Elementary Education Degrees in Alaska
If you’re looking for a career that has positive results long beyond the life of your work, education is one of the first fields to consider. This is particularly true in Alaska, where many remote villages and towns struggle to hire and retain teachers for more than a single academic year.
The time you put into your students can help them develop a love of learning, learn how to trust adults, and tackle the academic subjects that help them compete professionally with students in the contiguous United States. Elementary education is crucial in Alaska, since it is the point at which lifelong learning habits and preferences are developed.
Becoming an Elementary School Teacher in Alaska
What does it take to become a licensed educator and apply for jobs in local elementary schools?
Find out how to earn an elementary education degree by reaching out to Alaska teaching programs below.
Alaska is known for its complex, multifaceted history, which continues to play a significant role in the state’s development today. However, for many years, Alaska curricula did not reflect the differences in continental American history and what the people of Alaska have experienced over the years.
A recent legislative development has brought Alaska’s fascinating history into classrooms throughout the state, helping educators give students pride in their communities and families (ADN, 2016). This may change teaching standards, materials, and outcomes at all elementary grade levels.
There’s no better time than right now to find the right elementary teacher program for you.
Request information from nearby teaching programs to compare options.
Getting Your Elementary Education Degree in Alaska
To educate the future leaders of Alaska, you must first have an excellent education yourself. To become licensed as a teacher in Alaska, you need at least a Bachelor’s degree in elementary education. While there are alternative certification paths and Master’s degree programs for those who already have their Bachelor’s degrees, an undergraduate program is the most commonly available option throughout Alaska.
This degree requires the completion of 120 credits, which works out to approximately eight semesters. Your curriculum includes general academic courses, teaching pedagogy coursework, and classroom rotations that give you firsthand experience with Alaska teaching environments.
Elementary Teaching Courses in Alaska
- Mathematics for Elementary School Teachers
- Becoming an Elementary Teacher
- Assessment in Elementary Education
- Community Service: Theory and Practice
- Issues in Alaska Native Education
- Inclusive Classrooms for All Children
- Teaching Science in Elementary Schools
- Teaching Mathematics in Elementary Schools
Some classroom experiences only require a few hours of work per week. This type of experience helps you gradually acclimate to the field of teaching and dedicate plenty of time to your theory coursework. However, that all changes in your last semester of training. That is when you become a student teacher.
For one full semester, you spend upwards of 40 hours per week in an assigned classroom. You may begin with occasional lessons and quickly work up to teaching every single day.
Since the demand for teachers is increasing throughout the country, many organizations fund scholarships for aspiring educators. Through the Future Educators of Alaska, you may apply for scholarships from private organizations.
After you finish your Bachelor’s degree, you must earn your license through the Alaska Department of Education and Early Development. The licensing process in Alaska is slightly different from what you’ll find in other states. The Department of Education does require you to prove your teaching competency, but they do not require a specific test. You can meet this requirement with several different exams administered by different proctors. Once this requirement is met, you can submit your licensure documents to the Department of Education and Early Development.
Are you ready to give Alaska a brighter future?
Start by improving the future of its children.
Contact Alaska teaching programs using the list of schools below.
Working as an Elementary Educator in Alaska
Your teaching job may take you anywhere in Alaska. If you’re willing to work in a remote part of the state, you may enjoy additional benefits like sign-on bonuses, loan forgiveness, and relocation assistance. Across the state as a whole, demand for elementary education teachers is expected to swell 5% between 2014 and 2024 (O*Net, 2016). On average, Alaska elementary school teachers earn $73,220 per year (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2016).
It’s important to take advantage of local resources and training opportunities to make the most of your new career. By connecting with educators and administrators, you can learn what employers expect out of teachers and how experienced teachers achieve excellent outcomes in their classrooms. The largest teaching association in this state is the National Education Association of Alaska.
Now is the time to act and explore Alaska teaching degrees.
Request information from elementary education programs to find out more.
