Are you an educator dreaming of stepping into a more advanced role? Do you want to move forward in your career but feel uncertain about where to start? Southern Nazarene University’s (SNU) Master of Arts in Educational Leadership (MAEL) program provides an excellent opportunity for educators looking to pursue leadership roles in school and district administration. Designed by educators for educators, the MAEL program equips students with the tools and knowledge to advance their careers.
Laurie Smith, Principal of McAlester High School in McAlester, OK, has experienced firsthand the benefits of the MAEL program. A former English teacher and head volleyball coach, Laurie decided to pursue her master’s degree through a partnership between SNU’s MAEL program and her school district. Her cohort met face-to-face once a week on McAlester’s campus, a structure that Laurie found invaluable.
In a recent interview with SNU’s MAEL Program Director, Dr. Stephoni Case, Laurie explained why these elements were so crucial: “I chose SNU because, number one, I wanted to be in person, and number two, I really liked the idea of going through this process with a cohort, and that cohort was valuable beyond measure. Once we got done with it, I knew that we would always be in touch, we’d always stay together, and having that support all the way through was extremely important in getting me through.”
This sense of support extended beyond her cohort. Laurie has maintained a relationship with Dr. Case, and the two have exchanged emails over the years. Dr. Case noted, “You and I have communicated by email off and on, and one of your emails really struck me when you mentioned to me the value of this experience and how it really prepared you for this job.”
Laurie confirmed, “Yes, going through this program has been amazing.” She shared that although there were moments when she didn’t immediately see the relevance of certain lessons, those insights became clear once she stepped into her administrative role. “You guys were telling us, ‘you’ll use all of this stuff once you get there.’ And it’s one of those things that you don’t really believe truly until you get in that moment and you know this is why I did this in a particular class and this is what I was prepared for,” she explained.
Dr. Case responded, “That’s great! I love hearing that. So, what you’re saying is that the activities you did in class or assignments actually helped you once you became principal?”
“Absolutely,” Laurie replied. “They were extremely valuable in allowing me to feel confident and comfortable in what I was doing in the process that I had been through before: preparing for things, leading things, delivering addresses, and all of those things we know are coming. The experience that I had at SNU really helped me be able to do that confidently.”
Laurie’s journey through the MAEL program has proven both rewarding and impactful. Since earning her degree, she has become the principal of the very high school where she started her master’s journey. Reflecting on her experience, Laurie wholeheartedly endorses the program, saying, “If you’re thinking about a program to join, I highly recommend doing your master’s through SNU. You will get access to amazing professors. You’ll have a cohort that you go through and you’ll have all the support and guidance you need and be fully prepared when you get done with this program to take those next steps in administration.”
