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Education
What Will I Learn?
As a student studying Education at Heartland Community College, you have career path and educational options. The Education curriculum offers a variety of perspectives on education and clinical experience involving observation of children and practitioners at work. Students will engage in required classroom observations at various local schools. Courses topics include introduction to education, students with disabilities, the use of technology in the classroom, principles of reading, language arts in elementary schools, coaching athletics, and an introduction to psychological principles underlying educational practice.
What Is The Occupational Outlook?
The employment outlook for teaching positions in McLean County is strong. According to the Illinois Department of Employment Security, employment at all levels (preschool through secondary) is expected to increase 17.6% between 2004-2014 in McLean County, with the greatest increase in special education (28%). 1
- Paraprofessional Educators: The need for Paraprofessional Educators in McLean County is estimated to grow 16.2% between 2004-2014.1 The 2006 median annual salary for Teacher Assistants in McLean County was $17,941.2
- Secondary Mathematics Educators: The need for secondary educators in McLean County is expected to grow 14.16% between 2004-2014.1 However, secondary mathematics is an area where there is significant need. The 2006 median annual salary for secondary educators in McLean County was $41,982.2
What Are My Options?
In just two years, you can earn a Paraprofessional Educator Associate in Applied Science Degree which will prepare you for positions as teacher assistants and teacher aides. This degree also helps current paraprofessionals to meet the No Child Left Behind requirements for success in working with children in Title I programs.
You can earn an Associate of Arts in Teaching Secondary Mathematics Degree. This degree was created to attract and prepare students for transfer into a college or university teacher education program in the area of math, where there is a significant need for teachers.
The Associates Degree with emphasis in Education is designed for students planning to complete the first two years of study leading to a baccalaureate degree and major in social science at a four-year college or university.
- Department of Employment Security, State of Illinois, Labor Market Information – Employment Projections, on the Internet at http://lmi.ides.state.il.us/projections/countyfiles/lt/occupational/McLean.xls (visited June 25, 2007)
- Department of Employment Security, State of Illinois, Labor Market Information – Occupational Wages, on the Internet at http://lmi.ides.state.il.us/wagedata/countyfiles/McLeanCountyWages.xls (visited June 25, 2007)
