How Armand Wallace, Jr. Found His Calling as a Teacher
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by
Alex Skov
Becoming a teacher is a unique and powerful way to shape the future. Few know this better than Armand Wallace, Jr., who turned his passion for helping youth into a successful teaching career. Today, he works as a social studies teacher and football coach in Maryland, where he impacts his students’ lives on a daily basis.
Wallace’s path to teaching began with over a decade of service with the Boys and Girls Club, working his way up to assistant club director and eventually becoming a leader across multiple locations. This experience served a dual purpose for Wallace, allowing him to gain practical leadership experience while connecting with youth in meaningful ways — something he knew was worth exploring as a career when he had completed a bachelor’s degree in speech communication.
One of Wallace’s acquaintances shared other observation that inspired him to pursue a career in the classroom: he had noticed a lack of male teachers.
“[That] got me interest and got me very intrigued,” Wallace said, “so I applied for a position at a school system and I got the job.”
Wallace’s official education tenure started with a behavioral specialist position and time spent as a substitute teacher before he was transferred to work full-time in a middle school. Using what he learned during his interpersonal communication curricula as an undergraduate — skills he fine-tuned while at the Boys and Girls Club — Wallace found that his ability to connect effectively with students and their families was a major asset.
Discovering Moreland University and Balancing Life’s Responsibilities
Encouraged by his experiences shaping young learners’ perspectives and motivated to continue helping his community, Wallace began considering how he could enhance his skillset even more. He decided that the next logical step was to earn an advanced degree, and soon after, he learned about Moreland University through an email from his school system.
The 100% online format and 12-month timeline of Moreland’s master’s degree programs appealed to Wallace, who knew that it would be tough to commit to an in-person program while balancing a full-time job in a school, coaching sports, and family responsibilities as a father.
“I was like, ‘This sounds like a perfect opportunity for me to get a master’s,’ so I did that, and it turned out to be one of the best decisions in my life,” Wallace reflected.
He chose to focus his Master’s in Education studies on educational technology, knowing that it would help him stay ahead of the game in integrating EdTech into the classroom while also preparing him to support other teachers and staff members identify and implement new tools to improve their instruction and better serve their students.
While Moreland offered coursework that expanded Wallace’s professional attributes, it also provided opportunities to connect with educators from around the world as part of the collaborative learning experience built into the global cohort model.
“I was able to meet different people from different backgrounds, I was able to get the work done, [and] also able to email my teachers to get their help and ask questions,” Wallace said of how smoothly the remote classes went. “It’s a learning experience. I’m grateful that I did it.”
Making an Impact Today for a Better Tomorrow
Currently working with high school students between the ages of 14-18, Wallace brings his blend of communication skills, technological expertise, and a genuine passion for teaching to the classroom daily. His master’s degree has paved the way for a future in educational technology, and leadership within his school is simultaneously encouraging him to pursue additional credentials to become an administrator. No matter which path he chooses, Wallace is determined to continue making a positive impact on each student he encounters so that they can make their own positive impact in the future.
Whether you’re looking to change careers and become a teacher or take your existing skills to the next level, Moreland University is ready to support you and your teaching goals with a 100% online 9-month TEACH-NOW Teacher Certificate Preparation Program or one of our 12-month master’s degree programs designed to fit your life. You can complete your free application in less than 15 minutes and start advancing your career today!
