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What does an Elementary School Teacher do?

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Brenna Goyette
Certified Professional Resume Writer, Career Expert

Published 3 min read

An elementary school teacher is someone who teaches students in grades kindergarten through fifth grade. They typically work in a school setting, but may also work in after-school programs or in private homes. Elementary school teachers typically have a bachelor's degree in education or a related field.

Elementary School Teacher job duties include:

  • Planning and delivering lessons to a class of elementary school students.
  • Assigning and grading homework and classwork.
  • Developing lesson plans in line with state curriculum standards.
  • Getting to know each student’s strengths, weaknesses and interests.
  • Motivating students to stay engaged in learning.
  • Building positive relationships with students and parents.
  • Maintaining discipline in the classroom.
  • Attending staff meetings, parent-teacher conferences and other professional development opportunities.
  • Participating in extracurricular activities like chaperoning field trips or coaching a sports team.

Elementary School Teacher Job Requirements

Elementary school teachers typically need at least a bachelor’s degree in elementary education. Some states require elementary school teachers to have a master’s degree. Elementary school teachers need to have a teaching license or certification. Many elementary school teachers have several years of experience teaching in a classroom before they become a lead teacher or principal.

Elementary School Teacher Skills

  • Patience
  • Creativity
  • Organization
  • The ability to multitask
  • Strong communication skills
  • A caring personality
  • A love of children
  • A dedication to teaching
  • The ability to be flexible
  • A good sense of humor
  • A positive attitude

Related: Top Elementary School Teacher Skills: Definition and Examples

How to become an Elementary School Teacher

There are many steps to becoming an elementary school teacher. The most important step is to get a degree in education from an accredited university. Once you have your degree, you will need to get a teaching license from your state. After you have your teaching license, you can apply for jobs at elementary schools.

The best way to become an elementary school teacher is to get a degree in education from an accredited university. There are many accredited universities that offer degrees in education. Once you have your degree, you will need to get a teaching license from your state. After you have your teaching license, you can apply for jobs at elementary schools.

Related: Elementary School Teacher Resume Example

Related: Elementary School Teacher Interview Questions (With Example Answers)

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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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