Elementary Education

The Elementary Education Major at Wheaton College offers a comprehensive pathway to initial Massachusetts licensure for teaching grades 1–6. Our distinctive curriculum blends career-connected coursework with hands-on field experience through the lens of a liberal arts education.

You’ll acquire a deep understanding of best practices for teaching core subjects such as math, science, reading, and language arts, including lesson planning, curriculum adaptation and design, and using asset-based assessment to inform instruction. As you progress through the program, you’ll develop effective teaching and classroom management strategies. You’ll also gain the necessary skills to foster an inclusive learning environment to support the diverse academic, social, emotional, and communication needs and strengths of every student.

Major

NOTE: As an Elementary Education Major, it is important to meet with your academic advisor regularly to stay on track with requirements.

Specialization

At Wheaton, you’ll graduate with a competitive advantage by choosing a second major or a minor that aligns with your interests or professional goals. By pursuing an additional area of study, you’ll deepen your expertise and enhance your teaching practice with specialized knowledge. Many of our liberal arts programs complement the Elementary Education Major, including English, History, Hispanic Studies, Mathematics, Psychology, or Visual or Performance Arts to name a few.

You might also consider our Teaching Multilingual Learners Minor, as an additional minor, to gain the knowledge and skills to teach English Language Learners and earn a TESOL certificate. You’ll also be prepared to apply for ESL licensure. This expands your career options to work with multilingual learners in U.S. classrooms, teach English overseas, work in nonprofit organizations, or make an impact on language-related education policies.

Wheaton education student working with two students in a Norton Public School classroom.

Field Experience

As an Elementary Education Major, you’ll take small seminar courses designed to connect your field experiences with research-based practices. Classroom observations and teaching opportunities are woven into the curriculum. Throughout the program, you’ll gain experience in diverse school settings.

Your Sophomore Experience includes 25 hours of fieldwork, with opportunities to work with multilingual learners or students with identified disabilities. In your junior and senior years, you’ll complete pre-practicum experiences to prepare for your final semester student-teacher placement.

You’ll observe and may have the opportunity to work with young children at our on-campus Early Education Center. This play-based preschool program is led by teachers certified under the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care (EEC). It has been a child study and research site since 1931.

Our small class sizes allow faculty to help you tailor your experiences to your career goals. Placements include diverse settings in local elementary schools and social service organizations. Best of all, our professors will observe you in the field, offering feedback and guidance.


Wheaton Education student sitting in classroom


School Placements

Our faculty maintain strong, ongoing connections with school principals and teachers in local public elementary schools. Here are just some of the schools in which you might complete one or more field experiences as an Elementary Education Major:

  • L.G. Nourse Elementary School (Norton, MA)
  • J.C. Solmonese Elementary School (Norton, MA)
  • Henri A. Yelle Elementary School (Norton, MA)
  • Foxborough Regional Charter School (Foxborough, MA)


Licensure

In addition to the Elementary Education Major curriculum requirements and field experience, licensure requires taking additional coursework in the liberal arts and passing Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure (MTELs). Our curriculum covers the key content areas on the exams. We also offer workshops, personalized support, and free study resources to help you prepare.

Upon graduation and successful completion of the MTEL exams, you’ll earn initial licensure to teach students in grades 1-6 in the state of Massachusetts. You may also opt to convert your license in other states. Some jurisdictions require additional exams, courses or fees.


Sample First Jobs

  • Grade 4 Teacher, H.A. Yelle Elementary School, MA
  • Grade 3 Teacher, Milton Elementary School, NH
  • Resident Teacher, Booker T. Washington Academy
  • Assistant Teacher, American School in London
  • Paraeducator, Devon Elementary School
  • Fulbright Scholar – English Teaching Assistant, Germany


Sample Graduate Schools

  • Merrimack College
  • San Diego State University
  • Vanderbilt University


Department

Offered by the Education department.