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Elementary Education Degrees in Montana

Young children are full of potential for learning. In the early years of life, the brain grows at an extremely rapid rate, paving the way for new neural pathways and thinking patterns. By earning an elementary education degree, you put yourself in a position to earn a teaching license and become a positive force in the lives of children. Elementary education presents a huge opportunity for those who want to use their daily work to strengthen their community.

Becoming an Elementary Teacher in Montana

You are patient, willing to learn, and invested in the future of Montana. This is the perfect time to learn more about becoming an elementary teacher. Get the ball rolling now by reaching out to elementary education programs in Montana.

Why is education so important in Montana? Education is considered one of the greatest equalizing forces in society. Early access to education can give students from troubled backgrounds or a low socioeconomic status the chance to move beyond their circumstances. That’s why the state of Montana invests so much in its education programs. Currently, the state of Montana is creating a new plan to hold schools accountable for their teaching outcomes (MTPR, 2017). They hope that these efforts will improve student outcomes in a variety of areas.

Ready to get going and find out how you can make a splash in area schools? Uncover an elementary education program that fits your learning style by requesting information from local programs today.

Getting Your Elementary Education Degree in Montana

Education is the foundation of any new career. This may be more true in education than in any other field. After all, if students look up to you, you should be able to answer their questions and keep your knowledge base expanding. Depending on how much previous education you have, you may want to begin with a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree. If you have an Associate’s degree or no postsecondary education, a Bachelor’s degree is definitely the first step for you. This is the baseline for a teaching license.

A Bachelor’s degree requires, at minimum, 120 credits. Depending on which school you choose to attend, you may find that you have to earn up to 130 credits. About half of your credits come from general education courses in subjects like mathematics, English, and biology. The remaining half of your credits are earned in teaching courses.

Elementary Education Course Options in Montana

  • Teaching and Learning
  • Multicultural Education
  • Educational Psychology
  • Integrating Technology into Education
  • Literacy for Children
  • Methods in K-8 Education
  • Exceptional Learners
  • Literacy Assessment, Diagnosis, and Instruction

Those who study secondary education focus primarily on their subject area, such as history or English. At the elementary level, you are expected to be an expert in pedagogy and child development, rather than any one academic subject. While your teaching courses should include methods courses for each area of academic study, your courses should also focus on how children learn, grow, and develop. You may also learn about special needs that children may have.

Plan on getting lots of hands-on experience throughout the four years you spend in school. In your first semester as an elementary education student, you may be assigned to a local classroom. At this stage of your training, you may just observe the teacher and provide individual student assistance when it is needed. As you move through each semester, though, you should take on more and more responsibility in your practicum courses. This all builds up to the final semester of your training, during which you work full-time as a student teacher.

Student teachers get a rapid introduction to the world of full-time teaching. You work the same hours as your supervising teacher, which may add up to more than 50 hours of classroom time per week. By the time you finish your semester, you should have full classroom teaching and assessment responsibilities.

Upon completion of your elementary teacher program, you should be ready to apply for your license. This process goes through the Montana Office of Public Instruction. They require you to take the Praxis II exam in elementary education. This assesses the knowledge you’ve gained throughout your degree and your ability to implement it in the classroom.

Everyone has their own reason for getting involved in the field of teaching. Perhaps you remember the impact that a great teacher had on your life, or maybe you want to improve opportunities for low-income students in your community. No matter what, this is your chance to take the first step toward a degree. Request information from Montana elementary education programs now to get started.

Working as an Elementary Educator in Montana

As you work through your degree, you may be curious about the job market in Montana. Overall, the job market for teachers is solid in Montana. Between 2014 and 2024, job openings for elementary school teachers are expected to jump 1% (O*Net, 2017). Currently, Montana elementary school teachers earn $49,010 per year (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2017).

In any industry, there’s a lot for new professionals to learn. This is especially true in education, where new teachers often have to juggle dozens of priorities and manage the challenges that come with teaching. By building a network of professional educators, you can learn from their experience instead of learning everything on your own. You may want to join local, state, and national professional organizations. You can also attend networking events that help you expand your reach in local school districts. If you join these groups as a student, you may even be able to apply for exclusive scholarships.

If an elementary education degree is the next step for you, learn more now. Check out our list of local teaching education programs and contact those in your community.