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Elementary Education Major

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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. Candidates spend more than 600 hours in classrooms. Additional teaching endorsements available in special ed, health, music, art and world languages.

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Why Study Elementary Education at Eastern?

Recognized by Colleges of Distinction, Eastern’s Elementary Education program prepares teachers to be educational leaders at many National Blue Ribbon Schools. 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. Candidates spend more than 600 hours in classrooms. Additional teaching endorsements available in special ed, health, music, art and world languages. Graduates can earn their advanced master’s degree in Education at Eastern with one additional year of study.

Professor teaching class
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Salary Potential

$84,580

Median salary Elementary School Teachers

$49,820 - $107,110

Salary range in CT

* U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Hands-on Learning

Students of the Elementary Education club having a bake sale

Education Club

Students in the Education Club sponsor book projects and other enrichment programs for local schools.

Student teachers showing off various books

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
  • 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.

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For more information


Dr. Susannah Richards
richardss@easternct.edu
(860) 465-5210

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Alumni Testimonials

Jocelyn Santiago
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.”

Sarah Froehlich ’16
First-Grade Teacher

Sarah Froehlich ’16

Elementary Education and Spanish major Sarah Froehlich is a first-grade teacher in Windham Public Schools, 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.”

Kaitlyn Murphy ’16
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.”

Eugene Bertrand
Documentary Film

Eugene Bertrand ’24

Eugene received a grant to develop a documentary about the migrant labor that drove Connecticut’s tobacco industry. “As someone with a Caribbean background, I think it’s vital to understand the impact that Caribbean people have made to Connecticut… Contributing to this documentary is a way to thank my ancestors for all the hard work they’ve put in the past to ensure I had a better future.”

Lauren Knowles
Elementary Education

Lauren Knowles ’23

Lauren studied abroad in London, England, while a student at Eastern. She noted that besides meeting other American students at the University of Roehampton, she also encountered many students from Australia who were studying abroad as well. “It was a great opportunity to be able to learn about Australian culture while also learning about the British culture and of course making global friendships!”

Elaine Hill
Milken Award Winner

Elaine Hill ’17

Elaine received one of the nation’s most prestigious education awards, the Milken Educator Award in 2023. She teaches fourth grade at the Academic Academy for gifted students at Michael F. Wallace Middle School in Waterbury. “I approach teaching elementary school with the belief that all students must be supported, believed in, respected and held to the highest standards in order for them to reach their full potential.”

Matt Mendolia
Elementary Education

Matt Mendolia ’23

“Over the course of Eastern’s teacher program, my professors helped shape, cultivate and advocate for their students in the classroom. Through projects and study sessions, I was able to talk about relevant topics in the classroom while being able to collaborate with fellow student-teachers and address current issues. This program has prepared me in more ways than I ever thought were possible.”

Brenna Casey ’16
Hartford Public Schools

Brenna Casey ’16

Brenna earned her M.S. in education at Eastern and is an education support technician with the Connecticut State Department of Education. “Education classes at Eastern were both rigorous and fascinating. What I experienced inspires me to pass my enthusiasm for learning onto all my students.”

Lauren Wells ’16
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.”

Nina Zimmitti ’17
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.”

Katelyn Root ’20
Future Educator

Katelyn Root ’20

Katelyn Root ’20 (liberal studies/elementary education) is a 4th-grade teacher in Ridgefield Public Schools. “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.”

Tara Ruschmeier ’21
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.”

Nina Zimmitti ’17
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.”

Alicia Brockett ’17
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.”