If you’re an education major, the time to start thinking about how you can stand out in the working world is now. There are ways you can enhance your college experience that will set you up to wow school administrators when you’re applying for teaching jobs upon graduation. Here are five ideas to level up your expertise. 

1. Add a special education minor

One way to increase your chances of employment post-graduation is by working toward a special education endorsement. You can do this by earning a special education minor to complement your primary teaching major.

Having this minor shows that you can meet the needs of a wide range of learners, and that’s especially beneficial to a school when the number of students who meet the criteria for special education is on the rise. You’ll enter the workforce more confident in your ability to teach diverse students and know you’re able to create an inclusive environment for them to learn and grow. 

3. Declare a TESOL teaching minor

Just like with earning a special education minor, studying TESOL (teaching English to speakers of other languages) in the form of a minor helps you effectively teach a broader range of students.  As the number of English language learners increases in states like Iowa, it’s essential that more teachers know how to ensure an effective learning experience as they learn English. Some school districts that are especially diverse will see a new grad with a TESOL minor as a huge advantage. It will give you an edge over your competition who may not be as familiar with working with emerging bilingual students.

4. Learn more about the social-emotional needs of students

Caring for the social and emotional well-being of students (and teachers!) is essential. By declaring a social and emotional learning minor, you show school districts just how much you prioritize caring for those in your classroom. This minor will teach you how to foster a safe, inclusive, healthy space for all students. No matter what you teach, your students will benefit from an empathetic and caring teacher who understands the intersection of social and emotional development with learning.

5. Add a coaching minor

Many teachers enjoy coaching youth sports on top of educating students. If this is an interest you think you might hold for your future career, you should consider getting a coaching minor. This minor will educate you on the human body, allow you to work with young athletes and determine what coaching style works best for you. It will train you to be effective at motivating students, improving their technique and helping them find joy in movement, competition, and teamwork.

Maximize your education at the University of Northern Iowa

Consider adding one of these minors or others that are often chosen to expand what you can teach, like social studies or math. In a competitive job market, it can be the difference between getting your dream teaching job and settling for a less-than-ideal position.

The University of Northern Iowa offers each one of these minors. As the top producer of teachers in Iowa and one of the top teacher education programs nationwide, you can be confident your education here will already set you apart from your peers. One of our minors makes you just that much more desirable to school administrators.

If you’re still looking for a primary program, browse all our teaching degrees and find the one that’s the right fit. You’ll be one step closer to a fulfilling career in education!