30 seconds with an alum: getting ahead in teaching with a master’s degree

Sean Granstrom, Education ’11, studied to earn his master’s degree at UW Bothell to further his career as a new teacher. In this Q&A, Granstrom reflects on why he decided to attend UW Bothell and why he chose to be a teacher.

Can you share a little about yourself?

Sure. I grew up in Mountlake Terrace, and went to UW Bothell for my master’s degree about 20 years ago. I’ve been a teacher ever since. I taught third, fourth and fifth grades for 18 years, and for the last two years I’ve been a P.E. teacher.

What led you to UW Bothell?

As a teacher, you pretty much need a master’s to make a decent living. My wife and I weren’t married yet, and I figured if I was going to get a master’s, that was the time. I got a Master of Education and later did the professional certificate (Pro Cert) program through UW Bothell, too.

What was your undergraduate degree in college?

It was a dual major: Early Childhood and Elementary Education. But I didn’t take the traditional path. I went to Edmonds Community College first, worked for a while, met my wife and eventually realized education was a good fit. My mom’s a teacher, too, so it was always in the back of my mind.

Was she part of your inspiration to teach?

Yes. One day I had time off from my job at Sherwin-Williams, and she asked me to come move a fish tank in her classroom. She taught middle school science. I ended up hanging around, and the kids were asking me all kinds of silly questions. Something clicked. That day still stands out as the moment I seriously considered education as a profession.

Did your family push you that way?

Yeah, my uncles all worked in construction, and they’d always tell me, “Get your education, because you don’t want to be 35 and [physically] broken.” Also, we grew up huge Husky fans. I didn’t have the grades to get into UW straight out of high school, so being able to go to UW Bothell for my master’s was a big deal for me and my family.

Did your mom attend the UW, too?

She did. She got her undergrad at UW and later her teaching certificate from UW Bothell. I think she was in one of the first cohorts there.

Did you consider going to other schools?

Not really. I had the grades, I got in, and UW Bothell was close to where we lived. I was already teaching in the area, so I could work, go to class in the evenings and get home without much trouble. Bothell was the clear choice.

So why did you get a master’s degree at all?

In my first year of teaching, I made about $30,000. With a master’s, that jumped to around $45,000. Everett Public Schools also gives a stipend for having a master’s degree. Teaching can be a good career, but supporting a family without a master’s is tough.

What are some experiences you remember from UW Bothell?

It was still pretty small back then. I’d go straight from work to campus. I had some good leadership courses. One professor named Tony [Antony Smith, now associate professor] really stands out. He helped me with my dossier — the final project you complete to finish your master’s.

Later, I also did the professional certificate, which required filming and analyzing my own teaching. That process was brutal at times, but it helped me grow more than anything else. You had to reflect on everything you did and explain it to your advisers.

What are you most proud of in your work?

In my last year of teaching 4th grade, I won the Educator of the Year award at my school. That meant a lot because it came from students, parents and colleagues. That class also made a ton of academic growth. We jumped from about 50–60% proficiency to around 90%. And I’ll admit, I’m competitive… I smoked the other teachers that year!

Why do you think you had that kind of impact?

Relationships. I knew my students’ siblings, parents and whole families. There was trust. The kids knew I cared for them. I’m honest with families, and they could tell I wasn’t just giving them a line. I just wanted their kids to succeed.

So how did you end up becoming a P.E. teacher?

Sports have always been part of my life. One day our P.E. teacher left, and I joked to my principal that I would’ve wanted the job. He said, “You should’ve told me.” So, I asked him to keep me in mind next time, and eventually it happened. P.E. teachers don’t retire often because it’s a pretty sweet gig. Kids come in already excited and engaged. Unlike teaching reading or math, where you need to work to get some kids to buy in.

Is there anything you’d like to add?

Just that UW Bothell changed my life. Without the master’s program, I wouldn’t have the career, the neighborhood or the community I have now. I’m proud to have a degree from the University of Washington, and UW Bothell made that possible while I was working full-time. I’ll always be grateful for that‑and my time thereand my time there.

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