Overview
Elementary school teachers may not rake in the dough – the median salary for educators at this level hovers around $53,000, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics – but those that work in the field readily admit they don’t do it for the money.
In fact, elementary education regularly ranks among the top majors that change the world, according to data from PayScale, an online salary database. About 75 percent of graduates with a bachelor’s in elementary education say their job makes the world a better place.
Students pursuing an online bachelor’s degree in elementary education learn about the best teaching methods and practices for young students. And since elementary school teachers usually teach students introductory concepts in many core content areas, they generally need to complete course work in subjects such as math, science and language arts.
Prospective students should be aware that a bachelor’s degree in elementary education typically cannot be completed entirely online, as most programs require students to obtain experience teaching in person – which is also necessary to become certified to teach in public schools.
Course Work
Core courses
In an elementary education degree program, aspiring teachers will learn how to engage and motivate their students, assess student achievement and solve problems in the classroom. Courses often include:
• Instructional strategies
• Educational psychology
• Classroom management
• Early literacy
• Child development
Students usually also complete courses in core subject areas that they will likely teach at the elementary level, such as math, reading, language arts, social studies and science.
Student teaching
Students are usually required to complete a student teaching experience, in which they typically spend a semester working in an actual classroom under the supervision of an experienced teacher.
Some online degree programs may require students to complete occasional observations and short-term field experiences at schools, as well.
Certification and licensure
Graduates must also earn their teaching license if they want to teach in public schools; private schools generally have their own policies. Requirements for certification vary by state, but all states require at least a bachelor’s degree and completion of a supervised teaching experience, according to the BLS. Prospective teachers are also typically required to pass a general teaching certification test.
Teach.org, an informational website for aspiring teachers, has information on teacher certification requirements by state.
Job Outlook and Salary
Employment of graduates with a bachelor’s degree in elementary education is steady.
About 168,000 elementary school teaching positions, excluding special education positions, are expected to be created through 2022, according to BLS data. Urban and rural school districts are expected to offer more opportunities than suburban districts.
Teachers with expertise in special education and English as a second language are in short supply, so students can boost their job prospects by earning a certificate in one of those specialties, the BLS notes.
Continuing education requirements
Some states require teachers to obtain a master’s degree to maintain licensure, and some school systems give pay raises to teachers who earn the credential. Teachers can continue their education through an online Master of Education degree program in subfields such as education leadership and administration and curriculum and instruction, among others.
Teachers often must complete annual professional development classes to maintain their licenses as well, according to the BLS.
Pay
While kindergarten and elementary school teachers earn a median salary of about $53,000 per year, according to the BLS, pay varies greatly by state. In New York, for example, elementary teachers earn an average annual wage of around $73,000, while in Mississippi, they earn an average annual wage of about $41,000.
The lowest-paid 10 percent of teachers earned less than $36,000 per year, while the top 10 percent earned more than $83,000.
Top-paying states by average salary
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Source: http://docphy.com/business-industry/higher-education/online-elementary-education-bachelors-degree.html
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