Elementary Education Major
Why Study Elementary Education?
Elementary education graduates mold young minds and help children reach their potential. With greater demand for teaching skills in the business community, many education majors can expect to take on challenging and rewarding opportunities in and outside the classroom.
Why Study Elementary Education at Eastern?
Recognized by Colleges of Distinction and ranked number one in New England by the National Council on Teacher Quality, The Elementary Education major at Eastern prepares entry-level professionals to teach in elementary school classrooms. Teacher candidates gain competence in pedagogy; academic content areas; educational technology; and knowledge integration, while demonstrating how to create learning environments to support student diversity. Eastern’s program includes liberal art core electives, a dual major in a subject area, and hands-on student teaching experiences. Graduates can earn their advanced master’s degree in Education at Eastern with one additional year of study.
Salary Potential
Median salary
Elementary Education
* U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Hands-on Learning
Education Club
Students in the Education Club sponsor book projects and other enrichment programs for local schools.
Student Teaching
Elementary Education majors prepare to teach in grades 1-6 by student teaching in local schools during their senior year.
Career Options
Students who pursue undergraduate degrees in Elementary Education can have rewarding and successful careers in a variety of positions, including:
- Elementary School Teacher
- Elementary School Administrator
- Elementary Content Area Interventionist
- Tutor
- Educational Consultant for Museums, Nonprofit Agencies and Businesses
Successful Alumni
Graduates of Eastern’s Elementary Education program are teachers and leaders in Connecticut’s schools, and many have been named teachers of the year within their school districts. Other graduates continue in the graduate programs offered by Eastern’s Department of Education, while others pursue their graduate studies at the University of Connecticut, University of Massachusetts at Amherst, Harvard University and other universities.
Alumni Testimonials
Elementary Education & Spanish
Jocelyn Santiago ’19
Jocelyn was a student leader in Eastern’s Center for Community Engagement. "I believe that everyone should be involved in community service,” she said. “Volunteering is a mutually beneficial experience — the community gains something out of it and so do we, whether the gain is pre-professional experience, networking, or even pushing yourself out of your comfort zone.”
First-Grade Teacher
Sarah Froehlich ’16
Elementary Education and Spanish major Sarah Froehlich is a first-grade teacher at North Windham Elementary School, where she teaches English to Spanish-speaking children. “At Eastern I was able to student teach in a dual language program, which allowed me to use my Spanish on a daily basis and use my understanding of the language to draw comparisons to English.”
Elementary Education and Psychology
Kaitlyn Murphy ’16
Kaitlyn is pursuing a master’s degree in early childhood education with cross-certification in special education at Central Connecticut State University. “My experience at Eastern was wonderful. The classes I took helped me to better understand the special education field and how to incorporate research into my love for teaching.”
Hartford Public Schools
Brenna Casey ’16
Brenna earned her M.S. in education at Eastern and is a kindergarten teacher for Hartford Public Schools. “Education classes at Eastern were both rigorous and fascinating. What I experienced inspires me to pass my enthusiasm for learning onto all my students.”
Stratford Public Schools
Lauren Wells ’16
Elementary Education and Visual Arts double-major Lauren Wells is a special education tutor at Nichols Elementary School in Stratford. “I had a number of hands-on, clinical experiences as an Eastern student, which helped me decide if elementary education is right for me.”
Plainfield Public Schools
Nina Zimmitti ’17
Elementary Education and Liberal Studies double-major Nina Zimmitti is a first-grade teacher at Shepard Hill Elementary School in Plainfield. “I always knew I wanted to be a teacher. Getting my degree at Eastern prepared me for the field and helped me become confident in what I am teaching.”
Future Educator
Katelyn Root ’20
Katelyn Root ’20 (liberal studies/elementary education) is a client supervisor at Perception Programs. “Liberal Studies gives you the opportunity to learn a lot of different subjects. I’ve taken geology, macroeconomics, politics and many other classes besides just ‘elementary education.’ This has helped me expand my horizons as a learner and future educator.”
Special Education
Tara Ruschmeier ’21
Elementary Education and English double-major Tara Ruschmeier ’21 is pursuing a master’s degree in Special Education at Eastern. “I worked with students with special needs when I was in high school and had thought about studying special education in the past. I am excited to learn how to provide my students with the best quality education based on their unique needs.”
Shepard Hill Elementary
Nina Zimmitti ’17
Liberal Studies and Elementary Education double-major Nina Zimmitti is a first-grade teacher at Shepard Hill Elementary School in Plainfield. “I always knew I wanted to be a teacher, but I didn’t have a passion for any subject in particular. Then I found the Liberal Studies major, which is a perfect complement to my education degree, as it covers the basis of all subjects.”
Middletown Public Schools
Alicia Brockett ’17
Liberal Studies and Elementary Education double-major Alicia Brockett is a paraprofessional for Middletown Public Schools. “As an elementary school teacher you are responsible for teaching everything from math to science. The liberal studies major verses you in a variety of subjects, which in turn helps you to teach these topics as a teacher.”
