Elementary Education Major

As an educator you will have the privilege and challenge of educating future generations. Grand View's accredited education program is committed to the preparation of teachers of excellence. It is a dynamic and respected teacher-preparation program. Education faculty, in partnership with practicing teachers, model effective teaching and classroom management. Students spend at least two semesters in supervised in-school settings in preparation for the student teaching experience. You'll also learn critical thinking and problem solving strategies and will be coached in the development of a personal teaching philosophy.

Whatever life experiences have made you consider becoming a teacher, Grand View can help you become a great one. Here, you’ll get the knowledge and experience to become a reflective, compassionate, and socially conscious teacher—with the power to create real, long-term change in the communities where you live and work.

MEd 4+1 - if a master's degree in education is in your plans, consider our MEd 4+1 program where you can earn your bachelor's and master's degrees in just five years!

Grand View University offers college credit for students who have earned the Iowa Seal of Biliteracy.

Discover Student Success Stories

Why Grand View?

Faculty members nurture individual students while holding them accountable on their path to becoming a professional educator.
We are uniquely positioned in Des Moines, Iowa, which allows students to experience urban, suburban and rural classrooms in practicum and student teaching.
Committed to developing teachers who are empowered to meet the diverse needs of today's students.
You have the opportunity to participate in a one-of-a-kind, research-based grant from the U.S. Department of Education. This five-year grant will prepare teachers with ESL endorsements. You will gain cutting edge skills, marketability and other incentives.
The Grand View teacher education program is accredited by the Iowa Department of Education.
Earn graduate credit: eligible undergrads can dual-enroll in up to six hours of graduate coursework to count toward both their undergraduate and graduate degrees.

Career Options

Examples of positions our recent graduates in Elementary Education include:

Elementary teacher and vice principal, Hillis Elementary School, Des Moines
Learning disabilities teacher, Findley Elementary School, Des Moines
Behavior disorders teacher, Brooks Elementary School, Des Moines
Fourth grade teacher, Rolling Green Elementary School, Urbandale
Elementary special education teacher, Galva-Holstein Community Schools, Holstein

What Can I Do With This Major?

Vision Statement

Grand View’s Teacher Education Program EMPOWERS teachers, through vibrant learning communities and self-reflection, to be INNOVATIVE, CULTURALLY RESPONSIVE, and RESOURCEFUL LEADERS who are empowered to respond to the dynamic needs of learners for a global society.

Bilingual Education Student Organization (BESO)

The purpose of the Grand View Bilingual Education Student Organization (BESO) is to promote and advocate for bilingual/bicultural/ELL education. BESO provides opportunities for students to network, fellowship, support one another and grow through professional development. BESO also seeks to serve/mentor/recruit future bilingual educators and engage with underrepresented populations in the community. Attending and participating in conferences related to bilingual/bicultural/ELL, enhancing leadership skills and connecting with resources are other main purposes of BESO.

In affiliation with the National Association of Bilingual Educators, BESO is the first such group in Iowa.

Course Requirements

Download Degree Checklist

DMACC Pathway

Student Testimonials

Dr. Jaclyn Easter

“Dr. Easter has gone above and beyond for me on too many occasions to mention. She has encouraged me to present with her at a statewide teacher's conference, encouraged me to take multiple education practicum opportunities, and has overall pushed me to be the strong, confident student teacher I am today. She is truly an amazing woman. My Grand View experience simply would not have been nearly as remarkable without her. That is why Dr. Easter is absolutely deserving of the mentor appreciation award.” - Madison Green

GV Degree Combinations

All Elementary and Secondary Education majors are required to pursue at least one endorsement.

Awards and Accomplishments

Lindsay P. Grow, Ed.D. • Worked to build and bring the ELL endorsement to Grand View in 2015, works behind the scenes to make sure the Grand View education program meets current policies and procedures with the Iowa Department of Education, led the accreditation report writing effort in 2016-2017 in preparation for the site visit in 2017, and attends conferences twice a year with Iowa Association for Colleges of Teacher Education.

Jaclyn M. Easter • Assistant Professor of Education, presents frequently on investigating elementary teachers’ philosophy and nature of technology (PNOT) instruction and the impact of a year-long professional development on elementary teachers’ teaching of math and science. Also has many publications on improving student learning and pedagogical views and rationales.

Return on Your Investment

At Grand View, we believe the best way to become a successful elementary school teacher is to spend four years as an active participant in preschool to sixth-grade classrooms.

Your experiences in Des Moines metropolitan area schools will begin during your first year of study and continue until you graduate with the skills needed to be a licensed instructor.

As one of the largest programs of our kind in the Midwest, we have partnerships with school districts, offering our students the opportunity to student teach and engage in field experiences at small, large, urban, rural, public and private schools.