Elementary school teachers must manage the varied needs of elementary school students in the classroom, which can feel overwhelming. As teachers try to reach their students and improve academic outcomes to prepare them for high school, they must grapple with the day-to-day challenges of this age group.
In fact, student behavior is just one of the components that teachers face every day. In trying to be more effective and improve student outcomes, it is important that elementary educators advance their knowledge in areas such as child psychology, pedagogical theory and differentiated instruction.
These are just some of the topics included in the coursework from the Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Curriculum & Instruction (C&I) with a concentration in Elementary Education online program. Specifically, courses like Instructional Models and Strategies, Instruction for Struggling Readers and Foundations of Education all prepare graduates to overcome elementary education challenges and help students thrive.
Students Not Performing at Grade Level
In a recent TeacherVision survey, 60% of teachers said they have witnessed many students fall behind since the COVID-19 pandemic. Their concern about the widening achievement gap is valid, based on reported test results and grades. Scripps News reports that at the end of June 2024, 32% of public-school students were behind their grade level, according to a survey by the National Center for Education Statistics.
To combat this, teachers can help improve student reading skills like comprehension and writing. Every classroom has diverse learning styles and challenges, so differentiating instruction in order to provide low-achieving students with the support they need is an effective way to help them catch up.
Behavioral Challenges in the Classroom
Another highly reported challenge elementary teachers face is student behavior. Some teachers have found that the break in learning caused by school lockdowns during the pandemic has resulted in students unable to handle peer pressure or hold conversations. These behavior issues have resulted in school districts lowering benchmarks as they try to deal with the heightened challenge.
A recent Pew Research report notes that 23% of elementary school teachers say their students are disrespectful, getting up and walking around in class. Also, elementary school teachers experienced more verbal abuse and physical violence in the classroom than high school teachers. While these issues complicate the role of elementary educators, graduates can use skills gained from FGCU’s program to manage elementary classroom behavior and support students’ learning outcomes.
Teachers can use a number of strategies to improve the atmosphere in their classrooms. Seeking help from colleagues who seem more successful at mitigating undesirable student behavior can be helpful. Remaining calm, deescalating and acknowledging good behavior are also strategies teachers can incorporate. Ignoring bad behavior or confronting it in the classroom don’t often lead to a resolution. Therefore, various resources recommend a “gentle guidance” approach that is less confrontational and designed to encourage correct behavior rather than making an issue out of bad behavior.
Curriculum Overload Burdens Teachers and Students Alike
Instead of overloading students with content and trying to cover everything at once, educators can use engaging lesson plans to help students grasp and master the main objectives. Passive learning, like traditional lectures, limits students’ critical thinking. Prioritizing the essential concepts and skills while using interactive teaching methods — like group discussions, debates and hands-on experiments — helps keep students actively involved.
Administrators frequently pressure teachers to remain competitive with other school districts to improve the district’s overall scores. While everyone’s end goal is to improve academic achievement for all students, the teacher is responsible for implementing teaching strategies. This means that sometimes, the teacher’s efforts are prioritized over the administration’s goals.
It is easy for teachers to put a lower priority on their own professional development as well as their own well-being. The time demands of being a teacher can lead to exhaustion, burnout, diminished creativity and stagnation. However, teachers can avoid these effects by prioritizing their mental health, setting boundaries and focusing on professional development. Doing so brings renewed energy and enthusiasm to teaching, which makes educators more effective.
Overcome Challenges and Become a More Effective Teacher
Pursuing an advanced degree in education fosters the knowledge needed to make an impact on young learners. Studying the foundations of curriculum and instruction as well as educational research, design and measurement equips students with strategies they can use in the classroom.
Florida Gulf Coast University’s online M.Ed. in Curriculum & Instruction with a concentration in Elementary Education program gives graduates a strong foundation in the field of language arts education. It also teaches them how to encourage and inspire diverse populations of readers who face difficulties and learning disabilities.
Learn more about FGCU’s M.Ed. in C&I with a concentration in Elementary Education online program.
