His Teaching Career Began with Certification. It Grew with a Master’s.

Teaching wasn’t part of Seth Flynn’s original plan.

He expected to build a career in archaeology, not education. But one opportunity to teach English overseas changed everything, setting him on a path that would take him from South Korea to China to Morocco — and eventually back to graduate school.

Years after earning his teaching certification through Moreland University’s 9-month TEACH-NOW Teacher Preparation Certificate Program, Flynn returned to earn his Master’s in Educational Leadership. This time, he wanted to better understand how schools are led.

“I didn’t entirely understand why school leaders made the decisions that they did,” Flynn said. “I wanted to understand what goes into their decision-making process.”

An Unexpected Path to Teaching

Long before he was teaching second grade in Morocco, Flynn envisioned a very different future.

He earned a degree in archaeology and history and expected to pursue that field professionally. Then he met the woman who would become his wife, who suggested they spend time teaching English in South Korea.

That temporary experience became the beginning of a career.

When the couple returned to the United States, Flynn knew he wanted to continue teaching. He wasn’t interested in starting over with another four-year degree, so he looked for a pathway that would allow him to earn his teaching certification and get back into the classroom quickly.

He enrolled in Moreland University’s 9-month TEACH-NOW program because of its flexible online format and accelerated timeline.

“The nine-month program really fit my timetable perfectly,” he said. “It made the most sense both time and budget-wise.”

After completing the program, Flynn and his wife accepted teaching positions in Shenzhen, China, where they spent five years before relocating to Rabat, Morocco, to teach second grade.

Returning to Learn Something Different

Teaching in different countries exposed Flynn to a variety of school systems, leadership styles, and approaches to decision-making.

Over time, he became increasingly interested in understanding what happened beyond his own classroom. Rather than viewing decisions only from a teacher’s perspective, he wanted to understand the competing priorities school leaders manage every day.

That curiosity brought Flynn back to Moreland University, where he enrolled in the Master’s in Educational Leadership program.

The program stood out because it looked beyond classroom instruction and explored what it takes to lead an entire school community.

“I thought it was more encompassing of what goes on at a school — not just how to do better in one classroom, but across the board,” Flynn said. “I wanted to do something more that would support my colleagues.”

A New Perspective on Leadership

Flynn didn’t immediately step into a formal leadership position after he finished the program. Instead, he began applying what he learned in the opportunities already available to him.

Today, he serves as his school’s teacher representative, works with colleagues to strengthen technology instruction in the elementary grades, and continues looking for ways to contribute beyond his classroom. He’s also coached athletics and helped plan high-adventure student expeditions to the Arctic.

The biggest change, however, has been how he approaches conversations with school leaders.

“When I go speak with the head of school, I feel like it’s more of an equal-level conversation,” Flynn said. “I know what types of things are on his plate and what kind of decisions he’s thinking about all the time.”

Before earning his master’s, Flynn naturally viewed decisions through the lens of a classroom teacher. Now, he has a greater appreciation for the competing priorities school leaders balance every day — from staffing and budgets to school safety and supporting families in an international school community. That broader perspective has made him a stronger collaborator and reinforced his desire to support both students and colleagues in new ways.

“I think my next step is to find some sort of more traditional leadership role,” he said. “But I’m not entirely ready to leave the classroom setting just yet.”

Start Your Journey with Moreland University

Whether you’re just beginning your teaching career or preparing for your next opportunity, Moreland University offers flexible, accredited programs that support educators at every stage of their professional journey.

Apply to Moreland’s 9-month TEACH-NOW Teacher Preparation Certificate Program and earn your teaching certification through a flexible, fully online program designed for aspiring educators.

Are you ready to grow beyond the classroom? Learn more about how a Master’s in Educational Leadership can help experienced educators develop the knowledge and perspective to lead schools, support colleagues, and make a broader impact on their school communities. You can also explore ways to expand your career within the classroom through Moreland’s other online master’s programs. Contact us to learn more.