Elementary Education

Our Elementary Education program builds on strong partnerships with school districts locally, statewide and beyond, allowing students to apply the knowledge, expertise and skill developed in the classroom to field experiences in a variety of schools and settings. Our curriculum provides opportunities for our teacher candidates to use the latest technology to enhance teaching and learning. After graduation, students are certified to teach kindergarten through 8th grade.

A photo of an elementary school classroom.

Program Overview

Our Elementary Education major is tailored to prospective teachers interested in working with students in kindergarten through 8th grade. The College of Education and Human Development’s strong partnerships with K-12 schools allows our students to combine what they learned in their courses at the state’s largest and most comprehensive teacher preparation and training program with field experiences tailored to meet their personal and professional goals. A diverse range of student teaching and internship opportunities ensures that our graduates are prepared to teach in a variety of schools and settings. Elementary Education students choose an Area of Specialization, allowing them to build a deep understanding of effective instruction in a specific content area. Our curriculum provides a strong grounding in the unique developmental considerations of elementary students, opportunities to build skill and knowledge around utilizing the latest technologies to enhance student learning, and asset-based educational practices for the modern multicultural classroom.

The College of Education and Human Development’s teacher preparation programs are nationally accredited by CAEP, the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation.

Elementary Education majors work within the close-knit community of the College of Education and Human Development, while taking advantage of the vast resources available at Maine’s largest and most comprehensive university. Our teacher candidates build on a strong liberal arts background, drawing from the many departments on campus to fulfill their Area of Specialization and general education requirements. Areas of Specialization include:

English
French
Spanish
Child Development
Life/Physical Sciences
Mathematics
Social Studies
Special Education 4+1

Many of our teacher candidates choose to double major in Elementary Education and their Area of Specialization. Students in the College of Education and Human Development also have the option of studying in the Honors College, which offers intensive work in small classes, as well as the chance to pursue undergraduate research.

Student Learning Outcomes

The Secondary Education curriculum is designed to help our graduates meet certain professional standards. Our student learning outcomes (SLOs) are adapted from the Interstate New Teacher Assessment and Support Consortium (InTASC), a group of state education agencies and national educational organizations dedicated to the preparation, licensing and ongoing professional development of teachers.

The Learner and Learning

Learner Development: The teacher understands how learners grow and develop, recognizing that patterns of learning and development vary individually within and across the cognitive, linguistic, social, emotional, and physical areas, and designs and implements developmentally appropriate and challenging learning experiences.
Learning Differences: The teacher uses understanding of individual differences and diverse cultures and communities to ensure inclusive learning environments that enable each learner to meet high standards.
Learning Environments: The teacher works with others to create environments that support individual and collaborative learning, and that encourage positive social interaction, active engagement in learning, and self-motivation.

Content Knowledge

Content Knowledge: The teacher understands the central concepts, tools of inquiry, and structures of the discipline(s) he or she teaches and creates learning experiences that make these aspects of the discipline accessible and meaningful for learners to assure mastery of the content.
Application of Content: The teacher understands how to connect concepts and use differing perspectives to engage learners in critical thinking, creativity, and collaborative problem solving related to authentic local and global issues.

Instructional Practice

Assessment: The teacher understands and uses multiple methods of assessment to engage learners in their own growth, to monitor learner progress, and to guide the teacher’s and learner’s decision making.
Planning for Instruction: The teacher plans instruction that supports every student in meeting rigorous learning goals by drawing upon knowledge of content areas, curriculum, cross-disciplinary skills, and pedagogy, as well as knowledge of learners and the community context.
Instructional Strategies: The teacher understands and uses a variety of instructional strategies to encourage learners to develop deep understanding of content areas and their connections, and to build skills to apply knowledge in meaningful ways.

Professional Responsibility

Professional Learning and Ethical Practice: The teacher engages in ongoing professional learning and uses evidence to continually evaluate his/her practice, particularly the effects of his/her choices and actions on others (learners, families, other professionals, and the community), and adapts practice to meet the needs of each learner.
Leadership and Collaboration: The teacher seeks appropriate leadership roles and opportunities to take responsibility for student learning, to collaborate with learners, families, colleagues, other school professionals, and community members to ensure learner growth, and to advance the profession.

(Student Learning Outcomes updated May 2020)

In addition to becoming certified to teach in K-8 classrooms in the United States and internationally, graduates may work in non-school settings, such as research centers, museums and nonprofit agencies. Our students acquire skills they can use in a variety of careers, including the ability to collaborate, to work effectively in team environments, and to communicate clearly. In addition, graduates may pursue careers in schools outside the traditional classroom role, such as a technology integrator.

For those students wishing to continue on to graduate school, a degree in Elementary Education is preparation for a variety of graduate programs. Students might pursue further work in general education, or pursue specialties such as instructional technology, special education, counselor education, educational leadership or a discipline such as science or mathematics education.

National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA) statement

This program will prepare students to be eligible for licensure within the State of Maine. Visit the UMS State Authorization & Licensure page to learn more about the licensure requirements in other states and territories, in addition to the contact information needed to inquire further into the licensure requirements associated with this program.

If you are interested in exploring education while majoring in another subject, consider declaring a minor. Click the link below for more information.

Education Minor (18 credits)

For the latest information on undergraduate tuition and fees, please visit the University of Maine Bursar’s Office.

Visit go.umaine.edu to fill out the online application and check out information about academic and student life at UMaine.

Student Support

We provide our students with academic guidance and personal support from before they set foot on campus through graduation and beyond. Our professional advising team and student support staff build genuine relationships and provide timely information to help you navigate your program, college life, internships, work and whatever else is on your plate.

Advising Center

Our Commitments: Care. Quality. Career.

At the University of Maine College of Education and Human Development, our students, faculty, staff and alumni work to bring a vibrant tomorrow to the communities we serve and to the world. This work is rooted in the college’s commitments to care, quality and career readiness.

We are an inclusive community that thrives on curiosity, exploration, ingenuity and collaboration. Click below to learn more about our commitments, and apply to join our community of care today.

Our Commitments Apply Now