The Educational Specialist degree in Middle Childhood Education is designed for veteran middle school teachers who seek to deepen their knowledge as teachers and to move toward a teacher-leader role in multicultural schools. Teachers delve more into educational and content area theory and conduct action research projects in their own classrooms and schools. The program offers unique opportunities for networking with other metro-Atlanta master teachers and for understanding and becoming involved in middle school education at the national level through involvement in the National Middle School Association and familiarity with the National Board certification requirements. While the Ed.S. program does not prepare students directly for the National Board certification exam, the curriculum is closely aligned with the National Board standards. Students should find that their Ed.S. coursework lays a solid foundation of knowledge and skills upon which they can build to pursue National Board certification.