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The Doctor
Author: TriSec    Date: 12/19/2020 11:25:52

Good morning.

When I say "Doctor", I'm sure most of you picture something like this.

https://valedictorian-md.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/6305-min-1-1-1024x683.jpg



But the term 'doctor' itself is actually an educational term. The top definition is of course "a qualified practitioner of medicine", but second is "a person that holds a doctoral degree". So thus, all medical doctors hold doctorates. But there are many educational disciplines. It is possible to earn a college degree in a couple of years - but the many levels of education require multiple year commitments to reach those goals.

Taking a look in the TriSec household, we've got a few of those pieces of paper lying around. We'll start with the lowest degree holder here, Your Loyal TriSec. I spent four years completing a course of study at a two-year school. I worked more and studied less over the course of my higher education, and eventually finished with an Associate's Degree.

Ah, but I married well. The lovely and talented Mrs. TriSec holds a four-year degree from Boston College, but after that spent two more years of study at their arch-rival Boston University, thusly earning a Master's Degree.

Of course, neither of us spent our careers in our chosen field of study, but that's probably more common than you think.

Elsewhere - Javier is in his Sophomore year at Johnson & Wales. He's working towards his Bachelor of Science in Culinary Arts. Of course it sounds fancy - and one day he will bear the title "Chef".

But then there is the Doctorate. Like all things, an official definition is rather dry.


The doctorate degree is the highest degree you can earn in most fields. Also called a “terminal degree,” this signals that you’ve achieved the highest level of academic mastery in your chosen field, and can work as a professional researcher, a university professor, or in an executive leadership role.

This degree demands an enormous commitment of time, energy and (sometimes) money. But in exchange for this commitment, you will achieve a specialized level of authority in your field and opportunity in your profession. A doctorate can lead to greater opportunities for professional advancement and higher earning potential. It’s also the basic threshold for certain advanced professional roles, including the licensed practice of psychology, professorship, or professional research.


While I'm familiar with plenty of medical doctors - there is one Doctor that I am personally familiar with here in Waltham.

A longtime ally of Scouting in this city has been Nadene Stein - when I was running a Cub Scout Pack, she was the Principal of one of our schools, the Northeast Elementary. Some years ago, I was saddened to learn that she had left the position, but then I learned why.

In 2012, she became a Doctor - earning her Ph.D in Educational Studies from nearby Leslie University. She left the Northeast to take a promotion, and is now the Administrator of Pupil Personnel Services for the entire Waltham school system. Her Official Bio will give you more information.


Dr. Stein has earned a B. A. in English from Boston University (1984); an M.Ed. in Elementary Education from Boston University (1986); an M.Ed. in Special Education with a Specialization in the Transition from School to Adult Life from the University of Massachusetts, Boston (1994); a C.A.G.S. in Educational Leadership from the University of Massachusetts, Boston (1998) and a Ph.D. in Educational Studies with a Specialization in Educational Leadership from Lesley University (2012). Her dissertation is titled, “The Role of Elementary School Principals Supporting Teachers in The Instruction of Reading for English Language Learners.” She is currently an adjunct professor at Lesley University in the Special Education Division and a RETELL (Rethinking Equity and Teaching for English Language Learners) Instructor for the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.


You know I am a protocol 'droid. I spent years addressing her by title - it was always "Principal Stein". Until the next time I saw her after she earned her degree. It was automatic for me to address her properly as "Doctor Stein". It is a simple show of respect and common courtesy.

It doesn't boggle my mind that there are people taking umbrage at Dr. Biden, and her intention to continue her work in her chosen field while balancing the responsibilities of being First Lady of the United States.

I'm sure she will agree that spending years in education, teaching, training, and learning and continuing to educate herself, while balancing family, career, and all the other responsibilities of a functioning adult have positioned her well to be successful in the role.

It's certainly a long way from this.

https://static01.nyt.com/images/2018/06/22/us/politics/22dc-melania-top/22dc-melania-top-articleLarge-v2.jpg?quality=75&auto=webp&disable=upscale

 
 

1 comments (Latest Comment: 12/19/2020 23:24:21 by Will in Chicago)
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