Elementary School Teacher
An elementary school teacher plays a crucial role in the education of students typically in grades one through six or eight, focusing on various academic subjects. These educators are responsible for creating a safe and engaging learning environment and teaching essential skills in areas like mathematics, science, and language arts. They often work with a classroom of up to thirty students and may collaborate with teacher aides to facilitate classroom activities.
In addition to instructional duties, elementary school teachers manage classroom behavior, enforce rules, and maintain order among young learners. Their work extends beyond teaching hours, requiring them to plan lessons, grade assignments, and communicate with parents about student progress. A strong affinity for working with children, along with proficiency in core subjects and effective public speaking skills, is essential for those interested in this career.
To become an elementary school teacher, individuals typically pursue a bachelor's degree in education and may need to complete state-specific licensure requirements. The role also involves adapting to evolving educational technologies and ensuring inclusivity for students from diverse backgrounds. Overall, elementary school teaching is both a rewarding and demanding profession that shapes the foundational years of a child’s education.
Elementary School Teacher
Snapshot
Career Cluster(s): Education & Training
Interests: Teaching, working with students, communicating with others
Earnings (Yearly Median): $61,620 per year
Employment & Outlook: 1% (Little or no change)
Entry-Level Education Bachelor's degree; state licensing requirements
Related Work Experience None
On-the-job-Training None
Overview
Sphere of Work. An elementary school teacher works with and instructs students enrolled in grades one through six or eight. Elementary school teachers generally teach various academic subjects to one group of students throughout the school year; however, some teachers specialize in one specific subject (such as math or art), which they teach to numerous groups of elementary school students. In addition to academic instruction, teachers provide methods of discipline and enforce rules in the classroom.
Work Environment. Elementary school teachers usually work by themselves in one classroom and supervise up to thirty students. They are responsible for providing a safe and healthy developmental learning environment for pupils. Often, teachers work with and supervise a teacher aide who assists with classroom activities and administrative tasks. Public elementary school teachers typically spend hours each week delivering lessons, with additional hours spent planning lessons, grading papers, completing reports, attending meetings, and directing extracurricular programs. Private school teachers may work different hours.
Occupation Interest. Above all else, an individual interested in becoming an elementary school teacher should enjoy working with children and developing their critical thinking skills. They should also be highly proficient in all general academic areas, including mathematics, science, English, and social studies. A prospective elementary school teacher must have a passion for leading and instructing medium-sized groups and should be skilled in public speaking. They should also be open to learning and understanding new pedagogical methods and instructional materials and then adapting them to the needs of the students.
A Day in the Life—Duties and Responsibilities. An elementary school teacher spends much of the workday helping, instructing, and disciplining a classroom of young children. Elementary school teachers use daily presentations, lectures, creative activities, group work, and individual lessons to aid students in the application of core subjects, such as science, mathematics, history, language arts, and sometimes foreign languages. Teachers may occasionally schedule off-site field trips for their students in order to supplement the basic teachings of a specific subject. Teachers are usually required to accompany a group of students to other locations outside of the classroom, including the cafeteria, library, outdoor recess area, gym or sports facilities, and bus loading areas. Teachers receive a lunch break, during which they can retreat to a teacher’s room or lounge to eat, rest, and meet with other faculty members.
Elementary school teachers are also responsible for disciplining students and maintaining order in their classrooms. Therefore, teachers must establish strict rules and boundaries within the classroom and enforce those rules effectively and consistently from day to day.
In addition to active instruction, elementary school teachers must spend time coaching sports or leading extracurricular activities (usually in the afternoons following school), preparing lesson plans, evaluating student homework, attending teacher workshops, and completing any other school-related administrative work. Many of these tasks are done at home after school hours. Teachers are also required to discuss student academic progress and/or behavioral issues with parents; they may communicate via phone or email or may meet with the parents in person.
Work Environment
Immediate Physical Environment. Most of an elementary school teacher’s work is performed in the classroom of a public or private educational institution. Teachers are on their feet for the majority of the day and usually work in temperature-controlled, well-ventilated spaces. Teachers may supervise student recesses or other outdoor activities.
Human Environment. Elementary school teachers work and interact with dozens of students ranging from about five to fourteen years old. They communicate with other faculty members, school personnel such as superintendents and principals, and administrative staff members. Some teachers work closely with teacher aides, who direct students and assist teachers with various tasks. Elementary school teachers must be comfortable working with students and families from diverse backgrounds.
Technological Environment. The technical landscape is always changing for elementary school teachers; however, they should be prepared to use audiovisual equipment, projectors, computer software, tablets, the Internet, email, printers, and smart devices.
Education, Training, and Advancement
High School/Secondary. High school students looking to become elementary school teachers should take a wide variety of courses, including the arts, mathematics, the sciences, social studies, psychology, geography, composition, literature, child development, music, history, technology, foreign languages, and public speaking. High school students may benefit from participating in extracurricular clubs and activities, particularly those in which they are able to take on leadership positions. These activities can help students become comfortable with and proficient in speaking in front of large groups.
Postsecondary. Prospective elementary school teachers should earn a bachelor’s degree in education from a college or university program accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education and the Teacher Education Accreditation Council. Elementary school teachers are not required to graduate from an accredited program; however, those who do may have an easier time fulfilling teacher licensure requirements. A postsecondary program in education offers courses designed specifically for a career in the classroom, including the psychology of learning, methods of teaching, social foundations of education, technology in the classroom, and philosophy of education.
Undergraduate programs in teaching also usually offer a student-teaching internship, where college students can gain experience in the classroom during the school year, either by assisting a teacher as a teacher aide or by teaching select subjects themselves. Teachers in some states are required to complete a master’s degree in education. Students interested in becoming elementary school teachers should check the requirements of the state where they plan to work. Teachers must be licensed according to the regulations of their state and renew their licenses in a timely fashion.
Related Occupations
− Secondary & Middle School Teacher
Bibliography
"Kindergarten and Elementary School Teachers." Occupational Outlook Handbook. Bureau of Labor Statistics, US Department of Labor, 6 Sept. 2023, www.bls.gov/ooh/education-training-and-library/kindergarten-and-elementary-school-teachers.htm. Accessed 9 Sept. 2023.