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Who was that teacher who pressed that dinosaur book into your hands? Who gave you the confidence to enter the science fair? Who was that teacher who looked at you with boundless optimism and inspired to do more and try harder?
The University of Wyoming’s top-ranked elementary education program will prepare you to become a teacher in Wyoming that helps future generations of elementary students see their potential and strive to fulfill it. If you already hold a bachelor’s degree you may be able to fast track your career in teaching by completing the Teaching Elementary School graduate certificate.
What is Elementary Education?
The elementary education major prepares you to teach grades K-6 with eligibility for Wyoming teaching licensure. In addition to your K-6 certificate, you can also earn a Wyoming early childhood endorsement by choosing the interdisciplinary early childhood minor, which equips you to work with children from birth through grade 3.
As an elementary education major, you will study a broad range of subjects and learn the “whys” and “how-tos” of teaching elementary-aged students. More to the point, you will spend a lot of time in classrooms observing, trying out lesson plans and eventually student teaching in a classroom with a supportive mentor, so that you graduate with the skills and confidence necessary to be successful in your own classroom.
Complete your degree close to home! UW's elementary education bachelors program is offered in Laramie, or at UW at Casper. Both programs are nationally accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) and are approved by the Wyoming Professional Teaching Standards Board.
As a University of Wyoming elementary education student, you will be studying in one of the top programs in the country. Collegechoice.net ranks UW’s elementary teacher ed program as 6th in the nation while the National Council on Teacher Quality places us in the top 2 percent.
Here are some reasons why:
Increase your marketability. Undergraduate students can gain expertise in specific areas to add endorsements to their future teaching license. Endorsements in disability studies, early childhood education, and English as a second language will allow you to teach in certain areas and can increase your salary and job opportunities.
Classroom experience. You will start working in public school classrooms in your freshmen year—acquiring experience with rural and urban schools.
Student teaching. A 16-week student teaching residency gives you the opportunity to fully take over the responsibilities and expectations of a classroom teacher while working under the supervision and support of a mentor. Complete this experience in schools throughout Wyoming or the Denver area and don’t forget to explore your options to complete a portion of your student teaching abroad!
Dedicated advisors. The Teacher Preparation and Advising Office is there to help students navigate their degree program and apply for their teaching license through the Wyoming PTSB.
University of Wyoming Lab School. UW has a K-9 public school right on campus. This learner-centered environment provides you with your own learning laboratory for practicums and student teaching.
High-tech teaching. We offer you the chance to test-drive your teaching—and get feedback—through Mursion, a virtual reality simulator.
Scholarships. Every year the College of Education provides students with about $300,000 in scholarships. (Tip: Ask your admission counselor!)
Literacy Research Center and Clinic. This on-campus literacy clinic offers free or low-cost assessment and tutoring to school-aged children throughout Wyoming and it’s a great place to get teaching experience.
LAMP. This is a mentoring and professional development program to bring active-learning strategies into Wyoming science classrooms, and it offers you the chance to teach active learning.
Student support. UW has created a robust support system in which students and families can become actively engaged to find solutions to navigate academic and personal struggles and find success at college.
A bachelor’s degree in elementary education from the University of Wyoming gives you the knowledge and skills necessary for you to make a difference in children’s lives as a classroom teacher in Wyoming and throughout the nation or to pursue a graduate degree in a related field.
In a recent survey of UW education alumni, 85 percent of survey respondents who graduated were working as classroom teachers, 10 percent were pursuing advanced degrees and 5 percent decided not to teach.
Elementary Education Careers
UW School of Teacher Education graduates hold titles such as:
Here are just a few settings where University of Wyoming elementary education alumni are making their contributions felt:
“Laramie was one of the most wonderful things that happened to me. Not only did I get to be involved in a lot of activities, but it also prepared me for my career. I had opportunities at UW that led me to where I am now.”
-Trista Ostrom, B.A. ’13, M.S. ’16, is the executive director of the Wyoming Congressional Award. The Congressional Award is the United States Congress’ award for young Americans who participate in public service, personal development, fitness, expedition and exploration. In 2018 Wyoming youth won 56 gold Congressional Awards second only to the number awarded to students in California, a much-more populated state.
These are just some of the classes you might take as an elementary education major at the University of Wyoming:
View the full Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education degree program curriculum.
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