If you are considering teaching at the elementary grade, it is important that you know what you can expect as well as how to prepare. In this article, you'll learn about the four major concentrations available in elementary school, the average salary for an elementary teacher, and the job outlook. After you've made the decision to teach elementary school, it's important to plan your time so you can do everything from lesson planning to classroom preparation to grading. While it may seem daunting at first, creating a schedule will help you keep your daily and weekly obligations in balance.
Education Bachelor's Degree
A bachelor's degree in elementary education will enable you to work with children in many educational settings. You will learn how to identify the strengths and weaknesses of students and create lessons, projects and materials that address them. You will also learn how motivate students, make behavioral rules, and communicate well with parents. Once you have your degree you are qualified to teach in kindergartens, pre-K classrooms, and elementary schools.
A bachelor's degree in elementary education will prepare you for a career as a teacher in an educational setting. You will learn to use technology and new tools to inspire and engage elementary-aged students. A practicum at an accredited elementary schools will allow you to combine online learning with hands-on experience. K-State instructors can observe you in the classroom and give real-time feedback on your teaching style.
Four concentrations available
While you may not know exactly what kind of education you'll want to pursue, you should know that there are four main concentrations for those considering a career in elementary school teaching. There are four concentrations that may interest you - Curriculum and Instruction, Teacher Leadership, Teaching English as a Second Language, and Teaching Children in Poverty. Each concentration is different and requires different course work. They are also available in non-degree certificate programs.
The M.Ed. curriculum follows a general pattern. The M.Ed curriculum generally includes four courses in elementary education and two electives related to your area of specialization. Foundation courses (6-hours) are required at the beginning of a general program. Coursework related to the emphasis area (nine-18hrs) is also required. There are two exit research capstone (six hour) as well. The M.Ed. To earn a certificate in Elementary Education or a master's, you must complete 30 hours of coursework. Most emphasis areas indicate 3-6 required courses, but there are also electives available. Your coursework might include some transfer credits.
Elementary school teachers can expect a range of salaries
It is important to research the average salary for elementary school teachers. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, an elementary school teacher should earn close to the average salary in their state. For example, in Massachusetts, an elementary school teacher earns $81,801 per a year while the top 10% earn more than $78,000. The state also has different ranges in terms of salary.
It is dependent on where the teacher lives and how much experience they have. The salary average in May 2018 was $58,230 USD, slightly above the U.S. average. The actual salary range can vary depending upon skill level and years of work experience. The following table displays the average salary for elementary school teachers. Based on experience and whereabouts, salaries will vary.
Teachers in elementary schools have a bright future
Recent studies show that the job outlook for elementary school teachers looks excellent. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the demand for elementary school teacher is expected to rise by 12.3% between 2014 and 2024. This growth is primarily due in part to improved salaries, continuous education, and greater mobility. For this reason, it's a good idea to start your career in an urban district, if possible.
Not only are you a qualified teacher but there are many other opportunities for elementary education. You may also find jobs in tutoring programs, after-school programs, or the community. You can even go into teaching arts and music. There is a high demand for special education teachers. Make sure you get a degree that focuses on elementary education if this is something you are interested in. A bachelor's degree is usually required in order to be an elementary teacher.
FAQ
Should I specialize in one subject or branch out?
Many students opt to specialize in one area (e.g. English History, Math) and not branch into many other subjects. It's not necessary to be a specialist. For instance, if your goal is to become a doctor you can choose to focus in either surgery or inner medicine. You could also choose to specialize in family practice, pediatrics, gerontology or neurology. If you're considering a business career, you could concentrate on marketing, management, finance, human resources, operations research, or sales. The decision is up to you.
What does it mean to be a teacher in early childhood education?
An early childhood teacher must have specific training. Most states require applicants for teaching positions to have certification from the state board before they are allowed to work in public school.
Some states require teachers pass reading and math tests.
Some states require teachers to hold a certain number of hours of coursework related to early childhood education.
Most states set minimum requirements for what a teacher should know. These requirements can differ from one state to another.
When choosing a major, what factors should I consider?
The first step is to decide whether you prefer to enter a particular profession straight away or attend college. Then you should make a list of your interests and talents. Reading, listening to music and talking to people are all possible interests. You can be a singer, dancer, painter, writer, sewer, cook, woodwork, garden, photography, carpentry or auto mechanics. You can use your interests and talents to help you select a major.
Fine arts or art history might interest you if your dream is to be an artist. If you love animals, biology might appeal to you. You might consider pre-medicine or medical tech if you are interested in becoming a doctor. Computer science or computer networking is a great career choice for someone who wants to work in computers. There are many possibilities. It's important to consider what you would like.
Statistics
- Globally, in 2008, around 89% of children aged six to twelve were enrolled in primary education, and this proportion was rising. (en.wikipedia.org)
- Among STEM majors, that number is 83.5 percent. (bostonreview.net)
- In most developed countries, a high proportion of the population (up to 50%) now enters higher education at some time in their lives. (en.wikipedia.org)
- They are also 25% more likely to graduate from high school and have higher math and reading scores, with fewer behavioral problems,” according to research at the University of Tennessee. (habitatbroward.org)
- “Children of homeowners are 116% more likely to graduate from college than children of renters of the same age, race, and income. (habitatbroward.org)
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What is vocational education?
Vocational Education, which is an educational system that prepares high school students for jobs after college or high school, provides them with training in specific skills required for a job (e.g. welding). This includes apprenticeship programs and on-thejob training. Vocational education is different from general education in that it prepares individuals for specific career paths rather than acquiring broad knowledge for future uses. Vocational education does more than prepare for university. It helps people find jobs after graduation.
Vocational education can be offered at any level of schooling: primary, secondary, college, university, technical institutes and trade schools. Many specialized schools are available, including nursing and culinary schools, law schools medical and dental schools, veterinary medicine school, veterinary medicine schools, firefighting training schools, police academies, military academy, and other military schools. Many of these provide both academic instruction and practical experience.
In recent decades, many countries have made large investments in vocational training. However, it is not clear if vocational education is effective. Some critics believe it doesn't help students get hired, while others claim that it helps prepare them for life after high school.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics has estimated that 47% of American adults hold a postsecondary certificate or degree related to their current occupation. This percentage is higher among those with higher education. 71% percent of the 25-29 year olds with a bachelor's degree are currently working in fields that require postsecondary credentials.
The BLS reported in 2012 that almost half of all adults had some type of postsecondary credential. One-third of Americans had a two year associate degree. Only 10% held a four-year bachelors degree. One in five Americans holds a master’s degree or doctorate.
The median annual salary for people with a bachelor's was $50,000. This compares to $23,800 for those who don't have a degree. The median income for those with advanced degrees was $81,300.
For those who did no high school, the median salary was only $15,000. Earn $13,000 per annum for those with less high school diplomas.