Elementary Teaching Minor
Prepare to teach and support young learners.
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Develop the Skills to Guide and Inspire Young Learners
The Elementary Teaching Minor at Concordia University Irvine prepares you to make a difference in the lives of children by combining classroom theory with real-world teaching experience. You’ll learn to design engaging lesson plans, manage inclusive classrooms, and adapt instruction to meet diverse learning needs.
Through courses in literacy, math and science methods, and inclusive learning environments, you’ll be prepared to support every child’s growth — academically, socially, and spiritually.
Whether you plan to pursue a Multiple Subject Teaching Credential or simply want to deepen your understanding of how children learn, this program equips you to educate with excellence, compassion, and faith.
Note: EDUC 204: Introduction to Teaching Diverse Populations is needed for program acceptance, which is required before you can take any EDUC 400-level classes. EDUC 301: Typical and Atypical Development of Diverse Learners is also needed if you’re planning to earn a credential.
View the Concordia University Irvine Online Catalog for a full list of courses.
Meet our Faculty
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Heather Vezner
Dean, School of Education
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Margaret Thomas
Dean of the Townsend Institute, Faculty
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Kellie Albrecht
Assistant Dean, School of Education
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Belinda Karge
Professor of Education
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Cari Chittick
Director of Lutheran Teaching Programs and LCMS Placement, Professor of…
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Catherine Webb
Professor of Education
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Eugene Kim
Professor of Education
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Michael Schulteis
Professor of Education
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Rebecca Stanton
Professor of Education
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Tanya Tarbutton
Professor of Education
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Cari Chittick
Associate Professor of Education
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Charlie Rodrigues
Associate Professor of Education
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Lori Doyle
Associate Professor of Education
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Lori Jaeger
Associate Professor of Education
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MaryAnn Seng
Associate Professor of Education
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Sandra Mercier
Associate Professor of Education
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Sara Morgan
Associate Professor of Education
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Teresa Hess
Associate Professor of Education
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Barbara Howard
Assistant Professor of Education
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Heather Churney
Assistant Professor of Education
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Kara Bratton
Assistant Professor of Education
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Robin Gomes
Assistant Professor of Education
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Timothy Young
Assistant Professor of Education
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Yvette Stuewe
Assistant Professor of Education
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Bonni Stachowiak
Adjunct Professor of Education
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Cynthia Stephens
Adjunct Professor of Education
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Deborah Collins
Adjunct Professor
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Edward Eldridge
Adjunct Professor of Education
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Alyssa Flores
Administrative Assistant to the Dean/HR Specialist
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Draven Espinoza
FAQs
What can I do with an Elementary Teaching Minor?
An Elementary Teaching Minor prepares you to work with and support young learners in classroom settings. Many students pair this minor with a major in Liberal Studies or another education-related field to prepare for a California teaching credential or graduate study in education.
What is the job outlook for elementary school teachers?
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for elementary school teachers (except special education) was $62,340 in 2024. While overall employment is projected to decline slightly through 2034, about 103,800 job openings are expected each year as teachers retire or transition to other roles.1
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Sources
1U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, on the internet, at:
- https://www.bls.gov/ooh/education-training-and-library/kindergarten-and-elementary-school-teachers.htm (Viewed Oct. 30, 2025).
Cited projections may not reflect local and/or short-term economic or job conditions and do not guarantee actual job growth.