Elementary-Middle Education: Grades 4K-9
UW-Eau Claire's elementary-middle education bachelor's degree leads to licensure to teach grades 4K-9 in Wisconsin elementary and middle-level schools.
Learn Effective Teaching Strategies for All Types of Learners
One of the largest majors at UW-Eau Claire, the elementary-middle education major is a competitive and selective program that offers rigorous coursework, partnerships with local school districts, and strong collaboration among exceptional faculty. Explore topics like social justice and inclusive practices, classroom environment, and relationship development.
Courses cover a variety of teaching methods, instructional materials, and evaluation techniques for multiple subjects, including literacy, mathematics, science, social studies, technology, and the performing arts. This major also includes significant engagement with liberal arts courses, an approach that will help you develop a broad understanding of elementary and middle school curriculum and prepare you to teach all subjects.
Professional development and career preparation are key focuses of the program. In addition to a full semester of student teaching, you will also have multiple opportunities to assist teachers in their classroom, helping you to build your leadership skills, identify your preferred teaching style, and round out your resume. Prior to graduating, you will complete a capstone seminar, where you will refine and demonstrate competence in instructional planning, instructional delivery, and other collaborative and professional practices.
Many UWEC education majors choose to take their learning a step further by studying abroad, enrolling in cultural immersion programming or participating in the National Student Exchange program. These experiences enable you to explore new societies, traditions and educational practices across the globe, shaping you into an informed, culturally competent teacher.
Upon graduation, you'll have uncovered your personal philosophy of education and be ready to educate, mentor, and guide your future students. Our alumni go on to change lives and communities for the better, ensuring that children obtain the knowledge and skills needed to not just grow — but to thrive.
It is also possible to pursue a double major in elementary – middle education (4K-9) and teaching - Spanish (K-12) through a series of approved substitutions. This dual certification offers flexibility to work in areas like K-12 foreign language programs, 4K-9 one-way immersion, dual-language/two-way immersion, and foreign language elementary programs.
Program Details
Licensure Information
Completion of teacher preparation programs at UW-Eau Claire meets licensure requirements in Wisconsin. Our programs may not meet requirements in other states. It is very important that individuals seeking licensure in another state obtain the most recent certification/licensure information directly from the state in which they seek employment. Find contact information on each state licensure office here.
Licensure requirements can change at any time. UW-Eau Claire’s Teacher Education Program Office ensures that our programs meet the requirements for licensure in Wisconsin. If you seek licensure in another state, be aware that their requirements could change at any time.
The United States Department of Education requires institutions to disclose information for programs leading to professional certification or licensure concerning whether each program meets state educational requirements for initial licensure or certification. Please note:
- Obtaining a Wisconsin Teaching License PRIOR to applying for a teaching license in another state is usually helpful and strongly recommended.
- "Meets requirements" means that a student is eligible for a license with stipulations, typically for 1-3 years, in that state. The stipulations are likely to be specific testing requirements and/or competency through a course or examination. In some instances, additional stipulations might be added.
- Licensure grade levels vary from state to state. Students who are eligible for a specific grade range in Wisconsin may be licensed for a narrower grade range in another state. Each state determines grade ranges for licensing differently.
- State licensure requirements may change at any time. Licensure questions should be referred to the Teacher Education Program Office (tep@uwec.edu).
The requirements of this program meet requirements in the following states or territories:
Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming, American Samoa
The requirements of this program do not meet licensure in the following states or territories:
Alaska, Delaware, Georgia, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, Washington, Washington, D.C., Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands
Curriculum throughout the major introduces you to the roles and responsibilities of a professional educator at the elementary and middle school level and prepares you to become a culturally responsive and culturally sustaining teacher. Courses develop your skills in supporting all learners, motivating and engaging students, and assessing learning using a variety of approaches. Our scaffolded course content and hands-on experiences emphasize equitable practices, reflection, decision-making and collaboration.
A semester spent student teaching will give you firsthand experience working with children in your own classroom. To introduce you to multiple learning environments and provide practice working with different ages, the semester is divided into two nine-week placements — one at the elementary level and one at the middle school level. This unique approach can help you identify your preferred career path and give you direct experience at each level of your licensure.
Many education majors choose to enhance their education by engaging in cultural immersions. You may student teach in Kenai, Alaska or participate in the Civil Rights Pilgrimage. These experiences often lead to new ways of thinking and a better understanding of the students in your future classrooms.
To help you explore career opportunities and make valuable connections, we host an annual Education Job Fair, an on-campus career fair specific for those looking to enter the field of education. This event is an excellent opportunity to make connections and submit your resume for current and future job openings.
Blugold Stories
Internships allow you to gain valuable applied experience, make connections in professional fields you're considering as a career path, and give employers the chance build and evaluate talent.
The education professors have been super influential and helpful to my experience here. They want to see you grow and flourish, and they want to see you succeed. And they also get you out in placements as early as they can, so you can know for sure that it's really what you want to pursue.
I spent 75 hours in the Montessori school here in Eau Claire, volunteering my time with a classroom of 1st-3rd graders. I would help the teacher, assist with various projects, or do one-on-one work with students who needed a little extra support. It was a great way to get more experience, and I was really excited to be able to get experience with that specific grade level.
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Where can the elementary-middle education program lead me after graduation?
UW-Eau Claire has earned a reputation for the high quality of its preparation of teachers — and you don’t have to look very far to find a Blugold educator. Our renowned program produces expert educators who engage students with innovative approaches. UW–Eau Claire graduates teach in every public school district right here in the local Chippewa Valley and can also be found throughout Wisconsin and the United States. Because our students are licensed to work with a wide range of age levels, our graduates are in high demand.
Recent Graduates
First-Grade Teacher
Auburndale School District
Wisconsin
Reading Teacher
Eau Claire School District
Wisconsin
Second-Grade Teacher
Jamul-Dulzura Union School District
California
Elementary Teacher
Regis Catholic School
Wisconsin
Middle-School Teacher
Independence School District
Wisconsin
Third-Grade Teacher
St. Anthony-New Brighton School District
Minnesota
Curriculum within the elementary-middle education: grades 4K-9 bachelor's degree covers content and teaching strategies appropriate for students in grades 4K-9. Completion of the major leads to Elementary-Middle School licensure.
Here are a few courses in Elementary-Middle Education: Grades 4K-9 at UW-Eau Claire.
ES 212
Exploring Schooling K-12
This class and the accompanying practicum are designed to provide a road map of what to expect and the steps to take for a successful journey into the teaching profession. It provides an initial classroom experience, including daily work with students in a classroom, alongside an exemplary experienced teacher. The course strives to help preservice teachers come to an understanding of what it means to be a teacher dedicated to lifelong learning and to advancing the achievement of all children. Students complete approximately 50 hours of observation/teaching.
ES 309
Social Studies Curriculum and Instruction in Grades K-9
Study of teaching methods, instructional materials, and techniques in elementary and middle level social studies. Explores trends in social studies and looks at education for employment. Includes a directed practicum.
ES 302
Teaching and Learning Practices
Introduction and development of the knowledge, skills, and dispositions necessary to create, organize, and maintain an enriched and positive K-9 classroom environment. Topics include planning for instruction and assessment, developing positive relationships, and creating an inclusive classroom environment.
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