| If you've thought about becoming a teacher, one | | | | for the child. |
| of the most important decisions you may have to | | | | - Sensitivity to non-verbal cues. Small children |
| make is which level of teaching suits you the best. | | | | have often not yet learned how to express |
| Elementary, secondary, and post-secondary | | | | themselves clearly, so a sensitivity to non-verbal |
| teaching all have very different characteristics and | | | | signals can be the key to communication. |
| requirements, and shifting tracks once you get | | | | - A tactful nature for dealing with parents. Parents |
| started would be likely to require that you go | | | | are an especially important part of the learning |
| back to school. Therefore, your career path may | | | | experience at the elementary school level, and |
| be smoother if you choose carefully at the | | | | being able to communicate in a clear yet |
| beginning, and focus your educational preparation | | | | non-threatening way is a useful attribute. |
| accordingly. | | | | In addition to the above broad range of skills, |
| Suppose you are interested in teaching very | | | | there are specific educational credentials needed |
| young children. In that case, you may want to be | | | | to become an elementary school teacher. |
| aware of the special characteristics that distinguish | | | | Elementary School Teacher Education |
| elementary school teachers, and how you would | | | | Although requirements for elementary school |
| become an elementary school teacher yourself. | | | | teacher education vary from state to state, here |
| Distinguishing Characteristics of Elementary School | | | | are three common elements of most programs: |
| Teachers | | | | - A bachelor's degree. This would include both a |
| There are some characteristics that distinguish | | | | broad background in general studies and specific |
| good teachers at all levels: a solid understanding of | | | | education in teaching-related subjects such as |
| the subject matter; good communication skills, | | | | classroom techniques and child psychology. |
| energy, creativity, leadership ability, and patience. | | | | - Student-teaching experience. Education degree |
| But what are some of the particular | | | | programs commonly include a requirement for a |
| characteristics that distinguish elementary school | | | | student-teaching internship. |
| teachers? | | | | - State certification. Public schools in all 50 states |
| In many ways, those characteristics can be | | | | require teachers to be licensed, with the license |
| defined by some of the special requirements of | | | | often specific to the age group being taught. |
| the job, such as: | | | | Private schools are less likely to require licensure. |
| - A good base of generalist knowledge. Rather | | | | Employment Outlook |
| than specializing in a particular subject, elementary | | | | Employment growth for teachers is expected to |
| school teachers often teach a range of subjects | | | | be about typical for the economy as a whole, but |
| to a given class or age group. | | | | it is projected to be especially strong at the |
| - A fundamental understanding of child psychology. | | | | elementary school level. This occupation is less |
| Elementary school children are just learning to | | | | cyclical than most, so overall the job market is |
| learn, and teachers need to be able to perceive | | | | both promising and stable. Median income levels |
| how different children are motivated, and what | | | | are above the national average. |
| factors may be inhibiting some of them. | | | | Teaching is not an occupation for someone |
| - A basic knowledge of child development. Many | | | | looking to get rich. However, for the personally |
| learning disabilities are not spotted until a child is in | | | | enriching experience of helping children get a good |
| elementary school, and the earlier a teacher can | | | | start along the educational path, it can be an ideal |
| help identify special needs, the more can be done | | | | choice. |