Determination Pays Off In Career Fulfillment For Dallas Educator
LuAnn Engleman's original passion was being a part-time sign-language interpreter. She enjoyed it but was looking to make a career change that would provide predictable hours and a steady income. She earned her master's degree in education from Texas A&M Commerce and is now a fifth-grade science teacher for Garland Independent School District.
Why did you pursue a master's degree?
"When I started, my husband had lost his job, Texas A&M Commerce offered a program that allowed me to apply the credits I earned getting my teacher certification towards a master's of education degree. Once I got my teacher certification, I took a year off, then entered the master's program and finished 18 months later."
What was the biggest challenge you faced when pursuing your master's degree?
"It was juggling a full-time job with a family, and going school two nights a week. My daughter was five years old when I started the program. My husband really stepped up to take some of the load off of me while I studied. Because I had face-to-face classes throughout grad school, Saturdays were spent studying, doing laundry and writing papers. Sunday was spent grading papers and prepping for the next week at school. My daughter and husband did a lot of activities together during those three years. In my last semester of school, I was diagnosed with breast cancer, so it was an additional strain being a full-time teacher, mom, grad student and cancer patient."
What was the biggest reward for earning the master's degree?
"Ever since my undergrad days, I had dreamed of pursuing a master's degree, but for one reason or another, talked myself out of it. Because of the financial crisis we were experiencing, I found the motivation to begin the program and go to the 'big school.' Getting a master's degree, for me, wasn't about having a piece of paper or bragging rights, it was just simply a dream fulfilled, one thing to cross off my bucket list."
What would you tell someone who is considering returning to school to earn a master's degree?
"Do it. Don't put it off. Don't talk yourself out of it. Having a master's degree opens more opportunities."
Robin D. Everson is a native Chicagoan who resides in Dallas, Texas. Her appreciation for art, food, wine, people and places has helped her become a well-respected journalist. A life-long lover of education, Robin seeks to learn and enlighten others about culture. You can find her work at Examiner.com