Elementary Education Degrees in Hawaii
Teachers are among the most important people in society. Even if your career keeps you in a child’s life for just one academic year, your work may create a ripple effect in each student’s life. By showing them trust, cooperation, and patience, you may help them develop more positive relationships with adults and discover an internal love of learning. You may want to work in elementary schools, since this is often first exposure children have to school.
Becoming an Elementary Teacher in Hawaii
Are you ready to take the world of Hawaii education by storm and turn your passion for education into a career?
Request information from Hawaii elementary education programs today.
Hawaii is different from every other state in many key ways. With a culture all its own, it’s essential for kids to get the training they need to offer culturally sensitive education to students. Legislators have set a goal for educators to customize their offerings in Hawaii schools (Civil Beat, 2017). With this goal, they hope to ensure that the Hawaiian perspective is taught in Hawaiian schools and that students are fully educated on the history of their state.
As an elementary school teacher, you can help to make sure this goal is reached in your classroom.
This could be your opportunity to earn an elementary education degree and create a career you love.
Make the first move now and get in contact with Hawaii teaching programs today.
Getting Your Elementary Education Degree in Hawaii
What does it take to become a licensed educator in Hawaii? Of course, the entire process starts with education. Not only must you have an extensive knowledge of teaching techniques to make a difference in this field, you must have a broad understanding of academic subjects like mathematics, social sciences, physical sciences, and history.
For that reason, you must have a Bachelor’s degree to become a licensed teacher in Hawaii. Your curriculum must include at least 120 credits, 60 of which are earned in general education classes. However, between 60 and 70 credits come from teaching classes.
As an elementary educator, you have to be well-versed in all academic topics instead of being an expert in just one area of study. In addition to learning all of these topics, you have to learn specific teaching skills for each topic.
Elementary Education Course Options in Hawaii
- Education Research and Writing
- Language Arts for Elementary Education
- Reading for Elementary Education
- Social Studies for Elementary Education
- Culturally Responsive Education in Hawaii
You may find that classroom experience with local students is heavily emphasize in your elementary education degree. A strong understanding of theory is important, of course, but it isn’t useful until you can apply it to the classroom. In your very first semester as a teaching student, you may spend a few hours per week in a local classroom. Grade levels depend, based on what is available in your area.
At this stage, you may be observing more than participating. By interacting with students, you become a bit more comfortable in your new role and start to understand how to effectively communicate with children. Classroom rotations continue throughout the rest of your degree, working up to a semester of student teaching. Student teaching lasts for one full semester, requiring you to spend approximately 40 hours in the classroom each week. You should get assigned to a classroom that is in line with your immediate career goals.
Throughout your education, apply for different scholarships and grants to offset the cost of your education. The Hawaii Teacher Standards Board awards the Dr. Hans and Clara Zimmerman Foundation Education Scholarship. Each school has additional options for its education students.
Upon graduation, you may take the next step in the licensing process.
Through the State of Hawaii Board of Education, you may register to take your licensing exams and submit proof of your education. They require proof of passing scores on all mandatory exams before they award you with your standard license. Those who meet some licensing requirements but not all of them may apply for a provisional license, which may give you a bit more time to meet the requirements of a standard license.
The future of education lies with its teachers.
Are you ready to become part of this industry and help Hawaii children reach their full potential as students? Learn more about becoming an elementary education professional now by contacting Hawaii teaching programs listed on this page.
Working as an Elementary Educator in Hawaii
With your elementary education degree and teaching license, you may be excited and prepared to jump into the first stage of your career. Due to Hawaii’s layout, you may only have the choice of a couple school districts, unless you are willing to relocate to another island. Elementary teachers teach from kindergarten through sixth grade, giving you some flexibility in the ages you teach and the positions you apply for.
If you want to really jumpstart your career, you may want to devote your efforts to networking and building a strong group of contacts in this industry. There is so much for new educators to learn, and by learning from others’ experience, you may significantly shorten your own learning curve. Two of the largest groups in Hawaii are the Hawaii Education Association and the Hawaii State Teachers Association. As a member, you may also get access to benefits like reduced insurance fees, legislative updates, continuing education seminars, and networking events.
Overall, education is a solid and steady field in Hawaii. Between 2014 and 2024, job openings for elementary school teachers in Hawaii are expected to swell 5% (O*Net, 2017). Salaries vary between districts and experience levels, so you may find that your earning potential increases as you become a more experienced educator. The average salary for a Hawaii elementary educator is $56,500 (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2017).
Today, you can make a decision that may lead to a brighter future for your career.
Find out how you can earn an elementary education degree by contacting local schools today.
