How to Be Elementary School Teacher - Job Description, Skills, and Interview Questions

Sep 19, 2022 / 5 Minutes Read / By Albert

How to Become

Professional Organizations

FAQ

Links

Being an elementary school teacher is a rewarding and challenging job. It requires a deep understanding of early childhood development, as well as the ability to foster a positive learning environment for students. Being an effective teacher involves creating lesson plans, evaluating student progress, and building relationships with students and their families.

This job can be emotionally and physically demanding, but the rewards are considerable. The positive impact teachers have on students lives is felt far beyond the classroom. Teachers help children develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills, which can lead to success in their future careers.

They also help children build confidence, gain self-esteem, and develop social and emotional skills. teachers have the opportunity to influence the lives of their students in meaningful ways by teaching them to respect others, value diversity, and become responsible citizens. With these important skills, students can become life-long learners and productive members of society.

Steps How to Become

Earn a Bachelor's Degree. Most elementary school teachers need to complete a bachelor's degree program in elementary education or a related field. Students typically take courses in mathematics, science, language arts, social studies, and education.
Complete a Teacher Preparation Program. After earning a bachelor's degree, aspiring elementary school teachers must complete an approved teacher preparation program. This typically includes supervised teaching experiences in an elementary school setting.
Pass Required Tests. All states require prospective teachers to take and pass certain tests prior to receiving a teaching license, such as the Praxis Series or state-specific exams.
Obtain a Teaching License. Most states require prospective elementary school teachers to obtain a license or certification. Requirements vary by state, but typically involve completing an accredited teacher preparation program and passing state exams.
Consider Graduate Studies. Earning a master's degree in elementary education or a related field may open more job opportunities. Additionally, some states require teachers to earn a master's degree after receiving their initial teaching license.

In order to remain updated and qualified as an elementary school teacher, there are several key steps to take. First, staying informed about the latest teaching standards, curricula, and best practices is essential. This can be accomplished by attending professional development workshops, reading relevant research and studies, and engaging in conversations with peers.

Second, keeping up-to-date with technology is important as more and more schools are integrating digital tools into their classrooms. By attending conferences, workshops, and seminars, educators can stay knowledgeable about the latest technology trends. Finally, it is important to remain certified in the state or country where one is teaching in order to remain qualified.

This certification requires passing a certification exam as well as completing continuing education units. By taking these steps, elementary school teachers can stay updated and qualified.

You may want to check Foreign Language Teacher, Preschool Teacher, and Robotics Teacher for alternative.

Job Description

Develop lesson plans and instructional materials
Implement the curriculum, assess student performance, and modify instruction as needed
Provide a safe and supportive learning environment
Work with individual students or small groups to help them master material
Monitor student progress and provide feedback
Utilize technology to enhance instruction
Work collaboratively with other staff members
Communicate with parents/guardians about student progress
Participate in professional development activities
Supervise students in the classroom, cafeteria, hallways, and other areas

Skills and Competencies to Have

Knowledge of curriculum and instruction
Ability to differentiate instruction to meet the needs of all students
Excellent classroom management skills
Patience and understanding with students
Excellent communication skills
Ability to build relationships with students and parents
Ability to use technology effectively in the classroom
Ability to assess and evaluate student learning
Knowledge of child development
Creativity and innovation in the classroom
Collaboration with colleagues and other professionals
Ability to maintain professional boundaries

Being an effective Elementary School Teacher requires a range of skills and qualities. One of the most important skills to have is the ability to effectively communicate with children. This means having the ability to explain concepts in a clear and concise way, as well as having the ability to listen and understand the concerns of students and their families.

In addition, teachers must be able to develop relationships with their students, so that they may create a positive and safe learning environment. They also must be able to create lesson plans that are tailored to the needs of their students, based on age, maturity level, and individual learning styles. By having these qualities and skills, teachers can foster a strong learning environment and help students reach their full potential.

Special Education Co-Teacher, Special Education Inclusion Teacher, and Religion/Bible Studies Teacher are related jobs you may like.

Frequent Interview Questions

What made you decide to pursue a career in teaching?
How do you handle difficult or uncooperative students?
How would you integrate technology into the classroom?
What challenges have you faced in the classroom and how did you overcome them?
Describe a lesson plan that you have created and implemented.
What strategies do you use to ensure student engagement?
How have you developed positive relationships with students and their parents?
What do you think are the most important qualities for an elementary school teacher?
How do you stay current on educational trends and best practices?
How do you handle disciplinary issues in the classroom?

Common Tools in Industry

Classroom Management Software. Allows teachers to monitor, manage, and motivate students in the classroom. (eg: ClassDojo)
Learning Management System (LMS). A platform for creating lessons, assignments and assessments, tracking student progress, and communicating with parents and students. (eg: Schoology)
Interactive Whiteboard. An electronic board that allows teachers to display digital content and control a computer from a large interactive surface. (eg: SmartBoard)
Online Collaboration Tools. Allows teachers and students to collaborate in real time, sharing notes, documents, images, audio files, and videos. (eg: Google Classroom)
Educational Games. Interactive games designed to engage students and provide an enjoyable learning experience. (eg: Kahoot)
Data Visualization Software. Allows teachers to track student performance over time and identify areas of improvement. (eg: Socrative)
Educational Video Platforms. Provides teachers with access to a library of educational videos, allowing them to create interactive lessons for students. (eg: YouTube Education)

Professional Organizations to Know

National Education Association
American Federation of Teachers
National Council of Teachers of Mathematics
National Science Teachers Association
Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development
International Reading Association
Association of Teacher Educators
National Association for Bilingual Education
National Association of Elementary School Principals
Council of Great City Schools

We also have High School Teacher, Literacy Teacher, and STEM Teacher jobs reports.

Common Important Terms

Curriculum. The plan of instruction or course of study for a school or district.
Common Core. A set of educational standards developed by a consortium of states and the federal government to ensure that all students receive a high-quality education.
Differentiated Instruction. An approach to teaching that provides different students with different pathways to learning based on their individual needs.
Classroom Management. The strategies and techniques used by teachers to ensure that the classroom is a safe, productive, and positive learning environment.
Assessment. The process of evaluating student performance and progress.
Behavior Management. The strategies and techniques used by teachers to encourage appropriate behavior and discourage inappropriate behavior.
Professional Development. The ongoing process of learning and improving professional skills and knowledge.
Instructional Strategies. The techniques used by teachers to deliver content and facilitate student learning.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average salary for an Elementary School Teacher?

The average salary for an Elementary School Teacher is $59,420 per year as of May 2019.

How many years of college education are typically required to become an Elementary School Teacher?

Most states require a bachelor's degree in education or a related field, plus completion of a teacher preparation program. This typically takes four years of full-time college education.

What are some of the common duties of an Elementary School Teacher?

Some of the common duties of an Elementary School Teacher include creating lesson plans, assessing student progress, maintaining classroom discipline, and communicating with parents and school administrators.

What are the typical hours worked by an Elementary School Teacher?

Elementary School Teachers generally work a traditional school day, which is typically 8 hours long. However, they may be required to spend additional time after school preparing lesson plans and grading papers.

What kind of qualifications are necessary to become an Elementary School Teacher?

Qualifications to become an Elementary School Teacher vary by state, but generally include a bachelor's degree in education or a related field, plus completion of a teacher preparation program. In addition, most states require passing a background check and completing a certain number of hours of student teaching.

Web Resources

How to Become an Elementary School Teacher - Western www.wgu.edu
Elementary School Teacher - Miami University Program Finder programs.miamioh.edu
How to Become an Elementary School Teacher | Drexel University drexel.edu