Elementary School Teachers Requirements
Being a teacher isn't all spring break and summer vacation. Teaching requires hours of preparation, grading and, of course, teaching. If you want to teach at an elementary school, there are some basic requirements you will need to meet. They vary by type of school--public, private or charter--and subject-matter, but there are some basics you'll need to have.
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Degree
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A bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education is necessary for teaching elementary school. Some schools offer these as a BA, others as a BS.
Certification
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If you decide to go into teaching after having completed a different bachelor's degree, you can take classes and receive an Alternate Teacher Certification. It may be more difficult to find a job with this certification, as private schools and high-ranking public schools will often give preference to those with Early Childhood Education degrees instead.
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Licenses
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Public schools require that their teachers be licensed. The State Board of Education usually grants these licenses, and they often allow you to teach only in the state that you receive the license in. Not all private schools require a license, but many do.
Continuing Education
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Once you're a teacher at an elementary school, you will need to complete continuing education each year. This can include seminars and additional training in specific areas. States and even school districts will have varied requirements as to the amount of continuing education needed.
Criminal Record
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You cannot have a felony conviction on your record if you want to teach at an elementary school.
Additional Education
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If you wish to teach bilingual students or special needs students, you will need to take additional classes or possibly even a second major during your bachelor's program.
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