I am a new teacher with a Master’s, and no one has scoffed at me yet – because I keep my mouth shut and ask lots of questions! It would be ridiculous for me to believe that by simply writing a Master’s inquiry and going to classes for a year, I have mastered (no pun intended) the art of education.

However, it is important to learn which old timers to whom you should listen and which old timers at whom you should just nod and smile. I listen and take advice, but many older teachers are angry about new changes in legislature and teaching in general, and that clouds any valuable advice they can give you. I take what they say, consider it, try it, and if it works I keep it; if not, I find something else that works for me and my class.

Some people believe because they did something one way that that’s the only way to do it. These older teachers may not have a masters degree so they don’t think you need one to begin teaching. They also may feel like having a masters degree is not comparable to 20-30+ years of teaching. I would agree with this statement. If the incoming teacher isn’t acting like he/she knows everything and isn’t being a complete *** because of the degree, there really isn’t a reason to scoff. Experience, especially in teaching, is a better educator than any university. Those “old-timers” can give you more valuable information than anything else in the world.

Years ago, teachers did not need a Master’s degree. They just needed a minimum number of hours. In fact, some of them have more graduate hours than is needed for the Master’s degree.

Today, at least in NY, you must have a Master’s degree.

I have utmost respect for young teachers coming into the profession. They have fresh ideas and lots of enthusiasm. I don’t like young teachers that are not willing to learn from those from experience. I tend to let those type of teachers learn the hard way. If any ask for my help, I give them all the benefits of my experience.

You’ll see that they scoff at everything. They scoff at any new idea as old idea resold to them, everything that cost money is scoffed at as another bad reason why the school couldn’t afford to give them raises. Old teachers scoff. It’s hard to say it’s wrong though, I’m not an old teacher yet, maybe when I am I’ll understand where they’re coming from more.

because its a bull$hit degree! you should know that.