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Elementary Education Degrees in Minnesota

Have you ever thought about what a teaching career would be like? If you want to make a difference every single day, teaching is one of the best fields to explore. Teachers play an incredibly important role in the lives of their students and their students’ families, guiding children to love learning. Earning an elementary education degree may put you in a position to reach the students of Minnesota and help them get more out of each day.

Becoming an Elementary Teacher in Minnesota

Elementary education is a field that requires quite a bit of patience and a willingness to learn. If you have both of these traits, start the path to a degree today by reaching out to elementary education programs in Minnesota.

Educators have long known that teachers are the backbone of society. After all, today’s children will become tomorrow’s leaders, artists, writers, and vehicles of change. Over the last few years, many states have increased funding for support personnel in classrooms (Education Week, 2017). These changes have been widely praised by educators, since they give teachers more time to focus on their class as a whole. If you decide to become a teacher and earn your degree now, you could benefit from a large support base for teachers, students, and families in Minnesota.

The future of Minnesota is decided by teachers and those who play an active role in children’s lives. Become part of this field today by getting in touch with teaching schools in Minnesota.

Getting Your Elementary Education Degree in Minnesota

When you decide to advance your education and start a new career, it’s important to have a plan. Luckily, Minnesota highly values its teachers and educational personnel, so there are plenty of resources for aspiring teachers. The first step is choosing which type of degree you need and which elementary teacher program may get you closer to your goals.

As you learn more about Minnesota teaching schools, you may find that the vast majority of programs offer Bachelor’s degrees in education. There’s a good reason for this: most teaching students have no postsecondary education or just an Associate’s degree. A Bachelor’s degree is mandatory for those who want to teach elementary school, so it’s the most popular option for students.

All in all, a Bachelor’s degree involves about four years of full-time study. During this time, you must earn at least 120 credits. Note, however, that some schools require close to 130 or 140 credits. That’s why it’s important to take your time and research each school in your area.

When you start your Bachelor’s degree, you may begin with general education courses in subjects like English, mathematics, biology, and history. Once you have one or two semesters behind you, you may apply to your institution’s teaching program. This typically involves going through a health screening and submitting to a background check. The health screen ensures that you’re healthy enough to work with children, since you shouldn’t be a risk to children with compromised immune systems. The background check verifies that you have no felonies and no history of crimes against children or other at-risk populations.

Upon starting your teaching education, you go through a predetermined curriculum of courses that get you ready for the demands of a busy classroom. In your first semester, you may spend about 30 hours in a local classroom. This helps you get your feet wet in this field, start building connections with local teachers, and make sure that elementary education is a good fit for you. From there, you may delve into teaching theory and research. As you gain new skills in this field, you should get the chance to test them in classroom rotations.

Elementary Education Course Options in Minnesota

  • Introduction to the Elementary School
  • Technology for Teaching and Learning
  • Child Psychology
  • Foundations of Special Education
  • Mathematics and Pedagogy for Elementary Teachers
  • Diversity in Children’s Literature
  • Foundations of Reading
  • Arts Learning in Elementary Classrooms

Student teaching is the true test of your teaching ability and overall knowledge. You get assigned to an elementary classroom, where you spend an entire semester working full-time. You may take on the majority of teaching responsibilities fairly early in your student teaching semester, guided by feedback and advice from your supervising teacher.

After finishing your education, you have to go through one more step to start working independently in Minnesota classrooms. Through the Minnesota Department of Education, you can apply for your teaching license. You have to submit your application, proof of classroom hours, and proof of your completed degree. You may then schedule your Minnesota Teacher Licensure Examinations, which the state uses to verify your readiness for classroom work.

Once you start moving, the process of becoming a teacher moves quickly and smoothly. You just have to take that first step. Check out our list of teaching programs in Minnesota and contact those located near you today.

Working as an Elementary Educator in Minnesota

Building a teaching career is basically a full-time job in itself, so be ready for a busy few years while you get established in this field. As a new teacher, you may start applying to elementary schools all over Minnesota. The state’s rural and remote communities have a consistent shortage of teachers, so you may be able to meet a growing need if you work in an underserved area. Between 2014 and 2024, job openings for elementary school teachers are expected to jump 2% throughout Minnesota (O*Net, 2017). On average, Minnesota elementary school teachers earn $62,000 per year (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2017).

While learning the ropes of teaching can be a challenge, you don’t have to do it on your own. In fact, you can save quite a bit of time by learning from those around you. Veteran teachers are usually more than willing to share their experiences and advice. Look into joining groups like Education Minnesota to take advantage of networking events and continuing education opportunities near you.

The path to a teaching career can start right now. After comparing Minnesota teaching programs, request information from the schools that catch your eye.