| Is it important to you to be able to work with | | | | elementary age children. Some programs may |
| children and shape their minds and lives to | | | | even require you to have at least eighty hours of |
| become all that they can be? If so, we hope you | | | | work experience before applying to their program. |
| will find the following steps to become an | | | | In order to work with elementary school children |
| elementary teacher instructive and helpful in | | | | as a teacher you need to obtain a degree in |
| following through on your dream. | | | | elementary education and so it is important that |
| For teaching elementary school, a teacher should | | | | you attend an accredited school, college or |
| have a well-rounded education themselves. Not | | | | university. But if you can not find such an institute |
| only are the basic classes of English, science, | | | | offering such a course of study or you already |
| history and math important but developing a | | | | have a bachelor's degree in another major, then |
| knowledge of music, art, literature, and beyond | | | | look for those that have Post Graduate Programs |
| are most helpful in your role. Think of yourself as | | | | instead. |
| being a conveyor of general knowledge to the | | | | To help you with this step of getting an |
| young students in your care. How can you do so | | | | elementary education degree, start your looking |
| if you do not have the general knowledge to | | | | online. You can find out what the requirements |
| convey? | | | | are in order to teach where you desire. At the |
| Another step that could help with your mission to | | | | least you can find the proper phone numbers to |
| become an elementary school teacher is to go | | | | follow up on. An online search can give you tons |
| ahead and get some experience working with | | | | of information about the courses and particulars |
| children. What you are doing is deciding from | | | | of enrolling at whatever college from which you |
| practical experiences that you really do want to | | | | intend to get your degree. |
| work with elementary age kids. You could try | | | | Upon obtaining your degree, and in order for you |
| contacting the local elementary school near where | | | | to be able to teach in an elementary school, you |
| you live or even the local school district to see if | | | | will need to join a professional association. The |
| there is some kind of voluntary work you could | | | | main ones that many teachers will join are the |
| do within a school working with children. If that | | | | American Federation of Teachers or The National |
| doesn't work out, or your schedule does not | | | | Education Association. |
| presently allow, contact the local Parks and | | | | Beginning with the first step above will help you |
| Recreation department to see what type of after | | | | determine if your dream to be an elementary |
| school or summertime activities need volunteers | | | | education teacher can be a reality for you. We |
| to help with children. | | | | hope that the above steps to become an |
| Beyond the experience of working with children | | | | elementary teacher will guide you in your |
| as a volunteer, you need to get some real | | | | endeavor. |
| teacher work experience if at all possible. Indeed, | | | | Copyright 2007 Sandra Wilson |
| your elementary education degree program | | | | elementaryeducationnotes. |
| should require in-classroom time working with | | | | |