Requirements

If you are thinking about wanting to become

an Elementary Education Teacher,
follow these steps:
1. Declare a Pre-Education major
2. Sign-up for pre-requisite classes
3. Take and pass the Praxis I test in
Reading, Writing, and Math
4. Apply for the Teacher Education
Program (ELED K-6 Major)
5. Take and pass required courses
for the major (incl. clinical
experiences and student
teaching)
6. Take and pass Teaching
Licensure Tests
About WS/FCS
The county that you are currently in is the
Winston-Salem Forsyth County School
system. WS/FCS formed in 1963 with the
merger of the Winston-Salem and Forsyth
County school systems. It is the fourth largest
system in North Carolina and the 78
th
largest
in the nation. WSFCS serves about 54,000
students with the goal of providing a quality
education for each child. The school system
has 43 elementary schools, 13 middle schools
and 14 high schools. Eleven special schools
bring the system-wide total to 81. If you
would like to learn more about the school
system or any other additional information
visit the following website:
www.wsfcs.k12.nc.us
TEACHING
ELEMENTARY
SCHOOL
DO YOU HAVE WHAT IT TAKES?
Emily Davis
540 Sherwood Hills Drive
Winston-Salem, NC 27104

To teach is to touch a life
forever. -Anonymous


Being an Elementary School Teacher
Graduating with and Elementary Education
major means that you are now licensed to teach
Kindergarten-6
th
grade. Teachers have so many
responsibilities, but it is all worth the time and
commitment. Teachers are teaching students a
variety of subjects: math, reading, language arts,
science, social studies and much more. There are
many different schools, types of schools and schools
in different locations. There are public schools,
private schools, magnet schools, charter schools,
etc. Schools can be classified as Title 1, depending
on the amount of students on free and reduced
lunch. These schools are either in suburban, urban
or rural locations. It is up to you to decide what type
of environment you would like to work in, or what
best fits your abilities. When teaching school, you
will encounter many different types of students,
whether they are at high, middle, or low skill levels.
Also, you will encounter students with different
types of disabilities and it is important that you as a
teacher accommodate those needs. When it comes
to preparing for teaching lessons, you are required
to have lesson plans and unit plans written. These
guide you during your teaching and are important
that they are modified based on your students
needs. Teaching salaries are different based on
years of experience, which state that you live in, and
what types of certifications you have. That being
said, if you have a Masters Degree and/or have a
National Boards Certification, your pay will be
higher than just a regular teaching salary. If you
have at least 30 years of experience, you are eligible
for retirement. Teachers do a lot of teaching, but
also spend a lot of time in parent-teacher
conferences, staff meetings, and workshops. As you
can see, teachers have many very important jobs!
What you need to know
Are you a new elementary school teacher? Or, are you interested in becoming one? Well look no
further because this career might be the one for you! Being an elementary school teacher is one of
the best jobs in the world. Who doesnt love children and watching them succeed? In this
profession, you have the opportunity to touch students lives. The elementary school years are
some of the most important years of a childs life because you set the foundation for their
educational journey. We need great teachers in this world, and you can be one of them!
Those who know, do. Those that understand, teach.
-Aristotle