Become an Elementary Education Teacher
Elementary Teacher Job Description
Elementary education programs prepare educators to teach students the basic building blocks of education. Elementary education can range from kindergarten through eighth grade, and includes multiple subject academic curricula. Subjects include reading, language arts, mathematics, social studies and science. Elementary school teachers teach these academic subjects to a single class throughout the school year, while art instruction, music, physical education, ESL, gifted and special education are taught by educational specialists who have earned a credential in their area.
Is a Teaching Career in Elementary Education Right for You?
If you enjoy working with kids and understand the importance of a solid education, especially reading, writing and critical thinking, elementary education may be the right career choice for you. A typical day might include anything from conducting story time with snacks for your kindergarteners to running spelling bees for inquisitive fourth graders who sound out every portion of each word. Teaching elementary education is a great profession for people who like variety and have energy, because you will be teaching a number of subjects to a classroom of vivacious students, all under the age of fifteen.
It also helps to be good at both sides of the communication equation – listening and speaking – because students at this age have a wide range of learning styles and are still discovering their mind's potential. If you are patient, creative and well organized, chances are you will become that beloved teacher students remember fondly the rest of their lives.
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Elementary Teacher Credential and Certification Requirements
To become an elementary teacher, you need to obtain your bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university and pass an approved teacher training program with a prescribed number of subject and education credits.
Many students get their undergraduate degree in elementary education, while others get their bachelor's degree in a specific subject area and then earn their teaching credentials. Several states also require teachers to earn a master's degree in education within a specified period after they begin teaching, so make sure to research the Department of Education's elementary education credential requirements in the state where you plan to teach. Remember to follow these elementary teacher credential guidelines:
- Make sure the program is accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education.
- Research whether you will be required to pass certain tests in order to become certified as an elementary education teacher.
- Some states favor a double major in subject specialties because this demonstrates a broader knowledge base. Find out whether the state you plan to teach in is one of these states.
- Research whether the state you plan to teach in has particular requirements for teaching kindergarten through grade three or grade six through grade eight. This will help you determine which credential requirements you need to obtain.