Social Studies Teacher Finds Her Career Path
A full-time 8th grade social studies teacher wanted to hone her teaching skills by completing a master’s degree.
While pursuing a degree in administration of justice, Carlyta McGarity developed a passion for history. Over the course of her degree plan, she had completed classes in the subject and felt compelled to share her knowledge. She began her career as a full-time middle school social studies substitute teacher.
In time, her appetite for teaching grew. That was the motivation she needed to enroll in the Texas Teachers of Tomorrow program and become a certified teacher.
Now a full-time 8th grade social studies teacher with a bachelor’s degree under her belt, Carlyta wanted to hone her teaching skills by completing a master’s degree.
At first, she was hesitant about going back to school--the cost of tuition and additional workload on top of a career as a full-time teacher, along with the demands of being a wife and mother to twins seemed overwhelming.
Through the Texas Teachers of Tomorrow program, she discovered WGU Texas and took the plunge to become a certified WGU night owl. The flexibility and opportunity to use her current teaching experience toward the course requirements for the Master of Science in Curriculum and Instruction assured her it was the right choice. “[This] degree would qualify me to be a leader within different academic programs in my district that use data-driven strategies to improve student scores,” Carlyta noted.
In January, WGU Texas Strategic Partnerships Manager, Kolette Palacios arranged a surprise presentation at Carlyta’s school and awarded her with a $2,500 Teachers of Tomorrow Scholarship to start her on the path toward completing her master’s.
“The presentation of the scholarship was such a beautiful gesture,” she said. “It will allow me to pursue my education without going into debt. Professionally, opportunities to advance in the educational field will increase. I am humbled and honored to receive this scholarship and I will never forget what WGU has done for me.”
To learn more about scholarships offered through WGU Texas, visit our website at www.wgu.edu/texas.
