What are the education requirements for becoming a kindergarten or elementary school teacher?

Question

i am currently a freshman in college majoring in biology. ive always wanted to do something with kids and am starting to think that being a pediatrician is not for me....however, i would love to be a kindergarten or first grade teacher. can i continue being a bio major and still be a teacher or do i need to change my major? What do you have to do to become an early childhood teacher? Some people say that you should apply to an education program, but is that after you've earned your bachelor's? i'm feeling kinda confused right now, and any advice would help A LOT as i have to sign up for classes for next semester pretty soon. thanks!

Answer 1

You have to know more than your students.

Answer 2

here in calif., the program for multiple subject teaching (k-6) is very structured.  if you are planning on teaching, i would get into a program for just that.  you can get into teaching with any degree, you just have to go through the credential program.  

i did special education with a history degree.  i did not have to take any more courses than someone who went through the pre credential program, but i would assume it helps in your understanding if you were to start out with that in mind.

calif. has many, many hoops to jump through in order to earn a credential.  good luck!

Answer 3

start by finding a college that offers a BSE in early childhood education then talk to a dean or advisor

check out the state education website for your state to learn about criteria for a teaching certificate/license

Answer 4

It will proabably vary from state to state. You could finish your major in biology and then get a teaching certificate. I'm not sure if that would allow you to teach younger children though or if it would be secondary education.

I am currently an early education major (Preschool-4th) and we are required to have a double major. So I have my education classes and also my second major which is psychology. I would say you (if possible) might want to transfer to a different 4 year college which offers a teaching program (mine is a liberal arts college but I would think others would offer it). If you can't change schools right now, then go ahead and finish your major in biology as this will be helpful no matter what. I would find out who is in charge of the middle school education program and talk to them. I know with P-4 majors I can go back to school and take less that 15 hours, take a test, and then be able to teach middle school so that might work both ways. You could get your middle school degree and then add a few other classes and get to teach elementary school. Talking to someone in charge of the education department should help you figure out what you should do. I'd make an appointment with them as soon as possible.

Answer 5

BEd.  Bachelors of Education. And B.A. Bachelors of Art in any subject.

Answer 6

Liberal studies is the best way to go for a major and maybe choose bio as a second major or a minor. you might have to take a couple of extra early childhood education classes after you graduate if you stick with bio. As long as you get you K-8 credential it's all good.

Answer 7

You have to know how to settle THEM! down

Answer 8

I would first find out if you could visit a preschool or Kindergarten classroom and see if it is something that interests you.  Then I would talk to your adviser and tell him or her what you are considering. They should be able to help point you in the right direction.  They may be able to help you find a college that would better suit your needs.  However, be cautious, if the adviser seems to be looking out for the schools interest and not you own seek help elsewhere.  Contact the education department for the state that you are interested in teaching in.  They will be able to give you any information you need.  If you are going to school in a different state than the one you live in be sure that your degree and license can be used in your state.  

Best of luck and I hope you decide on the wonderful world of teaching

Answer 9

In many states you only need certain classes to apply for a teaching license not an entire teaching major.  Go to the education department at your school and ask them what the state requires.  You may just need a core of general Ed. classes to meet the requirements.  In most states you just get an elementary teaching endorsement and that covers Kindergarten through 6th grade.  

The bio major probably will have a lot of classes you don't need.  You could look in to developmental psych as a major and a lot of classes will probably cross over.

Answer 10

You should have a talk with your College Counselor, on the proper classes you would need to take in order to fulfill the requirements of an "Education Major". I plan on majoring in "Early Childhood Education" (which is at the primary level). And usually the first 2 years, will be General Education classes mostly EVERYONE must take at the college level. Then, once you have a certain amount of credits, work experience, and pass the State Exams, you'll be qualified to actually begin the teaching major. When you become a junior and senior those will be the BEST years... because you'll actually gain on-hand experience, and learn more about the proffesion as a whole! After its all said and done... Hopefully you'll have a Bachelors Degree!

Good Luck to Ya

Answer 11

If you want to continue your major you can always go back to school to get your Cert. Many Colleges of Education have Post Bach. programs for people that have their B.A. in other Fields.  Most Teacher Ed. programs for Post Bachs are about 2 years and that includes practicum and student teaching.  You could also find out if your College has an Elementary Ed program and start working on you Teacher Cert. now.

Hope this helps.

Answer 12

Four year degree - early childhood education. Change your major to that!

Go and talk with your advisor and get started on your classes. Likely you'll have a lot of the same ones as far as mathematics, science, humanities - but you'll have a few education classes in there as well. These are great fun!!

You're at an excellent place for changing majors right now - you haven't gone so far as to have "wasted" any time.

Answer 13

If you go to this website it should give you the info you need or you can contact them and they will lead you in the right direction

www.nasbe.org

I hope this is a help, and good luck.