Elementary Education Degrees in Kansas
For many students, elementary school is their first introduction to full-time education. For that reason, it’s crucial that they work with dedicated, involved teachers who use the latest research to guide their work. If you enjoy working with children and you’ve considered how you could make a difference as a teacher, earning an elementary education degree in Kansas could be a great move for you. An elementary education license may permit you to work with children from kindergarten through fifth grade.
Becoming an Elementary Teacher in Kansas
The more you learn about earning a degree in elementary education, the more excited you may be about becoming a teacher and using your work to make a difference. Take the first step now by requesting information from elementary education programs in Kansas.
When you become a teacher, you become part of a growing community that pushes education forward and empowers teachers to change lives. Legislators and administrators have planned a redesign of elementary schools that would make them better aligned with the Kansas Can vision (Topeka Capital Journal, 2017). The Kansas Can plan hopes to make students well-prepared for adult life after high school graduation, whether they hope to go into the workforce or continue their education. This may significantly change the work of elementary teachers and put them in a position to give students important life skills.
This is your chance to act and find a teaching program that fits your needs. Browse our list of top elementary education programs and reach out to those that catch your eye.
Getting Your Elementary Education Degree in Kansas
Ready to earn your teaching degree in Kansas? While there are many schools that offer elementary education programs in Kansas, you may find that they are fairly similar in many important ways. All Kansas teaching programs have to meet core standards that are set by the state. To qualify for licensure, you must have at least a Bachelor’s degree. You may earn a Bachelor’s degree with four years of full-time study. Your degree requires no fewer than 120 credits, although several Kansas schools require closer to 140 credits.
By comparing curricular requirements at different schools, you may find out which school is most closely aligned with your career goals. You may earn between 50 and 60 of your credits from general education courses. These courses cover basic subjects like social sciences, physical sciences, and mathematics. You often have to complete several of these before you can start your teaching classes. Your remaining 60 to 70 credits should be comprised of teacher education courses.
Art education programs combine theory and practice. In many of your classes, you may go through rotations at local schools. This allows you to get experience with students of different grade levels. This information may help you decide which grades you would like to teach after graduation, guiding your choice of student teaching site.
Student teaching is one of the most important parts of your education. This semester-long experience puts you in the role of classroom teacher. Plan on spending 40 or more hours per week in the classroom. Your duties should mirror those of a classroom teacher, which may mean staying after school, coming in early, or attending evening events. While you may start out by observing your supervising teacher, you should quickly ramp up your responsibilities in the classroom.
Elementary Education Course Options in Kansas
- Orientation to Teacher Education
- Teaching as a Career
- Educational Technology for Teaching and Learning
- Educational Psychology
- Core Teaching Skills and Lab
- Teaching Literacy
- Teaching Social Studies
- Teaching Mathematics
- Classroom Management and Discipline
Your training is the most time-consuming part of becoming a teacher. As you near graduation, you may want to fill out licensure paperwork and get ready to take your Praxis II exams. In this state, all licensing goes through the Kansas State Department of Education. You get your initial teaching license after passing the Praxis II. Use this license for at least three years to become more experienced in your chosen grade level. Upon reaching three years of teaching experience, you may apply to get a professional teaching license.
Start the path to a teaching license today. Check out Kansas teaching programs and request more information on earning an elementary education degree.
Working as an Elementary Educator in Kansas
By the time you reach graduation, you should have a clear understanding of the school districts in your area and where you may work with your teaching license. In states like Kansas, rural areas often struggle with teacher shortages. If you’re willing to work in an underserved area, you may enjoy a wider variety of job options and benefits. Some districts offer benefits like student loan forgiveness and sign-on bonuses.
Overall, demand for elementary school teachers in Kansas is high. By the year 2024, job openings for elementary school teachers may swell 10% (O*Net, 2017). The average salary for an elementary school teacher in Kansas is $49,140 per year (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2017).
Teaching isn’t just a career; it’s a calling. Many people in this field have been teachers for decades, simply because they are dedicated to helping their students succeed in and out of the classroom. Many of these teachers are more than willing to share their knowledge and expertise with you. Try connecting with experienced teachers at your place of employment. They may offer guidance and support when you come across classroom challenges. There are also many associations in this state that support new and experienced teachers. The Kansas National Education Association is the largest professional organization for Kansas teachers. In addition to connecting with elementary school teachers, you may be able to learn from early education teachers and secondary school teachers.
If you’re ready to change the future of education for the better, this is your chance to act. Get in touch with Kansas elementary education teaching programs and find a school that fits your needs.
