Job description
Elementary school teachers teach, educate and instruct young children in basic subjects such as maths, English and science. Throughout their working day, they teach students how to interact with each other and overcome learning difficulties. Elementary school teachers also enforce classroom rules and behaviour, and they supervise children during lunchbreaks and playtime. Teachers grade students’ assignments and prepare them for tests and exams.
Duties
- Teach basic subjects such as maths, English and science
- Plan lessons and curriculum
- Observe children’s abilities, strengths and weaknesses
- Encourage interaction and communication
- Help students overcome learning difficulties
- Enforce classroom rules and behavior
- Supervise children during lunchbreaks and playtime
- Escort students to assemblies, playtime or other classes
- Use technology and textbooks to apply teaching
- Grade students’ assignments
- Prepare students for tests and exams
- Report child’s behaviour and progress to parents
Skills and qualities
Job outlook
Projected growth
7%
New jobs
104.1k
Automation risk
0.44%
Career progression
With the appropriate experience and education, elementary school teachers can progress to become heads of department, assistant principals or principals. They might also advance their careers by mentoring new teachers, becoming lead teachers, school counsellors, school librarians or instructional coordinators.
Some teachers gain qualifications in certain fields so they can teach specialised subjects in high school.
Working conditions
Average hours
40h/ week
Typical schedule
Full Time
Some nights and weekends
Elementary school teachers work indoors in school classrooms, and spend time outdoors during playtime or physical education.
Being an elementary school teacher can be rewarding as you observe the development of a student. It can also be stressful and tiring as you deal with several children at once, especially those who are disobedient. This job, therefore, requires patience.
Some teachers work alongside teaching assistants and other members of staff, and they use a lot of textbooks and computers to teach certain concepts and classes. They will often work evenings and weekends to grade papers and plan lessons.
Salary
Bottom 10%
$38k
Median
$58k
Top 10%
$95k
Annual salary estimates are based on percentile wage data collected through the Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) survey of US workers.
Qualifications and training
Education level
Undergraduate
Bachelor’s degree in elementary education
Study time
4 years
Elementary school teachers require at least a bachelor’s degree in elementary education (BElEd). Some states require teachers to major in a specific area, such as maths or science. Other states require a master’s degree.
Those with just a bachelor’s degree in a specific subject can complete a teacher education programme to obtain certification to teach.
All aspiring elementary school teachers must be licensed and certified for the grade level they wish to teach. To maintain their licence or certification, teachers must complete professional development classes. Private school teachers typically do not need a licence.
Last Updated: Wednesday, November 2, 2022
