If your only goal was to be a good teacher then going to an expensive college or university was a waste of money. Community colleges and state universities are MORE than adequate to do the job. I also bet that your colleagues who did not spend big bucks to become a teacher would resent your notion that you are a better teacher than they are.
Unlike other professions, attendance at a top-name college is not at all required to thrive and do well in teaching.
However....if your goal was social prestige, or climbing the social ladder then possibly you did not waste your money.
My masters is from University of Virginia and I graduated with a perfect 4.0. Some here may think it's a waste, but I have parents that will disagree with you. My education taught me how to teach reading and I am damn good at it.
Research shows that master degrees in education do not improve the effectiveness of the teacher. Also,,,,attendance at an expensive college has only one advantage over a state university...snob appeal. The only people impressed by a big name college are other grads of expensive colleges. And,,,again, your colleagues would resent that you believe that your are a better teacher than they simply due to your costly credential. ( They would likely think you are an idiot as well.)<.p>
I learned just about everything I know about teaching reading from UVA and do not resent a single penny spent on that education. UVA has spearheaded the education of teachers of reading away from whole language and towards a developmental program that draws much from the old phonics methods of days gone by. UVA is not the only college involved in this effort, University of Oregon, Vanderbilt and University of Tennessee have combined studies, surveys and resources in this development. Notice that these are all state supported schools. I went to UVA to learn this specific knowledge and I am honored to be a graduate.
As far as my colleagues are concerned, most of those at my school attended strong universities and I don't pick up any resentment. Since I teach the learning disabled all I get is absolute gratitude that my kids are able to read the geography and science texts and of course pass that all important state standard of learning test.
Again you have this funny outlook on teacher education don't you? You act as if you WANT teachers to be under educated just to have one more thing to hate about us. I have picked up on this over and over again. You actually hate me and other teachers here on Free Republic. I am talking about a real, visceral hate of all of us. Yet, I have just as many conservative credentials as you do. We are on the same side of many issues, but differ in this one. For the record I do not dislike or hate you in any way. I respect you for your choices and for the successful way your children have turned out.
But just so we are clear--according to what you have reported, you sent your kids to public schools too.