Looking for any feedback on Elementary Education Major. Pros/Cons. How soon do you get in the classrooms? Working with children?
I’m visiting next month but it’s just a general information session and tour so looking for feedback.
Thanks
Also wondering this! I’m HS Class of 2022 and right now UVM is one of my top choices. I’m also planning on majoring and Elementary Ed. I’m going on a tour this coming Saturday.
HS Class of 2022 as well. Let me know what you think and any information you gather at the tour! Mines not for a couple of weeks still.
No feedback here, but I can tell you that UVM gets you into the classroom in sophomore and junior years in addition to student teaching in senior year. If you can, do your student teaching in fall semester. Education courses begin in freshman year, so you might be able to seek field work in conjunvpctiin with one of those courses.
As someone with a career as an elementary principal, I can also tell you that most schools welcome volunteers and visitors. So, if you take the initiative, you can get into schools earlier (freshman year) than the college schedules you and in different capacities than the college prescribes, tutor for example. If you find out which schools the college uses for student teaching and then find out which one has the best reputation, you might be able to enhance your chances of getting placed there by volunteering or scheduling observations. Simply call the school for an appointment with the principal or her designee to discuss your interests in getting pre-placement experiences at a school and possible ways that the school might be able to accommodate you. You might even be able to use such a self-initiated experience as subject matter for a paper in one of your courses.
Of course, both Covid and school security concerns have placed limitations on access to all schools. So, accept whatever restrictions they require, but see if there are alternatives. For example, ask if opportunities might become available after Covid restrictions (if there are any) are lifted.
Thank you soooooo much!!! Lots of great information.
You’re welcome. I’ll be happy to answer questions as you go along because I care about quality preparation students who are enthusiastic about elementary teaching.
You are thinking in the right direction when you ask about getting into classrooms early in your college career. That’s how you should judge any teacher preparation program.Where I live, the state university doesn’t even let you apply for an education major until second semester of sophomore year, thereby eliminating 2 years of potential college preparation. UVM is so far ahead of this. The best teacher training programs always get students into the classroom early and often. When my daughter did her teacher training, she did a full year of student teaching. Employers were beating down her door - 5 job offers from top school districts on the first day she put her application out there. She basically already had a year of experience.
Anything you can do to gain experience along the way will only help you in your job search and in getting your career off to a successful start. For example, if the college semester starts later than the school where you’re student teaching, start your student teaching on day one of the school’s calendar. In fact, volunteer to help set up the classroom if your cooperating teacher will have you. If you can, continue with your student teaching placement after it’s officially over if the cooperating teacher will have you.
Best of luck with your search.
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I know this is an old thread but I’m curious if UVM acceptances vary at all depending on which college? My daughter wants to be a teacher and I know the college of education is small. I’m wondering if that means they are even more selective (lower accept rates) for that college than overall?