Elementary Education: Shaping the Minds of the Future
Kayla Lovell
Composition II
Ms. Reed
22 January 2012
Outline
Thesis: Elementary teachers may not have highest income, but they have one of the most fulfilling careers.
Introduction: When thinking back to elementary school, what most people remember the best, are the teachers they had along the way. Elementary teachers not only introduce their students to the basic concepts of core subjects, they also help pave the path to each student’s future success. While the income may not be the highest available, watching students develop a new skill or grow an appreciation for learning can be very rewarding. I. What is the role of an elementary school teacher? a.
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Elementary teachers not only introduce their students to the basic concepts of core subjects, they also help pave the path to each student’s future success. Education to become a teacher is long and tedious, and while the income may not be the highest available, watching students develop a new skill or grow an appreciation for learning can be very rewarding. Because there will always be a need for education, even with the recent budget cuts, teaching jobs will always have to be available somewhere.
Elementary teachers play an important part in the intellectual development as well as the social development of their students. The education of young children can affect the way they view themselves, other people, and the world, and their success throughout life. Usually, one elementary teacher will teach several subjects to one class, of about 20 students. However, some will work in teams with other teachers, depending on the type of school (“Career Information: Elementary School Teachers.”). Teachers are faced with the responsibility of nurturing their students as well as their education. In the early years of elementary school, teachers introduce their students to the concepts of reading, writing, and counting. In the later years of elementary, teachers have the task of introducing the concepts of mathematics, language, science, and social studies. Teachers also have multiple behind-the-scenes duties. Teachers have the duty of creating daily
The teaching profession has been a been an underrated profession for the past century. STEM majors have been dominating the career field but that did not mean anything to Elisabeth Ramos. Elisabeth Ramos was a first-generation college student who attended the University of Maryland, College Park. Ms. Ramos graduated from her dream school in 2021 with a B.A in Early Childhood Education and 2023 with a Masters in School Counseling. Ms. Ramos not only teaches her students the fundamental to begin their education she also encourages her students to give back to their community whenever it is possible.
The issue of teacher shortage today is continuing to grow. The effects of the achievement gap are reaching the teachers, not just the students: “...good administrators and teachers, who are doing their best under difficult circumstances, will be driven out of the profession…,” (Boyd-Zaharias 41). The achievement gap is part of the reason teachers feel they are underpaid, which happens to be one of the leading cause in teacher shortage considering, “Teachers were paid two percent less [than comparable workers] in 1994, but by 2015 the wage penalty rose to 17 percent,” (Long). Being a teacher requires passion in order to stay in the field, especially if the money in teaching is decreasing. Money is an important aspect for people when it comes to their careers, therefore, fewer people want to become teachers. This lack of teachers and the lack of college students studying to become a teacher leads to unqualified teachers and larger classroom sizes (Ostroff). Both of these causes are eventually affecting students’ learning environments. I chose this issue in education for my project because I have personally felt these effects, and I know others who have as well. As a future educator, I want to see better wages and better benefits, but this can only happen with qualified, passionate teachers. I plan on being one of them, and I plan on sparking a change. I am a future educator fighting to end teacher shortage.
A teacher's income is not enough for the amount of work they do. Teachers need larger salaries. They are the ones responsible for a student’s education. Without them, students would not get education, so most people would not be intelligent and have the cognition that is needed. Teachers affect the world’s future. An education is critical for doctors and nurses, scientists, lawyers, and engineers. People that don’t want a higher education need teachers as well. Everyone has to know how to read, write, and do basic math. Unfortunately, a teaching career is not as popular as it should be, because teachers do not get paid enough.
Watching kids grow and succeed, making new friends, helping kids reach their full potential, putting together fun activites, are all incorporated in being an elementary school teacher. Teaching goes back a long, long time. Elementary school teachers are supposed to teach the kids what they need to know in the future. Teachers are supposed to teach them reading, math, writing, and science. People should care about this topic, because kids need their education. Being a elementary school teacher requires training, makes good money, picks where the teachers teach, and has both benefits and hazards.
Job openings for early childhood teachers within the next ten years are expected to be excellent. This is due in part to a government plan to great new teaching jobs. In the “1999 federal budget, Congress allocated funding to hire approximately 30,000 new teachers nationwide”(section1). However the number of openings depends on locality, grade level, and subjects taught. “These funds are targeted for needy school districts as part of a seven-year plan to hire 100,000 new teachers”(section 1). These new openings will appear in poorer communities were salaries are currently lower, however because of the limited supply of teachers they will have to compete with wealthy distracts in order to attract teachers. Schools will be forced to raise salaries, bonuses, and benefits to attract teachers to these new jobs.
During my student teaching experience at Jefferson Elementary School, I had the pleasure of observing two sixth grade classes. I was able to learn from Ms. Much while observing her social studies lesson about Greek Mythology. In Ms. Hartman’s class, I got to observe the collaborative math curriculum. This experience opened up my eyes to how rewarding teaching sixth grade is. Before observing, I was hesitant as to whether or not I would have the knowledge and qualifications to teach an upper elementary grade. After working with both of these wonderful teachers, they showed me that I would truly enjoy teaching sixth grade.
I believe that education is the key in developing today’s students into tomorrow’s leaders. Education is the basis on which individuals develop their self-concept and the desire to become more knowledgeable. I want to become an educator because I am interested in helping elementary students become active learners and also to assist with their social skills. I believe I can make a difference to many students as they start their educational foundation. I feel that all teachers should possess the desire to devote their hard work and efforts to their students’ educational success. I view teaching as not only one of the most respected careers, but also as one in which the rewards are great and many
School districts are confident that, “Teachers are Better Than Ever.” With the commitment and motivation that these new teachers are showing there is no doubt that they will have success in the classroom. Numerous teachers had a teacher that inspired them to become who they are today, and they look forward to students succeeding in their
During my student teaching experience at Jefferson Elementary School, I had the pleasure of observing two sixth grade classes. I was able to learn from Ms. Much while observing her social studies lesson about Greek Mythology. In Ms. Heartman’s class, I got to observe the collaborative math curriculum. This experience opened up my eyes to how rewarding teaching sixth grade is. Before observing, I was hesitant as to whether or not I would have the knowledge and qualifications to teach an upper elementary grade. After working with both of these wonderful teachers, they showed me
When faced with a problem it is often said that a person will rise and show their true potential or they will crumble under the pressure. That being said, is there any way to predict who will rise and who will crumble? What contributes to a person rising or crumbling? If there is a way to predict that, then would it be realistic to assume that people are able to be trained how to react in different situations? Does liberal arts education, in fact, follow through with the civilizing effect which is, “An educated populace is one that can deal with difficult situations and choices in ways that don’t tear at the very fabric of society?”
To be a well-rounded elementary school teacher it will take a lot of work. Four crucial concepts of making a good elementary school teacher are; organization, interpersonal skills, passion and lastly to be fun and enjoyable. When it comes to teaching organization is an important asset to have to be successful at your job. Having an organized classroom where students can find things that they need easily and having a routine in your classroom will keep the students structured. Also, having your school year laid out by objectives and lesson plans to meet on a weekly basis will keep
Elementary Education, just like other fields, has specific trends, requirements, and technology. Like most teaching positions, elementary education requires only a bachelor’s degree in most states. This paper will explore four different topics:
Elementary education degrees are turning out to be perpetually vital on the off chance that you need to land the right position in teaching.
Though teaching is an incredibly important job, there are many different levels of teaching for all different age groups. It almost seems strange to willingly teach an elementary class when teaching even just a middle school class would increase the pay grade by $1,000 per year (“Kindergarten and Elementary”). Elementary level work is all about laying a solid foundation, which will later allow students to build their skills and understand complex concepts. Children are known to be difficult to work with, so it is a teacher’s job to be patient and
There are many people in this world who believe that a teacher is not important to us, ort that is is one of the more easy jobs to carry. Elementary teachers get major comments for the education level they teach because they are viewed as a 8-hour-babysitting service, instead of someone who is filling the youthful mind with knowledge. An elementary teaches does so much more than babysitting someone’s children five days a week. A teacher is there to help form our leaders of tomorrow, one colorful mind at a time, teaching them about not only general knowledge but life choices as well. They are the glue that holds our educational systems together, that holds our future together. We depend on teachers to support us, lend us helping hands, and mentor us nearly our entire life. Without teachers, our world could be lost in nothing but wonder, with no guidance to say