Education

In order to teach in an elementary school classroom, prospective teachers must

first get accepted into an education program and complete a bachelor's degree.
During this program, students typically are required to take several different
courses on a range of topics.

These topics may include educational psychology, children's literature, specific

math and methods courses and classroom field experience. Each education
program requires specific classes on how to teach for all the subject areas a
teacher would cover.

Student Teaching

Student teaching is a crucial part of the education program. This is where

students are required to gain hands-on experience by logging a specific amount of
hours in the classroom. This allows the aspiring teachers to learn how to prepare
lesson plans, manage a classroom and get an overall general experience on how it
is to teach in a classroom.

Licensing and Certification

Although the requirements vary from state to state, each state does require that
individuals must take and pass a general teaching exam and a content specific
exam on the subject they want to teach. Candidates that want to acquire a
teaching licensemust hold a bachelor's degree, have had a background check, and
completed the teaching exams.

All public schools require teachers to be licensed, but some private schools only
require a college degree in order to teach.

Background Check

To ensure the safety of the children most states require teachers to be

fingerprinted and undergo a criminal background check before they will hire a
teacher.

Continuing Education

Once individuals have received a Bachelor of Science or Arts in Education, most

go on to receive their Master's degree. A few states require that teachers receive
their Master's degree in order to receive their tenure or professional license. This
degree also places you in a higher pay scale and can position you in an advanced
education role such as a school counselor or administrator.
If you choose not to get your Master's degree, then teachers must still complete
their continuing education each year. This varies by state and school district and
may include seminars, specific training or taking additional college courses.

Private Schools

All public schools require teachers to be licensed, but some private schools only

require a college degree in order to teach. Generally, prospective teachers do not
need to meet state standards and have a teaching license in order to teach in a
private school. With this said, private school teachers usually do not make as
much money as public school teachers.

Essential Skills/Duties

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
 Communicate and interact with parents, teachers, and students
 Solve problems that may arise
 Facilitate social relationships
 Serve as a role model
 Supervise activities
 Attend seminars and meetings
 Deliver instruction based on individual needs