Elementary Education Degrees in Iowa
If you’ve ever wanted to make a difference with the work you do every single day, it’s likely that you’ve considered a career in teaching. Teachers have a direct impact on the lives of children, often strengthening a child’s self-confidence and pushing them to their academic limits.
As an elementary school teacher, you may work with students in grades kindergarten through sixth grade, helping them navigate the difficulties of childhood. It all starts with your training.
Becoming an Elementary Teacher in Iowa
Iowa is home to many elementary school teaching programs that help you prepare to meet the educational needs of young children.
Ready to learn more?
Contact elementary education programs in Iowa today.
In Iowa, dedicated elementary school teachers have seen many significant achievements in recent years. Elementary school proficiency is up in many subjects for students, which is due to a combination of efforts from teachers, parents, and public health professionals (Press Citizen, 2017). There are many meaningful and important careers in dozens of industries, but few career paths make as much of a difference as teaching. The children you teach today become Iowa’s politicians, educators, scholars, engineers, and medical professionals.
Why not take the first step to an elementary education career right now?
Explore our list of elementary teaching programs in Iowa and reach out to those that interest you.
Getting Your Elementary Education Degree in Iowa
So, you’ve decided to become a teacher and you’re ready to get started. The first step is deciding on a school that can help you get the education you need. Iowa is home to many accredited colleges and universities that offer elementary education programs. To qualify for a teaching license in Iowa, you need to have a Bachelor’s degree in teaching. From start to finish, this process takes between four and five years. By the time you graduate, you should have at least 120 credits, although some schools require as many as 140 credits.
You must prove yourself before you can start your teaching coursework. Most Iowa schools have similar acceptance requirements. You must maintain a high enough GPA while earning your general education credits; most schools require a GPA of 3.0 or 3.5. You must also pass the initial PRAXIS exam, which looks at your general knowledge of English, mathematics, and writing, rather than your teaching skills.
For your teaching program application, you may need to write an essay that outlines your reasons for pursuing a teaching career. Feel free to touch on any previous teachers that have inspired you or what you hope to accomplish as a teacher.
Elementary Education Course Options in Iowa
- Orientation to Elementary Education
- Technology in the Classroom
- Foundations of Education
- Educational Psychology and Measurement
- Foundations of Education
- Assessment Instructional Planning and Practice
As a teaching student, you must be able to put your knowledge of the educational system to work in the classroom. In your first semester, you may be assigned to an elementary school classroom, where you observe teachers in action and ask questions about your chosen career.
As you complete subsequent teaching experience courses, you take on more and more responsibility in the classroom and build positive connections with the students you teach. Your final test as an aspiring teacher is student teaching. This is a huge commitment that requires you to spend upward of 40 hours per week in your assigned classroom. By keeping the same hours as a licensed educator, you find out how to manage your time, juggle your priorities, and make sure that you meet your classroom goals. In some cases, a strong performance in a student teaching placement may lead to a job offer after graduation, so it’s essential to impress both your supervising teacher and your administrator.
After choosing a teaching program, you may want to explore your financial aid programs. Some are open to current students, while others aim to forgive the debt of working teachers. The Teach Iowa Scholar Program forgives the student loans of teachers who work in high-need Iowa districts after graduation.
Finally, once your education is complete, you may apply for your license. The Iowa Board of Educational Examiners regulates licensing requirements throughout the state. After passing the PRAXIS, you may apply for your initial license. Your initial license is good for two years, during which time you should go through a mentoring program and learn from an experienced teacher in your area of expertise. You may then move on to a standard license.
Which elementary education degree is right for you?
You can only find out by contacting Iowa schools and requesting more information.
Reach out to schools in your community now and compare your degree options.
Working as an Elementary Educator in Iowa
You’ve finished your elementary education program and earned your initial license, so you’re ready to get into your own classroom, set up a curriculum and start making a difference in the lives of your students. This is the toughest time in most teachers’ careers, so make sure you have plenty of support and give yourself lots of time to assess your progress, plan out your week, and utilize your resources.
You may shorten your learning curve considerably by constructing a network of experienced elementary school teachers. You may wish to join the Iowa State Education Association to get access to legislative updates, find new job postings, and attend networking events in your city.
Job growth in Iowa is in line with what is reported across the country, particularly in other Midwestern states. From 2014 through 2024, you may see job openings for elementary school teachers increase 8% across Iowa (O*Net, 2017). Salaries in Iowa vary across districts, but as a general rule, your income potential may climb as you become a more experienced teacher. The average annual income for an elementary educator is $51,180 (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2017).
The decisions you make today may influence future generations of Iowa residents, so why not make a choice that can change Iowa for the better?
Get more information on becoming a licensed teacher right now by contacting Iowa teacher education programs.
