How to become An Elementary School Teacher

• Elementary Teacher
• Elementary Classroom Teacher
• Elementary School Educator
• Elementary Education Teacher

What do Elementary School Teachers do?

An Elementary School Teacher would typically need to:

• Create a developmentally appropriate, inclusive, positive, and safe educational climate for students from first grade to fifth or sixth grade
• Rely heavily on primary education pedagogy, including time-tested and research-based processes based on early childhood development concepts, theories, and practices
• Work with school leaders and administrators to initiate policies; manage classrooms and implement school procedures
• Create, prepare, and deliver instructional resources; select reading, writing, math, and other curriculum-development materials, including textbooks, as per official guidelines
• Create projects designed to enhance lectures; integrate competencies, goals, and objectives into lesson plans
• Utilize curricula that reflect the diverse educational, cultural, and linguistic backgrounds of the students served; utilize public library resources; integrate suitable use of technology
• Establish and communicate clear objectives for all learning activities; tutor students on an individual basis; work with program coordinators to ensure the effective implementation of initiatives
• Assign homework; grade students’ work and maintain grade books; prepare students for standardized tests, working within the parameters of official requirements
• Administer and grade tests while staying current with official standards for subjects at the elementary level; meet course and school-wide student performance goals; prepare and distribute required reports
• Develop incentives to keep participants in class; manage student behavior in the classroom by invoking approved disciplinary procedures
• Hold conferences with parents and guardians as needed; develop professional relationships with other agencies and programs
• Identify students’ academic and social strengths and opportunities at an early age to help plan a general and targeted curriculum to prepare students for success in middle school and beyond

Elementary School Teachers stick to their homeroom, although they may teach elsewhere in the school to cover for staff shortages or because of their specialist subject area. There may be occasional trips with pupils or to fulfill staff development opportunities, which involve staying away from home and overseas travel. The dress code is usually formal unless otherwise specified.

Elementary School Teachers generally work during school hours when students are present. They may meet with parents, students, and other teachers before and after school. They often spend time in the evenings and on weekends grading papers and preparing lessons.

You may work the traditional ten-month school year and have a two-month break during the summer and a short midwinter break. Some teachers work during the summer.

Teachers in locations with a year-round schedule typically work nine weeks in a row and then have a break for three weeks before starting a new schooling session.

Finding a new job might seem challenging. Elementary School Teachers can boost their job search by asking their network for referrals, contacting companies directly, using job search platforms, going to job fairs, leveraging social media, and inquiring at staffing agencies.

Most public schools have tenure laws, which provide job security after a specific period of satisfactory teaching.

 Elementary School Teachers are generally employed by:

• Public & Private Elementary Schools
• Public & Private Secondary Schools

Compared with workers in all occupations, Elementary School Teachers have a higher percentage of workers who belong to a union. Professional associations and organizations are crucial for teachers interested in pursuing professional development or connecting with like-minded professionals in their industry or occupation. Membership in one or more adds value to your resume while bolstering your credentials and qualifications.

• Large classes; distracted students; inadequate time to impart proper knowledge; the pressure to put in overtime hours
• The intense workload of a five-lesson day and dealing with classroom noise
• Limited teaching resources; lack of essential teaching tools such as computers and up-to-date textbooks
• Unreasonable demands from leadership and unrealistic expectations of consistency
• The difficult decision of whether to stay in or leave the profession, based on factors such as life experiences

Having experience in a classroom over an extended period will help you make a robust application to all training routes, even though it is not mandatory. There are quite a few easily accessible avenues to gain relevant experience. Visit schools to observe and talk to teachers, become familiar with the primary curriculum, and ask if you can regularly help a teacher with non-teaching duties.

Potential Elementary School Teachers should explore opportunities to visit open days and attend taster courses organized through schools and universities. You can also contact your university careers service or school of education to learn about local opportunities to gain experience in schools.

A post as a teaching assistant could also give you valuable experience. Gain experience working with children in other ways, such as mentoring, summer play schemes, summer camps, Sunday schools, and supplementary & mother-tongue schools.

Elementary School Teachers typically need at least a bachelor’s degree in elementary education. Majoring in a content area, such as math or science, adds value. Those with a bachelor’s degree in another subject must complete a teacher education program to obtain certification to teach. Actual requirements may vary by location.

All Elementary School Teachers need a license to teach. The requirements may vary across locations but broadly include a bachelor’s degree with a minimum GPA and completion of a student teaching program. They may also include passing a background check, passing a general teaching certification test, as well as a test that demonstrates their knowledge of the subject they will teach.

Certification programs from an objective and reputed organization may include early and middle childhood development and teaching methods. Fully certified candidates can begin teaching immediately after graduation, under the supervision of an experienced teacher.

Successful certification programs protect public welfare by incorporating a Code of Ethics. The reassurance that members who practice outside the Code will be investigated and held accountable earns the community’s trust and respect, which are the most critical elements in securing an Elementary School Teacher’s future.

Career progression may be through a specialist curriculum or pastoral role or by moving into management. Geographical mobility can improve prospects. Experienced Elementary School Teachers may advance to serve as mentors to new teachers or become Lead Teachers. They may become Coordinators of their specialist subject or a cross-curricular area, such as special needs.

With additional education or certification, elementary teachers may become School Counselors, School Librarians, or Instructional Coordinators. Some become Assistant Principals or Principals, both of which generally require additional qualifications in education administration or leadership.

Once adequately trained and experienced, some Elementary School Teachers look for positions overseas. Many countries expect a teacher to have qualifications gained in that country, but sometimes there are reciprocal agreements. Many teachers go on exchange programs to other parts of the world, and some undertake voluntary work in developing countries through organizations such as Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO).

A few Elementary School Teachers move out of schools into further or higher education or other related jobs, such as school inspection, teacher training, local education authority, and examination board administration. They may also work as education officers, often employed at museums, art galleries, and zoos.

Many of the skills gained as a teacher are invaluable to employers outside education. Some teachers retrain for other careers, such as social work, guidance work, and management roles within the public or private sector, where they continue to use the skills acquired in teaching.

There are highly feasible self-employment opportunities such as private tutoring, writing educational materials, running out-of-school clubs, e.g., art, dance, music, sports or a foreign language, and running a small private school.

Classroom expertise and geographic mobility paired with higher educational qualifications, such as a master’s degree in their specialist subject, education, or business administration will enhance the job prospects of elementary school teachers.

Elementary School Teachers are frequently required to complete professional development classes to keep their license or certification. There are teacher mentoring programs and teacher development courses to help with the challenges of being a teacher.

You are encouraged to pursue continuing professional development (CPD) relevant to your responsibilities and the school’s development needs. Training takes place in-house on teacher training days or at regional training centers run by local authorities. Topics often covered in training include curriculum issues, target setting and assessment, special needs, subject leadership, pastoral care, new initiatives, and technology.

Some teachers may study on a part-time basis for higher qualifications related to their specialist subject, or take a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree or a master’s in education, depending on their career aims.

The elementary school typically goes from first through fifth or sixth grade. However, Elementary school may sometimes continue through eighth grade.

All in a Day’s Work

Elementary School Teachers typically instruct students in several subjects throughout the day. Teachers may escort students to assemblies, recess, or classes taught by other teachers, such as art or music. When they do not actively teach, teachers plan lessons, grade assignments, or meet with other teachers and staff.

Subject Specialization Teams

Elementary School Teachers may work with subject specialization teams; they teach specific subjects, typically either English and social studies or math and science. Generally, students spend half their time with one teacher and half their time with the other. You may choose to specialize in subjects such as art, music, or physical education.

ESL & ESOL

Some schools employ English as a second language (ESL) or English for speakers of other languages (ESOL) teachers who work exclusively with students learning English. These Elementary School Teachers work with students individually or in groups to improve their English language skills and help them with class assignments.

Integrating Students with Special Needs

When students with learning disabilities or emotional or behavioral disorders are integrated into traditional classes, Elementary School Teachers work with special education teachers to adapt lesson plans to these students’ needs and monitor their progress. In some cases, they may co-teach lessons with special education teachers.

Technology - A Cool Teaching Aid

Elementary School Teachers are increasingly using technology in their classrooms as a teaching aid. They must be comfortable with using and learning new technology. Teachers also may maintain websites to communicate with parents about students’ assignments, upcoming events, and grades. For students in higher grades, teachers may create websites or discussion boards to present information or expand on a class lesson. Resources vary between schools.

A survey of teachers revealed that they have enough mugs, frames, and stuffed animals. They appreciate a gift card to places like Starbucks—or, even better, a thank-you note.

Teaching is not a lost art, but the regard for it seems a lost tradition. Those who educate children well gift them the art of living well while appreciating all lessons taught. Dedicated teachers are those who use themselves as bridges over which they invite their students to cross; then, having facilitated their crossing, joyfully collapse, encouraging them to create their own.

Spend a lot of time at the beginning of the year creating your classroom contract and learning the classroom rules. Show kindness, patience, and fairness when dealing with children. Try to remember that they are learning and part of that means making mistakes and learning from them. Help them not only learn the curriculum but teach them how to be socially responsible.