If you love children and want to stay around them you can become an elementary teacher and make a great impact in their lives. Without teachers, all the great minds that you see today might not have been molded effectively. An elementary education degree sets you on the most exciting path of the influential profession as you shape their lives and later savor the results of your hard work. If you want a fulfilling career that will push you closer to self-realization, you need to learn more about this course before enrolling easily for an elementary education degree online.
Duties Of An Elementary Teacher
An elementary teacher’s job involves assisting the emotional and educational development of the child at an early stage .The elementary level is the first step in the K-12 school system and has a great impact on the child’s d future. As a teacher, you will be expected to instruct one or more specialized areas depending on your training and the needs of the school. Skills taught at this level are not limited to academics and the elementary education degree is designed to help you teach social and motor skills thus ensuring holistic growth for the child. Moreover, you will be required to formulate course objectives and guidelines in line with the general curriculum including preparation of audio-visual aids. Other roles include giving lectures, maintaining discipline and administering tests for evaluation.
The Modalities of an Online Elementary Education Degree
These days, the courses are offered both on-campus and also through online platforms. However, the content is the same and even the online learners must get practical teaching skills at agreed intervals. Subjects covered in include core academic areas such as mathematics, languages, arts, history and science among others. There are also courses on educational psychology that will enable you understand human growth at different stages and arm you with skills to handle children. Some elementary education degree programs will also offer specialization in specific subjects. In addition there are modern learning aspects such as technology in the classroom, how to assess and evaluate children and many others.
The on-campus Bachelor of education degree takes 4 years but the online programs can be shorter or longer depending on your learning pace. Before graduating from the degree program, you will be expected to intern and finally get certification from the state body that is assigned with the responsibility. Remember you cannot teach without certification though the National Board of Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) offers voluntary national certification.
Selecting the best online elementary education degree program
There are many programs to choose from but always use the following as your guidelines:
- Accreditation – ensure the program is accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) or the Teacher Education Accreditation Council (YEAC) which are the nationally recognized bodies. There are other minor accrediting agencies which you can also confirm from the institution.
- Curriculum strength – the programs must have courses that are of contextual value such as information technology and its application in the classroom. Moreover, ensure they have the best in teaching methods in all areas.
- Teaching internship – the program should have strong linkages and affiliations with the best schools to ensure you get as much exposure as possible. In addition, ensure they have the schools located in the district you would like to teach later.
- Convenience – online programs work best with working people and they are also affordable. If you are just out of high school, on-campus training is ideal for you to socialize. Distance must also be accounted for to avoid long commutes which waste time and money.
- Reputation – check for reviews from previous students before picking any program.
With the US Bureau of Statistics projecting a 13% growth in elementary teaching jobs from 2008 to 2018, you can be sure that this is a good career choice. The pay is also good standing at a high of between $41,700 and $ 51,000. Simply put the elementary education degree will solidify your love for children and give you the best career.
Further Reading:
Early Childhood Education Degree Programs – Coverage, Benefits & Tips
CDA Certification – The Road to Becoming a Child Development Associate