<p>Currently I'm a student teacher who is going to be teaching high school English less than a year from now. In the future, I want to earn my Masters and Ph.D in Education in order to teach future teachers in schools that have credential programs. </p>
<p>As a secondary school classroom teacher, how can I prepare and distinguish myself from other graduate applicants? My situation is unique because I do have a full time job (as a full time teacher) and I don't know how I will make myself stand out from other applicants? </p>
<p>What other types of experiences should I involve myself in? Please give me examples of what you would do or what you've seen past teachers do to get into a top education school. I understand there is no formula but I need suggestions on what I need to get involved on to distinguish myself from the rest.</p>
<p>What could I do to truly impress the admission officers in the top schools?</p>
<p>^^I think they have master teaching certificates (not a degree program) that show people who go above and beyond the call of duty. However, it's probably difficult to get this while in your 20's. I think actually workiing as a full-time teacher does distinguish you. I knew people who went directly to grad school in education without teaching, and I have to believe they prefer if you actually have high school teaching experience. As long as you had high grades in college, I think the only thing you need to worry about is the GRE. If you ace that, I'd say the sky is the limit.</p>
<p>become an editor for a book. attend AP conferences. give workshops to other teachers from around the nation. win local teaching awards (Teacher of the Year) or national one (Milken Award $20,000). Be department chair.</p>
<p>Happy camper - many, many teachers are working full time while obtaining their master's degrees. You are certainly better off having the experience than not having it. You will not be eligible to win awards right away as suggested by JohnC, unless they are awards for new teachers. Once you start teaching, do as much professional development as you can and as your district is willing to let you do. You will discover that much of what you need to succeed in the classroom was never taught in college. Work with a mentor if there is on available.</p>