Nearly 25 years after earning a bachelor’s degree in international business, Marguerite Jaybush has stepped into an entirely new chapter. As a recent graduate of Avila University’s online Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) program, Marguerite is a certified teacher. Now, Marguerite is interviewing for her first permanent teaching position after gaining experience as a substitute teacher and reading support paraprofessional.
After years away from higher education, she needed a program that would give her the flexibility she needed in her life without having to start over.
“I chose it primarily for two reasons: it was fully online so I could continue working, and it accepted my existing bachelor’s degree,” she says. “Most of the other programs I looked at would have required me to complete a significant amount of additional undergraduate work or essentially earn another BA.”
That distinction mattered. Because her original degree was in a different field, many other pathways to teaching would have been much longer. “Rather than having to redo undergraduate coursework or complete an additional BA, I was able to go straight into the master’s program,” she says. “Since my original degree was in international business, there was almost no overlap with the teaching profession, so I would have had to start completely over elsewhere. This program made it possible to go straight in.”
She completed the program in what she jokingly describes as a “complete speed run,” finishing in about 18 months while working and raising a family. Even so, she is careful to point out that the pace was her choice, not a demand of the program. The flexibility was there. She simply pushed herself to move quickly because she wanted to absorb as much as possible before leading students on her own.
Along the way, certain courses and faculty members left a lasting impression. Professor Burns, who taught reading and writing integration across content areas, and Professor McLean, whose unit-building course became directly useful during student teaching, stood out as especially influential.
“Every professor I had came from the classroom or had significant classroom experience,” she says. “That made their advice concrete and practical, not just conceptual. All of the professors were very helpful and took on a genuine mentoring role. I would recommend the program without hesitation.”
That practical focus carried into her field experience as well. Before student teaching officially began, Marguerite was already building confidence through school-based work. “The lead teacher I worked with gave me increasing independence as my skills developed through the program, and by the end, I was running small groups on my own,” she says.
Those opportunities helped connect coursework to classroom reality. “That hands-on experience was incredibly valuable, especially heading into student teaching, because I already had some practical grounding before I got there,” she says. “Knowing how to build instruction from the ground up made a tremendous difference. That was not a skill set I had before.”
The heart of Marguerite’s story, though, is deeply personal. Her daughter has dyslexia, and years of advocating for her, supporting her, and learning alongside her have shaped Marguerite’s understanding of education in profound ways.
“My daughter is dyslexic. I’ve been involved in her education at every step, and that experience was a big part of what inspired me to pursue teaching in the first place,” she says. “Being able to see both sides of that, as a parent and now as an educator, has been incredibly meaningful.”
That experience continues to guide her professional goals. Marguerite hopes to eventually earn a reading specialist certificate and focus on reading intervention, particularly for students with dyslexia and other learning differences. “My goal is to work in reading support and with dyslexic students like her,” she says. “Making sure every child can read and has access to history and perspective, that would be the dream.”
Now, as she prepares for what comes next, she feels ready. “My expectations have absolutely been met,” she says. “The school was supportive throughout, and I was especially grateful for the student teaching experience. I feel very well set up for what comes next.”
Her advice to prospective students is as honest as her journey: know yourself. Online learning offers flexibility and support, but it also asks for independence and self-motivation. For students prepared to meet that challenge, Marguerite’s recommendation is wholehearted.
Build Your Future in Education With the Online Master of Arts in Teaching
Avila University’s online Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) program offers a flexible, supportive path for future educators who are ready to turn their goals into action. Created with career-changers in mind, the program pairs fully online coursework with immersive student teaching to allow future educators to gain classroom experience. Graduates are prepared to pursue Missouri teacher licensure, even if their bachelor’s degree is in a completely different field.
Flexibility and Support Go Hand in Hand at Avila University
Avila offers affordable, pay-by-the-course tuition with the same rate for all U.S. residents, and students learn from faculty who bring meaningful classroom experience to their teaching. With a simple application process, 24/7 access to courses, and strong graduate outcomes, Avila offers a practical and supportive route for future educators ready to move forward.
Take the Next Step
Start building the knowledge and credentials to begin a meaningful career in education with the online MAT program. Learn more and apply today.
