Teachers become the students in graduate studies

ShelbyGerken

Teachers often teach hoping that one day, maybe, their student will become the teacher. But what happens when the teacher becomes a student? Five Marian teachers are currently experiencing both sides of the classroom by pursuing their masters degree online, while still teaching. In addition, Principal Susie Sullivan and Deacon Kevin Fuller are both working towards their doctorate degree. 

These teachers now experience life as we do, by going through a full school day and a full night of homework ahead of them. 

Schoolwork changes and lifestyles

Theology teacher, Ms. Sara Greisch, has fallen into a new routine: “I spend most of my evenings working on something related to my graduate schoolwork, whether it be doing the readings, preparing my responses to a discussion board post or working on a paper. [On] my weekends I do the same, but I limit my time spent to a few hours so that I can do other things on the weekends, too. I’ve found a routine that works for me,” Greisch said. 

Greisch is currently working on her Masters of Science in Educational Specialty through Creighton University. “I got to pick two different tracks to study, so I chose Catholic School Leadership and Teacher Leadership. It supports my leadership goals and is preparing me for future leadership opportunities.” 

These teachers find that their degrees are supporting their current profession. Chemistry teacher and science department chair, Mrs. Stacy Tunink, agrees. “The degrees seem to be custom-made for what I am currently doing. It is a Masters of Science in Education in STEM, with a focus in chemistry,” Tunink said. Tunink is currently working on her second masters. 

“I believe in lifelong learning, and that you can never know too much. I actually enjoy taking classes when I find them relevant, and this program seemed perfect,” Tunink said. Her program is through University of Nebraska Kearney where, and if she stays on schedule, she’ll have her second master’s degree December 2025.

Motivations for continuing education

 Though teachers have different reasons for continuing their education, finding enjoyment in the pursuit of learning seems to be a common factor.  

Deacon Fuller shares his love of learning: “I am a learner. So, I’m gonna learn whether I’m doing a doctorate or not. So I thought, ‘I’ve always wanted to get my doctorate’ and I saw this program through Creighton focused on leadership. I thought that could help me improve what I do here at Marian and make me a better teacher. It has made me a better teacher for sure.” Fuller is in his final year of working towards his Doctorate of Education in Interdisciplinary Leadership from Creighton University, with certification in administration and Catholic School Leadership. 

“One of my top Clifton strengths is Learner, so I do enjoy taking classes and going to school. I felt it would be a good experience and it would help me in my current role,” Principal Sullivan said. Sullivan is getting her Doctorate in Interdisciplinary Leadership.

“The timing was right for me when I decided to seriously pursue my advanced degree. I knew going back to school was something I was interested in, and I wanted to be able to study something that I could apply to my work in the classroom right away,” Greisch said. 

By continuing their higher education journey and working towards degrees that support these teachers’ current profession, it not only benefits them but their students as well. 

Theology teacher Mr. Kory Delkamiller says, “I am extremely interested in the subject matter [of my classes], it gives me a lot of energy and motivation [like] the things I talk to [students] about in class. I feel like I can immediately pass on new info and wisdom that I have just learned to assist my students in their spiritual journey. I think [my classes are] very relevant.” Delkamiller is working towards his Masters in Spirituality with a certification in Spiritual Direction. “It’s also just good for me to remember what it’s like to be a student, so I can have that perspective again.”  His program is through Creighton University and will be finished with his coursework in the spring. “[I’m getting my degree] to continue to learn, pursue history, and become a better teacher. I jumped right into teaching after my undergraduate degree. Although I took some classes for an additional teaching certificate, I immediately missed studying history and knew I wanted to continue to pursue it. Continuing my education while teaching seemed like the best next step both personally and professionally,” history teacher Mrs. Jessica Goodman said. Goodman’s program is through University of Nebraska-Kearney. She has wrapped up her coursework already but is finishing up some final requirements to officially graduate this December. 

On the contrary, music teacher and fine arts department chair, Mrs. Stephanie Dickes, decided to make a plan to wait a longer time period before she pursued her higher education degree. 

“While I was in undergrad, I had [a professor] who did his undergrad, then he did his masters and started teaching college students right away, and it seemed like there was a disconnect [between him and his students]. I knew I wanted to get a masters, but because of the experience I had with that professor, I was like, ‘I’m going to wait 10 years so that I really get experience in the classroom before I try and learn more.’ [When] I was at my 10 year [mark], I was like, ‘ok let’s do this,’” Dickes said. “It’s a good refresher to [refresh] myself on different elements, like doing my music analysis class this summer and my education physiology class on different types of [learning and] the way kids think [and learn].”  Dickes’ program is through UNK and although she will complete her courses in December 2023, she has comprehensive exams in March with a graduation in May 2024.

Benefits of Higher Education 

“I feel like it’s a benefit to the students that I have a more in depth masters level knowledge,” Delkamiller said. “But then there’s also a little bit of a salary increase. It’s not overwhelming but it’s a nice little affirmation from the school that says you know, ‘good job, you’re helping out the students, you’re becoming a better teacher.’” 

“There’s a small financial compensation for continuing education. But mostly it’s just for my own satisfaction and a little bit for a publicity Marian. It is nice to be able to say we have a very high percentage of teachers with masters and beyond,” Tunink said.  

The teachers not only find support within their homes and families, but they can find support here in the Marian community. 

Fuller shares his personal experience of support and how “Marian’s very supportive of higher education. Mrs. Sullivan has been very supportive of these whole four years of just giving me the opportunity to get my work done, giving me teacher loads that I can handle while working on [my degree]. The students have all been really supportive of it when they all found out about it. It was kind of fun when they realized that I’m also a student and that I have homework to do too. The community is very supportive of it and I appreciate that.” 

Overcoming challenges

These teachers have a lot on their plates, as they are managing two different school lives along with their family life. They agree that balancing their commitments is an area that they have been challenged in, but also have improved the most in. 

Greisch agrees. “The most challenging part has been keeping the motivation going as I’m near the end of my degree work! I am ready to be done, but still have a bit of work to complete before I graduate in December! The other is balancing the workload with my teaching duties. It isn’t hard to do, but some days you just want a ‘day off’ from graduate school work, which doesn’t happen!” 

“Time management [is difficult]. I have really enjoyed my classes but managing teaching full time and taking a full course load of classes required me to re-think how I schedule my time. Throughout the program, most of the time, I worked on my coursework right away when I got home from school. It has made me balance my time more effectively. The past two summers, I have packed my schedule with classes to maximize my time. It has been a rewarding and fulfilling experience, though,” Goodman said. 

Sullivan shares, “[The most challenging part] is finding time! I am working on my dissertation and it is a time-consuming project. I use our school breaks and summer breaks to do as much as I can! There are some weekends I am able to dedicate time, but our school breaks are when I make the most progress! I have to be very disciplined so that I schedule time to work on it. My routine has changed in that I don’t have any extra time. I pass up social activities so I can find time to work on it.” 

“I am a busy girl with two kids that are involved in a lot of activities, a full teaching load and some community involvement. I just started [this degree process] so I don’t know how hard it’s going to get, but right now, [I’m] finding out how much I have forgotten in the last 20 years. I am a different student than I was the first time [I got] my bachelors, and even when I got my first masters. I’d like to say with age comes wisdom, but it might just be that with age comes better ability to plan and look ahead and know what is going to be expected,” Tunink said. 

“[It’s a challenge] balancing a lot of things. Looking back over four years, that’s a lot of burden on my wife, family and school and trying to honor all those different things. I appreciate that I’ve learned to balance my time and not get too worried about one particular thing, just keep moving forward,” Fuller said.

What’s next for these teachers?

When asked if this is the end of their higher education journey, teachers had mixed responses, and shared their plans. “I have considered going back for another advanced degree, but it won’t be right away! I would like to take a year off before considering another degree,” Greisch said. 

Dickes agrees, “Maybe eventually I will, but not right away.” 

Goodman says, “One step at a time. . . I am enjoying this phase of the journey.”   

     “I have no plans to do so right now, but one never knows what the future would bring. I’ve always thought Dr. Tunink had a nice ring,” Tunink said. 

      As for Delkamiller, Fuller and Sullivan, they’ve decided to pick up a hobby instead in their well deserved free time. 

      Make sure to thank these teachers, and all teachers, for their hard work and dedication to their education that benefits the students of today.