It’s been 10 years since Brian McDavitt enrolled in the Master of Educational Technology program at MNU. Since then, his career has gone far beyond what was the “dream job” he sought as an instructional technology specialist for the Hickman Mills School District. He has also served as an instructional coach and then in administration. The education and experience he gained adds up to an exciting new venture Brian is starting as Head of School/Principal for the Kansas City Academy, an independent middle and high school in Kansas City, Missouri.

“My goal in education has always been to help as many students as I can, enjoy learning,” Brian says. Though he hadn’t considered an administrative career, working with the principal of his school at Hickman Mills, opened his eyes to the impact of great leadership. “I saw the opportunity to become an administrator and continue to help students while also giving teachers the freedom to enjoy teaching,” he adds.

Brian says the master’s degree he earned at MNU was more than a steppingstone. It gave him valuable skills and ideas to apply directly to his work at the time.

“For example, we discussed using blogs to give our students an authentic purpose for writing. I was able to implement that idea with my third graders and actually practice what I had learned. The students thought it was fun to help me earn my degree.”

From MNU, Brian went on to earn an Education Specialist degree from Arkansas State University. His focus was educational leadership and administration, building administration. Now he is in the doctorate program at the same university. In addition, he is certified as an Apple Teacher and a Google Certified Educator, proficient in implementing those technologies in schools.

Brian is enthusiastic about his new role this fall.

“Kansas City Academy is a special place where students and teachers are given ownership of the learning, allowing instruction to be student-focused,” Brian says. “We are purposefully a small, private school, with class sizes ranging from 10 to 15 students per class. This allows KCA faculty to give a more personalized approach to learning, treating each student as a unique individual.”

What Brian learned at MNU has continued application to his new position.

“It certainly helps to be a principal who knows how to use technology,” Brian says. “More importantly, though, my degree at MNU taught me how to analyze a problem and find multiple solutions. That mentality of problem solving and preparedness has carried over into my day-to-day life as a school administrator.”

MNU recently announced a partnership with Microsoft and other providers to offer Micro-Credentials in technology and digital education for teachers. Learn more about earning graduate-level credit at mnu.edu/continuing-education-micro-credential-partners.