If you’re a K-6 educator looking to advance your career and make a difference on a wider scale, you might be considering an educational specialist degree (Ed.S.). Ed.S. programs can help make you a more effective teacher, leader and researcher, equipping you with skills that help you improve student outcomes and contribute to the larger field of education.
But what can you do with an Ed.S. degree? In this blog, we’ll explore what an Ed.S. is and how it will help you make a difference in your classroom — and beyond.
What is an Educational Specialist Degree?
An Ed.S. in elementary education is a post-master’s degree that qualifies educators to move into a variety of advanced roles, including administration, teacher leadership or accreditation positions. It allows educators in K-6 environments to broaden their reach to school— or district-wide environments.
“I always tell prospective students that an Ed.S. degree is a step between a master’s and Ph.D.,” says Dr. Lisa Etheridge, Associate Professor of Education at Troy University. “You’ll develop and hone your leadership and research skills while beginning to understand how adults learn, which allows you to teach your colleagues and other educators. That allows you to expand your reach to a more systemic level.”
An educational specialist degree, according to Dr. Etheridge, also equips you with the ability to gather and use data from classrooms to improve student achievement.
“This is a really unique aspect of the Ed.S. program at TROY. You likely won’t get these skills at this scale from other programs,” says Dr. Etheridge. “At TROY, you’ll actually walk through how to collect data and apply it. A good understanding of how to use data is important for curriculum development, evaluating classroom technologies and accreditation.”
An Ed.S. in elementary education also provides you with an understanding of policy, legal issues and ethics in elementary schools. This knowledge is imperative for educators looking to advance into administrative roles, such as principal or superintendent.
“The Ed.S. program gives students a wide breadth of knowledge that they can apply to numerous careers,” says Dr. Etheridge. “We take a lot of pride in our program because when students complete the program, they are very well qualified to pursue advanced positions in education.”
Enhance Your Teaching and Learn to Solve Classroom Challenges
An immediate benefit of the Ed.S. in elementary education is it sharpens your skills as an educator. While schools, departments and teachers need mentors and coaches, they also need educators who continuously grow in their own classrooms and subject areas.
“Many students come into the Ed.S. program knowing they don’t want to leave their classrooms. They just want to be a better teacher, and that’s great,” says Dr. Etheridge. “The skills students learn in this program, such as communication, curriculum design, data-driven decision making and empathy are only going to help students refine their teaching skills. Then, if they decide to pursue leadership or mentorship opportunities down the road, they’ll also be equally prepared for those.”
Courses such as Problem Analysis in Elementary Education and Effective Schools and Teachers are particularly beneficial to teachers looking to refine their teaching skills. The courses train students to evaluate challenges in early childhood education, examine and conduct research and then use it to solve those challenges. Issues could be related to student achievement, test scores, curricula or diversity.
“We’ve had some students look at the role of technology in the classroom and whether it’s beneficial. One student analyzed whether gamification, for example, could improve test scores,” notes Dr. Etheridge. “We’ve also had students look into religion in schools and how that impacts teachers and students. One Ed.S. program student developed ways to support students belonging to a specific race and ethnicity. We run the gamut of topics you could study about early childhood education.”
If you want to become more effective in your own classroom, the Ed.S. program allows you to apply this knowledge immediately.
“You’ll constantly be practicing what you learn,” says Dr. Etheridge, “whether in field experiences or your own classroom. There’s no shortage of opportunities to translate theory and research into practice.”
Become a Leader in Your Department, School or District
In addition to making you more effective in your K–6 classrooms, an educational specialist degree also provides you with skills you need to advance beyond the classroom.
“Educational specialist jobs can include staying in your school, moving into a role in your district or even working for the state department,” she says. “You can also serve on accreditation committees and be the go-to for questions about accreditation standards.”
Many Ed.S. program graduates become instructional coaches or teacher leaders, advising other instructors on ways to solve problems in their classrooms and improve student achievement. Other graduates go the administrative route, serving in leadership positions. TROY alum Brenda Coley is one of those graduates. Since earning her Ed.S. in elementary education she has served in various leadership roles, including principal, assistant principal and director of administrative services.
Coley now serves as the superintendent of the Russell County Board of Education in Phenix City, Alabama. In her role, she identifies policy and academic needs in the school system, develops school regulations and helps manage the day-to-day operation of the school. As a leader in the school system, she’s also responsible for vision, strategic planning, personnel recommendations and evaluation, organizational planning, budgeting and more.
“My typical day can involve visiting schools, engaging in parent conferences, serving on community boards such as the Chamber of Commerce, or responding to parent and community concerns,” she shares. “I love engaging with our students, supporting school events, observing classroom instruction and encouraging our scholars.”
The Ed.S. program at TROY prepared her for these positions, she says, by helping her develop leadership competencies and by offering field experiences.
“The Ed.S. degree provided me with the in-depth knowledge, learning experiences, support, relationships and leadership capacity to advance my professional career and grow as a productive citizen. The field experiences were particularly impactful. They allowed me to observe and document how working professionals and educators performed their job responsibilities.”
Other educational specialist jobs can include:
- Grade-level chair
- Curriculum coach
- Teacher leader
- K-6 curriculum specialist
- Director of assessment and accreditation
- Instructional designer
- Youth education specialist
- Educational technology specialist
- District educational specialist
So, what can you do with an Ed.S. in elementary education? It’s up to you, but regardless of your title, you’ll be well-prepared to make a positive impact, says Dr. Etheridge and Coley.
Learn More About the TROY Ed.S. in Elementary Education Program
If you’re considering an Ed.S. in elementary education, Dr. Etheridge advises, “Apply and come on over. Don’t be hesitant or feel discouraged. An Ed.S. is doable. A lot of students question whether they’re ready for another graduate program. But going back to school is like riding a bicycle. The first day back can be intimidating, but you’ll shake it off and get back to it in no time. And within just a year, you’ll have new ideas, strategies and leadership skills that will help you move forward in your career.”
Ready to take the next step? Explore TROY’s Ed.S. in Elementary Education (Grades K-6) program.
