Elementary Education Degrees in Louisiana
What’s the most effective way to affect change in your daily work and create a stronger society for years to come? For many people, the answer is education. Making education available to the populace as a whole leads to improved employment options and an overall improved quality of life. Today, you may teach the children of Louisiana mathematics and English. In 15 years, they could be Louisiana’s politicians, artists, teachers, parents, and more. The first step, of course, is getting the training needed to become a licensed teacher.
Becoming an Elementary Teacher in Louisiana
Ready to find out if you have what it takes to become a teacher? Louisiana colleges and universities may help you discover which teaching program suits you. Browse our list of Louisiana teaching programs and get in touch with schools in your area.
Educational administrators are always tackling multiple goals at one time. After all, there is always new research in education that changes how teachers work. Recent efforts focus on the improvement of elementary education (Shreveport Times, 2017). Programs created by district leaders throughout the state have led to increased funding and grants to help low-income areas. Earning an elementary education degree now could put you in the perfect position to lead change in your school district.
There’s no time like the present to change your future. Find out how today by contacting Louisiana elementary education teaching programs and learning more about different ways to become an elementary school teacher.
Getting Your Elementary Education Degree in Louisiana
As you learn more about becoming a teacher, you may find that there are several paths you can follow to become a licensed teacher. It all depends on how much education you have and how much time you’re willing to spend in school. If you do not yet have a Bachelor’s degree, an undergraduate program is the right choice for you. Earning a Bachelor in elementary education degree should take about four years. During this time, you cover many core general education subjects, like mathematics, social sciences, and English. You also learn all about what it takes to be an effective teacher, how young children learn, and what developmental needs they have at each age. These are lots of topics to master, which is why you spend lots of time in local classrooms. You need to practice your teaching techniques and understand how they are applied in the classroom to be an efficient teacher.
If you already have a Bachelor’s degree in education, you have two options to consider. The shorter option is an alternative certification program. This option often requires just one year of education, during which time you move through an accelerated teacher education program and get lots of experience in local classrooms. The other option you may have is a Master’s in elementary education. Some programs accept students from various areas of study, but others require a Bachelor’s degree in education. Some Mater’s programs allow you to pursue an elementary education online degree; this is generally only offered to working teachers who already have multiple years of experience in the field.
Elementary Education Course Options in Louisiana
- Diagnosis and Correction of Reading Difficulties
- Materials and Methods for Elementary Grade Mathematics
- Materials and Methods for Elementary Language Arts
- Classroom Management
- Diverse Learners
- Instructional Technology
- Instructional Design, Strategies, and Assessment
- Books and Materials for the Elementary School
At the conclusion of an undergraduate program, you have to prove your skills in a student teaching assignment. This is one semester in which you work as a full-time teacher. You get lots of guidance and support from your supervising teacher, who may help you grow into an independent teacher. Use the feedback you get wisely and use your time to build connections at your student teaching site. If you make an impression on your supervising teacher and administrator, you may even be able to apply for a teaching job.
Once your education is behind you, your next stop is the Louisiana Department of Education. They let you apply for a Level 1 Professional Certificate. This certificate is good for three years. A Level 2 Professional Certificate is available when you have two years of experience and you have passed the Louisiana Teacher Assistance and Assessment Program. If you want a Level 3 Professional Certificate, you must have a Master’s degree. The Louisiana Department of Education uses Praxis II exams for licensure.
It’s clear that becoming a teacher can have a profound impact on your life and the lives of those around you. If you want to dedicate your career to working with kids, make your move now and request information from Louisiana elementary education teaching programs.
Working as an Elementary Educator in Louisiana
As you near graduation and you get ready to start your job search, take some time to look into Louisiana’s salary range and job outlook. By checking out job openings in your area and surrounding areas, you may be able to concentrate your application efforts in areas where your work is in high demand. The field of elementary education has seen steady growth in Louisiana for several years. A 6% growth in job openings is expected between 2014 and 2024 (O*Net, 2017). Salaries are similar to national averages, although they tend to be slightly lower in rural parts of Louisiana. On average, Louisiana elementary school teachers earn $48,100 per year (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2017).
There’s a lot to work on in the early years of your career, but don’t neglect your professional networking efforts. The connections you make as a new teacher may shape your career for years to come. They can also make the early years of teaching much less stressful. Joining a group like the Louisiana Association of Educators may give you access to local training events, networking events, and legislative updates.
Are you ready to take the plunge and commit to a meaningful career in education? Discover local education options by contacting Louisiana teacher training programs today.
