Do you feel that your master's degree helped you teach better.?

Question

I'm currently in a Master's of Music Education Program and I'm enrolled full-time as a graduate assistant. After 4 years of teaching and a full year of study, I'm currently realizing that maybe I should have went for a Master's in Teaching and Not Music Ed. The Master's of Teaching tends to emphasize more on teaching the whole student (cultural diversity/sensitivity, Teaching Adolescents, diverse curriculum etc.) whereas the Master's of Music Ed tends to work more on my musicianship rather than discuss how to teach the student.) Since I've been at this particular school, I feel that I've needed to focus more on how to teach the student and I'm not sure if I'm getting that from my program. However, their are not masters in education for core subjects like Math, English, or History. Those teachers get a master's all under the same program. A Master's of Arts in Teaching.

So my question as stated above is

Do you feel that your Master's degree helped you become a better teacher in the big scheme of things or do you feel it is more of the culmination of experiences that did so?

also, if you feel that your master's was not a big part in your teaching style, then what benefits did it provide to you beyond a pay raise on the teacher's salary scale?

? · Accepted Answer

I definitely agree that a mere Masters in subject does not really qualify a person to Teach. That one learns only through BEd [or the corresponding degree in your country]. I wouldn't even include an MEd because that dwells more on the Research aspect, the theoretical underpinnings, a larger perspective/wider canvas, etc. But a BEd equips one to Teach, to get through to students, to make a lesson more interesting, to create alternate resources & strategies, to experiment & enhance, ....

My Masters (in Zoology-Endocrinology] helped me more in terms of the Content of teaching, a better grasp of & mastery over my subject, a scientific approach to life & studies. 
But teaching I learnt from my BEd course. That one year full-time course truly awakened the teacher in me. It brought forth all my hidden potential & creativity. It was the One course that truly gave me a well-rounded personality first while simultaneously making me a teacher & a student of life.
My loved & enjoyed my MEd years too [part-time 2 years] - the seminars & presentations & above all my comprehensive dissertation - the entire process of research. It further honed my teaching sensibilities & abilities, but the rock solid foundation was laid by the BEd course.

Altho' I did very well, I found my MPhil [Education] too ivory-towerish, too theoretical. To me, teaching is all about Practicals, not theory. Theory dissociates & isolates one from the vibrant ongoing teaching-learning activity. 

Choosing the right course is important. Even more important is the love for one's subject/field of study. If you love your music & have a good fundamental knowledge, And you are a ready, eager learner, you will always be able to find ways & techniques to impart your knowledge & skills to the learners. It may take a little longer, some trial & error, but you will definitely succeed. And today you have the added advantage of the internet. You can always search for data, lesson plans, resources, strategies, experiences, groups, etc. that can come in handy.
Observe, question, seek answers, ....always try to place yourself in the learner's shoes; never quit till your student is satisfied; break every unit into its smallest 'denominator' so that it becomes easy to grasp & imbibe; seek frequent feedback so that you can take timely remedial measures/action; ....

All the very best :-)

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Do you feel that your master's degree helped you teach better.?

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