Here are some tips for selecting schools, based on an analysis comparing each school to all others across dozens of factors:
Schools Concentrating On Elementary School Teachers
- Focus: For schools with a focus on this career area, look at Troy University, University of West Alabama, Alabama State, and UA.
Fastest Response From Schools
- Request Info: For the fastest information for prospective students, look at the Spotlight schools on this page.
Student Body
- Part-Time: For schools emphasizing part-time studies, consider Troy University, University of West Alabama, Auburn, and University of North Alabama.
- Female: For schools particularly welcoming to female students, consider Judson.
- Diverse: For a diverse student body, consider Oakwood University, Tuskegee University, Concordia College-Selma, and Miles College.
- Adult Learners: For lots of adult learners, consider Athens State, Troy University, University of West Alabama, and Spring Hill College.
School Setting
- Out of State: For geographic diversity, take note of Oakwood University, Tuskegee University, Samford University, and Spring Hill College.
- Dorms: For a residential campus environment, take note of Birmingham Southern, Stillman College, Oakwood University, and Spring Hill College.
Excellence
- SAT: For students with high SAT scores, look at Auburn, Samford University, Birmingham Southern, and UA Hunstville.
- % Accepted: For selective institutions, look at Stillman College, Alabama State, Alabama A & M, and Spring Hill College.
- Class Size: For small class sizes, look at Birmingham Southern, Tuskegee University, Alabama A & M, and UAB.
Working as an Elementary School Teacher in Alabama
Elementary school teachers play a major role in the social and intellectual development of children. They not only introduce children to social studies, science, language, and mathematics, but also use computers, books, artwork, games and various other applications to teach basic skills. They also help students develop social skills and learn about cultural norms. Read a detailed Elementary School Teacher job description and schools overview.
Elementary school teachers can find out about professional development opportunities, legal assistance and other employment benefits through the Alabama Education Association.
State Requirements
Elementary school teachers are required to have a classroom teacher certification license from the Alabama Department of Education. In order to obtain the certification, it is necessary to:
- Have a bachelor's degree
- Complete an approved teacher training course and possess the required number of education and subject credits
- Undergo supervised practice teaching
Major Industries
Most elementary school teachers teach pupils in elementary and secondary schools. They may also work in child day care services.
Major Employers
A few major employers of elementary school teachers in Alabama include:
- Almost Family (Child Day Care Services)
- Asbury School (Child Day Care Services)
- CAA Head Start (Child Day Care Services)
- Calvary's Little Friends Schl (Child Day Care Services)
- A G Gaston Elementary School (Elementary and Secondary School)
- A P Brewer High School (Elementary and Secondary School)
- Abbeville Elementary School (Elementary and Secondary School)
- Academy For Academics & Arts (Elementary and Secondary School)
Spotlight Schools Search
Study from Anywhere at Online Schools Related to This Career
- Programs: 3 relevant programs; click the school name for details.
- Degrees: Associate, Bachelor, Master
- Programs: 6 relevant programs; click the school name for details.
- Degrees: Bachelor, Master
- Programs: One relevant program; click the school name for details.
- Degrees: Bachelor
- Programs: 5 relevant programs; click the school name for details.
- Degrees: Bachelor, Master
Jones International University
- Programs: 2 relevant programs; click the school name for details.
- Degrees: Master
Student/Alumnus Reviews of Schools for This Career and State
Sort Reviews By:Auburn University • Auburn, AL
Studying Elementary Education (completion in 2003)
• 11/20/2011
"I have always felt that I was adequately prepared for my profession and also for life as a result of my time at Auburn. I had a positive experience -- academically and socially."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | I don't think you can beat the small-town feel of a college like Auburn for providing you with a place to become yourself. I think the education you receive at Auburn is on par with any education department at any school across the country; I think the social experience of Auburn beats any school across the country. You can't go wrong at Auburn. War Eagle! |
| Program Reputation | I honestly don't know. As I stated, I moved out of the state, but I do believe it is still a well-respected program. No one has ever questioned the value of my degree from Auburn. | |
| Program Quality | 8 | I was adequately prepared as far as curriculum concerns for my career as a teacher--or as well-prepared as any teacher is before they get their own classroom and really learns what it takes to be a teacher. Classroom management is always a trial-and-error process and I don't think any degree program can teach you how to deal with the day-to-day concerns of a classroom teacher. |
| Instruction | 8 | As I stated above, the curriculum classes I had were great -- I learned strategies for teaching reading and writing that I still use today and truly believe in. Of course, some of the courses are not so relevant today as a result of changing technology. |
| How Difficult | 5 | I felt the majority of my courses were very easy, although they were time consuming. In comparison to my peers in other fields, I made better grades and had easier work, but had more of it to do. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | As we got further along in the program, it became more hands-on. We did a lot of school visits and extended stays in classrooms of local schools prior to our internships. I felt like I got a lot of practical experience through these visits. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 5 | When I was in school, there were few options. Summer offerings were always available, but online options did not even exist. I was a traditional student, so I did not take weekend or evening classes and do not know if they were offered or not. |
| Academic Facilities | 8 | I never had an issue finding anything I needed for papers or projects. The education department had plenty of resources for all of our assignments and we had quality professors who were always available and genuinely interested in our success. |
| Social Life | 10 | I can't imagine a better college experience than I had. I went to Auburn to become an architect, dropped out of that program after my freshman year, and pursued an education degree. I loved every minute of being in Auburn, so much so that I stayed there to get my master's degree, too. |
| Placement Services | 5 | Had I stayed in Alabama, I would have had a job at the school in which I did my internship. I chose not to stay. I believe the school did a good job of matching students with schools to encourage proper job placement. |
| Alumni Network | 5 | I moved out of state and never really kept up with the alumni association. Still, I work with people who also graduated from Auburn and we're "family" and will help each other out in any way we can. War Eagle! |
UC Santa Barbara • Santa Barbara, AL
Studying Law & Society (completion in 2001)
• 11/26/2011
"I had a great time and made a lot of friends. It was a great social environment which I needed at the time."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | maybe | I would say my school was a decent liberal arts education. I'd recommend majoring in a science at my school. |
| Program Reputation | 6 | It is fairly respectable. I wouldn't say the reputation got me my job, though. |
| Program Quality | 6 | I learned a lot of critical thinking skills. However, I did not acquire very many practical skills. |
| Instruction | 6 | Many of my professors had extremely respectable credentials. However, I did not receive a lot of practical advice. |
| How Difficult | 6 | I had to write a lot of papers. I didn't have to remember that much, though. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | I did a lot of book learning and reading assignments. I produced very few practical, hands on projects. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 8 | Class schedules were very flexible. I was able to get classes at most any time I chose. |
| Academic Facilities | 7 | The library was very nice. I got a lot of help in the physics lab. |
| Social Life | 9 | I had a lot of fun and went to a lot of parties. The social environment was great. |
| Placement Services | 3 | I visited career services multiple times. They were of little or no help. |
| Alumni Network | 6 | I know a few people who are alumni. However, they haven't helped me in my career. |
