Okay so here is some more detail: I am extremely interested in being a teacher and I am thinking elementary school, however, I don’t necessarily want to major in Elementary Education unless I really have to for this (but that’s why I’m here). I would actually, I think, prefer to major in English. I have heard that I can do this and then do a certification program for teaching elementary school. Is this true and will it have the same value?
This does vary by state, I believe, but I will likely be working in Virginia if that makes a difference! I’m just trying to ensure that I am making the right choices as I progress in college. I’m only a freshman so there is time but preparation is nice.
Yes, you can major in English then get a certification or MAT in Elementary Education, in some states that’s even required.
You may want to make sure you don’t skip too many gen eds in math&science (like, 1 statistics class, 1 science class with lab) since you’ll have to know a lot in order to see how to create lessons that help children understand what they need to know (trying to explain… you need to know what they don’t need to know in order to cut to what they need to know… and then explain it in a way that makes sense at their level but will also makes sense once they study the next level!) A strong background in psychology as well as the ability to teach in Spanish (or another language), ESOL, or special ed will be a key skill.
Why not go to UVA’s or W&M’s or Vtech’s Education webpage and check out what they say? https://curry.virginia.edu/academics/master-teaching-elementary-education
@MYOS1634 Thanks for the response!!! Very thorough. I actually thought about someday going to UVA for grad school if I could get in (I live in Pennsylvania right now. Grew up in VA though). I don’t see myself skipping much math and science for my English degree, fortunately. I’m doing general studies at a community college right now before I transfer to a university in Pittsburgh so I’m required to do a bit of this and that!
It depends on what state you want to teach in. Also, be aware that typically today to be competitive for jobs its not enough just to have a certification. You need a masters (or undergrad degree) in literacy or special ed. I’d suggest dual majoring in English and Elementary Ed. Then get your masters in literacy or special ed.
Or major in English and ESOL with a Spanish minor (< having both ESOL and Spanish will make you more in demand).
If your community college has an honors program, see if you can participate in it.
Will you transfer to Pitt? Or Slippery Rock/another PASSHE school?
Check out the quality of teaching experience supervision, where they place their student teachers, whether they offer classes in children’s literature separate from YA literature, etc.
You will need certification of some sort to teach in a public school. Private and religious schools aren’t mandated to have certified teachers-- though I know of none around here that don’t require certification.
Check your state education department, under “alternate certification to teach.”
My D was history major in college in VA and thought she would teach HS. Changed her mind to elementary education. She finished her degree in history and then got her MAT in elementary back home here. In SC didn’t hinder her at all to have her masters and bumped her salary over just a BA, but I understand that’s not the case everywhere.
Once she realized she would not get certified during her UG, she took care to look at pre-reqs for the masters program here. She took a couple of things as electives that she wouldn’t have had to take for her History BA (biology and earth science) and she had to take a math for elementary students summer school class that school here required that had no equivalent at her LAC. Her MAT was 15 months starting in summer and core done by spring so that you could apply for jobs while taking final electives. She had a job one year after finishing UG.
She did take some practicums and education classes in UG and if she stuck with History in HS she could have done education as a minor and been certified as UG. To get elementary UG certification it is usually an elementary major since you have to do a bit of every content area, but if you have the space in your schedule you might could double major in elementary education and English. You just need to have time to fit in student teaching which is pretty much a semester on its own.
@MYOS1634 I’ll be staying in the city so I’m thinking either Pitt, Duquesne, or Point Park (but Point Park is more of a safety net option). I’ve heard that Duquesne is really great for potential teachers, but Pitt doesn’t really offer much in the way of education. Most people at Pitt seem to be going for the STEM degrees…but we shall see! Thank you!
@scmom12 Interesting info! I actually thought about getting my associate’s degree in education because so many of the classes would be useful if I do decide to go through with a master’s or bachelor’s in that area. I’m just not sure if my record would look sloppy if I ended up with an unrelated major So many decisions! Thank you for sharing.
Pitt, being a public university with a mandate to prepare future teachers for the Commonwealth, would be the first universoty I’d look into. In addition, their English program is pretty good at the Jr/SR level.
While not necessary, I’m a fan of doing your initial certification (whether UG or grad) in the state where you want to teach. Then you are student teaching in the same state and have experience with their standards, etc plus you have a local recommendation if you apply in that district. Plus the program will naturally be looking to see that you’ve met the state’s accreditation standards. If you do this in another state you need to be vigilant about reciprocity between states.
@scmom12 This is true! I’m kind of confined to Pennsylvania for my undergrad because I get a lot of tuition assistance if I attend a college in state which I think is part of the problem with getting a degree in education here. I’m sure I could still teach in VA later but there would be some hassle in between which is frustrating.
I’m just trying to ensure that I am making the right choices as I progress in college. I’m only a freshman so there is time but preparation is nice.
So many decisions! Thank you for sharing.