3 answers
Emily
Student
Ware, Massachusetts
1
Question
Asked
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What can I do to be successful in Elementary Education?
I am currently a senior in highschool, looking to major in Elementary-Education. Is there any helpful tips to be successful in that major, or any recommendations of the job it's self?
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3 answers
Cori Coburn-Shiflett
Manager of Educational Technology Support Services / STEM educator
29
Answers
Austin, Texas
Updated
Cori’s Answer
Stay on top of best practices and research trends. there are many professional educator organizations that offer wonderful resources for free (or at a great discount) to undergrads and preservice teachers. These resources can help innovate and keep your professional studies/ practice on target as you build your practical knowledge foundation.
For example, TCEA is one of the BEST educational technology professional organizations around. You don't even have to join (but they do have free undergrad membership), you can subscribe to their blog and receive all sorts of valuable tools and advice for teaching with technology: https://blog.tcea.org/
The summary of my advice is to join those professional organizations that speak to the type of educator you want to be, so you can advance your knowledge , have access to good resources (that can be used in your studies), and have access to veteran educators that can assist you.
For example, TCEA is one of the BEST educational technology professional organizations around. You don't even have to join (but they do have free undergrad membership), you can subscribe to their blog and receive all sorts of valuable tools and advice for teaching with technology: https://blog.tcea.org/
The summary of my advice is to join those professional organizations that speak to the type of educator you want to be, so you can advance your knowledge , have access to good resources (that can be used in your studies), and have access to veteran educators that can assist you.
Jerry Tingstad
Professor/middle school teacher/48 years
93
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Jerry’s Answer
First. Good luck.
Second, I'm not a great believer in schools of education as they stress, it seems to me, theory over practicality. And then there's always the new trends. One should keep in mind that those who populate schools of education have their own careers to consider. As in writing academic papers, presenting at conferences and "consulting". Putting together a good resume and moving up the career ladder. And probably the best way to do that is to be on the cutting edge of educational development.
Nonetheless, that's the name of the game if one wishes to teach at what ever K - 12 level. Especially in public schools.
In spite of this, you should concentrate on the students themselves. What can motivate people of that particular age. What are their fears and anxieties? What turns them on. From there there is the school's educational environment. Colleagues. Support staff. Administrators. And rules everywhere.
If you're willing to go through all that, you'll probably make an excellent teacher.
But the negatives are spending a good amount of your own time without pay if you wish to make the class be a successful work in progress. Probably have to spend some of your own money generated by not exactly the best paying profession in the world.
I'd also take a minor in psychology. And not just child psychology.
Second, I'm not a great believer in schools of education as they stress, it seems to me, theory over practicality. And then there's always the new trends. One should keep in mind that those who populate schools of education have their own careers to consider. As in writing academic papers, presenting at conferences and "consulting". Putting together a good resume and moving up the career ladder. And probably the best way to do that is to be on the cutting edge of educational development.
Nonetheless, that's the name of the game if one wishes to teach at what ever K - 12 level. Especially in public schools.
In spite of this, you should concentrate on the students themselves. What can motivate people of that particular age. What are their fears and anxieties? What turns them on. From there there is the school's educational environment. Colleagues. Support staff. Administrators. And rules everywhere.
If you're willing to go through all that, you'll probably make an excellent teacher.
But the negatives are spending a good amount of your own time without pay if you wish to make the class be a successful work in progress. Probably have to spend some of your own money generated by not exactly the best paying profession in the world.
I'd also take a minor in psychology. And not just child psychology.
Michael Marek Sparrow
Learning and Development Program Manager
6
Answers
Guelph, Ontario, Canada
Updated
Michael’s Answer
I received my teaching certification in Ontario, Canada, while doing my master's degree in child study and education and the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education at the University of Toronto. While the academic side of the program was intensive, the most beneficial part of the experience was the practicum component. I was in a classroom 4-6 hours a day 3-5 days a week. I taught nursery all the way through grade 6. I was able to work at schools where the students were gifted, another where students were mostly from recent immigrant families, as well as an outdoor education program.
My advice is, when choosing a program to get your certification, pick one that gives you the most time in a classroom. Pair this with tutoring or volunteering with the demographic that aligns most with what you'd like to teach. I am passionate about accessibility, so I chose to tutor students with learning exceptionalities such as ASD, ADD/ADHD, etc.
My advice is, when choosing a program to get your certification, pick one that gives you the most time in a classroom. Pair this with tutoring or volunteering with the demographic that aligns most with what you'd like to teach. I am passionate about accessibility, so I chose to tutor students with learning exceptionalities such as ASD, ADD/ADHD, etc.