Teacher (Kindergarten & Elementary)

Career Overview

Kindergarten and elementary school teachers instruct young students in basic subjects in order to prepare them for future schooling.

Education

A four-year university degree in education or elementary education is required for this position. In addition, public school teachers must have a state-issued certification or license.

Future Outlook

Overall employment of kindergarten and elementary school teachers is projected to grow 4 percent from 2019 to 2029, about as fast as the average for all occupations. Rising student enrollment should increase demand for kindergarten and elementary teachers, but employment growth will vary by region.

Work Environment

Kindergarten and elementary school teachers work in public and private schools. They generally work during school hours when students are present and use nights and weekends to prepare lessons and grade papers. Most kindergarten and elementary school teachers do not work during the summer.

Recommended High School Courses

Math
Computer Science
Science - as much as possible!
Communication

Active Learning - Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
Active Listening - Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Complex Problem Solving - Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
Coordination - Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Instructing - Teaching others how to do something.
Judgment and Decision Making - Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Learning Strategies - Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.
Management of Personnel Resources - Motivating, developing, and directing people as they work, identifying the best people for the job.
Monitoring - Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Negotiation - Bringing others together and trying to reconcile differences.
Persuasion - Persuading others to change their minds or behavior.
Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Service Orientation - Actively looking for ways to help people.
Social Perceptiveness - Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Systems Evaluation - Identifying measures or indicators of system performance and the actions needed to improve or correct performance, relative to the goals of the system.
Time Management - Managing one's own time and the time of others.
Writing - Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

Clerical - Knowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office procedures and terminology.
Computers and Electronics - Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
Customer and Personal Service - Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
Education and Training - Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
English Language - Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Geography - Knowledge of principles and methods for describing the features of land, sea, and air masses, including their physical characteristics, locations, interrelationships, and distribution of plant, animal, and human life.
Mathematics - Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
Psychology - Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.
Public Safety and Security - Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.
Sociology and Anthropology - Knowledge of group behavior and dynamics, societal trends and influences, human migrations, ethnicity, cultures and their history and origins.
Therapy and Counseling - Knowledge of principles, methods, and procedures for diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of physical and mental dysfunctions, and for career counseling and guidance.

Category Flexibility - The ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways.
Deductive Reasoning - The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
Fluency of Ideas - The ability to come up with a number of ideas about a topic (the number of ideas is important, not their quality, correctness, or creativity).
Inductive Reasoning - The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
Information Ordering - The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
Near Vision - The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
Oral Comprehension - The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
Oral Expression - The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
Originality - The ability to come up with unusual or clever ideas about a given topic or situation, or to develop creative ways to solve a problem.
Problem Sensitivity - The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
Selective Attention - The ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distracted.
Speech Clarity - The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
Speech Recognition - The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.
Time Sharing - The ability to shift back and forth between two or more activities or sources of information (such as speech, sounds, touch, or other sources).
Written Comprehension - The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
Written Expression - The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.

Establish rules or policies governing student behavior.
Encourage students.
Modify teaching methods or materials to accommodate student needs.
Teach life skills.
Apply multiple teaching methods.
Evaluate student work.
Monitor student behavior, social development, or health.
Monitor student performance.
Advise students on academic or career matters.
Read to students.
Discuss problems or issues with supervisors.
Discuss student progress with parents or guardians.
Set up classroom materials or equipment.
Develop strategies or programs for students with special needs.
Maintain student records.
Prepare reports detailing student activities or performance.
Plan educational activities.
Develop instructional objectives.
Create technology-based learning materials.
Assist students with special educational needs.
Teach others to use technology or equipment.
Provide for basic needs of children.
Collaborate with other teaching professionals to develop educational programs.
Administer tests to assess educational needs or progress.
Arrange childcare or educational settings to ensure physical safety of children.
Prepare tests.
Display student work.
Document lesson plans.
Plan experiential learning activities.
Evaluate performance of educational staff.
Supervise student research or internship work.
Attend training sessions or professional meetings to develop or maintain professional knowledge.
Serve on institutional or departmental committees.
Distribute instructional or library materials.
Maintain inventories of materials, equipment, or products.
Order instructional or library materials or equipment.
Supervise school or student activities.

Schools

Abilene Christian Univers...

Adams State University

Adelphi University

Alabama State University

Alaska Pacific University

Albion College

Alfred University

Alvernia University

American Intercontinental...

American International Co...

American University

Angelo State University

Anna Maria College

Appalachian State Univers...

Arcadia University

Arizona State University

Arkansas Tech University

Asbury University

Assumption College

Auburn University

Augustana University

Ave Maria University

Azusa Pacific University

Ball State University

Baptist College Of Florid...

Barnard College

Barry University

Baylor University

Belmont University

Bemidji State University

Berea College

Bethany College- Lindsbor...

Bethel University

Bethel University (indian...

Biola University

Birmingham Southern Colle...

Bismarck State College

Bluefield State College-...

Bob Jones University

Boise State University

Boston College

Boston University

Bowdoin College

Bowling Green State Unive...

Bradley University

Brandeis University

Brenau University

Brescia University

Broward College

Bucknell University

Buena Vista University

California State Universi...

California University- Pe...

Campellsville University

Canisius College

Cape Fear Community Colle...

Carlow University

Carroll College

Central Christian College...

Central Connecticut State...

Central Methodist Univers...

Chaminade University Of H...

Champlain College

City College Of New York

City University Of Seattl...

Coastal Carolina Universi...

College Of Saint Elizabet...

College Of The Atlantic

Colorado College

Colorado Mesa University

Colorado State University...

Columbia International Un...

Columbus State University

Concordia College- New Yo...

Concordia University- Neb...

Concordia University-chic...

Concordia University-wisc...

Cornell College

Crown College

Dakota State University

Delaware State University

Delaware Technical And Co...

Depaul University

Diablo Valley College

Dickinson State Universit...

Dominican University

Drew University

Drury University

Duquesne University

East Carolina University

East Central University -...

East Tennessee State Univ...

Eastern Illinois Universi...

Eastern Kentucky Universi...

Eastern Michigan Universi...

Eastern New Mexico Univer...

Eastern Oregon University

Eastern University

Eastern Washington Univer...

Edinboro University

Elizabethtown College

Elmhurst College

Elon University

Emporia State University

Evangel University

Everett Community College

Fairfield University

Fairleigh Dickinson Unive...

Fairmont State University

Faulkner University

Fayetteville State Univer...

Ferris State University

Flagler College

Florida Agricultural And...

Florida Atlantic Universi...

Florida Gulf Coast Univer...

Florida International Uni...

Florida State University

Fontbonne University

Fordham University

Framingham State Universi...

Franciscan University At...

Furman University

Gannon University- Erie C...

Gardner-webb University

Georgetown College

Georgia College And State...

Georgia Southwestern Stat...

Georgia State University

Goddard College

Gonzaga University

Goucher College

Grand Valley State Univer...

Grove City College

Gulf Coast State College

Gustavus Adolphus College

Hamline University

Hobart And William Smith...

Hofstra University

Hollins University

Hope International Univer...

Humboldt State University

Immaculata University

Indian River State Colleg...

Indiana University Of Pen...

Indiana University- North...

Indiana University-east C...

Jackson State University

Jacksonville State Univer...

Johnson And Wales Univers...

Judson College

Judson University

Kansas Christian College

King University

Kodiak College

Lake Forest College

Lake Washington Institute...

Lakeland University

Lasalle University

Lee University

Lesley University

Letourneau University

Lewis University

Liberty University

Lindenwood University

Linfield College

Louisiana State Universit...

Loyola University - Maryl...

Manhattan College

Manhattanville College

Mansfield University Of P...

Marlboro College

Maryville University

Mcpherson College

Messiah University

Middle Tennessee State Un...

Mills College

Misericordia University

Missouri Baptist Universi...

Monmouth University

Montana State University-...

Morehead State University

Morningside College

Mount Aloysius College

Mount Holyoke College

Mount Mercy University

Mount Vernon Nazarene Uni...

National Louis University

New York University

Newman University

North Carolina A & T Stat...

North Greenville Universi...

Northeastern State Univer...

Northern Illinois Univers...

Nyack College

Oakland City University

Ohio Northern University

Ohio State University- Li...

Ohio State University- Ma...

Ohio Wesleyan University

Pennsylvania State Univer...

Pittsburg State Universit...

Point Park University

Portland State University

Prescott College

Queens University- Charlo...

Quinnipiac University

Randolph College

Ripon College

Roberts Wesleyan College

Rochester University

Rogers State University

Rollins College

Saint Mary-of-the-woods C...

Saint Mary's College - No...

Saint Mary's University O...

Saint Michael's College

Saint Xavier University

Salve Regina University

San Diego Christian Colle...

Shorter University

Siena Heights University

Simmons University

Slippery Rock University...

Smith College

Southeast Missouri State...

Southern Adventist Univer...

Southern Arkansas Univers...

Southern New Hampshire Un...

Southern University And A...

Southwestern Assemblies O...

Southwestern Christian Un...

Southwestern College- Mai...

Southwestern Oklahoma Sta...

Spring Arbor University

St. Bonaventure Universit...

St. Catherine University

St. John's University- Qu...

Sterling College

Stevenson University

Suny At Albany

Suny At Binghamton

Suny At Cortland

Suny At Geneseo

Suny At New Paltz

Suny At Old Westbury

Suny At Oneonta

Suny At Oswego

Suny At Potsdam

Suny Buffalo State Colleg...

Susquehanna University

Texas A & M University- C...

Thomas College

Toccoa Falls College

Towson University

Transylvania University

Trevecca Nazarene Univers...

Trine University

Troy University

Truett Mcconnell Universi...

Union College- Kentucky

University Of Alabama- Hu...

University Of Alaska Fair...

University Of Bridgeport

University Of Central Flo...

University Of Hartford

University Of Houston- Do...

University Of Maryland -...

University Of Maryland- H...

University Of Michigan- F...

University Of Minnesota-...

University Of Missouri- S...

University Of Mount Olive

University Of Nebraska- K...

University Of Nevada- Ren...

University Of New England

University Of North Alaba...

University Of North Carol...

University Of Northern Io...

University Of Northwester...

University Of Phoenix

University Of Pittsburgh-...

University Of Puget Sound

University Of Saint Franc...

University Of Saint Mary

University Of Sioux Falls

University Of South Alaba...

University Of South Flori...

University Of Southern In...

University Of Southern Mi...

University Of Tampa

University Of Tennessee-...

University Of The Cumberl...

University Of The Southwe...

University Of Toledo

University Of Valley Forg...

University Of West Alabam...

University Of West Florid...

University Of Wisconsin-...

Upper Iowa University

Valdosta State University

Valley City State Univers...

Valparaiso University

Virginia Wesleyan Univers...

Wagner College

Waldorf University

Walla Walla University

Walsh University

Warner University

Washington College

Webster University

West Texas A & M Universi...

Western Washington Univer...

Wheaton College- Illinois...

Wheaton College- Massachu...

Wheeling Jesuit Univesity

Winston-salem State Unive...

Winthrop University

Xavier University

Acadia University

Ambrose University

Aurora College

Bishop's University

Brandon University

Burman University

Canadore College- Stan...

Canadore College- West...

Capilano University- K...

Cdi College- Anjou Cam...

Cdi College- Longueuil...

Cdi College- Montreal...

Cdi College- Pointe-cl...

Cdi College- Richmond...

Collège Boréal

College Of The North A...

Douglas College- Coqui...

First Nations Universi...

Humber College- Orange...

King's University

Redeemer University Co...

Tyndale University

Universite De Montreal...

Université De Saint-bo...

Université Sainte-anne

University Of Sherbroo...

Yukon University

Concordia University- L...

Vancouver Island Univer...

York University- Glendon...

Potential Scholarships

5 Strong Scholarship

Agnes M. Lindsay Scholars...

- Traditional Fulbright P...

Approx Salary Expectation

Currency:

Low End:

$39,020.00 /yr

Avg/Med:

$59,670.00 /yr

High End:

$97,900.00 /yr

Related Careers

Realtor

Athlete

Elementary School Teacher

Librarian

References

Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, https://www.bls.gov/ooh/.
Trend Analysis - Explorer the Market, Labour Market Information, Government of Canada https://www.jobbank.gc.ca/trend-analysis.
O*NET OnLine, National Center for O*NET Development, https://www.onetonline.org/.