He Already Had the Experience. He Needed a Master’s.

By the time Guillermo Romero began looking into earning a master’s degree, he had already spent years teaching students around the world.

He had served in the Peace Corps, taught English throughout Southeast Asia, and built a career helping students learn across cultures. But whenever he looked at the international schools where he hoped to teach, he kept hearing the same requirement:

“You need a master’s degree, and you need to be credentialed in your home country.”

Experience had opened the door to teaching. Credentials would open the door to the next level.

One Door Closed. Another Opened.

After graduating from college, Romero worked as an interpreter, taught English online, and at a car rental agency until the 2008 economic downturn unexpectedly changed everything. The same week he lost his job at the car company, the Peace Corps called to schedule an interview.

“One door needed to close for the next door to kind of open,” Romero said.

That opportunity took him to Cambodia, where he discovered a love of teaching that would shape the next decade of his life. After completing his Peace Corps service, Romero chose to remain overseas, teaching English throughout Southeast Asia. Over the years, he taught in Cambodia, Saudi Arabia, and Vietnam, both in traditional classrooms and online, building the experience that would eventually lead him to pursue an advanced degree.

When he began exploring opportunities at international schools, however, he realized his experience alone wasn’t enough.

“To work at the proper international schools in Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam, you need a master’s, and you need to be credentialed in your home country,” he said. “That’s what I lacked.”

A Master’s That Matched His Goals

Knowing he needed both a master’s degree and a U.S. teaching credential, Romero began looking for a program that would allow him to continue teaching while earning both. Moreland University’s 12-month online M.Ed. with Teaching Credential program offered exactly what he was looking for. After connecting with other educators and attending an information session, he knew it was the right fit for his career goals.

At the time, Romero was living in Vietnam and teaching English online. The flexibility of his schedule made it possible to continue working while earning his degree, but balancing work, school, and life still required careful planning.

“A balancing act is the best way to describe it,” he said.

He organized his days around teaching, coursework, and personal commitments, using Moreland’s online format to earn his master’s without putting his career on hold. Beyond the flexibility, Romero appreciated learning alongside educators from around the world.

“We had designated times throughout the week where we met with the entire cohort,” he said. “The cohort was from all over, literally. There were people in Europe, people in Asia like I was, and people stateside.”

He also valued how each assignment built on the last, creating practical resources he could immediately use in his classroom.

“They prepared you to have kind of a portfolio at the end of the program where you could say, ‘These are all the things I’ve created that will add value to me as a teacher for the future,'” shared Romero.

A Career That Continued to Evolve

Romero completed Moreland’s online M.Ed. program in 2019 and returned to teaching full time at an international school in Ho Chi Minh City — the type of opportunity he had set out to pursue when he enrolled.

“My objective was to stay within the classroom and possibly move up into more of a management-type role within our international school,” he said.

But after more than a decade in education, he realized his ambitions had evolved.

“I just made the hard decision,” he said. “Do I want to continue to be in the classroom, or do I want to explore maybe other avenues?”

As he reflected on his career, one thing became clear.

“Out of all the grade levels that I’ve taught, from children to adults, I very much enjoy teaching adults in a university setting specifically,” he said.

Today, Romero hopes to one day return to higher education as an adjunct instructor, combining the professional experience he’s gained throughout his career with the passion for teaching that first took him overseas.

Advice for Educators Considering a Master’s

Looking back, Romero believes earning a master’s degree is one of the best ways to create future opportunities and recommends finding a program that fits your schedule, like Moreland’s.

“I think Moreland is very much a good opportunity,” he said. “It’s beneficial because of the hybrid schedule, the different concentrations, and you have the option to add a certification program as well. It’s tailored in a way where you can pick what you want from the options.”

For educators balancing careers, family, and the idea of returning to school, Romero offers one final reminder.

“A growth mentality versus a fixed mentality is something I very much live by,” he said. “Even if you’re in your 40s and have obligations at home, at work, and kids, it’s doable. You can find the time.”

Ready for What’s Next?

Like Guillermo Romero, many educators discover that experience alone isn’t always enough to pursue the career they envision. Whether your goal is to teach at international schools, earn a U.S. teaching credential, or prepare for leadership opportunities, Moreland University’s 12-month M.Ed. with Teaching Credential can help you take the next step.

The fully accredited, 100% online program allows you to earn your master’s degree and U.S. teaching credential simultaneously while continuing to work. Through practical coursework, personalized faculty support, and clinical learning experiences, you’ll graduate ready for new opportunities in your classroom and beyond.