Some possible jobs within this career area are:
Most teachers need at least a Bachelor’s Degree, but depending on your state and career path, you might need a post-graduate teaching certificate or a Master’s Degree. Some school districts also require that teachers return to school for certification or other career development every few years.
Most colleges or universities offer these forms of certification:
- Bachelor’s Degree
- Master’s Degree
- Teaching Certificate
- PhD
Teachers, specifically good teachers, are always needed and in demand. Municipal taxes pay for public schools, which means that your area’s economy can dictate the school district budget and the number of jobs for teachers. To remain competitive in the job market, teachers often return to school to get their Master’s Degree. Some school districts tenure their teachers, which can be excellent for job stability.
Most teachers need a four-year degree, but some school districts require a Master’s Degree, which can add two to three more years of study. A typical teaching certificate takes between two and three years to earn.
How to Become an Elementary School Teacher
When you enter an elementary school teaching career, you’re not just teaching the basics. You’re also charged with motivating and inspiring children and will play a vital part in developing their views of the world and themselves. Grade school teachers usually teach one grade and class at a time, but some choose to focus their elementary school teaching career on a specific subject such as physical education, art, or music and will instruct all ages and classrooms within the school.
All states require those who wish to become a public elementary school teacher to be licensed, and most states also require that they earn a bachelor’s degree in education. In addition, according to the bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) a growing number of states will require you to earn your master’s degree within a specific number of years from the beginning of your elementary school teacher career. Although private elementary schools do not require certification most also require teachers to hold a bachelor’s degree.
Most teacher education programs begin in the third year of college, with the first two years consisting of core classes such as English, mathematics, and sociology. The third year of college will begin your actual teaching education, and you can expect to take courses such as philosophy of education, teaching methods, and psychology of learning. Because computers now play a large part in education, classes instructing computer use in the classroom will also be included. The final year of college will include at least one semester of teaching in a classroom under the mentorship of a qualified teacher.
Because all states require public school teachers to be licensed you will be required to pass a licensure test after graduation before you can begin your elementary school teaching career. You will be tested for the specific classroom level in which you plan to teach, which is broken down to the following ranges, depending on which state you plan to teach in:
- Preschool to grade three
- Grades one through six
- Grades one through eight
- Grades five through eight
- A specific subject, such as reading, art, or music
Elementary School Teacher Salaries
The median elementary school teacher salary in 2010 was $51,660, with the lowest ten percent (reflecting beginning teacher wages) earning $34,390. The BLS also states that the highest ten percent of elementary school teacher salaries were over $80,140, and that teachers often earn more from other sources such as bonuses, tutoring, coaching, or other jobs during the summer vacation period. (Salary data retrieved 5/29/11)
To get the education you need to become an elementary school teacher, find a degree program now!