Elementary Education Teaching Positions: Requirements and Career Paths

Working with kids offers a rewarding opportunity to make a lasting impact on society. But what qualifications are needed to become an elementary school teacher? The education and training requirements for elementary school teachers vary from state to state. Learning the necessary skills is only the first step in a longer list of requirements.

Elementary school teachers lay the foundation for a child’s learning and educational development. They typically teach grades kindergarten to 5th grade, although this may vary by school or state. At this level, children are introduced to subjects like writing, reading, and mathematics, as well as specialty subjects like music, physical education, and art. Elementary school is also where students develop social skills and learn school norms.

Educational Requirements

Having a bachelor’s degree is a nearly universal requirement for all teachers across the United States. The most direct route is a Bachelor's in Elementary Education (BS) Degree. However, the specific requirements to become an elementary school teacher vary depending on the state where you’re seeking certification, but most states require elementary school teachers to have expertise within a specific set of subjects.

Bachelor's Degree Programs

A bachelor’s degree program in elementary education typically provides students with the classes and curriculum required by the college or university’s state department of education for educator preparation. In Pennsylvania, for instance, students may choose a bachelor’s degree program that will enable them to earn prekindergarten through 4th grade teacher certification.

Since they’re responsible for instructing more than one subject, becoming an elementary school teacher requires a well-rounded education. For example, the Elementary Education: PK-4 Degree Requirements include a wide selection of courses to help students to prepare for both general education and pedagogical requirements.

Graduate Education

Completing a master’s program can help lay the foundation for career advancement and help teachers to differentiate themselves from other job candidates. If you’re entering education from another field, a master’s degree in education, nutrition, special education, computer technologies, curriculum development, or counseling and family services can significantly enhance your resume and potential salary. Teachers with a master’s degree are also eligible to become National Board Certified Elementary Education Teachers.

While a doctorate is not required for most elementary teaching jobs, individuals with doctorates in fields such as law, business, science, computer science, agriculture, and the arts can be found in elementary school buildings. District, state, and national-level jobs abound for those with doctorates in one of the many education specialties, such as research, curriculum development, special education and learning disability programs, or gifted student and accelerated learning programs.

Licensing and Certification

Public school teachers are required to be certified or licensed by the state where they teach. Teacher certifications are granted by the state and demonstrate that the recipient has been cleared to teach children in a specific area.

State Requirements

Once a student has completed the courses required by their state’s department of education for teacher certification, they can apply for a teaching license. In Pennsylvania, a student must pass a praxis examination for the subject area they wish to teach. The exam is a time-limited evaluation that tests the student’s knowledge of the concepts they plan to teach. A student can retake the praxis exam if they do not pass on their first attempt. Once a student has passed the exam, they will be granted a teaching license. Additionally, if a student has not passed the exam, they can apply for an emergency teaching license with the approval of their school, school district, and state department of education.

All states offer an alternative route to certification or licensure for people who already have a bachelor’s degree but lack the education courses required for certification. Some alternative certification programs allow candidates to begin teaching immediately after graduation, under the supervision of an experienced teacher. These programs cover teaching methods and child development, and after completion, candidates are awarded full certification.

Read also: Choosing Elementary Programs

Types of Licenses

DoDEA (Department of Defense Education Activity) offers different types of licenses:

Emergency License: Issued when a fully qualified, licensed applicant is not available for the position, and the position is essential to the instructional program.
Provisional License: Newly hired educators (other than those issued an emergency license) will be issued a Provisional License, valid for two school years.

Graduate Certificates

Along with graduate certifications, it’s possible for students to pursue a variety of graduate certificates that can be incredibly useful for elementary school teachers. While certifications are legal documents granted by the state which permit a person to work in a particular area of education, certificates are an endorsement from the university. Certificates serve to inform prospective employers that the recipient has a firm understanding within a specific area of study and is able to put their understanding into practice.

Field Experience and Student Teaching

Obtaining field experience in the classroom is a core requirement for being an elementary school teacher. A prospective educator completes this requirement during a supervised period of teaching. They’re mentored by an experienced educator who oversees a student teacher. That student teacher then gradually takes on an increasing array of classroom responsibilities. Not all student teaching programs are alike, but they usually occur during the senior year of an education degree and involve an intensive period of field experience that lasts around three or four months.

Skills and Qualities of Effective Elementary School Teachers

Not everybody is cut out to become an elementary school teacher. While the typical elementary school job description might go to great lengths to discuss the importance of lesson plans and classroom discipline, not as much is said about the kind of attitudes, personalities, and motivations that help someone thrive in a teaching position. There’s a lot more to being a teacher besides the lesson plans.

Lifelong Learners: Because teaching gives you the opportunity to continue learning, and to help teach students to become lifelong learners themselves.
Relationship Builders: Being able to form special relationships with students is something few other careers can offer.
Communication skills: Teachers need to discuss students’ needs with parents and administrators. Kindergarten and elementary school teachers need to be able to explain concepts in terms young students can understand.
Patience: Kindergarten and elementary school teachers must respond with patience when students struggle with material. Working with children in general requires a patient person who is willing to explain things in a way that children can understand.
Physical stamina: Teaching young students can be physically, mentally, and emotionally demanding. Working with kindergarten- and elementary-age students can be tiring.
Resourcefulness: Kindergarten and elementary school teachers must be able to get students engaged in learning. With multiple learning styles possible in a classroom, it is paramount that a teacher can come up with many ways of explaining a concept or answering a question. Special education teachers must find creative ways to deliver lessons that meet students’ individual needs.
Creativity: Keeping kids engaged can be tough, so consider if you can be creative.
Empathy: Elementary school children are going through lots of emotions and experiences as they navigate through adolescence.
Calm Under Stress: Overall, all teachers need to be able to stay calm under stressful situations, as no day in the classroom will go as predicted.
Love of Children and Mentorship: Really loving children should be a given, as should enjoying being in a mentorship position.

Career Paths in Elementary Education

Opportunities available to elementary educators who choose to pursue careers in elementary schools extend beyond the traditional classroom environment too.

Traditional Teaching Roles

Grade-Level or Subject-Specific Teacher: The traditional route is sticking with one or a few grades to teach. Elementary school teachers typically instruct students in several subjects throughout the day. In some schools, teachers may work on subject specialization teams in which they teach one or two specific subjects, typically either English and social studies or math and science.
Kindergarten Teacher: Kindergarten teachers are elementary educators who work specifically with kindergartners, who are typically 5 years old. For many of them, the kindergarten classroom is their introduction to the education system.
Elementary Special Education Teachers: Elementary special education teachers teach academic, social, and life skills to elementary school-aged children with disabilities involving learning, emotional, or physical disabilities. This includes teachers who specialize in working with children who are blind, visually impaired, deaf, hearing impaired, or who have other intellectual disabilities.
Resource Teacher: A resource teacher is also known as a special education teacher. Their work takes place in a specialized environment, or designated resource room.
Reading Specialist: A reading specialist supports the reading program at a school by supplementing what is taught in the classroom.
ESL/ESOL Teacher: Some schools employ English as a second language (ESL) or English for speakers of other languages (ESOL) teachers who work exclusively with students learning the English language.

Other Roles in Elementary Education

Curriculum Developer/Instructional Coordinator: Curriculum developers, also known as instructional coordinators, are responsible for supervising school curricula and teaching standards. They develop and implement educational material and assess it for effectiveness. Analytical skills are essential for instructional coordinators to assess student test data and evaluate teaching strategies.
School Counselor: In elementary schools, counselors help students move to different classrooms when necessitated by their academic performance (such as a move to a gifted program). They also help students and parents deal with certain social and behavioral issues.
Elementary School Principal: Elementary school principals oversee all school operations, including daily school activities. They coordinate curriculums, manage staff, and provide a safe and productive learning environment for students. Communication, critical-thinking, leadership, and problem-solving skills are crucial for principals.
School Librarian: According to BLS, elementary school librarians typically require a master's degree in library and information science (MLS) or a related field, and may also need to meet state-specific teaching requirements.
Substitute Teacher: Being an elementary substitute teacher is another of the rewarding careers in elementary schools. These substitutes provide short-term instruction as a temporary substitute for regular classroom teachers, typically following the teacher’s lesson plan. According to BLS, substitute teachers typically require a bachelor's degree.
Teacher Assistant: Teacher assistants collaborate with licensed teachers to provide students with additional support and instruction. According to BLS, elementary school teacher assistants generally require at least two years of college coursework or an associate's degree.

Advancement Opportunities

Experienced teachers may advance to serve as mentors to new teachers or become lead teachers. With additional education or certification, teachers may become school counselors, school librarians, or instructional coordinators.

Job Outlook and Salary

Elementary school teachers, except special education held about 1.4 million jobs in 2024. Kindergarten teachers, except special education held about 117,200 jobs in 2024. All of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to other occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.

According to BLS data, employment of elementary school teachers is projected to decline 1 percent from 2023 to 2033. Employment of instructional coordinators is projected to grow 2 percent from 2023 to 2033, slower than the average for all occupations. Employment of school counselors is projected to grow 4 percent from 2023 to 2033, about as fast as the average for all occupations. Employment of elementary, middle, and high school principals is projected to decline 1 percent from 2023 to 2033. Employment of librarians and library media specialists is projected to grow 3 percent from 2023 to 2033, about as fast as the average for all occupations.

The median annual wage for elementary school teachers, except special education was $62,340 in May 2024. The median annual wage for kindergarten teachers, except special education was $61,430 in May 2024.

Elementary school teacher salaries can increase significantly with additional education, certification, and experience. National Board certified elementary teachers with a master’s degree can usually expect a more impressive compensation package than beginner teachers with minimal education. Teachers who choose to work during the summer can also increase their salary.

The Daily Life of an Elementary School Teacher

A school teacher’s work schedule usually consists of a 9 - 10-month school year and 2 - 3 month summer break. Elementary school students usually spend most of their time in one classroom every day, which means that you will have your own classroom dedicated to the students you have that respective year.

Kindergarten and elementary school teachers generally work during school hours when students are present and use nights and weekends to prepare lessons and grade papers. They may meet with parents, students, and other teachers before and after school. Many kindergarten and elementary school teachers work the traditional 10-month school year and have a 2-month break during the summer. They also have a short midwinter break.

Kindergarten and elementary school teachers use a variety of tools, such as computers, to present information to students. Many teachers use a hands-on approach to help students understand abstract concepts, solve problems, and develop critical-thinking skills. For example, they may demonstrate how to do a science experiment and then have the students conduct the experiment themselves.

tags: #elementary #education #teaching #positions #requirements