What classes in highschool should I take if I wanted to teach elementary school when I get older?

Question

I am in 8th grade. I am very nervous about going to High School. I plan on signing up for school of choice, but am not sure what kind of classes would help me!! Any ideas? HELP!! =S

Answer 1

That is so awesome that you are planning ahead and have goals for your adult life already. If you want to teach school you will want to (need to) get a college degree. This means that in high school you will need to take college preparatory (college prep) courses. These will be required for college entry. If your high school has honors courses and you can be enrolled in those classes that will be better for college application. When you get to your senior year there will be AP (Advanced Placement) courses. You should take these and then take the AP tests. If you score well enough then you will get college credit before you even get to college. As far as other courses, if you have electives I agree that sociology, psychology or human development courses would be good. But this won't matter in high school. You will get all of that at college. Oh, and what matters most at high school are your grades and some good extra-curricular activities. And remember to have fun. Good luck.

Answer 2

Don't worry about picking classes in high school... the curriculum is usually set up for you with a few electives to choose. Anyone who aspires to be a teacher must have a solid background in the arts and sciences. So, learn your English (so many teachers do not know proper grammar and spelling). Gain content by reading books and newspapers (read the New York Times everyday, watch Frontline, Discovery and Animal Planet and the History Channel.) The stronger you are as an academic the better teacher you will be. Get the best grades you can and you'll have your pick of colleges and universities that have strong Education programs.

There is no better profession than teaching.... best of luck!

Answer 3

If you want to become an elementary teacher, please take all the math and science that you can. Most elementary teachers avoid taking math and science classes like the plague, and don't think since they're going to be teaching kids for a living they need to know math and science. The only problem with that thinking is that elementary kids need to be TAUGHT math and science. (Of course, that would require logical thought to figure out and I have to say I've never met a highly intelligent elementary school teacher. I've known many dozens and they've all been of average or lower intelligence. In fact, some I know are outright dumb.) PLEASE take a lot of math and science throughout high school and college, and then when you go to interview for jobs you'll have something as a strength to offer to schools that the other job candidates do not have. When kids get to my high school science classes, they don't know nearly the amount of math and science that they should know. You'll be very employable with a good background in math and science.

Answer 4

I'm an education major right now, but my specialty is in Health and P.E.
For a general elementary school teacher, I would suggest you fill your school schedule with variety and pay close attention to what you learn there, because as soon as you graduate, you'll be asked to recall that information and prove you've got a grasp on the material in order to be admitted into an education department.

Elementary school teachers usually teach everything, which is why I mention variety. If you want some experience dealing with children, the YMCA usually offers various courses on how to teach children. Check them out.

Answer 5

I would take a variety of different classes, don't rule anything out at this point.. to get an idea of what I liked and didn't like. You may find that you really do want to teach elementary school and then again maybe you'll decide to be something else. Don't close the door to anything right now.

Answer 6

First of all calm down......
I faced the sort of same problem. Usually u should take and do good in Science and math also in English. When you first enter highschool you don't really have to many choices. But as you get older a suggest you take co-op at a school and volunteer in as many school realated activities in and out of your own school. Just try to get as much experience in the teaching field the more the better. As for course options take psychology, parenting but don't leave your sciences your maths and do the best in english and try to take french if you haven't done so already. Reason is if you leave your sciences and maths you'll regret it because you caught off alot of career opurtunities and if you know some french it ghives you better employement opurtunities. But since your still young I suggest toi not stress out but expirement.
!-Get experience
2- Din't leave your accademic sourses(Science Math)
3-Don't panic.

Who knows you might wake up one day and change your mind.

Good luckanding in your application forms and remeber if you have a question or want to change your courses you can see your highschool guidance counsellar.

Answer 7

you will need to take college prep courses - because you will need a Bachelor's degree to be a teacher

And see if you can take a foreign language in High School ( 2 yrs)
Spanish is becoming prevalent - so that might be better
than French - this may knock out 1 year in college!

Then when you get to college - choose one that is noted for education - and see if they have a program to volunteer in Elem Ed schools so that you can get a taste of being in class with "the little monsters" ewrrrrrrr children

And learn that you are not their friend - but authoritarian teacher = take control

Had some friends in college that were SENIORS when they finally got into class - and they hated it - and had to change
majors - and wasted another year in school - so get into class
by your sophomore year in college

best of luck

Answer 8

Take psychology as one of your electives.

Basically, though, you don't need to specialize in high school. Just take what you need to go on to college. Depending on where you live or where you want to teach, Spanish would be a good choice for your language classes.

Answer 9

OK well the best advice to give you from stop the bullying is to talkt o a counsel. i'm pretty sure alot of schools have counsels but if they don't you really need to tell a teacher-seirously. This might haunt you or your whole life. If none of that works, you need to tellyour parents. I'm pretty sure your parents will do somethng about it. They won't let their child be picked on.

Answer 10

Psychology and sociology are definitely good electives to take if they are offered by your school. If not, just take what you can... colleges don't necessarily look too deeply into the electives you take as opposed to your performance in core classes in High School. But then again, every little bit helps...