Kindergarten and Elementary School Teachers
Additional Information
Duties
A typical kindergarten or elementary school lesson plan looks like this:
- Create lesson plans that teach youngsters reading, science, and arithmetic.
- Interacting with others is a vital life skill.
- Observe a student's abilities, qualities, and weaknesses.
- Teach a large or small group of students.
- Examine your students' work.
- Keep parents or guardians informed of their child's progress.
- Individualize instruction for each student.
- Preparing students for state-mandated tests
- Establish and enforce classroom norms to teach children proper behavior.
- Supervise students at lunch or recess.
Teachers in kindergarten and elementary school aim to help students learn and apply key concepts. Teaching abstract concepts, problem solving, and critical thinking often involves hands-on activities. For example, they might demonstrate a science experiment before having the kids complete it themselves. Students may be required to solve problems in groups.
Elementary school usually lasts from kindergarten to fifth or sixth grade. Some schools continue elementary school through the eighth grade, but this is rare.
Every day, kindergarten and primary school teachers teach a range of subjects. Teachers may accompany students to assemblies, recess, or other classes such as art or music. After school, teachers plan lessons, grade assignments, and collaborate.
One of the most typical topic specialist teams that teachers collaborate on is English and social studies.
Students spend around half their time with each instructor.
Kindergarten and primary school teachers can opt to specialize in art, music, or PE.
ESOL and ESL teachers specialize in teaching English to pupils from other nations. These teachers work with students individually or in groups to improve their English language skills and aid with class responsibilities.
Many students with learning disabilities, such as dyslexia, are taught in traditional classrooms. Special education instructors and kindergarten and primary school teachers monitor these students' progress and modify lesson plans as needed. Many elementary school teachers work with special needs teachers.
Some teachers use technology in the classroom as a teaching tool. Affordability and adaptability are key. Lesson plans, upcoming activities, and grades can all be posted on websites. Teachers can use websites or discussion forums to educate or reinforce topics taught in class.
Education
A bachelor's degree is usually required for kindergarten and elementary school teachers. Most private schools must also achieve this requirement. Some states require these teachers to hold a degree in a specific field, such as mathematics.
Those with a bachelor's degree in another field can still teach elementary school. A teacher education program is required to obtain certification. Each state has its own rules.
In teacher education programs, students learn how to transmit knowledge to youngsters of varied backgrounds. A student teaching program is a popular way for students to get classroom teaching experience. Learn more about teacher preparation choices in your state at Teach.org.
After getting their teaching credential and getting a job, some educators need a master's degree.
Certificates and Licensing
Every state requires instructors in public schools to be licensed. Private school teachers are generally exempt from the state's teaching certificate requirements. State certification or licensure requirements vary, but frequently include:
- A 3.0 GPA is required for a bachelor’s degree.
- The end of a student teaching program.
- Getting past a criminal background check.
- Passing both a general and a subject-specific teaching certification test.
Visit Teach.org to discover more about your state's certification requirements.
Teachers are often required to complete professional development courses to keep their certification or license. Several states now require newly licensed teachers to complete a master's degree.
For people with bachelor's degrees but not enough courses to be certified, there are other options in every state. After completing an alternative certification program, graduates may immediately begin teaching under the supervision of an experienced teacher. These courses cover both pedagogy and child development. Candidates who complete the program successfully receive full certification. Some schools need students to take education courses before they can teach.
Factors to Consider
The ability to communicate successfully. Educators must work with parents and administrators to better understand student needs. It's also vital that they can communicate with students in a way they can understand.
Patience. Teachers in kindergarten and primary school must be patient with struggling students. Working with students from diverse backgrounds and abilities can be difficult.
Strength and endurance Working with kindergarten and primary school students can be tiring. Teachers must be able to keep up physically, psychologically, and emotionally.
Resourcefulness. Early on, a teacher's ability to engage and focus students is crucial. As a result, kids should be ready for various learning styles.
Pay
In May 2020, the typical yearly salary for elementary school teachers was $60,940, excluding special education. It is the pay at which half of the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount, and half earned less. Less than 40,030 dollars was earned by the bottom 10%, while more than 100,480 dollars was made by the top 10%.
Job Projections
Teacher jobs are expected to expand by 7% from 2020 to 2030, about in line with the overall average for all occupations.