Description of a Health Teacher
Health education teachers are credentialed teachers. They have a bachelor's degree in health education and a teaching certificate. Elementary health educators teach physical education and health-related subjects, such as personal values, hygiene, care of the body and the teeth, family life, and the importance of good nutrition, exercise and sleep.
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Job Description
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School The health educator communicates information regarding health and health education, interprets health information and creates and distributes information about health education programs. Health educators act resource people for local civic groups, PTAs and community associations and provide information and resources for these groups.
Education and Training
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The health education curriculum emphasizes the fundamental principles of good health, and includes classes in biology, child development, chemistry, nutrition and drug and alcohol prevention, psychology, planning and teaching methodology along with a student teaching internship. In addition to completing requirements for the health and physical education degree and student teaching, graduates must pass the National Teacher Examination an show mastery of their subject matter, to be eligible for a credential in their state.
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Certification
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Pathway Health education teachers are required by law to be licensed. Requirements are different from state to state, however, all states require teachers to have a bachelor's degree and to have completed an approved teacher training program with as well as a student teaching internship. Some states also require that teacher candidates pass a computer literacy course and maintain a 3.5 grade point average.
Pathways
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The traditional avenue for an aspiring teacher is to enroll in a four-year college or university, and major in education. Some institutions offer an alternate program for those who want to complete a master's degree prior to earning their teaching credential.
Earnings
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Outlook According to a 2008 report by the the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average annual salary of elementary school teachers was $52,240.
Job Outlook
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It is expected that job opportunities for elementary health education teachers will increase over the next ten years, as baby boomers begin to retire.
Additional Requirements
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A health teacher must have the ability to plan, implement, evaluate and coordinate an effective health curriculum. The educator takes part in choosing the objectives of the program and assists in creating educational programs that align with the objectives, assists in carrying out the plan, helps to evaluate the system and communicates the results of the evaluation.
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References
Resources
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