Learning to Educate Others

My name is Emilie and I am a sophomore at Northern Illinois University, studying to teach Elementary School students.  I am not sure what grade, precisely, I would like to teach when I get out of school, probably either second or third grade.  Since I graduated from high school I have had some experience with teaching younger children, I have a nephew I helped raise for almost a year, and have always loved working with the younger children.  How can I possibly live up to the standards set by not only the school system but also the parents and the children themselves?  I am not necessarily sure how the elementary education jobs will change over the next two years I am in school, hopefully there will be more jobs available after I graduate than there are now.  Just out of curiosity I have been looking at the school report cards which are available on line.  These report cards show the progress of the school based on the state's standards and the No Child Left Behind Act.  Hopefully I will find a niche in the education major and excel in the classes and clinical observations I must complete to become certified in Illinois.  

Emilie