Elementary Education

Study Education at Cornell Teacher Education Program

As an elementary education major, you’ll soon value the benefits of learning on the block plan. You focus on one course for 18 days, every day, Monday through Friday. Classes are small, interactive, and challenging. You get to know your professors and they get to know you. You get familiar with (and learn to appreciate) the diverse perspectives of your classmates who come from all over the U.S. and internationally to experience college One Course At A Time.

Your journey from student to elementary teacher

• Start by taking EDU 215 Educational Psychology and two additional 200-level education courses in your first two years.
• Declare your elementary major your sophomore year.
• Apply to the Teacher Education Program (TEP) after EDU 215 and two 200-level courses are completed.
• You’ll continue to complete coursework, working toward your endorsements and/or your certification. By the time you are student teaching in your senior year, you’ll be classroom comfortable, because previous practicums will have prepared you.

Initial Teaching Licensure

Students who complete their Cornell Teacher Education Program are strongly urged to apply for an Iowa teaching license*

*Program completion alone does not license a person to teach.

Reciprocity / Exchange Agreements

Iowa does not have reciprocity with any state. All individuals applying for licensure in Iowa must meet Iowa requirements. An evaluation is done to ensure that the coursework completed by the applicant meets Iowa's minimum requirements. In most cases, applicants who have completed a teacher preparation program through a regionally accredited college or university, received college credits, and completed either a student teaching or internship, may be eligible for Iowa licensure. Other states have similar policies and procedures.

Deficiencies It is not unusual to receive notification from the education department of another state that you have deficiencies to satisfy for regular licensure/certification. Most of the time a conditional or provisional license/certificate will be issued giving you time to satisfy the deficiencies. If you question any of the deficiencies noted by another state, please contact bpeterson@cornellcollege.edu to discuss the possibility of providing documentation that a particular requirement has been satisfied.

Careers in Elementary Education

An elementary education degree prepares you for a rewarding career working with young learners in a variety of educational settings. Graduates may pursue careers as elementary school teachers, special education teachers, instructional coordinators, or educational leaders. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, elementary school teachers earn a median annual salary of $63,970, while special education teachers earn a median of $67,170.