for 2003.

"With online courses, it's getting so much faster and easier to earn a master's," said De-Rhonda Gosche, who works in personnel for the school district.

Teachers pursuing a degree in administration are required to log 110 hours of field experience. Horrell has ridden the school bus to help monitor students, attended community meetings and been put in charge when the principal is out.

This has proved to be a challenge for Herbst, who must spread responsibilities among six people.

Tasks assigned include supervising fire drills, leading book studies and conducting a survey of the staff.

Teachers are often surprised to learn all that goes into being a principal, she said.

"I think a lot of it is the day-to-day not knowing what is going to happen or where you are going to be. You have to be ready to handle anything," she said.

Last week Herbst was called out to the playground when a snake appeared. Armed with a net, she and a teacher picked it up by its tail and put it in the woods.

"It's not part of the job description, but someone has to take care of it," she said.

The Cape Girardeau pay scale hits a plateau after five years if a teacher hasn't taken graduate level coursework, Alma Schrader gym teacher Carolyn Behnen said.

That's why she decided to go back to school to get a degree in educational leadership. She's taking out loans to attend classes in Sikeston, Mo., through Southeast Missouri State University, but said the degree will pay for itself.

Billy Keys, a music teacher at Central Junior High, recognizes that many people take the classes simply to earn more.

"A lot of them aren't really serious about becoming a building principal, but I am," he said. He is taking an accelerated course that lasts 18 months.

With three children at home, Lori Huey, a kindergarten teacher at Franklin Elementary, is taking classes a little slower, one a semester.

She started courses in the spring of 2003 and is about halfway to earning a master's degree in elementary education.

"I am with educators that have already taught, so we can bounce ideas off each other. They can help me through a problem or help me differentiate instruction. It's more meaningful," she said.

lbavolek@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 123