Why Tina Chose the Education & Special Education Pathway

Tina Kassab shares her journey towards earning her Master's in Education & Special Education.

What inspired you to pursue your Master's in Education & Special Education?

Since I was young, I’ve enjoyed working with children and knew I wanted to do something in special education. This program made the most sense because it’s an accelerated two-year curriculum in a Jewish environment. I obtained my bachelor’s degree the first year and then spent the second year getting my master’s degree. I started school during the pandemic when all the classes were on Zoom, but was able to attend in person soon after and it ended up being the best decision I ever made.

How prepared did you feel when you first started? What surprised you most about your classes?

As part of the master’s program, I was required to do fieldwork in schools. Working with children while simultaneously taking college classes really prepared me for real-world experiences. I was actively taking part in the topics I was learning about in my courses. Being able to directly apply classroom lessons to real life experiences and vice versa helped me make connections and better understand what I was learning.

What pleasantly surprised me was just how informed my professors were about modern and updated teaching methods. The teaching field has changed over the years and my professors were knowledgeable and up to speed on the whole-child approach to teaching. They taught us ways to talk to students, how to react to and handle situations, and to recognize the love, attention, and reinforcement young children need in the classroom nowadays. I was able to immediately apply these methods and tips into my student teaching fieldwork and realize just how on target my teachers were with their information.

What has been your favorite part of your experience so far? What has been the most challenging part?

My favorite part of the program was making connections with my teachers and forming bonds with the other students. I came into the program not knowing anyone and everyone at Sara Schenirer greeted me with open arms. Their support and willingness to help at every turn allowed me to grow and succeed in my studies and handle the rigorous workload. At the same time, the program was challenging because of the busy schedule. The classes take place at night and on Sundays, which was an adjustment at first. I recognized, though, that spending two years in an accelerated program was worth it and the most practical way to achieve my goal.

How would you describe the support you receive from Sara Schenirer staff and professors?

Everyone is extremely supportive and accepting no matter where you come from. The classes are small, and the teachers know everyone personally. They are as accommodating as possible, but also recognize that it is an accelerated program so they are serious to ensure you finish on time.

What are your goals after earning your degree?

My original goal was to become a P3, which is a special education provider who gives extra learning support to students with Individualized Educational Plans (IEPs) inside the classroom. Upon graduation, I worked as a P3 for a brief period and then was presented with an opportunity to be a head teacher in the same Brooklyn yeshiva where I did my fieldwork. I truly believe I was only offered this position because of my master’s degree. I stood out to the school during my student teaching, and they were impressed with my ability to apply my Sara Schenirer coursework to the classroom. They kept me in mind and reached out as soon as they opened a new playgroup and needed a head teacher.

Is this a field you would recommend to other frum women?

I think the field of education is very well-suited for frum women, whether you’re a classroom teacher, a P3, or a SEIT (Special Education Itinerant Teacher). If you’re a mother and a classroom teacher in a yeshiva, you are on the same schedule as your children - including summers off and workweeks that follow the Jewish calendar. If you are a P3 or a SEIT, you can arrange a more flexible schedule with good pay and work as little or as much as suits your personal needs. 

How did you find your current position?

I found my current position through my prior fieldwork. The school was eager to hire me when an opening became available because they appreciated my education and how I implemented it during my student teaching. My master’s degree gave me an immediate leg up and I was excited to run a classroom and be a head teacher for two-year-olds.

There’s a lot of growth and change happening in this age group and so many things fall under the umbrella of learning through play. My professors taught me how best to talk to young children, help them find their voices, handle situations of conflict, and develop their social skills. Combining what I learned in my coursework and applying those lessons firsthand in my own classroom really made everything come together for me.

In addition to your position, what are some other ways to use your degree in your chosen field?

Having this degree opens up endless opportunities in the educational field. Upon completing the degree program, I was required to take five tests through the New York City Board of Education. Once I passed those tests, I received my BOE certification which is something no one can ever take away from me. Your degree and your certification are yours.  

In addition to becoming a classroom teacher, options for work include becoming a P3 or a SEIT, both of which provide academic and/or behavioral support to students with IEPs. P3s and SEITs can make their own hours and take on as many or as few clients as they choose, and work within a school or privately. You are also not limited to staying in one of these positions as you can change directions throughout your career depending on what you enjoy and what works best with your schedule. A degree in special education leaves all doors open.

What is the job market like?

Teachers and educational service providers are always in demand and there are always ways to make a job work within your schedule. However much you put into the job is how much you'll get back. With a master’s degree in education, you can start as a teacher, become a mentor for other teachers within a grade, and even move up to be an administrator in private schools. You can always grow and move up the chain no matter what, but you must put in the effort to find new ideas and be open to change and learning. There is also flexibility in terms of scheduling, especially as a P3 or SEIT who can make their own hours.

Can you give an idea of starting salaries in the industry and how one moves up?

Salaries and benefits for teachers’ range depending on whether you work in a public or private school as well as based on experience and individual schedules and responsibilities. Pay for P3s and SEITs goes through the Board of Education and starts at around $65-$70 an hour, but the more experience you have the higher that number rises. There’s also the opportunity to provide services privately as a P3 or SEIT and people can sometimes charge up to $100 an hour. Parents are always looking to ensure their children don’t fall behind in school and get extra help when needed. The best way to move up in the field is to constantly be open to learning from your students and fellow teachers. Remember that you can always grow and get better at your job.