Why I Went Back to School After 24 Years of Teaching
by Nicole Dimatos, WGU Alum
"Why do we have to do this?" is a question every teacher of every subject and grade level hears nearly every day. What's interesting is that this question is not restricted to students. I also hear this exact same question from colleagues in regard to professional development – and in fact, I often join them in their lament! "Why do we have to attend this training when it takes us out of our classrooms? This information could have been communicated in an email!" And yet, professional development provides us with an opportunity to grow – and if we do not grow, we stagnate. As teachers, we cannot stagnate if we want to help our students reach their potential.
My “Why”
At age 53, after 24 years of teaching, I enrolled at Western Governors University (WGU) because I passionately believe that education can change the world for the better. I did not plan to change what I was doing – I just planned to do it better. A second master's degree would allow me to do it with more gravitas (and a little bit more money).
So, in July 2024, soon after my youngest child graduated from high school, I began my Master of Science in Curriculum and Instruction (MSCIN) degree at WGU. The world had changed since my last university course. My year-long learning target for my 7th grade ELA students is: “English students can think critically, speak powerfully, and write effectively so that they can change hearts, minds, and actions.” It's a long sentence, but we take the time to unpack it. In the end, it reflects what I believe, which is that communication skills can transform our world. And that was the moment I knew that my additional degree from WGU would help me help my students achieve a growth mindset and communicate effectively.
Passion Projects That Make a Difference
One of the aspects of WGU that I loved most was the flexibility to tailor my projects to what I wanted to learn. Every paper I wrote was a passion project, grounded in the latest educational theories and research. Even better? I was able to integrate what I was learning at WGU with the professional development offered in my school district. I was, quite honestly, shocked by how well they aligned.
My grade level team was asked to pilot a performance-based learning assessment program (PBLA), and the course I was taking at WGU had several chapters devoted to PBLA. I was even able to tailor my capstone project to the concept of integrating morphology into reading instruction. My paper was titled: Connecting Morphology and Meaning to Help Students Decode Dickens: It's Not Humbug! It was extremely satisfying to conduct an action research project that directly benefited my students. They enjoyed the unique opportunity to participate in this project and help their teacher accomplish her research goal.
Mastering Balance
The other part of WGU that I loved and appreciated was the ability to maintain balance in my life. The flexibility afforded by WGU was wonderful, as it allowed me to balance work, family, and school – and what a difference an online university can make! When I earned my first master’s degree in 1996, I left my teaching job at the end of the day, sped to the college campus, frantically searched for parking, and ran to my class. It was challenging to fit in all the classes I needed because the university schedule was not designed for students who were also full-time teachers. And as every educator knows, our work does not end when the bell rings for dismissal. Now, as the parent of three children who attended or currently attend brick-and-mortar universities, I can assure you that things have not changed much over the last three decades. Thus, the amazing flexibility to do my coursework on my own schedule, rather than the university’s time, was transformative. It allowed me to balance my responsibilities so that I was able to fulfill all my roles. This is crucially important, and it resulted in a very satisfying experience at WGU.
Embrace the Gift of Growth as an Educator
This Teacher Appreciation Week, I urge you to give yourself the gift of a master’s degree that you can tailor to your own unique situation. Consider enrolling at WGU. Developing as a professional is a gift that you give yourself – and your students.
