Education - Elementary
Program Description
Students planning to enter the field of elementary education can complete their first two years of study at Arizona Western College. An Associate in Arts degree in Elementary Education will prepare students to transfer to a university and earn their bachelor’s degree. Education majors should consult with their academic advisors concerning the courses required for certification in Arizona and/or graduation from a state university with a bachelor’s degree in education.
Graduates of these programs will successfully complete the following learning outcomes:
- Demonstrate an awareness of and a beginning understanding of the teaching profession in regard to its historical context, the implications of the profession, and the role played by public education in contemporary society
- Articulate a beginning philosophy of education that incorporates an understanding of relevant theories and models of education
- Construct lesson plans based on current best practices, developmental theories, and state and national standards
- Implement self-reflection strategies to enhance professional and personal growth
Degree(s) / Certificates(s)
| Title | Local Bachelor's |
|---|---|
| Education - Elementary - A.A. Transfer Degree | |
| Education - Elementary with Early Childhood Education Emphasis - A.A. Transfer Degree |
This icon indicates a degree that can lead to a locally obtained Bachelor’s Degree.
Career Outlook
Successful completion of this program can open doors to various employment opportunities, many of which require further higher education at the university level. Below are examples of related occupations and their annual mean wages in Arizona, based on career and wage data from Pipeline AZ, which utilizes government sources for its reports and forecasts.
Description
Teach occupational, vocational, career, or technical subjects to students at the middle, intermediate, or junior high school level.
Duties/Tasks
- Instruct students individually and in groups, using various teaching methods, such as lectures, discussions, and demonstrations.
- Prepare materials and classrooms for class activities.
- Adapt teaching methods and instructional materials to meet students' varying needs and interests.
- Establish and enforce rules for behavior and procedures for maintaining order among students.
- Establish clear objectives for all lessons, units, and projects, and communicate those objectives to students.
- Prepare students for later educational experiences by encouraging them to explore learning opportunities and to persevere with challenging tasks.
- Maintain accurate and complete student records as required by laws, district policies, and administrative regulations.
- Instruct and monitor students in the use and care of equipment and materials to prevent injuries and damage.
- Assign and grade class work and homework.
- Enforce all administration policies and rules governing students.
Salary Information (AZ)
Average Salary
$56,400
$56,400
Entry Level Salary
$37,810
$37,810
Mid Level Salary
$48,770
$48,770
Expert Level Salary
$80,660
$80,660
Average Hourly Wage
N/A
N/A
Entry Level Hourly Wage
N/A
N/A
Mid Level Hourly Wage
N/A
N/A
Expert Level Hourly Wage
N/A
N/A
Typical Education Level
Bachelors Degree
Description
Plan, direct, or coordinate the academic, administrative, or auxiliary activities of kindergarten, elementary, or secondary schools.
Duties/Tasks
- Evaluate curricula, teaching methods, and programs to determine their effectiveness, efficiency, and use, and to ensure compliance with federal, state, and local regulations.
- Observe teaching methods and examine learning materials to evaluate and standardize curricula and teaching techniques and to determine areas for improvement.
- Counsel and provide guidance to students regarding personal, academic, vocational, or behavioral issues.
- Collaborate with teachers to develop and maintain curriculum standards, develop mission statements, and set performance goals and objectives.
- Direct and coordinate activities of teachers, administrators, and support staff at schools, public agencies, and institutions.
- Recruit, hire, train, and evaluate primary and supplemental staff.
- Confer with parents and staff to discuss educational activities, policies, and student behavior or learning problems.
- Enforce discipline and attendance rules.
- Create school improvement plans, using student performance data.
- Mentor and support administrative staff members, such as superintendents and principals.
Salary Information (AZ)
Average Salary
$81,410
$81,410
Entry Level Salary
$59,010
$59,010
Mid Level Salary
$77,680
$77,680
Expert Level Salary
$101,880
$101,880
Average Hourly Wage
N/A
N/A
Entry Level Hourly Wage
N/A
N/A
Mid Level Hourly Wage
N/A
N/A
Expert Level Hourly Wage
N/A
N/A
Typical Education Level
Post Masters Certificate
Description
Teach academic and social skills to students at the elementary school level.
Duties/Tasks
- Establish and enforce rules for behavior and procedures for maintaining order among the students.
- Adapt teaching methods and instructional materials to meet students' varying needs and interests.
- Instruct students individually and in groups, using teaching methods such as lectures, discussions, and demonstrations.
- Confer with parents or guardians, teachers, counselors, and administrators to resolve students' behavioral and academic problems.
- Prepare students for later grades by encouraging them to explore learning opportunities and to persevere with challenging tasks.
- Prepare materials and classrooms for class activities.
- Provide a variety of materials and resources for children to explore, manipulate, and use, both in learning activities and in imaginative play.
- Establish clear objectives for all lessons, units, and projects and communicate those objectives to students.
- Guide and counsel students with adjustment or academic problems or with special academic interests.
- Observe and evaluate students' performance, behavior, social development, and physical health.
Salary Information (AZ)
Average Salary
$51,150
$51,150
Entry Level Salary
$37,790
$37,790
Mid Level Salary
$47,960
$47,960
Expert Level Salary
$63,670
$63,670
Average Hourly Wage
N/A
N/A
Entry Level Hourly Wage
N/A
N/A
Mid Level Hourly Wage
N/A
N/A
Expert Level Hourly Wage
N/A
N/A
Typical Education Level
Bachelors Degree
Description
Teach academic, social, and life skills to middle school students with learning, emotional, or physical disabilities. Includes teachers who specialize and work with students who are blind or have visual impairments; students who are deaf or have hearing impairments; and students with intellectual disabilities.
Duties/Tasks
- Establish and enforce rules for behavior and policies and procedures to maintain order among students.
- Modify the general education curriculum for special-needs students, based upon a variety of instructional techniques and instructional technology.
- Develop or write Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) for students.
- Maintain accurate and complete student records, and prepare reports on children and activities, as required by laws, district policies, and administrative regulations.
- Develop and implement strategies to meet the needs of students with a variety of handicapping conditions.
- Teach socially acceptable behavior, employing techniques such as behavior modification and positive reinforcement.
- Confer with parents or guardians, other teachers, counselors, and administrators to resolve students' behavioral and academic problems.
- Confer with parents, administrators, testing specialists, social workers, and professionals to develop individual educational plans (IEPs) for students' educational, physical, and social development.
- Observe and evaluate students' performance, behavior, social development, and physical health.
- Employ special educational strategies and techniques during instruction to improve the development of sensory- and perceptual-motor skills, language, cognition, and memory.
Salary Information (AZ)
Average Salary
$52,780
$52,780
Entry Level Salary
$37,560
$37,560
Mid Level Salary
$48,770
$48,770
Expert Level Salary
$64,140
$64,140
Average Hourly Wage
N/A
N/A
Entry Level Hourly Wage
N/A
N/A
Mid Level Hourly Wage
N/A
N/A
Expert Level Hourly Wage
N/A
N/A
Typical Education Level
Masters Degree
Contact Information
Department Contact(s)
Faculty/Staff Contact(s)
| Name | Title | Phone | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Michelle Keeling | Professor of Education | (928) 344-7676 | Michelle.Keeling@azwestern.edu |
| Patricia Powers | Professor of Education | (928) 317-6051 | patricia.powers@azwestern.edu |