So an elementary education teacher's major doesn't matter then?

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People keep saying that it doesn't matter what an elementary school teacher majors in because they teach everything. Since history is in such low demand will it lower my chance of getting a job if I majored in history rather than an in demand subject anyway? It sounds too good to be true that I could just major in the field that I wanted without lowering my chance of getting a job.
A history major and a language arts major have the same chance of getting a job then?
 
I am an elementary ed major and I always thought that elementary teachers had to major in elementary ed or early childhood development. Secondary teachers can major in anything, although I think secondary education is preferred.
 
yes and no.

it depends on the district and how you interview.

it does not matter:

all elementary school teachers qualified for their post graduate program and successfully completed their student teaching. they have proved their subject matter verification by sitting and passing their tests. Your graduate program stresses the scope of all the subjects you must teach with methods and curriculum courses geared towards primary and elementary students. The district then enforces the scope and sequence of what you teach.

Why it might matter:

When a principal interviews - he looks for strengths. if you can show you are an expert in readign or math education that would be something. otherwise, I have never heard of a decision made simply on majors - they would more likely take into account your student teaching recommendations.
 
Only sorta. Generally states or colleges require that you choose from certain majors (I couldn't have picked business, for instance).

There are certain majors that might be slightly more desirable, like math and Spanish, but looking at the major is one of many factors that decides who is going to get the job.

I think the biggest thing that has helped me get the job offers I have had is networking and practice. What I mean is...

I was offered a job with a school last year (which I turned down). The biggest thing that helped me was doing a mock interview *with someone who works for the district.* Every district has a different idea of what they are looking for. Then I had the teacher critique me, and I went over the Qs again. If she told me they used one term instead of another (i.e. "reading skills groups" instead of "reading groups"), I would write that down and bring that list of phrases into the interview with me on a small index card. It worked REALLY well. They really liked me. (But then of course I ended up turning them down =)

It also helps if you try to get field placements/practicums/student teaching in the district you want to work in. If you are unsure, try to do several different districts (it's kinda nice to see how different people do things anyway).
 
Let me put it to you this way: My district (give or take 900 kids) recently had to let some of our teachers go because of budget cuts. All of the teachers let go were elementary teachers even though they had been with the district longer than some of the secondary teachers. The reason given was that secondary teachers have a "special area" that is needed while the elementary teachers generalize their subject area.

So even though elementary teachers here are certified K-8, it would seem that an area of expertise is more valuable.
 
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