Elementary School Teachers

Elementary school teachers work in public and private schools. They instruct children in grades one through six.

Elementary school teachers are in charge of learning during a crucial phase of a child's development. They create lessons and mentor children to best prepare them for the challenges of the future.

Elementary School Teachers are in the Education and Training career cluster and the Teaching and Training pathway.

Quick Facts

Source: Minnesota Department of Education, Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development, and CareerOneStop.

Wages & Outlook

Wages

Because teachers usually work a ten-month year, their wages are reported annually.

Teachers who have advanced degrees earn the most money. Teachers can earn more money by teaching in the summer.

Teachers who work full time usually receive benefits. Typical benefits include health and life insurance, a retirement plan, and sick leave. Some teachers get sabbatical leave.

Over half of all public school teachers belong to unions -- mainly the American Federation of Teachers and the National Education Association. These unions negotiate with employers regarding wages, hours, and conditions of employment.

View the Regional Wage Comparison Chart for:

• Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education

 

Employment

In Minnesota, about 23,567 elementary school teachers work in this large occupation.

Major employers:

• Public and private elementary schools

Outlook

The overall student enrollment in elementary school is expected to increase. However, the growth rate varies by area of the country. States in the South and West--particularly Arizona, Texas, Nevada, and Georgia--will have a large increase in the number of students. However, states in the Midwest are expected to hold steady, and states in the Northeast are projected to have declines.

Many openings will occur as current teachers retire. Demand for teachers is high in inner city schools because crime is higher and wages are usually lower. Teachers who are willing to relocate or who are bilingual will have the best chances of finding a job.

Employment Outlook for Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education

	Employment		Employment Change
	2010	2020	Number	Percent
U S	1,476,500	1,725,300	248,800	16.9%
Minnesota	26,760	27,973	1,213	4.5%
	2010	2020	Number	Percent
Central Minnesota	3,426	3,665	239	7%
Northeast Minnesota	1,241	1,186	-55	-4.4%
Northwest Minnesota	2,964	3,018	54	1.8%
Southeast Minnesota	2,676	2,758	82	3.1%
Southwest Minnesota	1,639	1,601	-38	-2.3%
Seven County Mpls-St Paul, MN	14,880	15,856	976	6.6%

Source: Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development and Minnesota Department of Education.

On the Job

Overview

Elementary school teachers work in public and private schools. They instruct children in grades one through six.


With each grade they finish, students advance their skills. They go from learning how to add and subtract to learning how to divide. Eventually, they learn how to solve complicated problems using formulas. In some math classes, numbers are hardly used. Instead, letters and symbols take their place. Students also go from paging through picture books to reading complicated essays and books. They also write about their own ideas. What's amazing is that college students, even college professors, could never do these things without learning the skills taught in first grade.Elementary school teachers usually teach one class of about 25 children. Sometimes they teach combined grades or subjects. Younger elementary children study subjects such as writing, reading, and counting. Older elementary children learn history, math, and English. Elementary school teachers teach social skills to children in all grades.

Teachers use audio-visual aids, computers, and classroom handouts to help children understand subjects. Sometimes they show films or videos or take children on field trips. Teachers develop materials to help children learn problem solving and reasoning. They may teach students one-on-one or in groups. They use educational games and projects to help children grasp new ideas. They organize the desks, bulletin boards, and computer stations to assist learning. They regularly read aloud to students to help them increase their comprehension skills.

Elementary school teachers record student attendance each day. They create daily lesson plans based on school or state requirements. Teachers assign homework and grade papers. They keep records of grades on tests and homework. They evaluate each child's performance and write progress reports for parents. They maintain records for school administrators. They also record information about behavior problems and disciplinary actions.

Teachers meet with parents to discuss student progress or problems. When a child is having a hard time adjusting to school, teachers work with the child to find solutions. Sometimes teachers work with parents or other family members to make sure children complete their work.

Teachers supervise activities on playgrounds and in cafeterias. They develop rules for safety and classroom behavior and make sure children follow them.

Some elementary school teachers teach subjects such as art or music. Art teachers lead art projects, get supplies, and help children develop art skills. Music teachers lead singing groups and teach music skills. Sometimes they lead bands. Other teachers teach physical education to help children develop physical coordination. Often, these teachers work at several schools during a week. Many teachers coordinate volunteer groups and oversee special projects in addition to their regular duties.

Teachers meet regularly with other staff members to discuss school issues. They work with parent volunteers in the classroom. Teachers also attend in-service trainings to update their skills.

Work Activities

The following list of occupational tasks is specific to this career.

• Develop teaching outlines and lesson plans.
• Organize classroom materials such as handouts, audio-visuals, and computer displays.
• Organize desks, bulletin boards, and computer stations.
• Teach subjects to children, both individually and in groups. Observe how they react to material and their overall performance.
• Assign homework.
• Grade tests and assignments.
• Counsel children having difficulty. Work with families when necessary.
• Supervise recess activities.
• Create rules for behavior and make sure children follow them.
• Maintain student attendance and academic records.
• Write progress reports and meet with parents.
• Teach art, music, or physical education classes.
• Meet with other teachers and staff members.
• Coordinate parent volunteers in classroom.
• Attend in-service training.

People in this career perform the following list of tasks, but the tasks are common to many occupations.

• Teach others.
• Think creatively.
• Organize, plan, and prioritize work.
• Coach others.
• Document and record information.
• Make decisions and solve problems.
• Update and use job-related knowledge.
• Get information needed to do the job.
• Communicate with supervisors, peers, or subordinates.
• Develop goals and strategies.
• Evaluate information against standards.
• Establish and maintain relationships.
• Schedule work and activities.
• Analyze data or information.
• Monitor events, materials, and surroundings.
• Use computers.
• Resolve conflicts and negotiate with others.
• Develop and build teams.
• Explain the meaning of information to others.
• Coordinate the work and activities of others.

Working Conditions

In a typical work setting, people in this career:

Interpersonal Relationships

• Have a very high level of social interaction. They work with children, parents, and other teachers.
• Communicate with people face-to-face on a daily basis. They also communicate by phone, e-mail, letters, and memos, usually on a weekly basis.
• Are responsible for the health and safety of the children in their school.
• Are placed in conflict situations where parents and students might become angry or unpleasant on a weekly basis.
• Usually work as part of a team of educators.

Physical Work Conditions

• Usually work indoors in classrooms. However, they sometimes teach outdoors or supervise playgrounds.
• Work very near others, within a few feet or less. Working with young children often entails close contact.
• Are exposed to diseases and infections, such as colds and influenza, on a weekly basis.
• Are exposed to loud sounds and high noise levels on a weekly basis.

Work Performance

• Must be accurate and complete all details of the job. Errors or oversights may delay student learning.
• Often repeat the same activities.
• Make decisions that strongly impact the school's reputation. Parents often rely on word-of-mouth when making decisions about their children's education.
• Make decisions that affect parents and students on a weekly basis. They are able to make most of their decisions without consulting another first.
• Set most of their daily tasks and goals without talking to a supervisor.
• Operate by strict weekly and daily deadlines.

Hours/Travel

• Usually work nine months during the year and have summers off. Some teach summer school.
• May work part time or full time. Most work full time.

Physical Demands

In a typical work setting, people in this career:

People in this career frequently:

• Stand or walk when teaching.

It is important for people in this career to be able to:

• Speak clearly so listeners can understand.
• Understand the speech of another person.
• See details of objects whether they are nearby or far away.

It is not as important, but still necessary, for people in this career to be able to:

• Use fingers to grasp, move, or assemble very small objects.
• Focus on one source of sound and ignore others.
• See differences between colors, shades, and brightness.
• Use stomach and lower back muscles to support the body for long periods without getting tired.
• Be physically active for long periods without getting tired or out of breath.
• Hear sounds and recognize the difference between them.

Source: Minnesota Department of Education.

Education & Training

Preparation

To work as an elementary school teacher, you typically need to:

• have a high school diploma or GED;
• have at least a bachelor's degree;
• complete an approved teacher training program;
• complete a student teacher internship; and
• pass a state licensing exam.

Education after high school

To teach in a public elementary school, you must have at least a bachelor's degree from an approved teacher education program. Teaching programs include courses in early childhood development, reading and math instruction, and child guidance.

Many states require that teachers have (or be in the process of working on) a master's degree. This usually involves one additional year of coursework after completing a bachelor's degree.

To renew your teaching license, you need to take additional courses in education. Many teachers do this during the summer months.

Private elementary schools may not require that teachers have a bachelor's degree in education.

On-the-job training

Before graduating from a teacher education program, you work as a student teacher. Student teachers work in elementary school classrooms with experienced teachers. In the beginning, you observe the teacher and classroom. Later, you teach on your own.

In your first year as a teacher you may receive additional on-the-job training. This generally takes the form of extra supervision by the principal or another teacher.

Related Programs (Current training programs available)

• Bilingual and Multilingual Education
• Elementary Education and Teaching
• Teacher Education, Multiple Levels
• Environmental Education.
• Teaching English as a Second or Foreign Language/ESL Language Instructor

Fields of Study (What to study to prepare for this career)

Click on any of the Fields of Study listed below to find out more about preparing for this career.

• Child Development
• Curriculum and Instruction
• Early Childhood Education and Teaching
• Education Administration
• Education Measurement and Testing
• Education of the Gifted
• Education, General
• Educational Psychology
• Elementary Education and Teaching
• Mathematics
• Music, General
• Natural Sciences

Level of Education

The table below lists the level of education attained by a subset of workers in this occupation. The workers surveyed were between age 25 and 44.

Education level attained	Percentage of workers in this occupation*
Less than high school diploma	0
High school diploma or equivalent	0
Some college, no degree	3
Associate degree	2
Bachelor's degree	47
Master's degree	45
Doctoral (Ph.D.) or professional degree	3

* National data for elementary school teachers, except special education (SOC 25-2021).

Helpful High School Courses

In high school, take classes that prepare you for college. A college preparatory curriculum may be different from your state's graduation requirements.

You should also consider taking some advanced courses in high school. This includes Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) courses if they are available in your school. If you do well in these courses, you may receive college credit for them. Advanced courses can also strengthen your college application.

Helpful electives to take in high school that prepare you for this occupation include:

• Child Development
• Computer Applications
• Keyboarding
• Teacher Assisting
• Public Speaking
• Psychology

The courses listed above are meant to help you create your high school plan. If you have not already done so, talk to a school counselor or parent about the courses you are considering taking.

You should also check with a teacher or counselor to see if work-based learning opportunities are available in your school and community. These might include field trips, job shadowing, internships, and actual work experience. The goal of these activities is to help you connect your school experiences with real-life work.

Join some groups, try some hobbies, or volunteer with an organization that interests you. By participating in activities you can have fun, make new friends, and learn about yourself. Maybe one of them will help direct you to a future career.

Source: Minnesota Department of Education.

Skills

People in this career need to:

Communicate

• Express ideas clearly when speaking or writing.
• Read and understand written information.
• Listen to others, understand, and ask questions.

Reason and Problem Solve

• Notice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong.
• Think of new ideas or original and creative ways to solve problems.
• Understand new information or materials by studying and working with them.
• Use reasoning to discover answers to problems.
• Analyze ideas and use logic to determine their strengths and weaknesses.
• Combine several pieces of information and draw conclusions.
• Develop rules or follow guidelines for arranging items.
• Judge the costs and benefits of a possible action.
• Concentrate and not be distracted while performing a task.
• Identify problems and review information. Develop, review, and apply solutions.
• Determine how a system should work. Study how changes in conditions affect outcomes.
• Identify ways to measure and improve system performance.
• Remember information such as words, numbers, pictures, and procedures.

Use Math and Science

• Use math and science skills to solve problems.

Manage Oneself, People, Time and Things

• Check how well one is learning or doing something.
• Manage the time of self and others.
• Motivate, develop, and direct people as they work.
• Go back and forth between two or more activities or sources of information without becoming confused.

Work with People

• Use several methods to learn or teach new things.
• Be aware of others' reactions and change behavior in relation to them.
• Look for ways to help people.
• Solve problems by bringing others together to discuss differences.
• Persuade others to approach things differently.

Work with Things

• Determine the tools and equipment needed to do a job.

Perceive and Visualize

• Identify a pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in distracting material.

Knowledge

People in this career need knowledge in the following areas:

• Education and Training: Knowledge of teaching and the methods involved in learning and instruction.
• English Language: Knowledge of the meaning, spelling, and use of the English language.
• Psychology: Knowledge of people, their actions, and mental processes. This may include knowledge of how to treat emotional and behavioral problems.
• Mathematics: Knowledge of the rules and uses of numbers. Areas of knowledge include arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and statistics.
• Sociology and Anthropology: Knowledge of the behavior, customs, and origins of groups of people.
• Computers and Electronics: Knowledge of computer hardware and software.
• Geography: Knowledge of land, sea, and air masses. Also includes knowledge of how to describe their location, features, and relationships.
• Customer and Personal Service: Knowledge of providing special services to customers based on their needs.
• Clerical: Knowledge of general office work such as filing and recording information.
• Administration and Management: Knowledge of managing the operations of a business, company, or group.
• History and Archeology: Knowledge of events that happened in the past. Also includes knowledge of the signs, causes, and impact on people and cultures.

Interests

People in this career are people who tend to:

• Consider relationships important. They like to work in a friendly, non-competitive environment. They like to do things for other people. They prefer jobs where they are not pressured to do things that go against their sense of right and wrong.
• Consider achievement important. They like to see the results of their work and to use their strongest abilities. They like to get a feeling of accomplishment from their work.
• Consider independence important. They like to make decisions and try out ideas on their own. They prefer jobs where they can plan their work with little supervision.
• Consider good working conditions important. They like jobs offering steady employment and good pay. They want employment that fits their individual work style. They may prefer doing a variety of tasks, working alone, or being busy all the time.
• Consider support from their employer important. They like to be treated fairly and have supervisors who will back them up. They prefer jobs where they are trained well.
• Have social interests. They like work activities that assist others and promote learning and personal development. They like to communicate with others: to teach, give advice, help, or otherwise be of service to others.
• Have artistic interests. They like work activities that deal with artistic forms, designs, and patterns. They prefer work which allows for self expression.
• Have conventional interests. They like work activities that follow set procedures, routines, and standards. They like to work with data and detail. They prefer working where there is a clear line of authority to follow.

Source: Minnesota Department of Education.

Tools & Technology for Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education

Tools

Binocular light compound microscopes Optical compound microscopes Board games Educational board games Building blocks Toy block sets Calculators or accessories Calculators Cassette players or recorders Audiotape players Childrens science kits Science activity kits Compact disk players or recorders Compact disk CD players Compasses Pencil compasses Desktop computers Digital cameras Compact digital cameras Intercom systems Laboratory balances Precision balances

Laminators Laminating machines Laser printers Computer laser printers Notebook computers Laptop computers Overhead projectors Overhead display projectors Personal computers Photocopiers Photocopying equipment Prisms Tactile toys Pegboards Televisions Television monitors Video cassette players or recorders Video cassette recorders VCR

Technology

Computer based training software Children's educational software Electronic mail software Email software Microsoft Outlook Graphics or photo imaging software Graphics software Internet browser software Web browser software

Office suite software Microsoft Office software Presentation software Microsoft PowerPoint Spreadsheet software Microsoft Excel Word processing software Microsoft Word

Licensing / Certification

Elementary school teachers must be licensed in Minnesota.

Applicants must:

• graduate from a state-approved teacher preparation program;
• undergo a criminal background check including a fingerprint check;
• pass the Minnesota Teacher Licensure Examinations; and
• complete an approved human relations program.

Applicants who have a minimum of a bachelor's degree in fields other than education and have teaching or related experiences may qualify for licensure through portfolio evaluation.

A limited license is also available for short call substitute teaching. A short call substitute teacher is one who teaches on a day-to-day basis that does not exceed 15 consecutive school days replacing the same teacher.

For more information on these licenses, contact:

Minnesota Department of Education
1500 W. Highway 36
Roseville MN 55113
Phone: 651.582.8691
http://education.state.mn.us

Select Educator Excellence, then Licensing.

The National Board for Professional Teaching Standards offers voluntary national certification for teachers. To become nationally certified, teachers must put together a portfolio showing their work in the classroom. They also must pass a written assessment and evaluation of their teaching knowledge. Currently, teachers may become certified in one of seven areas. For example, teachers may become certified as early childhood generalists. All states recognize national certification, and many states and school districts provide special benefits to teachers holding national certification. In addition, many states allow nationally certified teachers to carry a license from one state to another.

For more information, contact:

The National Board of Teaching Standards
1525 Wilson Blvd., Suite 500
Arlington, VA 22209
Phone: 703.465.2700 or 800.228.3224
http://www.nbpts.org

All states require public school teachers to be licensed. In private schools, however, teachers are not required to be licensed. Requirements vary by state.

Many states award provisional teaching licenses to new teachers. After a period of several years of acceptable teaching experience, applicants may apply for a professional teaching license.

Some states also require applicants to submit their fingerprints and undergo a background check. They may also require teachers to obtain a master's degree in education. In addition, many states require teachers to take continuing education courses each year.

Certification Details

Certifications are examinations that test or enhance your knowledge, experience or skills in an occupation or profession.

There are 8 certifications related to this career.

Licensing Details

Click on occupations listed below to find State of Minnesota licensing information.

Teaching License, various classes

Source: Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development and CareerOneStop.

Jobs

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Hiring Practices

Public schools require that teachers have a degree in education and a teaching license. Employers look for teachers who have patience and high standards of personal conduct. They also look for people who enjoy working with children.

Private schools may not require a degree or teaching license. If based on a religion, a school may require that teachers have a background in a particular faith. Other schools may require teachers to have some training in their philosophy of education.

Some employers look for teachers who are bilingual.

Advancement Opportunities

Some teachers advance to administrative positions, such as elementary school principal, after earning a master's degree. In some states, teachers can obtain additional certification. Teachers are usually paid more as they complete additional college coursework.

Job Title Examples

Art Teacher,  Primary Teacher,  Reading Recovery Teacher,  Title One Reading Teacher,  Teacher,  Classroom Teacher,  Educator,  Elementary Education Teacher 

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Related Industries

Below are industries related to Elementary School Teachers you may be interested in reading about. Employers in these industries typically hire Elementary School Teachers. Click on the names to link to their industry profile.

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Source: Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development and Minnesota Department of Education.