Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education

Career Overview

Teach academic and social skills to students at the elementary school level.

Also Known As

Classroom Teacher
Elementary School Teacher
Elementary Teacher
Teacher

Alternate Job Titles

Art Educator
Art Instructor
Art Teacher
Band Teacher
Bilingual Instructor
Bilingual Teacher
Choir Teacher
Classroom Teacher
Educator
Elementary Art Teacher
Elementary Classroom Teacher
Elementary Education Teacher
Elementary Educator
Elementary PE Teacher (Elementary Physical Education Teacher)
Elementary School Band Director

What You'll Do

In this role, your typical responsibilities include:

Instruct students individually and in groups, using teaching methods such as lectures, discussions, and demonstrations.
Establish and enforce rules for behavior and procedures for maintaining order among the students.
Guide and counsel students with adjustment or academic problems or with special academic interests.
Adapt teaching methods and instructional materials to meet students' varying needs and interests.
Plan and conduct activities for a balanced program of instruction, demonstration, and work time that provides students with opportunities to observe, question, and investigate.
Prepare materials and classrooms for class activities.
Read books to entire classes or small groups.

Knowledge You'll Use

You'll need solid knowledge in these areas:

English Language
Education and Training
Mathematics
Customer and Personal Service
Psychology

Essential Skills

Success in this career requires strong skills in:

Learning Strategies
Instructing
Speaking
Active Listening
Critical Thinking
Monitoring
Social Perceptiveness
Reading Comprehension
Writing
Coordination

Key Abilities

This career requires key abilities in:

Oral Expression
Oral Comprehension
Problem Sensitivity
Speech Recognition
Inductive Reasoning
Speech Clarity
Written Expression
Fluency of Ideas
Information Ordering
Deductive Reasoning

Work Style

People who excel in this career typically demonstrate:

Dependability
Cooperation
Empathy
Optimism
Integrity

What Matters in This Career

This career tends to satisfy these work values:

Relationships
Achievement
Independence
Working Conditions
Support

Education & Preparation

Typical Education: Bachelor's Degree

On-the-Job Training: Over 6 months, up to and including 1 year

Education Details: Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.

Experience Required: A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.

Technology You'll Use

Popular Technologies & Software

Google Docs
Microsoft Excel
Microsoft Office software
Microsoft Outlook
Microsoft PowerPoint
Microsoft SharePoint
Microsoft Word

Tools & Equipment

Audiotape players
Compact digital cameras
Compact disk CD players
Computer laser printers
Desktop computers
Educational board games
Handheld calculators
Intercom systems
Laminating machines
Laptop computers
Optical compound microscopes
Overhead display projectors
Pegboards
Pencil compasses
Personal computers

Work Environment

E-Mail
Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team
Contact With Others
Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
Physical Proximity

Salary & Job Market

Salary Percentile	Annual Wage
Entry-Level (10th percentile)	$46,440
Median	$62,340
Top Earners (90th percentile)	$102,010

Workers Employed Nationally: 1,393,310