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Education - Middle Childhood
The Middle Childhood Education program is both a major and a license which prepares students to teach grades 4 through 9. Study in the field of education prepares future teachers to meet the educational needs of children. Students gain an understanding of the learning process, teaching methods, the changing role of the teacher in today's society, and current educational theory.
Experiential participation in the classroom begins early in the educational process and culminates with the student teaching experience in the senior year. The coursework sequence will allow the student to seek licensure from the state to teach grades 4 through 9. Additionally students select from two of the following concentrations: language arts, math, science, social studies. Students can supplement their teaching skills and licensure by pursuing a Reading Endorsement and/or a Computer/Technology Endorsement.
Truly caring for and about children is a primary requirement for the student considering a career in middle childhood education. Aptitudes in organization, administration, management and observation, and verbal and written communication and interpersonal skills are also essential for the classroom teacher. Teachers must be problem-solvers who can think critically and logically while constantly generating and applying new ideas and approaches. They evaluate each child's performance and potential. Successful teachers have the power to influence, motivate and train others.
Personal qualities such as leadership, caring, patience, persistence, creativity and enthusiasm are typically found in the teacher personality. The physical demands of teaching young children require a high energy level and stamina.
OCCUPATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES
Administrator
Athletic coach
Counselor
Curriculum development specialist
Educational coordinator
Educational consultant
Overseas teacher
Pediatric ward teacher
Teacher (grades 4-9)
Teacher supervisor
RELATED OCCUPATIONS
Camp director
Editor
Industrial trainer
Librarian
Media specialist
Play therapist
Publisher consultant
Sales representative
Specific learning disability teacher
*Some positions may require additional education and licensures.
EMPLOYMENT OUTLOOK
Employment in grades 4-9 for teachers is expected to be increasing about 11% nationally and 4 percent in Ohio over the 2006-2016 time period. Fast-growing States in the South and West—led by Nevada, Arizona, Texas, and Georgia—will experience the largest enrollment increases. Enrollments in the Midwest are expected to hold relatively steady, while those in the Northeast are expected to decline. (http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos069.htm, http://acinet.org)
POTENTIAL EMPLOYERS
Audio visual production companies
Business and industry
Camps
Colleges and universities
Community agencies
Educational assessment clinics
Government:
County Board of Education
Department of Education
Department of Defense
State Department
Public and private schools
Publishers
Self-employment/consultation
SOURCES FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Books (* denotes books available in the Career Center Library)
- *Eberts, Marjorie & Gisler, Margaret. Careers for Kids at Heart & Others Who Adore Children, Lincolnwood, IL: VGM Career Horizons, 2000.
- Edelfelt, Roy. Careers in Education, Lincolnwood, IL: VGM Career Horizons, 2004.
- *Encyclopedia of Careers and Vocational Guidance, Vol. 2, Chicago, IL: Ferguson Publishing Co., 2000.
- Fine, Janet. Opportunities in Teaching Careers, Lincolnwood, IL: VGM Career Horizons, 2005.
- *Gallagher, Joanne & Kersten, Thomas, editors. 2008 Job Search Handbook for Educators, Columbus, OH: American Association for Employment in Education (AAEE), 2008.
- *Morkes, Andrew, editor. Ferguson's Careers in Focus: Writing, Chicago, IL: Ferguson Publishing Co., 2003.
- *Warner, Jack & Bryan, Clyde. Inside Secrets of Finding a Teaching Job, Indianapolis, IN: Park Ave. Publications, 1997.
Professional Associations
- American Federation of Teachers, 555 New Jersey Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20001, http://www.aft.org.
- National Education Association, 1201 16th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20036-3290, http://www.nea.org.
Web sites
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