What Is Elementary Education – and Is an Education Major Right for You?

Are you passionate about learning and academics? Do you want to inspire the next generation and help them succeed? If so, an education major could be a rewarding path for you. In this blog, we'll explore the fundamentals of what elementary education is, the essential role elementary educators play in students' lives and how to determine if this degree path aligns with your skills and career goals.

What Is Elementary Education?

Elementary education focuses on teaching children from kindergarten through sixth grade, building a foundation in key subjects like reading, math, science and social studies. Beyond delivering lessons, elementary educators help nurture students' intellectual, social and emotional development. As an elementary teacher, you'll guide young learners, help them develop critical thinking skills and support their growth into confident, curious and successful individuals.

Essential skills for elementary educators

• Classroom management: Create a structured, engaging and positive learning environment.
• Effective communication: Communicate clearly with students, parents and colleagues.
• Lesson planning: Design engaging, developmentally appropriate lessons.
• Differentiated instruction: Tailor teaching methods to meet the needs of diverse learners.
• Technology integration: Use digital tools like interactive whiteboards and apps to support learning.

What Is an Elementary Education Degree?

An elementary education degree program prepares you to teach young students by building a strong foundation in instructional methods, child development and subject-specific knowledge. This degree equips you with the skills to manage classrooms, engage students in meaningful learning and adapt teaching strategies to meet a range of student needs.

In most elementary education programs, you'll study core subjects like literacy, math, science and social studies while also learning how to create effective lesson plans and foster student growth. The best programs offer career-relevant experiences so you can apply what you've learned in real classroom settings. The program should also ensure you can obtain teacher certification, qualifying you for roles in public and private schools.

With Northwest Missouri State University's elementary education degree program, you'll be certified to teach students in grades 1-6 – children who are typically 6 to 12 years old. You'll choose a concentration in areas like language arts, social studies, science, mathematics, physical education, special education and technology, helping them develop foundational skills while supporting their social and emotional growth.

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What to Look for in an Education Major

So, how will you build effective teaching skills? By choosing an elementary education degree that offers ample real-world experiences – even in your first semester – along with expert faculty mentorship and career opportunities that align with your goals. An ideal program should include comprehensive coursework , extensive field experiences and guidance from dedicated educators.

You'll find all of that at Northwest.

A strong emphasis on career-ready experiences is one standout feature of Northwest's program. From your very first semester, you'll engage in:

• Teaching in real classrooms through the Horace Mann Laboratory School – a fully functioning K-6 school on the Northwest campus – so you're prepared for student teaching and beyond.
• Over 550 hours of clinical field experience in various school settings, including urban, suburban and rural schools, with learners of all ability levels, readying you for wherever you go in the future.

Faculty mentorship is another key component. Northwest faculty members:

• Bring years of classroom experience and deep knowledge of effective teaching strategies.
• Serve as mentors dedicated to your growth.
• Help you refine your skills and prepare for real-world teaching.

Accreditation is also key to ensuring your degree holds real-world value. Northwest's elementary education program has maintained accreditation through the:

• Higher Learning Commission (HLC) and the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP) since educator preparation accreditation began in 1954.
• Missouri State Board of Education through the Office of Educator Quality and the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.

What Is Elementary and Secondary Education?

Both elementary and secondary educators work with young learners, but the focus, teaching methods and student engagement differ between the two:

• Elementary education prepares you to teach young children from kindergarten through sixth grade. As an elementary educator, you teach multiple subjects – language arts, social studies, science, math, etc. – to the same group of students each day. You build foundational skills, foster social development and create a positive environment that encourages curiosity and growth.
• Secondary education focuses on teaching students in grades 7-12. Unlike elementary teachers, you specialize in one subject, such as English, math or science and teach different groups of students throughout the day. You help students develop critical thinking and subject-specific skills that prepare them for college or careers.

Choosing between elementary and secondary education depends on your teaching style and interests. If you enjoy working with young learners, creating foundational experiences and teaching multiple subjects, elementary education may be the right path. If you prefer focusing on one subject and guiding older students as they prepare for their futures, secondary education could be a better fit.

No matter which path you choose, earning an education degree from Northwest gives you the training and experience to become a highly effective – and impactful – teacher. If you think secondary education is for you, explore the bachelor of science in middle school education at Northwest.

• B.S. in Elementary Education
• B.S. in Middle School Education

Is an Education Major Right for You?

Earning a degree in education takes more than a love for working with children. It requires patience, adaptability and a commitment to helping young students succeed. If you're passionate about guiding future generations, enjoy problem-solving and do best in a collaborative environment, this could be the right path for you.

At Northwest, you'll gain the skills and experience to succeed. Experienced faculty mentor you, helping refine your teaching strategies, navigate classroom challenges and prepare for licensure – and your future career. You'll also get early classroom experience in diverse school settings, equipping you to lead, inspire and make a lasting impact.

Go Beyond Traditional Teacher Prep as a Northwest Education Major

At Northwest, you won't just learn how to teach – you'll actively develop the skills and experience to succeed in real classrooms well before graduation. The elementary education degree program integrates immersive learning experiences that strengthen your ability to manage classrooms, engage students and adapt to different teaching environments.

Complete a residency program

Our 7th-semester Residency Practicum is another unique practical learning opportunity, giving you the chance to take on a leadership role in curriculum planning and instructional design under the guidance of experienced educators. This semester-long experience provides a deeper level of preparation than standard coursework, giving you the opportunity to refine your teaching approach before your final student-teaching placement.

Study in an award-winning institution

Northwest is one of only three higher ed institutions in the nation to receive the Christa McAuliffe Excellence in Teacher Education Award – twice – from the American Association of State College and Universities (AASCU). School administrators rank our teacher graduates #1 out of 41 programs for effectiveness in the field. These distinctions highlight the program's ability to produce highly capable educators who are ready to make an impact.

Practice mentorship with local elementary students

You'll also benefit from our mentoring program, Kind Individuals Dedicated to Students (KIDS). Through it, you'll connect with local elementary students in Maryville and learn to develop respectful and positive relationships with them and their families – even before you're an official educator.

Benefit from a 100% job placement rate

With 100% job placement for elementary education graduates and partnerships with over 85 school districts, Northwest connects you directly to career opportunities. Whether you're exploring what elementary and secondary education is or deciding which education degree best fits your goals, Northwest's emphasis on real-world experience, faculty mentorship and practical training ensures you'll enter your future classroom with the confidence and skills to make an impact on your students' lives while building a successful and fulfilling career.

Become an Education Major at Northwest

Now that you have answers to questions like "what is elementary education" and "what is an elementary education degree," explore how the elementary education bachelor's degree program at Northwest can prepare you for a rewarding teaching career.