Major Options for Elementary School Teachers

Written by Grace Johnson

Picking a college major can be challenging, confusing, and potentially overwhelming. If a student has a certain career goal in mind, it can be very helpful to have some idea of what majors might help them get into their field of choice. Choosing the right degree helps students to hone in on their specific talents and interests, while also paving the way to getting their dream job later on. For students who want to become elementary school teachers, there are several majors that can help lead them down the right career path of their choice.

North Central University offers several major options that are sure to help students on their way to any number of careers. Here are some of the most popular options for students wanting to become elementary teachers.

Elementary Education

This may seem obvious, but taking at least taking a few classes in elementary education is one of the biggest stepping stones students can take towards a career in education. Majoring in elementary education lays down the basic foundation for all kinds of elementary school teachers. This major teaches students how to create lesson plans, communicate well with students and parents, teach well in ways that students will understand, and much more.

One benefit of majoring in Elementary Education is the practicums, observations, and student teaching experiences that students have during the program. These classes give students hands-on experience in the classroom before completing their degree. Students will also receive feedback from professors and current teachers to ensure they are well equipped for a future of teaching.

This is one of the most popular major courses students decide to take when becoming an elementary school teacher.

Psychology

Psychology is the study of human behavior. This is a very useful major to have no matter what field of work someone decides to go into. Especially in education, it is incredibly important to understand how children’s minds work, so teachers can better understand how to teach effectively. Most psychology programs include classes on childhood development. Taking classes like childhood development will assist future teachers in building curriculum that is developmentally appropriate for their students. 

In addition, here will always be students who need special help with their education. Understanding how these learning disabilities and how to cater to students to help them succeed is a skill that all teachers will need to develop. A psychology degree is useful for a variety of vocations, but can be particularly practical for teaching. 

English

English is a very useful major to have when going into any branch of education. It’s important for teachers to be well versed in the English language, regardless of what grade or subject they choose to teach. An English major is about more than just grammar or paper-writing, although that is important. English is what people use to communicate with each other on a variety of levels. Reading and writing comprehensively is important for teachers. An English major also helps develop critical thinking skills that can be helpful in building a better classroom experience for students. Learning to tactfully and effectively communicate to a variety of audiences is a skill that can be utilized in any classroom. The American education system is built around the English language, so an English degree can be a substantial aid to getting a career in this field.

 

Want to learn more about the different programs students can take? North Central offers a variety of courses for not just elementary education, but for a much wider range of majors and professions. Click here to receive more information!

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