What can I do with a Teacher Education degree?

Teachers instruct students from kindergarten through high school in a variety of subject areas. They help students learn and develop both intellectually and socially. Teachers plan lessons and curriculum, present information to students, and assess student learning through exams. Elementary education teachers usually teach a broad range of subjects including basics like math, language, science, and social science. Secondary education teachers usually focus on a particular subject area and give students more in-depth information. State certification is required for all public school teachers, and they need to continually keep up with developments in education.

The Center for Teacher Education at Colorado Mesa University works closely with the school districts throughout western Colorado and offers several traditional teaching degrees. The teaching program uses cutting-edge technology to educate teachers in curriculum, state standards, classroom management, and education research. Colorado Mesa also offers intensive programs for candidates who already hold a Bachelor’s degree and continuing education opportunities for current teachers and administrators. Students must complete an application process and meet admission requirements to be accepted into any teaching program. Campus clubs and organizations also offer the opportunity to work closer with faculty, other students, and professionals from various fields in settings beyond the classroom.

Elementary Education majors are prepared to teach grades K-6 and have the opportunity to choose a concentration area in English, Mathematics, or Social Science. Students take entry-level courses in a number of different subjects to obtain knowledge in the many areas they will be teaching and additional courses in their specific content area. They also take more than 30 credit hours of education coursework including 840 hours of field experience in classrooms.

Secondary Education majors at Colorado Mesa University are prepared to teach grades 7-12 in one of the following subjects: English, History, Mathematics, Spanish, Biology, or Geology. Students take more than 75 credit hours of general education and content area coursework to gain expertise in their field. In addition, students take 29 credit hours of education coursework, including 800 field experience hours in classrooms and topics like pedagogy, assessment, and teaching methods.

K-12 Education degrees are offered in Art, Music, and Kinesiology. These majors take more than 75 credit hours of general education and content area coursework along with at least 20 credit hours of education coursework. Since these majors are able to teach all grade levels, their 840 field experience hours in the classroom will include placements in both elementary and secondary classrooms and their coursework covers teaching methods for both levels.

The Early Childhood Special Education program provides teacher education candidates with broad content knowledge and prepares them as early childhood teachers in an inclusive setting. This degree qualifies students for licensure in Early Childhood Education with an endorsement in Early Childhood Special Education and enables them to teach in a preschool or elementary classroom setting with students 0 to age 8.

Skills Needed by Teacher Education majors:

• Technology skills
• Ability to teach/explain ideas clearly
• Writing and interpersonal communication
• Ability to teach students with different learning levels and summarize ideas
• Patient and trustworthy
• Creativity & flexibility
• Ability to present information
• Decision making skills
• Organization and planning ability
• Ability to motivate students
• Dealing with parents or guardians
• Team player
• Assertiveness
• Ability to work with diverse populations
• Dependable

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