Writing Sample 2

Career in Elementary Education

Do you want a career that can help positively influence children?

Consider a career in Elementary Education.

What kind of jobs can you get with an Elementary Education degree?

A degree in Elementary Education will put you in a classroom, where you can teach children the basic skills they will need to succeed in life. Opportunities to teach are available in both public and private schools and academies, as well as in online classrooms. A degree in teaching will also allow you to earn income in tutoring and learning development programs, working one on one and in small groups for more individualized education. You can further your Elementary Education major to specialize in areas such as English as a Second Language, Gifted Education, and Special Education. With experience, people with Elementary Education degrees can move on to careers in school administration.

What types of things do you learn in Elementary Education?

Elementary Education majors learn to teach fundamental subjects such as reading, writing, and arithmetic, as well as science, social studies, and health. They learn how to develop teaching outlines and lesson plans so they will be able to make sure each subject is thoroughly covered in a way that allows children to learn the material. Elementary Education majors are taught the different learning styles, how to do assessments of their students learning and behavior, and how to evaluate student progress. In addition, Elementary Education majors learn how to teach children with special needs.

What is Elementary Education like in college?

In addition to the work in the classroom, Elementary Education programs typically include a large amount of field work and observation. Hands-on experience is vital to developing the skills necessary to teach children in an engaging way. Part of the hands-on experience is working as a student teacher, going into a real classroom and working alongside a licensed teacher, gaining practical experience in teaching children. Hands-on experience may include opportunities as teaching assistants, helping Elementary Education professors lead discussions and conducting research.

Outlook for Elementary Education Employment:

According to research conducted by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, over the next 10 years job opportunities in Elementary Education will range from good to excellent, depending on the area of the country or grade taught. Many openings will be the result of an expected increase in the number of teachers and administrators reaching retirement age over the next several years. In many poorer and urban school districts there is a continued shortage of qualified teaches, and the employment opportunities are far greater than the national average.

Median salary for Elementary Education majors:

The median annual income for Elementary Education majors ranges from $41,400 to $45, 920, depending on the area of the country the job is located. This is more than the average worker earns when looking across all industries.