Elementary School Teacher Job Description - Salary, Education and Career Guide for Becoming an Elementary School Teacher

Elementary school teachers educate students in the primary grades, usually first through fifth grade. They should enjoy working with young children, be excellent communicators and be able to maintain control in a class of 20-30 students.

Job Description

Teachers help students learn through a variety of methods, including classroom presentation and one-on-one instruction. Elementary school teachers generally teach a variety of subjects to one class. These subjects include English, grammar, reading, basic arithmetic, social studies and elementary science. Some teachers specialize in one subject, such as art, music or gym, and teach it to a number of classes.
 
Elementary school teacher jobs consist of lesson planning, test and homework preparation, grading and class discipline. Other job duties include scheduling parent-teacher conferences, writing report cards, supervising extracurricular activities and attending staff meetings. Most teachers put in more than 40 hours of work in every given week.
 
Elementary school teachers face a variety of challenges including occasional rude behavior, large classes or old schools that lack amenities such as air conditioning. Often, the school administration dictates the material to be taught in class, which can be frustrating for teachers who want to create their own curriculum.
 
In most school districts across the U.S., teachers work a 10-month school schedule and have two months of vacation in the summer. Not all teachers use those summer months as vacation - many teach summer school in this time; others take college courses necessary to maintain their certifications. Others pick up part-time jobs, travel or pursue personal interests.

Salary Guide

The average salary for a first-year teacher is $31,753. Average elementary school teacher salaries hover around $50,040, but salary depends on location, grade taught, experience and level of education. Earning a master's degree will usually lead to an increase in pay. Teachers can make extra money by teaching summer school or mentoring. Many teachers take on extra jobs in the summer months to supplement their income or to pay for classroom supplies.

Education and Training

U.S. public schools require prospective teachers to have a bachelor's degree and a teaching license. In most cases, elementary school teachers graduate with a degree in elementary education.
 
An elementary education course of study includes classes in art, mathematics, science, literature, child psychology and teaching methods. Students are usually required to participate in a student-teaching internship during their last year of college. Private school teachers only need to have a bachelor's degree, not a teaching license.

Prior Work Experience

Students working on an elementary education degree can gain valuable classroom experience by volunteering or working in schools as a tutor or teacher's aide. Prospective teachers who already hold a bachelor's degree can work as substitute teachers before earning their teaching license.

Career Advancement

An elementary school teacher's career can remain stable, or teachers can take advantage of opportunities to move their careers in new directions. Teachers may seek additional certification to teach other age groups, such as middle school or high school. Exceptional teachers may become senior teachers or mentors, who guide newer teachers while keeping their own classes.
 
Some teachers move on from the classroom and into different careers as librarians or guidance counselors. Others choose to move into the lucrative but demanding field of school administration. Outstanding teachers may become senior teachers or mentors. They guide newer teachers while continuing their own teaching duties.

Related Associations and Groups

Elementary school teachers can take advantage of a wide variety of associations available to them, including:
  • Association of American Educators
  • American Federation of Teachers
  • Association for Experiential Education
  • Computer-Using Educators
  • Music Teachers National Association
  • National Art Education Association
  • National Education Association.

 

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