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What does a Primary Teacher do?

Photo of Brenna Goyette
Brenna Goyette
Certified Professional Resume Writer, Career Expert

Published 4 min read

A primary teacher is responsible for teaching and caring for a class of young students, usually aged between 5 and 11. They plan lessons, deliver instruction, assess student progress, and maintain a safe and orderly learning environment. In addition to academic responsibilities, primary teachers often play an important role in social and emotional development, helping students build confidence and learn to cooperate with others.

Primary Teacher job duties include:

  • To teach pupils aged between 4 and 11 years old in a primary school.
  • To plan, prepare and deliver lessons in line with the National Curriculum.
  • To mark pupils’ work and provide feedback.
  • To manage pupil behaviour in the classroom and on school premises.
  • To liaise with parents/carers about their child’s progress.
  • To undertake administrative tasks, such as keeping attendance records and ordering resources.
  • To participate in staff meetings and professional development opportunities.
  • To undertake supervision and support of teaching assistants.
  • To promote the safeguarding of pupils.

Primary Teacher Job Requirements

A primary teacher is someone who teaches academic subjects to children aged 5-11. In order to be a primary teacher, you must have at least a bachelor's degree in education or a related field. You must also be certified to teach in your state. Many states require that you have at least two years of teaching experience before you can be certified.

Primary Teacher Skills

  • Patience
  • Creativity
  • Communication
  • Organization
  • Flexibility
  • Leadership
  • Problem solving
  • Decision making
  • Observation
  • Instruction
  • Classroom management

Related: Top Primary Teacher Skills: Definition and Examples

How to become a Primary Teacher

There are many reasons you may want to become a primary teacher. It could be that you have a love for working with children, or you want to make a difference in the lives of young people. Whatever your reasons, if you are thinking about becoming a primary teacher, there are some things you need to know.

The first step is to check the requirements for primary teachers in your country or state. In some places, you will need to have a bachelor's degree in education, while in others you may be able to get by with just a high school diploma. In addition, you will need to pass any required exams and complete any required training programs.

Once you have met the basic requirements, it is time to start thinking about what kind of primary teacher you want to be. Do you want to teach in a public school or a private school? What age group do you want to work with? What subjects do you want to teach?

Once you have decided what kind of primary teacher you want to be, it is time to start looking for jobs. There are many places that advertise vacancies for primary teachers, so it should not be too difficult to find something that suits your needs. You can also contact your local education authority or school board to find out about job openings in your area.

If you are offered a job as a primary teacher, there are some things you need to do before starting work. First, you will need to complete any necessary paperwork and undergo a background check. You will also need to complete any training that is required by your new employer. Once you have done all of this, you will be ready to start teaching!

Related: Primary Teacher Resume Example

Related: Primary Teacher Interview Questions (With Example Answers)

Editorial staff

Photo of Brenna Goyette, Editor

Editor

Brenna Goyette

Expert Verified

Brenna is a certified professional resume writer, career expert, and the content manager of the ResumeCat team. She has a background in corporate recruiting and human resources and has been writing resumes for over 10 years. Brenna has experience in recruiting for tech, finance, and marketing roles and has a passion for helping people find their dream jobs. She creates expert resources to help job seekers write the best resumes and cover letters, land the job, and succeed in the workplace.

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