Are you looking for ways to accelerate your teaching career? Consider earning an Education Specialist (Ed.S.) in Teacher Leadership degree from Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota. Specialist degrees can provide access to higher pay lanes and open gateways to advanced roles such as department director, school principal, and more, without the need for administrative licensure. Here, we explore how an Ed.S. degree can boost a teacher leader’s pay without requiring licensure.
Key Takeaways
- Teacher salary schedules are based on experience and education.
- Additional education, such as an Ed.S. degree, can qualify teachers for higher earning potentials. It may also open pathways to advanced roles.
- While earning an Ed.S. degree requires time and tuition, the higher earning potential offers a good return on investment.
How School District Pay Lanes Work, and How an Ed.S. Impacts Pay
Teaching salaries are locally determined. Most school districts, however, follow a “step and lane” salary schedule. This schedule bases the teacher’s salary on two factors: their experience and their level of education. Here is how it works:
- Steps: Teachers earn a step increase in salary for every year of experience. Most teachers reach their highest step at around age 55. This means new teachers earn a comparatively low salary but increase their income steadily over the course of their careers.
- Lanes: Salary steps are arranged into lanes based on the teacher’s level of education. Higher degrees, such as a master’s or doctoral degree, qualify a teacher for a higher pay lane. Some districts also offer lane raises for professional development credit hours.
Teachers typically cannot negotiate raises outside of their district’s salary schedule. This means that, for new teachers, entering a higher lane is the only way of increasing their pay. Additional education, such as an Ed.S. in Teacher Leadership degree, is the best way to boost your earning potential early on. It will also continue to benefit you with higher salaries throughout your teaching career, even if you don’t pursue administrative licensure.
Education Specialist Degree Pathways that Influence Compensation
Not only can an Ed.S. in Leadership degree benefit your income as a teacher, but it may also open the door to new employment opportunities. Leadership skills are valuable for more advanced roles that often come with higher salaries. Examples include:
Department Directors
Department directors are responsible for managing departments within a school or school district. For example, you may oversee your district’s Science department, make decisions for K-12 Special Education, or define educational standards as a Director of Curriculum & Instruction.
Teacher Mentor
As an experienced educator with an Ed.S. in Leadership, you can become a mentor to other teachers in your school or district. This role involves supporting newer teachers by demonstrating effective instruction techniques, giving constructive feedback, observing lessons, and more.
Educational Consultant
Instead of attaching yourself to a school district, you can become an educational consultant. These are experts who advise schools, teachers, parents, or students to help them improve their institutional or individual academic growth. Consultants may work independently or with a publisher or firm.
These roles typically don’t require any administrative licensure like principals or superintendents do. They offer you a chance to boost your earning potential without the work of becoming licensed.
ROI Considerations for Ed.S. Candidates
While earning your Ed.S. can lead to better pay and opportunities, you want to be sure that its benefits are worth your investment. Additional education costs time and money, so pursuing it is a big decision.
The Ed.S. program at Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota has a tuition of $575 per credit. At 30 credits, the entire program costs $17,250. However, we are committed to making our education affordable, with a variety of financial aid and scholarship opportunities available to eligible students to help them cover the cost.
The program also takes 1.5 years to complete. Our hybrid learning model combines online and on-campus courses, giving you extra flexibility to learn while working a full-time teaching job.
The benefits, however, are significant. According to Indeed, the average teacher salary in the United States is $43,351 per year. Teaching specialists earn an average salary of $63,842, and advanced roles may earn even more, for an excellent return on investment.
Advance Your Education Career at Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota
Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota’s Education Specialist Degree in Teacher Leadership offers a springboard to new opportunities. It is also an opportunity to strengthen your career skillset with curriculum development, cultural competence, and other essential leadership skills. To learn more about how you can take your teaching career to the next level without admin licensure, request more info or apply now for admission.
Ed.S. FAQ
Do districts pay more to a teacher who holds an Ed.S. without admin licensure?
Some school districts offer pay lane raises for earning credits in special education. Earning an Ed.S. counts toward this threshold.
Which teacher leader roles do not require licensure?
Teacher leader roles that do not require administrative licensure include instructional coach, department director, teacher mentor, curriculum coordinator, and similar positions.
Can I transfer credits when I pursue an Ed.S.?
Yes, you can transfer credits from accredited educational institutions when you enroll in the Ed.S. program at Saint Mary’s.
