Teachers tend to be calm, caring and responsible individuals. If you encompass these qualities and love to be around kids, a major in education could be for you! A major in education will allow you to shape the minds of younger generations and the rewards could be endless.
Education
According to The College Board, this major is offered at the undergraduate and graduate levels. Many move on to the graduate level to specialize in a specific teaching area, such as special education or math, but it is not required. Throughout college you will be enrolled in many different courses to cover topics such as educational psychology, school health and safety issues and classroom activity planning.
What to know before you apply
When you visit colleges you should first be sure that they are accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education and approved by the state’s department of education. It is also helpful to know what requirements you will need to fulfill in order to be a certified teacher upon graduation. Most importantly, take a look at the success rate and quality of the student teaching program within local schools. This step in your education will be the most helpful for your future as you gain hands-on experience in a classroom observing and conducting teaching exercises.
Salary
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average earnings in 2011 for a kindergarten teacher was $52,350. An elementary school teacher averaged $55,270, a middle school teacher averaged $55,780 and a high school teacher averaged $56,760.
