Elementary School Teacher

Your Fit

Income

$62K

Preparation

Considerable

Growth

0.7%

Definition
Your fit with this career
How much they earn
What they do
Job satisfaction
How to become

What is an Elementary School Teacher?

An Elementary School Teacher educates children in the primary grades, typically from kindergarten through fifth or sixth grade, depending on the school system. They focus on introducing students to a range of subjects and fundamental skills, fostering academic and social development.

Your test results

Why this fit score?

The fit report shows your areas of fit and misfit with Elementary School Teacher.

Fit report

Test scores

The scores report summarizes what we learned about you. It shows your results on everything measured in the career test.

Scores report

How much does an Elementary School Teacher earn

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, typical income (in USD) is...

Bottom 10%	Bottom 25%	Median (average)	Top 25%	Top 10%
$46K per year	$51K per year	$62K per year	$79K per year	$102K per year

Compared to other careers: Median is $13K above the national average.

See income by country/state/province

What does an Elementary School Teacher do?

Work environment

Elementary School Teachers work in public and private schools. Their environment is typically a classroom setting, though they also use school facilities like libraries, gyms, and playgrounds. They may have to work after school hours for planning, meetings, and student activities and often interact with parents, administrators, and other teachers.

Quick task list

Plans, prepares, and delivers instructional activities.
Creates lesson plans that meet state curriculum standards.
Assesses and records students' progress and provides feedback.
Maintains classroom discipline and a safe, productive learning environment.
Communicates with parents about students' progress and needs.

See full list of tasks with expert relevance ratings

Areas of specialization

Special Education: Teaching and supporting students with special needs.
Language Arts: Focusing on reading, writing, and communication skills.
Mathematics Education: Specializing in teaching math concepts and skills.
Science Education: Focusing on basic science concepts and inquiry-based learning.
Bilingual Education: Teaching in both English and another language, often for English language learners.

Description

Elementary School Teachers play a pivotal role in the early educational journey of children. They lay the groundwork for all future learning by teaching basic skills in reading, writing, and arithmetic, and introducing students to subjects like science, social studies, and the arts. Beyond academics, they help students develop social skills, such as cooperation and conflict resolution, and foster a love of learning.

Teachers in this field must be adept at creating engaging, age-appropriate lesson plans and activities that cater to diverse learning styles and abilities. They must also be skilled in classroom management, maintaining a balance between discipline and a nurturing environment. Continuous assessment and adaptation of teaching strategies to meet individual student needs are key aspects of the job.

Elementary School Teaching requires a combination of patience, creativity, and strong communication skills. Teachers must be able to communicate effectively with children, parents, and colleagues. They also need to keep abreast of educational trends and continually adapt to new teaching methods and technologies.

Job Satisfaction

Sources of satisfaction

Having a profound impact on children's early education and development.
Witnessing and contributing to the growth and progress of students.
Fostering a positive and nurturing learning environment.
Building meaningful relationships with students and their families.

You might make a good Elementary School Teacher if you are...

Passionate about working with children and dedicated to their development.
Creative in designing engaging and educational activities.
Patient and empathetic, with excellent communication skills.
Organized and adept at classroom management.
Committed to lifelong learning and professional development.

Pros:

High level of job satisfaction from influencing young lives.
Opportunities for creativity and varied daily activities.
Strong sense of community and collaboration with colleagues.

Cons:

Can be emotionally and physically demanding.
May involve working beyond school hours for planning and events.
Challenges in meeting diverse educational needs and maintaining classroom discipline.

How to become an Elementary School Teacher

Typical education

To become an Elementary School Teacher, a bachelor's degree in elementary education or a related field is usually required, which takes about 4 years of post-secondary education. Additionally, teachers must obtain a teaching license or certification in the state where they wish to teach.

High school preparation

Courses:

Education or Child Development, if available, to understand the basics of teaching and learning.
English, Mathematics, Science, and History to build a broad knowledge base.
Psychology to gain insight into child development and behavior.

Extra-Curricular Activities:

Volunteering or working in after-school programs, summer camps, or child care centers.
Participating in tutoring or mentorship programs.
Involvement in arts, music, or sports to develop diverse skills and interests.

Preparation after high school

Pursue a bachelor's degree in elementary education, which often includes a student teaching internship.
Obtain state certification or licensure for teaching in public schools.
Consider specializations or endorsements in areas like special education or bilingual education.
Stay updated with continuing education and professional development opportunities.

More resources

National Education Association (NEA) - Offers resources and support for teachers across various grades and subjects.
Association for Childhood Education International (ACEI) - Provides information on global education trends and practices in early childhood and elementary education.
Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) - Offers accreditation and standards for teacher preparation programs.
Teachers Pay Teachers - An online marketplace for educational resources created by teachers for teachers.
Edutopia - Provides innovative teaching strategies and resources for educators.

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Similarity is based on what people in the careers do, what they know, and what they are called. The process of establishing similarity lists is described in this white paper.