Online Education for a Career in Elementary Education

Calling all children of baby boomers (which includes my oldest son, Jordan). As we baby boomers begin to retire, there will about 300,000 teaching positions that will need to be filled. In our present economy, this is a bright spot for those who are born to educate our children. By 2014, teaching will be known as one of the hottest industries in which to work. As a retired teacher, and a baby boomer, I speak from experience.

Teaching at the elementary school level opens up the door for many future opportunities. You may choose to start as a kindergarten-6th grade teacher, and then branch out into other areas as you continue in the teaching field. An elementary school principal, or curriculum specialist can earn a six figure salary. So, your opportunities are endless. The smart choice about acquiring your degree in elementary education, is that these teachers are always in demand and the field is one of the most rewarding in teaching. You will be given the opportunity to help children at a very crucial developmental point of their lives. To have such an impact on another human being is a gift. As a new teacher, I always felt that if I could "reach" just one student and make a difference, then my career choice was indeed the right one. How gratifying it is to know you have helped another person grow both intellectually, and emotionally. Teaching is one of the greatest jobs on earth as you become a role model for a child.

Attaining a degree online is extremely popular for future teachers. First, you will need a bachelors degree in elementary education. You can always continue to get a masters degree if you want to go into administration or to specialize in a subject area. But, for now, all you need is a bachelors degree. You will need to take a background of core or general subjects that would be equivalent to the first two years of college. Then according to what online program you choose, specialized subjects for teaching elementary students would be taken.

Taking courses online are much less expensive than enrolling in college. To give you an idea, you can receive your degree online at prices from $4,500 to $30,000. At a traditional college or university, if you pay $20,000 per year, you have a bargain. So, you can see a huge difference in savings by choosing to get your degree online.
You will be required to work on site at an elementary school so you can be a student teacher. Most online programs will monitor your progress by assigning you an advisor from the faculty who will work with you.

The beauty of getting your degree online(besides the cost) is of course, its flexibility. You can take classes whenever you like, doing this at your own pace. Perhaps, you will take several classes at a time, completing your degree faster than the traditional four year college program. Maybe, you have a job, and you wish to take classes at a slower pace. Whatever you choose, the choice is yours to make. Be aware, that most classes take about five to six weeks to complete. Just think, since you can take your class from the computer, you never have to worry about being late. Make sure the online program you select, includes state certification as this is a state requirement for teachers.

If you need no further convincing, and this sounds right for you, go for it and make a difference!

Sources:

http://www.teacherdegrees.com/ecucation/ecucationid/5.htm
http://www.alleducationschools.com/faqs/elementary-education-degree-online-34k-
http://www.accredited-online-college-degrees.com/elementary.htm-38k