Elementary School Teacher

I'm in school to be an elementary school teacher, however I would also like to be a middle maybe high school math teacher. My degree will be liberal studies/education, but what steps could I take to teach middle/high school math?

Thanks much!

I got a degree in education, with emphasis in elementary education. My major was fine arts and my minor was math/social studies.
My teaching certificate stated that I was qualified to teach K-8 9 (all subjects), and 9th grade Fine Arts.
Check with your state, but I think you can get a minor in math and that will transfer to your credentials.

2009-11-14 20:51:04 by ~Kay~

Elementary school teachers experience both pros and cons on the job. Weigh the pros and cons of being an elementary school teacher with tips from ...

I am a elementary school teacher and I want to become a high school teacher. Could I just take the PRAXIS in secondary english and start job searching. Or do I have to get my masters in secondary ed. before being able to apply for new jobs.

You are a teacher...you should know the answer to this one.

2009-01-21 14:02:05 by ae.baker

I'm considering becoming an elementary school teacher and I was just wondering what kind of classes I will have to take in college. And I also heard that becoming an elementary teacher takes a longer time [like more years in college], is that true?

Here ya go! I have the bachelor's of science in education (elementary) curriculum for Central Michigan University right in front of me.

There are 30-42 credit hours of General Education Requirements. These are the classes everybody takes. You then have 27-33 credit hours of degree requirements. These are:

Art in the Elementary School
Children's Literature
Mathematics for Elementary Teachers 1
Mathematics for Elementary Teachers 2
Music for Elementary Classroom Teachers
Physical Education for the Classroom
3-5 credit hours of science requirements 1
3-6 credit hours of science requirements 2
3-6 credit hours of science requirements 3

45 hours of Professional Education Requirements 1. These include:

Introduction to Teaching
Technology in Education
Elementary Mathematics Methods
Reading in the Elementary School
Social Studies Methods in Elementary Education
Science MEthods in Elementary Education
Midtier Practicum
Corrective Reading in the Classroom
Student Teaching Seminar
Student Teaching
Learning and Evaluation in Elementary Education
Foundations of Education
Teaching Students in Inclusive Settings

3 credit hours of Professional Education Requirements 2, which would be either:

Education of Children or Human Growth and Development: Lifespan.

31-72 hours of Specialized Studies, which would be courses for your major area of concentration. For example, mine will be social studies.

Then there is a minor area of concentration.


These vary by state and university. This is what the degree looks like at Central Michigan University.

2009-07-24 19:27:01 by Heidi

Price: $19.95

BQ: Which school do you think would be better to teach in; private or public?

Thanks so much, I knew I've always wanted to be a teacher ever since I was 6 y/o and now that I have to start thinking of my future, I think I'm pretty positive this is what I wanna be :)
I want to hear your experiences (from actual elementary teachers of course, lol)

Nikki :-)

* to impart a love of learning
* I am a life-long learner and still learn about teaching every day
* I like children
* two days are never the same
* to see that "lighbulb moment", when a student says "Oh, I understand it now!"

I guess some of these are the reasons why I stay in the classroom. You can also be really creative as a teacher in terms of curriculum delivery.

Of course, every job has its pitfalls and disruptive and rude students is a major one. Sometimes it's hard to not to take it all personally and lose motivation, but you have to learn ways to mange these issues.

I prefer the public system (I am in Australia) as I am I mother of young children and I need to leave work by 4 pm. Private schools here require you to organise, supervise and participate in extra-curricular activities and I'm just not prepared to do that at this time in my life. One day, maybe, though.

Good luck!

2010-09-29 15:13:53 by Nikki

According to the posted salary schedules in Georgia, elementary teachers make as much as high school teachers - is this true, or are the salary schedules simply not providing a clear distinction between the 2?

Everywhere in the country, public school elementary and secondary teachers get paid the same. Collective bargaining... But, you don't want to teach in Georgia... weak unions, so low pay, and no job security. Georgians don't value education.

2010-11-09 06:31:02 by kenjamin2