how to become elementary teacher pedagogy course

Earn a bachelor’s degree in elementary education. Complete an internship in an elementary school classroom. Take your state’s licensing exams for elementary teachers.

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How to become an elementary school teacher?

How to Become an Elementary School Teacher in 5 Steps. 1 Step 1: Research Career Duties and Education. Elementary school teachers instruct students in kindergarten through eighth grade. They prepare and ... 2 Step 2: Complete a Degree. 3 Step 3: Complete a Residency Program. 4 Step 4: Obtain a License. 5 Step 5: Secure Employment.

What classes do you need to take to become a teacher?

Prospective teachers must take courses that provide a broad education in all of the subjects taught in the primary grades, such as math, English, reading, science, and social studies. Prospective teachers must generally complete a teacher preparation program at a university to become certified as a teacher according to state requirements.

What grades do elementary school teachers teach?

Elementary school teachers: in-depth Elementary teachers should be prepared to teach children ages 5-12 in kindergarten through fifth grades. Some elementary schools may also include grade six, while some private and rural public schools include seventh and eighth grades.

What are the skills needed to become an educator?

Good communication skills, patience, physical stamina, and resourcefulness make up a few of the personal attributes that prove beneficial to educators. While individuals may possess some of these skills naturally, others rely on their college program to develop and enhance their abilities.

What is pedagogy in teacher education?

Introduction. A pedagogy of teacher education is based on the view that the teaching of teaching requires specialist skills, knowledge, and abilities that need to be recognized, developed, and refined by teacher educators as they become more expert at teaching about teaching.

What are the skills needed to be an elementary school teacher?

Elementary school teachers must possess the following skills:Have patience.Be able to collaborate with other teachers.Explain new concepts.Engage students in learning.Manage classroom.Adapt lessons.Work with diverse backgrounds.Be a leader.More items...•

What is the best grade to teach?

If you're more interested in helping children develop good thinking skills as they mature, grade 4 is a good place to start. And opportunities to teach college-style academics really increase from the sophomore year of high school onward.

How long do you have to study to become a teacher?

It typically takes at least four years to become a teacher as that is the amount of time it takes most people to earn a bachelor's degree.

What is an Elementary Education Teacher?

An elementary school teacher can teach classes ranging from kindergarten through fifth or sixth grade. They instruct their young students in core s...

What are the Responsibilities of an Elementary School Teacher?

The main role of an elementary school teacher is to teach young students the critical foundational skills they need to succeed in their lives and f...

What Skills Does an Elementary School Teacher Need?

The role of an elementary school teacher calls for a wide variety of skills. For example, you will be required to: Have patience. Every child learn...

How Much Does an Elementary Teacher Make?

The median annual salary for elementary school teachers is 47,731. This will vary based on where you live, your education level, and the grade leve...

What Is the Projected Job Growth?

According to the BLS, the job market for elementary school teachers is expected to grow by 7% from 2020 to 2030, which is about as fast as the grow...

Do I Need a Certification to Be an Elementary School Teacher?

If you plan to teach elementary school, you’ll need at least a bachelor’s degree and the proper licenses and certifications for your state. Here is...

Why Choose WGU?

If you’re interested in becoming an elementary school teacher, we encourage you to check out the bachelor’s degree in elementary education at WGU....

Learn About Different Grade Levels for Elementary Teachers

Discover which grade-level you want to teach by learning more about what students learn in different elementary classes.

What Is an Elementary School Teacher?

An elementary school teacher can teach classes ranging from kindergarten through fifth or sixth grade. They instruct their young students in core subjects like math and reading. They also help them develop critical social and behavioral skills for success in middle school and beyond.

What Does an Elementary School Teacher Do?

The main role of an elementary school teacher is to teach young students the critical foundational skills they need to succeed in their lives and future education. Elementary school teachers teach critical skills like:

What is Student Teaching?

Student teaching is an integral part of earning your ELED degree and becoming an elementary school teacher. Essentially an unpaid internship, you’ll work at a nearby school under the supervision of a master teacher from the school and a supervisor from your university.

How Do I Become an Elementary School Teacher?

Your first step towards a new career as an elementary school teacher is admission to a teaching education degree program. All schools require at least a bachelor’s degree in elementary education (ELED ), and this elementary degree will prepare you to educate and care for a diverse group of young learners.

What Skills Does an Elementary School Teacher Need?

An elementary school teacher has the unique challenge of not only teaching a number of different subjects, but also managing a classroom of young children. As such, here are the skills an elementary school teacher needs to succeed:

How Much Does an Elementary Teacher Make?

The median annual salary for elementary school teachers is $60,660. This will vary based on where you live, your education level, and the grade level you teach. Elementary education teachers can anticipate that they will see salary levels increase the more experience and education they have.

Follow these key steps to becoming an elementary school educator

The curriculum of comprehensive degree programs like an online BS in Elementary Education or Master of Arts in Teaching - Elementary Education should align with the national professional standards of the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) and aim to prepare you for a state teacher licensing exam.

Salaries and Job Outlook for Elementary Educators

The market for elementary school teachers is projected to grow 4% from 2019 to 2029. The median annual wage for elementary school teachers, except special education, was $59,420 in May 2019. The lowest 10% earned less than $37,420, and the highest 10% earned more than $90,180. 1

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What degree do you need to be an elementary teacher?

For example, the Elementary Education: PK-4 Degree Requirements include a wide selection of courses to help students to prepare for both general education and pedagogical requirements. Some of those courses include:

What is field experience in elementary school?

Obtaining field experience in the classroom is a core requirement for being an elementary school teacher. A prospective educator completes this requirement during a supervised period of teaching. They’re mentored by an experienced educator who oversees a student teacher. That student teacher then gradually takes on an increasing array of classroom responsibilities. Becoming familiar with the Student Teaching Advice and Resources Guide can help you learn more about the intensive nature of the process.

Do teachers have to be certified?

Teacher certifications are granted by the state, and they show that the recipient has been cleared to teach children in a specific area, or otherwise perform special tasks. The School of Education has several programs to help aspiring educators to achieve a variety of valuable post-graduate certifications, including:

What do elementary teachers do?

Elementary school teachers instruct students in kindergarten through eighth grade. They prepare and present lessons, manage classroom behavior, and evaluate student progress. Teachers work with students and their parents to help them meet academic expectations. Teachers at elementary schools generally need to hold a bachelor's degree and complete an approved teacher training program.

Where do teachers find the best prospects?

Teachers may find the best prospects in urban, rural, or other less-desirable areas. For public schools, elementary school teachers need to apply with individual school districts. For private schools, teachers may need to apply to each individual school.

Can you get a state license for elementary school?

Upon completion of an accredited elementary education program, individuals are eligible for state licensing. Licensing requirements vary by state, and alternate means of licensing are becoming more common.

What degree do you need to be an elementary teacher?

Elementary school teachers will generally possess at least a bachelor’s degree as well as certifications specific to the individual licensing requirements of their state. Teaching degrees in early childhood development and other behavioral sciences can be especially helpful for teaching at the elementary level.

What grade do elementary teachers teach?

Elementary school teachers are early education providers who primarily teach children in kindergarten through the sixth grade (K-6), though pre-K and/or the seventh and eighth grades (K-8) may be classified as elementary in some school districts. An elementary school educator must be able to communicate well ...

What are the characteristics of an elementary teacher?

Characteristics such as patience and flexibility are integral for prospective teachers looking to work with young learners. Most elementary educators gain experience in classroom management during their baccalaureate program, which is helpful when applying to full-time positions following graduation.

Why is it important to be an elementary teacher?

An elementary teacher helps young children develop social skills and positive learning habits in an enthusiastic, stimulating, and positive classroom environment. This can be a rewarding career, as elementary educators help foster the social and intellectual development of their students. Since most K-6 teachers provide instruction in all subjects, they typically lead a single class of children through the school day. Many elementary school lesson plans are activity-based, though some teachers will supplement learning with more formal lessons to prepare children for later education. In addition to planning instruction and supporting activities, teachers in elementary schools interact frequently with students’ parents and guardians with progress reports, teacher meetings, and other communication. Elementary school teachers also participate in continuing professional education on a regular basis to keep skills current and discuss new ideas to utilize in classroom learning.

What is the role of elementary educators?

Elementary educators are expected to prepare lesson plans and teaching guides that follow local, state, and federal standards to help students develop socially and academically. Lesson plans must include age-appropriate activities designed to stimulate young minds and aid the learning process.

What does an elementary school teacher need to know?

An elementary school educator must be able to communicate well with younger students and possess the ability to be flexible and creative with lesson plans to reach students of varying abilities. This guide provides further information on what elementary school teachers do, how to become one, and their salary and job outlook.

How much do elementary teachers make?

Answer: According to the BLS, elementary school teachers earn a median salary of $59,420 per year. 1 The salary for elementary school teachers depends on factors like the number of years they have been teaching, the type of school, and the geographic location of the school. 1.

What does an elementary school teacher do?

Elementary school teachers are educators that specialize in training students primarily from kindergarten through fifth grade. However, some schools and states do include pre-kindergarten and/or sixth grade in with the other elementary grades.

Skills for elementary school teachers

There are several skills required for an elementary school teacher to be both effective and successful. Some of the hard and soft skills necessary for being an effective elementary school teacher are:

How to become an elementary school teacher

If you're interested in becoming an elementary school teacher, you can follow these steps:

Average salary for an elementary school teacher

The average national salary for elementary school teachers is $19.06 per hour. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the overall employment of elementary school teacher is projected to grow by 3% from 2018 to 2028. This is a slightly slower growth rate than other professions, but the demand is largely dependent on state and region.

What degree do you need to be an elementary teacher?

Elementary teachers are expected to have at least a bachelor’s degree in teaching or a subject-specific area, such as math or English, accompanied by a teaching certificate in accordance with their state’s requirements. Most future elementary teachers enroll in a teacher education program in college.

What is continuing education for elementary teachers?

Whether it’s an online webinar or an annual three-day conference for primary school teachers, continuing education improves teaching skills and broadens knowledge of educational best practices.

How can teachers use computers in elementary school?

For example, elementary school teachers can use computers to enhance reading and writing lessons by encouraging students to incorporate graphics, photos, and videos into their assignments. Professional associations for elementary school instructors are excellent resources.

How much do elementary teachers make?

The Bureau of Labor Statistics states the median salary for elementary teachers is $57,980. The lowest 10% earn less than $37,780, and the highest 10% earn more than $95,270.

Why are elementary teachers important?

Not only are they tasked with providing a well-rounded general education, elementary teachers play a vital role in setting a solid foundation for students’ future academic success.

What grades are in elementary school?

Some elementary schools may also include grade six, while some private and rural public schools include seventh and eighth grades. Unlike their counterparts in middle and high school, who usually specialize in one subject, elementary school gives teachers opportunities to cover a variety of curriculum.

What is the job of an elementary school teacher?

An elementary school teacher’s job is to educate students utilizing childhood development concepts, theories, and practices. Teachers in elementary school are responsible for identifying students’ academic strengths and weaknesses at an early age.

How do I become a teacher?

To become a teacher, you’ll need a bachelor’s degree and a teaching license. You might hear it called certification, license, licensure, or credential—all different regional names for the same thing. To earn your license or certification, you'll complete teaching coursework and testing and then apply to the state where you want to teach.

What is the first step to becoming a certified teacher?

Because certification requirements vary by state, subject and grade level, the first step is to figure out where you want to teach, as well as the grade level, subjects or specialty areas (like special education or bilingual education) you’d like to teach.

What is the most advanced certification for teachers?

The National Board Certification is considered the most advanced certification that a teacher can receive. It's purely optional, but completing the rigorous and challenging certification process is a prestigious accomplishment and could lead to a higher salary, more professional opportunities and easier transfer between states.

What does "student teaching" mean?

It means you take education coursework at a college or university and go through a “student teaching” experience. This is the most common path, with 80% of teachers taking the traditional pathway, according to the National Council on Teacher Quality ( 1 ).

What is the National Council on Teacher Quality?

In addition, The National Council on Teacher Quality ( offers a nationwide searchable database of teacher prep programs, including rankings, stats and testimonials. You can search by state, by institution or by the type of program you want to attend. You can also check out their Start Here guide for future teachers.

What is the last step in teacher prep?

The last step of the process is to submit documents to the state —that’s usually the state’s department of education or instruction. When you get to this stage, reach out to a staff member of your teacher prep program to get all the details.

Can I get a certificate in less time than a masters?

If you are a college senior or recent graduate, you may be able to add on a semester or year of coursework, so you can earn your certificate in less time than attending a master's program. “Alternative” licensure programs. Some programs offer an alternative route to earning a certificate.