Elementary School Teacher
Teaching elementary school is a big commitment. Elementary school teachers are a combination of teacher, counselor, nurse, and mother. Before pursuing a career as an elementary teacher, you must understand the nuances and unwritten expectations of the profession. If you are interested in becoming an elementary school teacher, here are some basic instructions on where to begin.
-How to Become an Elementary School Teacher-
1. Get some exposure. Before committing to any career, it is a good idea to shadow someone currently in the profession. Ask questions, follow them through out their day and get a feel for the job.
2. Receive the right education. All states require teachers to have a minimum of a bachelor's degree. Elementary school teachers usually have a degree in elementary education or interdisciplinary studies. These degrees not only teach the skills needed to teach elementary but also cover all of the basic subjects taught in elementary school.
3. Obtain certification, most states and public school systems require teachers to be certified through the state. This process involves proving educational credentials, passing an exam in instructional methods, passing an exam in specific subject, submitting an application, and paying the appropriate fees to the certification agency. You may also be required to pass a background check and have your fingerprints taken for record.
4. Prepare for future job interviews. Gather your thoughts and talking points ahead of time. Principals are taking a risk hiring a first-year teacher; show them that you understand the challenging and rewarding points of teaching elementary school.
5. You must understand elementary age students, teaching elementary is very different than teaching high school. Elementary age students range from 5 and 11 years old. You will be dealing with bathroom accidents, loosing teeth and the early stages of puberty. Children go from learning the alphabet to learning scientific methods. Elementary school kids require a great teacher who is capable of handling these types of things on a daily basis.
6. Know the basic subjects that you will be teaching. This includes math, science, reading and social studies. You may also be required to teach music, art and gym. In order to be an elementary school teacher you must be strong in all subject areas.
7. Never stop learning; everyday is a learning day for students and teachers. To thrive in teaching, learn from your mistakes and successes. Learn from peers as well as your students.
-Inside Elementary School Teaching-
Teaching elementary school is a rewarding career for people who enjoy working with children and making a difference in their lives. Shari Duddy, a teacher in New Jersey, has always enjoyed helping children and not only does she make a living out of it, but she also volunteers in her spare time. She has spent over 30 years teaching and mentoring her students and peers. She knows better then anyone that teaching children requires patience and dedication to the emotional and academic well-being of the children. Elementary school teachers play a pivotal role in the intellectual, social and emotional development of children. They must have a strong foundation in the methods and practices of teaching and mentoring. This includes having strategies for managing children's behavior as well as understanding the different techniques that are used in different subjects.
Primary education, or elementary education, fulfills the special needs of students during the first few years of their schooling life. Primary education has specific goals that make it an important component of an educational system as a whole. Being an elementary school teacher is more than teaching the basics of education, it is setting our children up for the rest of their educational and social lives. Preparing them to be successful, productive and responsible members of society.
-How to Become an Elementary School Teacher-
1. Get some exposure. Before committing to any career, it is a good idea to shadow someone currently in the profession. Ask questions, follow them through out their day and get a feel for the job.
2. Receive the right education. All states require teachers to have a minimum of a bachelor's degree. Elementary school teachers usually have a degree in elementary education or interdisciplinary studies. These degrees not only teach the skills needed to teach elementary but also cover all of the basic subjects taught in elementary school.
3. Obtain certification, most states and public school systems require teachers to be certified through the state. This process involves proving educational credentials, passing an exam in instructional methods, passing an exam in specific subject, submitting an application, and paying the appropriate fees to the certification agency. You may also be required to pass a background check and have your fingerprints taken for record.
4. Prepare for future job interviews. Gather your thoughts and talking points ahead of time. Principals are taking a risk hiring a first-year teacher; show them that you understand the challenging and rewarding points of teaching elementary school.
5. You must understand elementary age students, teaching elementary is very different than teaching high school. Elementary age students range from 5 and 11 years old. You will be dealing with bathroom accidents, loosing teeth and the early stages of puberty. Children go from learning the alphabet to learning scientific methods. Elementary school kids require a great teacher who is capable of handling these types of things on a daily basis.
6. Know the basic subjects that you will be teaching. This includes math, science, reading and social studies. You may also be required to teach music, art and gym. In order to be an elementary school teacher you must be strong in all subject areas.
7. Never stop learning; everyday is a learning day for students and teachers. To thrive in teaching, learn from your mistakes and successes. Learn from peers as well as your students.
-Inside Elementary School Teaching-
Teaching elementary school is a rewarding career for people who enjoy working with children and making a difference in their lives. Shari Duddy, a teacher in New Jersey, has always enjoyed helping children and not only does she make a living out of it, but she also volunteers in her spare time. She has spent over 30 years teaching and mentoring her students and peers. She knows better then anyone that teaching children requires patience and dedication to the emotional and academic well-being of the children. Elementary school teachers play a pivotal role in the intellectual, social and emotional development of children. They must have a strong foundation in the methods and practices of teaching and mentoring. This includes having strategies for managing children's behavior as well as understanding the different techniques that are used in different subjects.
Primary education, or elementary education, fulfills the special needs of students during the first few years of their schooling life. Primary education has specific goals that make it an important component of an educational system as a whole. Being an elementary school teacher is more than teaching the basics of education, it is setting our children up for the rest of their educational and social lives. Preparing them to be successful, productive and responsible members of society.