EdCred: Targeted Credential Matrix & Hiring Portfolio for Early-Career Teachers

Interviews and furthering education

I have a MA in WGU I can only speak for California but NO ONE CARES ABOUT DEGREES. It's about experience. And when they are screening candidates they aren't looking at all that, no one is calculating how many units a person has to see who will be cheaper on the pay scale. I did not get hired, just like you did- back in the summer of 2019, went into a school year was a long term COVID... that summer nothing moved an inch on edjoin, continued to sub, spoke with a principal and she was saying I should go into SPED or get my master's now, not to get me a job, but so that I could get it done while I didn't have children. She told me this in January and by April I was enrolled at WGU. I got better with interviews and did some more long terms and in June I got hired I had planned to do WGU in 2 terms (one term is 6 months and 4k)- during the summer I had taken so many classes it got to the point I was on the last class so it was be a little stressed out or pay another 4k. It was absolutely worth it, I got the pay raise, I had a class in time for the capstone. So if you're going to do it, don't expect a job, do it because it will get you more money, and in turn, being 'in school' while you interview might give you a better mental attitude or more confidence. I would be so happy to talk to you more about the wgu process and suggest when some good times to start are- I don't get anything back from the school but getting a master's in 6 months for just 4k was the best choice I ever made.

Hi there! I think it really depends on what specific degree you get to increase your prospects. Elementary education, ELA, and History are very saturated and I've heard from other coworkers & subs of how difficult it has been to get a job with those credentials. I even had a coworker who got three endorsements with hopes of getting a job and finally landed one, only once he qualified to be a math teacher. I'm a first year SpEd teacher with two MA's from WGU and para & subbing experience for \~2 years. For perspective, I received nonstop calls and interview requests, even in the middle of the year, and still receiving them to this day. My advice would be to get endorsed in a high demand subject such as SpEd, STEM, or ELL and sub while doing so to investigate which schools you like the environment of and try to build relationships there as well. Keep applying to jobs, and I think continuing education is always a plus especially for the salary increase as well! If you have any questions about WGU or anything else, hmu, but good luck otherwise!!