Career questions tagged elementary-education


What are your go-to strategies for managing common classroom challenges in an elementary classroom?
I'm a senior in high school looking to study elementary education next year.

What courses were the biggest help to you as an elementary education major?
I am entering Millersville University in the fall. Just curious as to what others have thought about the courses offered for an education major - like what was your favorite? Or what course really surprised you? #Spring25

What are some ways that would better prepare me to be an elementary school teacher?
Besides what is taught in school, are there any recommendations that could help with communication, or learning and improving soft skills that a teacher should have?

How will I handle doing college 100% online?
I've always loved to do schooling on my own and online.

Should I get a summer job at a daycare to give me more experience before I go to college to become an elementary school teacher?
I have my teacher’s aide certificate, my CPR + First Aid license, plus two years of experience of working in a classroom with children. I want to work at a daycare and get to do fun activities with the kid, and get better at being around them in more social situations. I’m autistic so it get awkward for me sometimes.)

What is the key to becoming the best elementary school teacher you can be?
second year college student and education major

What are some tips for choosing your school after student teaching?
I am currently in my junior year for a Bachelor in Early Childhood Education. I am super excited for student teaching next year, and I am looking forward to working at a new school. However, I’m thinking forward to my first year of teaching, and I am wondering how I will know if a school is right for me. What are things to watch out for? What are some red flags? What are some green flags? I would love to learn some tips for choosing the “right” school to work at as a first-year teacher!

What is the easiest and most challenging part of being a middle/elementary school teacher What were the requirements for this job??
What is the easiest and most challenging part of being a middle/elementary school teacher? What were the requirements for this job?

What are the most useful tips when it comes to student teaching for grades K-4??
Looking for any tips when it comes to student teaching and having a classroom your first year of school!

What is useful about a literacy minor?
I just want to be a basic elementary educator, will having a literacy minor truly help me that much more than if I did not have it? The minor is making me stay in school a semester longer and student teach in a fall semester. I already have one minor and am wondering if keeping the second will be worth it. #Spring25

What prepared you the most for teaching children?
I am currently a 9th grader in California and want to pursue higher education in the education field. I hope to be a elementary teacher for 3rd and below for special education or other. I have volunteered at event for kids and kids in general but was wondering what would give me the most insight. What allowed you to understand what teaching would entail the most and what did you do to prepare.

What are good summer opportunities for someone intrested in teaching?
I am currently a 9th grader that is looking for summer opportunities mainly through things such as internships, camps, and workshops. I am looking for a more ways other then just volunteering for one event as though it gives you hours it doesn't mean much more. I doesn't matter if I need to write an essay need recommendation letters etc. to get in as I am able to attain and do all of it. I have experience in the volunteer field as I have been volunteering since before 6th grade for multiple events and have experience reaching out to organizations to ask questions and events that I can help with. (It also doesn't matter if it's paid or not.)

What time management strategies work best for balancing classes, work, and personal life?
I am currently a freshman in college. I am majoring in elementary education, but also minoring in strength and conditioning, nutrition, and military leadership. I know that classes start off easier and get harder over time, what are some tips or tricks you suggest for balancing all you need to get done but also having time for yourself?

Should I take AP Environmental or Careers in Education?
I need help!! I'm going into 11th grade next year and I need to pick between these two classes! APES gives me rigor and another AP to add onto my list but overall I want to major in elementary education in college so I feel like I can gain more experience. My counselor said that I can take Careers in Ed my senior year and that APES will look better and counts for my GPA while Careers in Ed doesn't. Yet he said if I won't be happy take Careers in Ed. I feel like I just want to have a class to enjoy and look foward to instead of a class I would dread but I can't stop thinking about what colleges like more class difficulty or experience? Please help!

What is the hardest part of becoming an elementary school teacher, and do you wish that you pursued a different career?
I am a high school senior and I am kind of on the fence about elementary education. I want to major in it, and I plan to, but I am a little unsure if I want to become an elementary school teacher or a school counselor.

What are some good colleges for elementary education majors, as well as extracurricular activities I can do for that major as a high schooler?
Please help!! I definitely don't want to go to an ivy league. I'm looking for a school primarily in the South and will be financially stable for me and my family! Also please share your experience as elementary educators!

What masters degree should I get if I want to open my own private elementary school?
I am currently a senior in college majoring in early childhood/elementary education. I will be able to teach P-6th. I have plans to get my masters and maybe even doctorate and I have always wanted to open my own private elementary school. What would you recommend I get my masters in?

what is the average salary for an elementary school teacher? is it easy to find a job as a teacher or do you have to have connections in certain districts?
im currently a junior in high school in Orange County ca. im hoping to major in elementary education and become a teacher in southern ca.

What are some skills I need to have to become a teacher if I already work with kids?
I help teach dance classes and help take care of my cousins.

Should I be a physician assistant or elementary school teacher?
I'm having a hard time picking which one I should be. I'm stuck between being a physician assistant or an elementary school teacher. I absolutely love little kids and I'll be so happy doing that in life but at the same time teachers are so underpaid. This year I took a lot of high school science related classes since I was thinking about being a physician assistant so maybe it makes sense to just continue with it but I'm not sure. I can't really handle blood either but my school offers so many science classes and less education centered classes.

If I am thinking of being a teacher as a current junior in high school, what are are best classes I can be taking right now?
I am thinking of doing Elementary, Middle School, maybe high school. I've also thought about possibly adding Special Education to it as well or teaching English as a second language. I'm not sure what others have tried or what has worked and has not worked for people.

What is the best school(s) for education?
I am a senior looking for good schools to attend.

What can I do during my senior year to help make me marketable or help me prepare to become an elementary teacher ?
I want to become an elementary teacher when I graduate. I want to know how to get ready.

How do you find what grade to teach ?
My grade is currently the 10th grade and I would like to become a teacher how do you know what grade to teach . Why do you need many degrees to go teach legaly

How do I become a good Elementary teacher?
How do I become a good Elementary teacher? What are some techniques to help the kids view you as a fun teacher?

How can I decide whether to transition to elementary teaching from the mental health counseling profession?
For as long as I can remember, I have gone back and forth between the two careers. I even have master's degrees in both fields, so I am technically qualified to do either. I have only ever worked in the mental health field though. I never really made the jump to being an elementary teacher. I have made pros and cons lists. I have thought about the differences in lifestyles. I ruminate over this regularly and it gives me a lot of anxiety. In my current job as a mental health therapist and own my own private practice, I can make my own hours, work as much or as little as I want and the pay is decent. My practice is telehealth only and I work from home. However, I am extremely lonely and really miss the camaraderie I experienced when I did my student teaching. Through my experience in student teaching and a short stint at a daycare after graduating with my Bachelor's in 2015, I really enjoyed the ability to be creative, come up with lesson plans and crafts/activities. Summer's off would be really great as well. I thought it was fun, whereas I would not say my current job is 'fun.' It's intellectually stimulating, but not fun. Oddly enough, I think the more structured schedule of a full-time job as a teacher may also be better for me mentally. I also know there are downsides to teaching, such as limited opportunity for advancement, difficult parents, difficult students, issues with administration, and the pay isn't great. Another kicker - I am currently 5 months pregnant, so I know I can't make any changes right now, and I also know I may feel differently about all of this once I have the baby. I am also concerned that since I completed my education degree and student teaching three years ago, I don't know who will write my letters of recommendations if I do decide to switch to teaching and apply for jobs. Any insight from someone who has made the switch from mental health counseling to teaching or from teaching to mental health counseling is helpful. Any insight that I might be missing about the field of education from teachers would also be helpful.

What are some tips to becoming a elementary school teacher?
Are there things to look out for as well?

What high school classes should I take to prepare for being an elementary teacher?
High school student asking for advice

How much is it typically to go to a state university?
How much is it typically to go to a state university? For Elementary teacher courses. Specifically Minnesota and Colorado.

How long would I have to attend college to become an Elementary teacher?
How long would I have to attend college to become an Elementary teacher? (Does it matter what college?) #FutureTeacher