Private school M.Ed. preference in hiring? (careers, degrees, principal)

[aloharunnergirl]

This question is for principals and hiring committees in independent schools. I have several advanced degrees (not in education) and several years of teaching experience in independent schools. I'm also certified to teach in two states. I am considering another graduate degree, this time in education, to make myself more marketable. The goal is to be hired at an independent school when we move to another state (Texas, in case that matters). Debating between a masters in special education and a masters in reading/literacy. Most interested (and experienced in) K-8.

Would either give me an edge, or does it matter? I am interested in both fields and could see myself as a classroom teacher or a resource teacher in my next position.

[maf763]

If you are set on working in a typical independent school, the reading/literacy degree would be more valuable than special education. Without knowing what your experience and current degrees are, it's hard to know whether an additional degree will matter though.

[KimNChicago]

I'll give you my experience in three states, both as a teacher then administrator.

We just couldn't afford to hire teachers with advanced degrees in two states since those states mandated pay scales based upon education, so I'd get on some chat boards with teachers in Texas and find out exactly what they need and work with that instead of possibly making yourself less marketable, but I don't know about Texas.

I do know that Texas has an interesting certification to accommodate their intermediate schools: they certify grades 4-12 in specific disciplines, while many other states use a 6-12, though I think you can take the test there to get the 4-12 cert.

BTW: I tell my education students to wait and get their advanced degrees while employed in the district they hope to spend their careers: districts usually pay for those degrees if they're in same or needed discipline.

Best of luck.