SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- It's not double the fun if you're looking for a job as an elementary school teacher. A national research group says colleges nationwide are training twice as many K-5 teachers as we need each year.
Education is a popular major at Missouri State University. It began as a school specifically to train teachers more than 100 years ago. At least partially as a result, there is no shortage of elementary teacher-hopefuls at MSU.
"I guess in fourth grade is when I decided I wanted to be a teacher," Brittany Gill said.
Some childhood dreams don't have to die, even the ones in which not everyone believes.
"During high school, I tried to find other things because people encouraged me not to be a teacher," said Gill.
She stuck with her dream.
"Yeah, I'm really excited about it," she said with a grin.
Gill believes, and that's all that matters.
"I'm not too worried about finding a job. I guess I should be more worried," she said.
The numbers say she should. She's an elementary education major, along with a lot of other people.
"There has been more difficulty in getting jobs," said Roberta Aram, director of the Missouri State undergraduate elementary ed program.
It's pretty large and staying that way, despite the fact there's a national surplus of kindergarten through fifth grade teachers.
The problem is enrollment has not declined in elementary education programs. At MSU, the number of students enrolled stays between 600 and 700. For every student who graduates from the program, there's another one who comes in.
"At times, we have talked about capping the program," Aram said, but more just to keep class sizes small. It hasn't happened though. She's not concerned for the students like Gill.
"If you're highly qualified teacher and you're motivated and talented you'll get a job. I don't worry about the strong students getting a position."
"I have good grades, so I think that helps," Gill said.
She will graduate next December, and she's fairly confident dreams really can come true.
"That's my plan, just look for schools that are hiring," Gill said.
The same research firm says there is a shortage of math, science, and special education teachers, but Aram says looking for elementary ed majors to fill those voids wouldn't work. She says, typically, those people want to teach all subjects, not specialize in just one.
At least one in every eight teachers in Missouri is an MSU graduate, and Aram says the prospect of a tighter job market likely won't change that.
Education is a popular major at Missouri State University. It began as a school specifically to train teachers more than 100 years ago. At least partially as a result, there is no shortage of elementary teacher-hopefuls at MSU.
"I guess in fourth grade is when I decided I wanted to be a teacher," Brittany Gill said.
Some childhood dreams don't have to die, even the ones in which not everyone believes.
"During high school, I tried to find other things because people encouraged me not to be a teacher," said Gill.
She stuck with her dream.
"Yeah, I'm really excited about it," she said with a grin.
Gill believes, and that's all that matters.
"I'm not too worried about finding a job. I guess I should be more worried," she said.
The numbers say she should. She's an elementary education major, along with a lot of other people.
"There has been more difficulty in getting jobs," said Roberta Aram, director of the Missouri State undergraduate elementary ed program.
It's pretty large and staying that way, despite the fact there's a national surplus of kindergarten through fifth grade teachers.
The problem is enrollment has not declined in elementary education programs. At MSU, the number of students enrolled stays between 600 and 700. For every student who graduates from the program, there's another one who comes in.
"At times, we have talked about capping the program," Aram said, but more just to keep class sizes small. It hasn't happened though. She's not concerned for the students like Gill.
"If you're highly qualified teacher and you're motivated and talented you'll get a job. I don't worry about the strong students getting a position."
"I have good grades, so I think that helps," Gill said.
She will graduate next December, and she's fairly confident dreams really can come true.
"That's my plan, just look for schools that are hiring," Gill said.
The same research firm says there is a shortage of math, science, and special education teachers, but Aram says looking for elementary ed majors to fill those voids wouldn't work. She says, typically, those people want to teach all subjects, not specialize in just one.
At least one in every eight teachers in Missouri is an MSU graduate, and Aram says the prospect of a tighter job market likely won't change that.
