Elementary Education (K–6)
Bachelor's, Transfer Pathway
PROGRAM SNAPSHOT
Spark curiosity in young minds. Help kids in kindergarten through Grade 6 to see how awesome learning can be.
Why Study Elementary Education (K-6) at Winona State?
Think about some of your favorite teachers from elementary school.
They likely inspired you to see the world in new ways, discover your interests, and believe in yourself.
They also probably showed you that learning can be fun and meaningful.
You remember them well because elementary teachers play a huge role in shaping the future for kindergarteners through sixth graders.
From teaching kids how to read their first chapter book to guiding them through science experiments and creative projects, elementary teachers are there for some of the most important moments in a child’s learning journey.
With a degree in Elementary Education (K-6), you’ll know how to turn everyday subjects—like reading, math, science, and history—into lessons that get children excited to learn.
You’ll gain hands-on student teaching experience in all types of school settings.
By the time you graduate, you’ll feel ready to lead your own classroom.
You’ll also be ready to apply for the Minnesota Elementary Education licensure.
If you want a career where you can be creative, build strong connections with your community, and have a positive impact on the next generation, consider choosing elementary education.
This program is accredited by the Minnesota Professional Educator Licensing & Standards Board.
This program is also available through the Early Childhood & Elementary Education Department.
Student Success Stories
Kali found her passion for Elementary Education at Winona State, where supportive professors and hands-on experiences helped her grow.
Now, she’s ready to inspire young minds while teaching in her own classroom.
Jordyn embraced opportunities to lead and serve, including organizing events and promoting mental health awareness.
Her hands-on experiences complemented her Elementary Education studies, equipping her to positively impact future students.
Jessica, an Elementary Education graduate, credits the Education Village for shaping her into a confident first-grade teacher.
The modern classrooms and supportive community at Winona State helped her develop creative lesson plans and effective classroom management skills.
What Will You Learn as an Elementary Education (K-6) Major?
As an Elementary Education major, you’ll learn how children grow cognitively, socially, and emotionally from kindergarten through sixth grade.
Then, you’ll understand how to adapt teaching strategies to different developmental stages.
You’ll also:
- build lesson and unit plans across subjects that align with educational standards and keep students curious, engaged, and motivated to learn.
- explore how to support students with different learning needs or from different cultural, linguistic, and socioeconomic backgrounds.
- know strategies for classroom management and creating safe, positive learning environments.
- learn how to build strong partnerships with parents, caregivers, and community organizations to support student success inside and outside the classroom.
Some of your advanced coursework will even teach you how to investigate real classroom challenges and test ways to improve student learning.
Winona State also offers several minors that allow you to further hone your expertise as an educator. Take your pick from Coaching and Child Advocacy Studies to Reading Instruction and Bilingual/Bicultural Education. There are even 4 middle-level minors specializing in Math, Science, Social Studies, and Communication Arts & Literature.
Aside from major- or minor-specific requirements, you’ll need to complete additional requirements through the General Education Program (GEP) to earn your degree from Winona State University.
Learn More about the GEP
Program Highlights
As you get more comfortable in the classroom through your clinical experiences, you’ll also develop a portfolio to showcase your skills to future employers.
You’ll graduate with numerous lesson plans representing all content areas—from reading and history to math and science—plus other pedagogy content.
Make a difference on campus and build your leadership skills by joining one of Winona State’s all-university committees as a student representative.
If you want to plan future orientation programs for the university, you can enhance WSU’s first-year educational experience and improve retention rates through the Orientation Committee.
Want to meet like-minded students and explore teaching? Get involved in campus organizations that share your passion.
There’s Education Minnesota Aspiring Educators, Student Council for Exceptional Children, and the Student International Literacy Association.
You might also want to check out the Child Advocacy Studies Club or Kappa Delta Pi, our honor society for Education students.
With over 100 clubs and organizations, there’s something for everyone.
Apply what you learn in the classroom by traveling around the globe. At Winona State, you can earn credit that applies to your teaching degree while exploring the world.
Learn about the South Korean education model and how it compares to the American public school system.
If you minor in Math (Middle Level Teaching), you can visit some of the most significant historical contributions that statisticians and mathematicians have made in England.
You can also check out our more than 100 other study abroad programs across 40+ countries for student teaching opportunities.
Engaging Learning Spaces
As an Elementary Education major, you’ll take most of your classes in Helble Hall. This building is part of the Education Village, which is located just a few blocks east of Main Campus.
Helble Hall features multiple high-tech classrooms featuring several monitors, plus moveable desks and whiteboards that support small group collaboration and larger class instruction.
Student teachers also have access to a resource room stocked with thousands of children’s books as well as tools for teaching math and managing different classrooms.
This is a great space for students to save money and check out free materials for their field experiences that they’d otherwise have to purchase.
Located in Helble Hall, the Children’s Center provides education and care programs for about 200 children aged 6 weeks old through Grade 4.
Students enrolled in the College of Education can gain valuable field experience in this on-campus center.
Clinical Experiences
Our Teacher Education programs integrate several hands-on clinical experiences throughout our degrees—meaning you’re practicing the most important skills for the classroom early on and until graduation.
These opportunities will ultimately benefit both you and your future students.
Before you’ve been admitted to the Teacher Education program, you’ll complete an early clinical experience.
You can satisfy this requirement by taking a 100-level class at Winona State. Or, after graduating from high school, you can complete 15 hours of work or volunteer experience with groups of at least 2 children.
Once you’re admitted to the Teacher Education program, you’ll then be placed in a wide range of community and school settings.
You’ll observe, tutor, co-teach, and work side-by-side with experienced teachers.
You’ll also lead your own small- and large-group lessons with K-6 students across different content areas.
These field experiences will set you up for your final student teaching semester.
During your last semester in the Teacher Education program, you’ll be student teaching to prepare you for your career.
Winona State partners with more than 90 school districts to offer student teachers a plethora of experiences.
Previous students completed their student teaching locally in Winona and regionally in the Twin Cities, Duluth, Albert Lea, and Holmen.
Hear from Alumni
Careers & Outcomes
A degree in Elementary Education prepares you to build skills that matter and help young learners discover their potential, all while connecting with your community.
for Middle School Teachers in Minnesota
for Kindergarten and Elementary School Teachers in Minnesota
Learn more about what careers are possible with this major and where our alumni have gone after graduation.
This program does not meet F-1 visa requirements for international students.
However, more than 90% of Winona State’s majors and programs meet F-1 visa criteria.
Learn More about International Services
Bachelor's
Bachelor's, Transfer Pathway
Bachelor's