Looking Back
By: Brian Caldwell
I had never really considered becoming a teacher. Two years ago when I began the MAED program at MSU it was with the sole intention of earning a Master's Degree in order to be better suited when it comes to getting a college basketball head coaching position. I am currently employed at Albion College as an assistant men's basketball coach where I have been for the last few years. Before that I spent four years as an assistant women's basketball coach at Spring Arbor University. After discussing with both head coaches and coaches in other sports it became clear that I would need to earn a graduate degree if I was to achieve my goal as a head coach.
As an undergrad at GVSU I majored in physical education with an emphasis in coaching. However, since I never considered teaching, only coaching, I did not go to the school of ED or get my teaching certificate; a decision that I greatly regret now. Knowing this when I began looking for a Master's program, I was pleased to find the MAED at MSU. I was also excited to find that they had a coaching area of emphasis that would allow me to further my knowledge and hopefully make me a more attractive candidate to future employers. While the coaching aspect of this program has been extremely beneficial I have found even more enjoyment in learning about education in my other classes. While I remain undecided if I will work to get a teaching certificate as well, I am confident that I will pursue teaching at the college level to accompany my coaching career.
As I look back at my initial essay that I wrote when I applied to MSU, I find myself smiling to be in the final stretch of this program. While I am ready to begin the next chapter of my life and education part of me is sad to be ending my journey at Michigan State. I have formed bonds with both students and professors that will hopefully last a lifetime. I am excited to take what I have learned and apply it to my coaching and teaching in the future. I have learned many techniques and ideas that will help me in the future, some of which I have already began to implement with my current team. In the end I am grateful for the opportunity and experiences that were provided by Michigan State University and am proud of myself for completing this journey.
As an undergrad at GVSU I majored in physical education with an emphasis in coaching. However, since I never considered teaching, only coaching, I did not go to the school of ED or get my teaching certificate; a decision that I greatly regret now. Knowing this when I began looking for a Master's program, I was pleased to find the MAED at MSU. I was also excited to find that they had a coaching area of emphasis that would allow me to further my knowledge and hopefully make me a more attractive candidate to future employers. While the coaching aspect of this program has been extremely beneficial I have found even more enjoyment in learning about education in my other classes. While I remain undecided if I will work to get a teaching certificate as well, I am confident that I will pursue teaching at the college level to accompany my coaching career.
As I look back at my initial essay that I wrote when I applied to MSU, I find myself smiling to be in the final stretch of this program. While I am ready to begin the next chapter of my life and education part of me is sad to be ending my journey at Michigan State. I have formed bonds with both students and professors that will hopefully last a lifetime. I am excited to take what I have learned and apply it to my coaching and teaching in the future. I have learned many techniques and ideas that will help me in the future, some of which I have already began to implement with my current team. In the end I am grateful for the opportunity and experiences that were provided by Michigan State University and am proud of myself for completing this journey.