Elementary Education

Congratulations on wanting to pursue one of the most rewarding careers around – an elementary education teacher.  There could be a number of reasons for becoming a teacher.  You might love working with children or think that shaping their young minds with education is a rewarding prospect.  Just know that it takes a special type of person to truly succeed as an elementary education teacher.

If you are about to start college for the first time, you don’t have to declare your major right away.  If you have an eye on elementary education, you will want to get some practical experience with children to decide if that will be the right path for you.  Get a summer job at a daycare or camp for kids.  Baby-sit, teach some lessons or tutor.  Obtain all the practical experience possible and then decide if elementary education and working with kids is right for you.

If it is, the next step is to declare a major in college.  Depending on where you attend, you might have to choose a secondary subject in which to study in case you have to teach a specialized class.  For the most part however, your goal should be earning an elementary education degree.  Each state has their own set of parameters towards becoming a teacher.

During your college career, you might want to consider getting a job in elementary education as a substitute teacher or aide.  This avenue will garner you practical, hands-on experience.  Another part of your college career will be taking a variety of standardized elementary education tests as well as participate in a real classroom as a student teacher.

Before graduation, you will want to apply to a variety of elementary education positions in a geographical area that you are interested in.  Network and utilize your connections as well as use your college’s resources for finding a job.  In addition, be sure to join a teacher’s or elementary education association.  You will find them to be a valuable resource for the latest in elementary education lesson plans, state rules and more.