College of Human Sciences

Elementary Education

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“Students are the center of your teaching theories. They pick you up when you feel down, teach you more than you know, tell the truth, and are the center of your heart.”

—Heather Flugstad

Your future begins hereChildren need someone like you to show them the way. With a degree in elementary education you can help your students discover all of the opportunities the world has to offer. So share your passion for learning and help tomorrow’s children thrive. This career allows you to make a difference and open young minds to a changing world.

Your passport to guiding adventuresYour journey as a student in the elementary education program will prepare you for the diverse and demanding school environments of tomorrow. Your courses will be led by professors who are committed to researching new teaching methods and involving undergraduate students in their research. These professors will help you develop a unique understanding of how to use the latest technology to help students in the classroom. Most important, you’ll learn how to teach several different subjects, including the following:

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Your adventure doesn’t stop there. You will also expand your journey by selecting an endorsement. Earning an endorsement enables you to teach students through the eighth grade in that subject area. Endorsement areas include:

“By student teaching and traveling abroad, I actually got to experience a lot of the history I would be teaching to my students. Rather than just teaching from a textbook, I could share my adventures into history with them.”

—Kelly Wylie

In addition to your endorsement area, you will have opportunities to pursue a minor to further support your academic journey. For example, you can stay ahead of ever-changing technology by earning a learning technologies minor. This minor will teach you about the latest technology that will boost your students’ learning through the digital realm.

“I am one who must do in order to learn. Having interactive classes and assignments enhances my teaching.”

—Amanda Bellegante

Learning experiences outside of the classroomWe know students learn in a variety of ways. That’s why we’ve created pre-student teaching field experiences, student teaching, and several other opportunities to help you learn by doing. These opportunities allow you to gain real-world experience by tutoring, coaching, and student teaching at schools in Ames, surrounding areas, various locations nationwide, or even abroad in countries like Indonesia or New Zealand.

Become a part of the community and the classroomThe elementary education program can help you settle in and find new friends right away. Being a part of the Preparing Tomorrow’s Teachers learning community will help you find other students with similar academic interests as well as an academic support group. Student clubs also are a great way for you to get involved by tutoring, networking with teachers all over Iowa, setting up fundraisers, and so much more. No matter what your interests are, there is always a way to get involved and meet someone new.

“I met my best friends the first week of college through our learning community. It’s great to feel that sense of community right from the start.”

—Holly Buck

Is a degree in elementary education the right choice for you?Do you love helping someone discover new things? Would you like to make a difference in the life of a child? What about the challenge of solving unique problems every day? Would you like to help mold the future? If this sounds like you, then you should pursue a degree in elementary education.

This major will guide you toward your passions, while helping you discover new ones. You’ll learn the latest classroom techniques that will challenge, inspire, motivate, and encourage you to help your future students to become their best. Learning to be a teacher takes place on campus and in elementary classrooms. You will have the opportunity to work with practicing teachers to gain experiences to help you learn how to make a difference in the lives of your future students.

An elementary education major will help you develop the skills and expertise needed for a successful and exciting career as a teacher in kindergarten through sixth grade.

“When I am a teacher, I will make it a priority to make a difference in the lives of my students each and every day.”

—Stephanie Tigges

Iowa State University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, ethnicity, religion, national origin, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, sex, marital status, disability, or status as a U.S. veteran. Inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies may be directed to Robinette Kelley, Director, Office of Equal Opportunity, Title IX/ADA Coordinator, and Affirmative Action Officer, 3350 Beardshear Hall, Ames, Iowa 50011, Tel. 515 294-7612, email eooffice@iastate.edu.

College of Human Sciences

College of Human Sciences

Iowa State University118 MacKay HallAmes, IA 50011-1126Phone: 515 294-7838Toll free: 800 522-0683Email: hs@iastate.eduWeb: hs.iastate.edu