Elementary School Career Guide
Elementary school teachers usually work with children from 5-12 years old. While the subjects they teach are more complex than those in preschool or kindergarten, they still tend to have one class to which they teach a variety of subjects; math, reading, science, etc. Teachers don’t usually specialize into specific subject classes until the middle grades. Depending on the state you’re in, you might have a mixed-ability classroom, or special needs children might be in another class with a specialized teacher. Either way, you will be responsible for the safety and instruction of anywhere from 10 to 22 students per class. It’s up to you to keep all of them engaged and moving through the year’s curriculum.
Becoming an Elementary School Teacher
If you think establishing a career as an elementary school teacher is an easy path, think again. Elementary school teachers have a tremendous amount of responsibility. However, the overwhelming majority of teachers find the career highly rewarding. Elementary school teachers have a unique responsibility in that they will shape the way their students view learning and school for the remainder of their young lives. These teachers will also impact the way in which students behave in the classroom, the way they interact with other people and the way they treat others outside of the classroom.
You will be challenged at any level of teaching. You have to find ways to teach and engage all your students rather than just some. You will be responsible for creating your own lesson plans but they must follow the curriculum that is mandated by the school district. This might be established by the administrators of your school, a curriculum director, or the school board. You will also be required to work with parents and administrators. Keep in mind that some parents can be highly challenging, and you must find ways to communicate with them in a healthy and respectful manner even if they do not treat you well.
What will you do as an Elementary School Teacher?
It is important to note that not everyone can be a good teacher. You must like kids. If you do not, this is not the right career for you. You should also possess a number of characteristics that will help you to be successful, such as creating caring relationships, advanced listening skills, approachability, friendliness, superior communication skills, passion for teaching, and the ability to prepare and be organized. Patience and creativity are also essential characteristics. All of these characteristics will help you to do your job exceptionally well.
Each day will be different. You have to be prepared to discipline and command respect in the classroom. Elementary teachers may have to teach a number of subjects to all students, including math, science, reading, and English. If you teach older students, you may only teach a few subjects or just one subject to several different classes. Many elementary school teachers will be required to create lesson plans, grade papers, supervise recess, problem solve, make decisions, manage crises, and keep students engaged and excited to.
Common Degree Requirements
A few states do not require advanced degrees to become a teacher. However, it has become common practice in most states for educators to hold at least a bachelor’s degree. In the case of an elementary school teacher, this degree will be in elementary education. It is also possible to become an elementary school teacher with an early childhood education degree or a general education degree. In some states, you might be able to become a teacher with an associate’s degree or certifications. However, most states require a significant amount of classroom experience before you can become an elementary school teacher with one of these lower level degrees. This can occur as a teacher’s assistant without a bachelor’s degree or you can complete these hours during your undergraduate degree as part of your program. Keep in mind that if you transfer states, you will have to meet the standards of the new state and possibly take more exams.
If you wish to become a principal or a superintendent, you will require a master’s degree. Some school districts and private schools may require a doctoral degree. If you prefer a more supportive role rather than to be a primary teacher, you might only require an associate’s degree. If you wish to become a professor at a regionally accredited college or university, you will require a doctoral degree. Community colleges and nationally accredited colleges may accept teaching instructors who have a master’s degree. Keep in mind that you can always complete additional degrees and certificates online without taking time off from work. Most reputable institutions have online degree programs that you can complete while keeping a full-time job or taking care of your children.
Exams and Licensing
The exam and licensure requirements will vary greatly from state to state. You may need to take a wide variety of Praxis exams, such as the PPAT Assessment, Principles of Teaching and Learning: Early Childhood, Principles of Teaching and Learning: K-6 or Principles of Teaching and Learning: 5-9. Many states also require that you complete a teacher preparation program. This is often offered as part of a bachelor degree at reputable colleges and universities. Most states require the completion of additional licenses as directed by the state. These licensures evaluate your teacher readiness, knowledge-base and much more. Do not forget that you will have to pass a background check too.
Elementary School Teacher Salaries
If you want to increase your chances at better pay and working in a good school district, consider specializing in either STEM or special education as these teachers are often in great demand and good ones in these areas are even more in demand. Also, keep in mind that the more degrees you have the better your pay will be. You can specialize within your degree program, choose a minor, or complete certificates to make yourself more appealing to employers and to increase your pay.
Future Career Outlook
Many states are working hard to bring US education standards back up to the rest of the top education countries in the world, and more and more states are recognizing the importance of early education in pre-kindergarten and elementary school. As a result, state education budgets are increasing, and the growth of these teacher positions is projected to increase up to 7% by 2026. Many states that have traditionally performed poorly in academic standings in the US are working to improve their educational standards to be on par with the rest of the country. And schools are focusing on smaller classroom sizes as a way to improve learning performance and development. These all contribute to an increase in the number of teachers over the next several years.
Most teachers in public schools make modest wages in comparison to other professions. Teachers who wish to increase their salary will be best suited to pursue additional education and work experience. And again, if you work in a specialized field, you are more likely to make more money. Your salary will also be reflective of your work experience, education, job performance, awards in your field, and continued learning accomplishments.
Job Duties of Elementary School Teacher's
Create an environment for social, emotional, and behavioral development.
Monitor the performance of all students in academics, physical health, and social skills.
Material preparation for lessons and activities.
Adapt teaching techniques and methodologies to reach each student.
Teach in both individual and group settings.
Grade and assign classwork, exams, and homework.
Meet with other teachers, counselors, parents, and administrators.
Report suspected neglect or abuse to authorities.
Assign students lacking in development to remedial programs.
Integrate games, activities, and imaginative play with educational development.
Enforce school policies.
Provide a safe and welcoming environment.
Continue education if required by your employer or state.
Attend conferences, meetings, training, and workshops to improve professional abilities as directed by your employer.
Supervise field trips.
Remove any dangerous, broken, or outdated equipment, toys, etc.
Legitimate state licensure. Proficient experience of teaching strategies as well as techniques. Skilled understanding of ideal legislations, policies as well as treatments. Exceptional individuals abilities. Outstanding communication abilities, both talked and made up. Outstanding company abilities. Proficient computer system skills. Reputable lorry motorist's license. Access to function extended hrs sometimes.
Meet training courses as well as additionally school-wide student efficiency objectives. Participate in continuous training sessions. Establish lesson plans as well as personalize appropriately throughout the year. Maintain quality publications. Quality papers and likewise carry out various other administration tasks as required. Develop give propositions to obtain financing for more research study. Produce tasks designed to enhance lectures. Review in addition to stay abreast of present topics in education.
Use various educational program resources. Include know-hows, objectives, as well as likewise goals right into lesson plans. Take advantage of educational programs that reveal the diverse academic, social, in addition to linguistic histories of the students used. Establish motivations to keep participants in class. Establish specialist collaborations with various other firms as well as likewise programs. Usage town library resources. Manage program planners to make sure efforts are being fulfilled.
Establish as well as also engage clear purposes for all uncovering jobs. Prepare and likewise spread needed reports. Observe as well as check out trainee's efficiency. Take care of student actions in the class by invoking authorized restorative therapies.
Educators could furthermore be needed to manage students throughout non-educational tasks like lunch, recess, and area journeys. When not proactively educating a course, main establishment instructors spend their time rating jobs, mentoring pupils independently, and preparing lesson plans. They may have management work to perform along with components of their job responsibilities, and additionally they might furthermore be called for toor may select to engage in continuing education and learning past the class to maintain today on new training strategies.
Educators of more youthful training course levels may do less lecturing as well as additionally more interactive tasks as well as play, while teachers of older trainees may do even more lecturing as well as likewise grading. Educators of older primary trainees may additionally have even more flexibility in subject competence and likewise might advise a singular based on numerous training courses in contrast to countless based upon a single training course.
Though all class education activities take place throughout the day, teachers might require to take work home with them or function right into the evening to finish grading as well as lesson strategies. Most educators acquire summertimes off as well as likewise appreciate breaks in the autumn, winter months, as well as springtime, though trainers in year-round establishments get constant breaks throughout the year rather than a prolonged summer season break.
Independent school teachers could be used by local churches or unique scholastic businesses. Preschool teachers could operate for a public or independent school, or they may benefit a privately-owned preschool.
The education industry offers meeting education and learning and discovering occupations such as elementary school instructor as well as additionally special education teacher. The education and learning as well as understanding field uses careers besides training line of work such as educational coordinator, archivist along with curator. A whole lot of the education jobs need postsecondary education in addition to strong social abilities. Every state calls for university educators to have credentials.
Educators call for to have a bachelor's degree and also finish a training program, including student mentor. Occasionally specialized trainers require a master's degree. The education as well as finding out occupations area provides crucial, reputable information on a range of education and learning professions such as work growth, revenue, education and learning and additionally a great deal much more.
Additionally, conservators call for substantial experience and also a level in conservation or something truly similar. A gallery professional normally needs a bachelor's degree and additionally numerous years of job experience, normally in producing gallery programs. If someone thinks of a museum line of work, managing an art gallery, teaching others worrying amazing archeological finds, or bringing back an original Picasso paint, a job as a museum specialist, gallery manager or gallery conservator may remain in their future.
Extra particularly, a gallery curator manages service and also monitors the end of institutions such as fish tanks or arboretums. Museum manager work contains getting, taking a look at, maintaining along with taking a look at the authenticity of collections. A gallery solution technician task contains reacting to issues from the general public as well as managing the collections had or lent to the organization.
Those considering neighborhood wellness education and learning can look for a direction. Health teachers give a myriad of education and discovering programs to help individuals as well as likewise neighborhoods make healthy as well as well balanced lifestyle selections. A health and wellness as well as wellness educator occupation contains mentor people what they require to do to keep wellness. A health instructor's work in addition consists of creating programs to inspire healthy and balanced decision-making whatsoever ages.
Health as well as wellness instructor tasks consist of accumulating in addition to examining details to acknowledge area demands in order to strategy, carry out and also monitor programs to encourage a healthy and balanced lifestyle. Some specialists that work in area health education act as a resource for people, other wellness therapy workers, or the more thorough neighborhood.
Every teacher is influential, especially those who work with young children first in their formal educational courses. A crucial component to becoming an elementary school teacher, however, is dedicating your time to the development of the emotional and mental capabilities of young children, as well as the development of their interpersonal skills.
Most elementary school teachers are also required to have an associate's degree, or be a two-year college graduate with at least two years of teaching experience. This is because they are responsible for instructing children in math and other subjects, and also as an adjunct instructor in public schools, universities, and even other colleges and schools. They also assist parents and other personnel in educating children about appropriate behavior and manners.
The requirements to become an elementary school teacher are fairly minimal, but there are still some mandatory requirements that must be met before one can start his or her job. These requirements typically include having a bachelor's degree, plus a teacher certification from the American Association for College and Secondary Education (AACSE) and passing an examination administered by the National Council Licensure Examination Board (NCLEB).
Because of the fact that most elementary school teachers are also responsible for supervising other teachers in the classroom, it is often difficult for these individuals to negotiate a higher level of pay or benefits for themselves. However, by keeping a few important pieces of information in mind, one can go far towards improving their chances of landing a teaching position in one of the nation's elementary schools.
It may seem obvious, but the first thing one must consider when it comes to negotiating a salary and benefits package with one of America's elementary schools is his or her academic qualifications. Those who want to teach in a high-performing school will need to be able to demonstrate to their prospective employers that they are academically capable and qualified to do the job. This can often be done by simply passing the state licensing exams required for an applicant to teach in a public elementary school.
Once one has been evaluated and has had a chance to show what he or she can offer the school's curriculum needs and concerns, the next step is to look for job openings in the school district. One of the most common misconceptions about teaching is that all one needs to do is demonstrate an interest in helping children, and motivate them, without having a true understanding of how to administer the classroom environment.
One should not hesitate to apply for positions in a school district by submitting letters of interest that clearly explain what type of role they hope to play within the school's curriculum. This will likely help to set one apart from the competition and give the district and other hiring administrators an idea of what to expect.
The salary of elementary school teachers is often determined by their location, the size of the district, and the number of children per class. If a teacher desires to teach in a high-performing school, then this should not deter one from applying for a higher-paying position. Many districts, such as Washington DC and Chicago, have some of the highest salaries for elementary teachers and there is no doubt one can find a lucrative salary there.
If a teacher prefers to work in a lower-performing school, then there are many factors which can affect this determination. While being a highly successful teacher in a high-performing school may bring higher pay, a less successful teacher who works at a low-performing school may find a higher salary with a lower amount of demand and fewer job responsibilities.
If one does not feel comfortable applying for positions in a school district, he or she may wish to consider working in an outside public school. If an individual feels comfortable with the teacher's interaction with students and the school environment, then this may be an ideal option. However, if one is a perfectionist, or does not like change, then working in a private school may not be for him or her.
By being honest and forthcoming with one's employer about their skills and interests, one can demonstrate to prospective employers that they are able to perform as promised. This is vital to helping the individual land a competitive salary and to teach in a public elementary school. In addition to the salary that one can secure, one can also expect to be involved in more meaningful educational activities, such as planning classroom activities and taking part in extracurricular activities.
Where You’ll Work
Most teachers will work in public schools as they employ 85% of all teachers. Private schools represent the majority of the remaining 15%. You are also more likely to obtain a higher salary if you work for a private school. The same is true if you live in a large city rather than a small town. It is possible that your state could provide tenure for school teachers. Some do not. It is important to note that some teachers in some school districts have teachers’ unions that make it more difficult for teachers to be fired.
You might work at a school where students attend all year. These schools often have a few weeks of a break at a time several times a year. Other schools do not require teaching during the summer months. It is possible to teach summer school, coach an extracurricular activity, and tutor to make extra money. If you work as a kindergarten teacher, you may have classes that go for half days or full days. This is all dependent upon your employer type and school district. It is also possible to work as a consultant, work for corporations, work as a private teacher in people’s homes, and more.
Useful Skills and Certifications
Communication
Critical Thinking
Organization
Passion
Patience
Teacher Preparation Course
Specialized Certificate, such as ESL, math and special education.