Put That Degree Up

Many of us have been to the doctor's office and sat there waiting for the doctor to come in. One of the first things we do is look around the room. Eventually, our eyes land on the medical degree hanging on the wall. We look at where they went to school and maybe even what other certifications they have.

Why do we do that?

We want to know that the person who is about to take care of us is qualified. Obviously, if we are sitting in an exam room waiting for a doctor, we already know they are qualified. Yet there is something reassuring about seeing those credentials displayed on the wall.

That got me thinking about our classrooms.

Many teachers don't display their degrees. Maybe we should.

Displaying our degrees isn't about bragging or suggesting that a college degree is the only path to success. There are many paths our students may choose. Rather, it is about creating an atmosphere of professionalism and learning. It is a visible reminder to our students that their teachers are learners, too.

It also gives students an example of what education can lead to. A student might look at a diploma and ask, "What's that?" Suddenly, we have an opportunity to talk about college, careers, hard work, perseverance, and setting goals. For a student who may not have someone at home with a college degree, that simple piece of paper hanging on the wall might make higher education seem a little more real and attainable.

I also think displaying our credentials matters because of the way our profession is sometimes viewed.

There can be a perception that almost anyone could do what teachers do. What people don't always see is the education behind teaching. We study how children learn. We study developmental psychology, instructional practices, assessment, behavior, curriculum, and the science of learning. We learn how to recognize when a child is struggling and how to change our approach when something isn't working.

And our education doesn't stop when we receive our diploma.

Teachers continually take classes, attend professional development, study new research, earn certifications, pursue advanced degrees, and refine their practice. We ask our students to be lifelong learners while doing the same thing ourselves.

There is also a message for families.

When parents send their child into our classroom, they are trusting us with someone incredibly important to them. Displaying our degrees and professional credentials is one small way of saying: I take that responsibility seriously. I studied for this. I continue to study this. I am proud of the work it took to become an educator, and I am committed to becoming better at it.

We often talk about wanting teaching to be respected as a profession. Part of that may be presenting ourselves as the professionals we already are.

So hang the degree.

Not because the frame or piece of paper makes you a great teacher. It doesn't.

Hang it because of what it represents: years of learning, work, growth, and commitment to your profession.

And maybe one day a student will point to it and ask, "What's that?"

That's a conversation worth having.