Over the years, we have seen a gradual shift in the role that elementary school teachers play in the learning environment. No longer are teachers expected to just be transmitters of education material, but have been charged with the responsibility of being ambassadors of change, community building and promotion of social standards. In other words, they have become managers of knowledge where societies try to instill accepted principles in individuals from a tender age to adulthood. Teachers now must open their classrooms to promote and incorporate student participation, as many students now can access the same or alternative ideas on the internet as what is being taught in the classroom.
The design of the K12 education system is a beacon of educational reform that drives at the heart of these changes in the educational system. It is designed to view education with a holistic approach that involves participation of parents, use of technology, government policy, school libraries and media centers. Various checks and balances are implemented to monitor student progress at various levels of the educational ladder and the results channeled into implementing new ideas to improve success rates and literacy levels.
About the Online Associate Degree Program in K-12 Education
The Associate Degree in K-12 education gives participants valuable training in the methodologies required for education delivery to students ranging from early childhood through high school.
The course work entails techniques for the assessment and evaluation of students, best teaching practices and ethics, methods of research, curriculum assessments, and learning strategies. It also includes how to modify your teaching style and material to suit the learning abilities and attitude of the students. In the core curriculum students learn how to teach basic subjects such as mathematics, Social Studies, English, Reading, and Computers. Another major focus of the course emphasizes the different teaching techniques for teaching students with special needs.
The course is divided into several modules where all the course work is sent to your home over a two-year period. After completing each module, students take a proficiency exam that is available on their school’s website. Students who are already working in education can also implement the strategies learned during the course and see their impact firsthand.
The online Associate Degree in K-12 education also acts as the perfect precursor for students wishing to enter into the Online Bachelor Degree program, as they will have already been exposed to the fundamental principles.
Job Opportunities for Graduates with an Online Degree in K-12 Education
There are several opportunities available for graduates of the Associate Degree in K-12 education. Graduates qualify for teaching entry-level positions in pre-school, childcare centers, kindergarten, primary and secondary schools. Another growing sector is the home schooling arena where parents employ K-12 teachers to teach their children in their homes rather than in the traditional schools. They may also find employment working in centers that cater to children with special needs. Due to graduates at this level usually gaining entry-level position, the average salary is low compared to higher degree holders. Graduates earn up to $30,000 per year.
