Educators thrive in environments that provide autonomy but also support their craft. Teaching is one of the few fields where professionals are evaluated daily, in person or through data. There is often a constant stream of feedback and suggestions about improving the curriculum.
The leadership of a PK-12 school has a profound effect on their faculty’s success in the classroom, standardized exams and turnover rates. Teachers’ loyalty to a campus is directly related to the talent and efficacy of the leadership team.
Providing effective leadership requires specialization and divergent thinking. The Texas A&M International University (TAMIU) online Master of Science (M.S.) in Special Education with a Specialization in Educational Leadership program provides the imperative skill set that a future administrator, principal or director needs for effective leadership.
Graduates of this program are ready to take on future school leadership roles and best support their students, teachers, staff, parents and community. They can pursue the following roles that value their knowledge base:
School Principal
School climate and culture have become central measurements of campus success. Administrators must develop a positive organizational environment for adult and student learning.
With an average annual salary of $110,128 in the U.S., according to Indeed.com, the responsibilities of a principal are diverse and vital to morale. At the same time, cooperation is expected between a school principal and the larger district or community the campus serves. A school principal must be a manager of administration, an inspiration to students, a support for faculty and a guarantor that a campus fulfills a district’s mission.
Curriculum Coordinator
The working environment of a curriculum coordinator can change throughout the day, and responsibilities depend on a school’s grading cycle or administrative changes. Teachers must adjust to the learning levels of their students, which might look five different ways in any classroom. Therefore, the curriculum coordinator’s job is to ensure teachers have material that has been adjusted for and is responsive to student data.
In TAMIU’s online M.S. in Special Education with a Specialization in Educational Leadership program, students learn to apply evidence-based instructional techniques, establish clear learning standards and data-based assessment methods, and design flexible learning strategies. ZipRecruiter places the average yearly income for curriculum coordinators at $57,941.
Special Education Director
According to ZipRecruiter, a special education director with an advanced education degree can earn an average salary of $102,692 a year. Supervising and evaluating teacher performance and providing positive mechanisms for improving practice are significant elements of a special education director’s role in a PK-12 school. Any administrator in special education must wear two hats: that of the general education teacher and that of the inclusion or SPED teacher.
Cooperation between the two is imperative to best support students who require extra support in special education programs. Evaluating both sets of instructors, as well as implementing feedback for their department, calls for professionalism, patience and creativity from special education directors.
How an Advanced Degree Can Help
Earning an advanced degree in special education and educational leadership opens endless possibilities for education professionals. It offers a direct opportunity to improve best practices for general and special education populations. It also provides a chance to guide new teachers to better their craft. Graduates of TAMIU’s program can earn their advanced degree in as few as 12 months.
Across the U.S., the salaries of these leadership roles indicate how important it is for a school district to build a strong institutional base. Teachers stay on campuses with inspiring and empathetic administrations, which translates to student success. Graduates of TAMIU’s program can use their formal background and gained skills to be efficient educational leaders with a lucrative income.
Learn more about TAMIU’s online Master of Science in Special Education with a Specialization in Educational Leadership program.
