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Job outlook for 1st grade teachers in the United States
1st grade teacher job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected 1st grade teacher job growth rate is 4% from 2018-2028.
About 60,200 new jobs for 1st grade teachers are projected over the next decade.
1st grade teacher salaries have increased 9% for 1st grade teachers in the last 5 years.
There are over 1,428,446 1st grade teachers currently employed in the United States.
There are 68,582 active 1st grade teacher job openings in the US.
The average 1st grade teacher salary is $46,448.
Are 1st grade teacher jobs in demand?
1st grade teacher job and salary trends over time
1st grade teacher jobs over time
1st grade teacher job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,428,446 | 0.42% |
| 2020 | 1,458,135 | 0.43% |
| 2019 | 1,522,519 | 0.46% |
| 2018 | 1,505,705 | 0.45% |
| 2017 | 1,521,454 | 0.46% |
Average 1st grade teacher salary over time
1st grade teacher salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $46,448 | $22.33 | +2.1% |
| 2025 | $45,480 | $21.87 | +2.5% |
| 2024 | $44,382 | $21.34 | +1.9% |
| 2023 | $43,567 | $20.95 | +2.4% |
| 2022 | $42,530 | $20.45 | +1.7% |
1st grade teacher jobs by state
Most common states for 1st grade teachers
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 165 | 24% |
| 2 | Nevada | 2,998,039 | 636 | 21% |
| 3 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 259 | 19% |
| 4 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 173 | 16% |
| 5 | Delaware | 961,939 | 151 | 16% |
| 6 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 935 | 15% |
| 7 | Vermont | 623,657 | 91 | 15% |
| 8 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 760 | 14% |
| 9 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 512 | 14% |
| 10 | New Mexico | 2,088,070 | 287 | 14% |
| 11 | New Jersey | 9,005,644 | 1,207 | 13% |
| 12 | Illinois | 12,802,023 | 1,587 | 12% |
| 13 | Arizona | 7,016,270 | 866 | 12% |
| 14 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 791 | 12% |
| 15 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 694 | 12% |
| 16 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 224 | 12% |
| 17 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 69 | 12% |
| 18 | Kansas | 2,913,123 | 293 | 10% |
| 19 | Idaho | 1,716,943 | 167 | 10% |
| 20 | Michigan | 9,962,311 | 904 | 9% |
Most common cities for 1st grade teachers
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | North Las Vegas | 1 | 0% | $38,067 |
1st Grade Teacher job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of 1st grade teacher experts
Towson University
University of South Florida
Texas Tech University
California State University - Fullerton
Alverno College
Florida Atlantic University
American Samoa Community College
University of New England
Eastern Mennonite University
University of Wisconsin - Green Bay
Tuskegee University
Whitworth University
Cal Poly Pomona
Presbyterian College
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Park University
What general advice would you give to a 1st Grade Teacher?
David Wizer: Investigate career opportunities. Plenty of teaching positions available in school library media, some in educational technology. Check options in school systems where you want to work. Consider taking a teaching position where you could be a teacher/leader in your school.
What 1st Grade Teacher skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
David Wizer: First, people skills, ability to collaborate with others and connect to students. Working in teams and leading and cooperating with colleagues. On-going interest in understanding and using technology and media well. Being independent in completing research and capably using applications, software, and technology.
What will help 1st Grade Teachers increase their earning potential?
David Wizer: In nonprofit, public education field there’s not a great deal of negotiating opportunities. For students in the instructional design field there are ways to feature projects completed, skills they have, and a strong resume that highlights professional skills and experiences.
What general advice would you give to a 1st Grade Teacher?
Sarah Lauer: Ask about how the school invests in its new teachers. What is their teacher induction support like? Does the educational vision of the school administration line up with your own educational vision and values? Pick a school that is a good fit for YOU.
What 1st Grade Teacher skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Sarah Lauer: At the end of the day, relationships are at the heart of teaching. Listen as carefully as you can to your students. Invite them into the adventure of learning. Be playful yourself, and encourage play in learning for your students.
What will help 1st Grade Teachers increase their earning potential?
Sarah Lauer: View yourself as the professional that you are. Seek out those resources that will help you to continually improve in your career path. This might mean joining a professional learning community (PLC) at your school, or starting an online/evening/weekend Master’s degree program. Be curious when something doesn’t go well in the classroom. Build a network of experts and resources that you can go to when you have questions.
What 1st Grade Teacher skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Valerie Paton Ph.D.: Education is always a great profession to pursue because we have a 'learning society'. Individuals who know how to teach diverse learners are invaluable in all sectors of our society. As more corporations integrate learning goals as essential components to achieve their strategic goals, more opportunities are available for those who are expert educators, trainers, and facilitators. So education programs are transferrable across many types of leadership roles and are generating higher levels of compensation.
Tiffany Row Ph.D.
Program Coordinator, MMSN and ESNCalifornia State University - Fullerton
Special Education And Teaching
What general advice would you give to a 1st Grade Teacher?
Tiffany Row Ph.D.: It's a great idea to begin working as a special education instructional aide to gain experience with students and in navigating school dynamics. These are usually part-time jobs, with hours available in the mornings or afternoons. You may gain experience in multiple settings, especially if you are hired as a substitute instructional aide, which allows you to learn about working with different grade levels and varying levels of student support needs. This is helpful as you decide whether you want to become a teacher for students with mild to moderate support needs, extensive support needs, or early childhood, and whether you might prefer working with younger or older students.
What 1st Grade Teacher skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Tiffany Row Ph.D.: There has been an increasing focus on social emotional learning in schools, and these skills are just as important for teachers to grow within themselves so they can best support and guide students in learning to regulate their emotions and navigate social relationships. And of course it's always crucial for teachers to have strong skills in literacy instruction.
What will help 1st Grade Teachers increase their earning potential?
Tiffany Row Ph.D.: Earning a Master's degree after your credential puts you significantly higher on the pay scale and increases your earning power exponentially as you continue in the field.
Thor Stolen PhD
Associate Professor & program director of Special EducationAlverno College
Special Education And Teaching
What general advice would you give to a 1st Grade Teacher?
Thor Stolen PhD: Know that being a special education is difficult and can be stressful, but it can be extremely rewarding. If you are able to make a connection and reach one student, it is worth it. Take pride in small achievements and smiles you get from your students. Growth and change can be slow but with persistence, you can make a difference. Make sure to take time to enjoy your students, classroom, co-workers and school. Use your creativity/passions to create meaningful learning experiences that give access to education to non-traditional students. Take teaching as an opportunity to make meaningful connections to people and make huge contributions to students' educational experiences.
What 1st Grade Teacher skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Thor Stolen PhD: Developing relationships with students, co-teachers, community members to create more engaging and accessible learning experiences. Utilizing, developing, and maximizing your own superpowers to create unique, accessible, and memorable learning experiences. Utilizing and staying current with technology and figuring out how to integrate it into UDL lessons to broaden access to curriculum. Collaborating with fellow teachers to design meaningful units and accommodations for your students.
What will help 1st Grade Teachers increase their earning potential?
Thor Stolen PhD: Special education teachers are in high demand; leverage this power to negotiate higher wages/benefits or in selecting a school/placement that you want to be at. With teacher shortages in general, now is a great time to join a Teachers Union to support your collective cause.
What general advice would you give to a 1st Grade Teacher?
Dr. Torica Exume Ph.D.: Start exploring career paths and opportunities, and actively seek out internships, networking events, and career fairs. Maintain your passion for your field and stay eager to learn and grow. Continuously expand your technical knowledge and skills, and remain open to acquiring new ones.
What 1st Grade Teacher skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Torica Exume Ph.D.: The education sector undergoes continuous change, requiring graduates to remain adaptable and responsive to evolving trends and innovations. Skills that may gain importance in the field include proficiency in employing educational technology tools for teaching, learning, and assessment; using student data to inform instructional strategies; and adapting to emerging technologies and platforms.
What will help 1st Grade Teachers increase their earning potential?
Dr. Torica Exume Ph.D.: Maximizing your salary potential at the onset of your career requires strategic planning and goal setting. Begin by researching the typical salary range for your desired position and identifying the skills, qualifications, and experiences that enhance your value in the job market.
Shirley De La Rosa
Program Director, Teacher Education DepartmentAmerican Samoa Community College
Education
What general advice would you give to a 1st Grade Teacher?
Shirley De La Rosa: Educators like working with students, holidays off, professional development, learning new things, being appreciated, and when students learn from them. Dislikes may include demanding administration, long hours, too much work, unruly students, and lack of compensation for supplies. Some educators may also dislike waiting for other employment opportunities.
What 1st Grade Teacher skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Shirley De La Rosa: Entering the education field now is good due to improved pay scale for teachers with Bachelor, Master, and PhD Degrees, higher pay for certification, and many openings for teachers.
What will help 1st Grade Teachers increase their earning potential?
Shirley De La Rosa: The teachers in American Samoa prepare lesson plans, grade papers, open classrooms, greet students, have engaging activities, check for understanding, supervise events, attend meetings, and have special duties like coaching or advising.
What general advice would you give to a 1st Grade Teacher?
Peter Badalament: Being an inquiry-based thinker, Flexibility, Learning to actively listen, Give feedback
What 1st Grade Teacher skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Peter Badalament: Do everything you can to get a foot in the door - substitute teacher or get hired as a paraprofessional. I know that many schools hire teachers from pools of people they know. Preserve. Getting hired as an educator can be challenging at times, so hang in there.
What will help 1st Grade Teachers increase their earning potential?
Peter Badalament: Since most districts have a grid in the contract that tells you how much you'll make, it's critical that you advocate for yourself to get credit for other education-based work. Pick club advising or coaching stipend.
What general advice would you give to a 1st Grade Teacher?
Paul Yoder: A key insight is that teaching is about making learning engaging and content relevant to students. It is rare for educators to teach students who are 'just like them' so building relationships with students is the first step. Keep in mind that each human is so much more than meets the eye so listening and curiosity are paramount.
What 1st Grade Teacher skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Paul Yoder: Most public schools award salary increases based on years of experience and academic credentials. So pursuing graduate courses not only invests in professional learning, but also earning potential.
What will help 1st Grade Teachers increase their earning potential?
Paul Yoder: The ability to foster healthy classroom communities has always been important. The fact that students of all ages experienced COVID during formative years makes this enduring adage that much more essential. Educators need to be able to facilitate a class meeting and employ a trauma-sensitive lens. These skills can be used proactively as well as when conflict occurs.
What general advice would you give to a 1st Grade Teacher?
Dr. Natasha Griffin: It is a very rewarding field, you get to help and support so many children. It is also at times is a stressful field. The special education teachers are in charge of creating and implementing IEPs, as well as having meetings at least annually making sure that IEP’s are up-to-date. An IEP is a legally binding document, so this could be stressful for some special education teachers, especially novice teachers who first start in the field.
What 1st Grade Teacher skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Natasha Griffin: Special Education is a good profession to enter now because there is a great need for it regardless of where you live. There is a global need for teachers who work with students with disabilities. Due to more assessment options, trained Special Educators can implement research-based strategies effectively, which leads to higher gains in closing achievement gaps. School districts near and far have started to offer attractive incentives to recruit Special Educators. Special Education is a field that is needed from birth to adulthood to aide in developing productive citizens.
What will help 1st Grade Teachers increase their earning potential?
Dr. Natasha Griffin: A special education teacher wears many hats. Their main focus is on the students with individualized education plans (IEPs) to make sure that all of their needs are met such as providing accommodations and making sure that each student has a Free and Appropriate Public Education (FAPE). With the inclusive nature of special education, the special education teacher works directly with general education /content teachers, as well as collaborating with parents, administration, related service providers such as speech and language pathologists, and other stakeholders. Special education teachers provide co-teaching within the general education setting so that all students have an opportunity to learn together.
Dr. Valerie Pilmaier PhD
Associate Professor of English, Humanities and Women's, Gender and Sexuality Studies; co-chair of Women's, Gender and Sexuality Studies; Assessment CoordinatorUniversity of Wisconsin - Green Bay
Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, And Group Studies
What general advice would you give to a 1st Grade Teacher?
Dr. Valerie Pilmaier PhD: Trauma-Informed Pedagogy and Culturally Responsive Pedagogy are going to become even more important with each passing year as we recognize the way that trauma and circumstance affect the ability of students to learn. Technology will always be evolving, and we will always be running behind to catch it, but nothing can replace the feeling that a child has when she/he/they have been really 'seen' by a teacher. It makes all of the difference in terms of learning, self-esteem, belonging and hope.
What 1st Grade Teacher skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Valerie Pilmaier PhD: I think it is important to recognize that teachers are in high demand right now and that means that you are able to make choices that best suit you. Remember that the highest paying position may not be the one that makes you the happiest. Think about where you would like to live, how comfortable you feel in the community, what role you would be playing in the school community as well as the surrounding community and determine if that is enough/too much for you, and, most importantly, listen to your instincts if it feels like a good fit. Teaching is such an emotionally demanding job that you need to love where you are working, and you need to have a good support system. Take a look at the turnover at the school. Go and take a look at the minutes from school board meetings and PTA meetings, which will tell you what is most important to the school and the community in relation to matters of education. The second thing that I would suggest is to continually strive to gain more education, above and beyond the continuing education that you are required to take. Take advantage of all of the professional development that you can and seek out opportunities that will strengthen your teaching portfolio.
What will help 1st Grade Teachers increase their earning potential?
Dr. Valerie Pilmaier PhD: The most important thing would be to cultivate relationships with your students so that you are looking at each student individually and assessing him/her/them accordingly. It can be so easy to get hung up on trying to hit common core standards and meeting your proposed curriculum map, but sometimes you need to slow it down so that true learning takes place. There are so many external and internal factors that can hinder a child's ability to learn, but research shows that a sense of belonging and feeling 'seen' dramatically increases students' ability to learn. Equally important is realizing that the first year is the hardest! You are suddenly in charge of a classroom and you will have a big learning curve, so don’t be afraid to lean on the more experienced teachers around you, take time to care for yourself, and realize that you will meet your goals for your students only if your own batteries are charged!
What general advice would you give to a 1st Grade Teacher?
Dr. Michael King: The best thing to do is to be dual certified if possible and then go ahead and get your administrative degree. This opens up the potential to maximize your earning potential.
What 1st Grade Teacher skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Michael King: Content knowledge is key. You have to be well versed in your area. This leads to the critical skill of problem solving. Problems will dominate the day and you have to be able to function off script. Then there is effective communication skills. You have to be able to speak the language of students, parents, and colleagues. This navigation is critical to being successful.
What will help 1st Grade Teachers increase their earning potential?
Dr. Michael King: My general advice would be to make sure that your heart is truly in this work. It is a day a time when the profession is not respected as it should be and students come with so many challenges. You have to be a person who is in it to make a difference in the lives of others.
What general advice would you give to a 1st Grade Teacher?
Megan Griffin PhD, BCBA-D: Adaptability. This skill is nothing new to educators, but I do think that it will become even more important in coming years. We learned during the Pandemic that being able to pivot quickly to a new modality was critical. That’s an extreme example, but there are other large changes coming, some that we can anticipate (like the emergence of AI), and others that have never crossed our minds. Educators must adapt and expand their existing skillsets, which may require taking the initiative to request help from a colleague, support from an administrator, or additional training. The skills you have on Day One will need to expand considerably over the course of your career. Entering the field with the intention of being a learner, as well as an educator, will prevent your practice from becoming stale and will allow you to most effectively support your students.
What 1st Grade Teacher skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Megan Griffin PhD, BCBA-D: In most schools, salary is the result of three things: experience, education, and additional responsibilities. You can't do anything to accelerate your years of experience, but you can use them wisely. If you want to increase your income, the best way to do so is by seeking further education like an advanced degree or add-on endorsement. Additional responsibilities that can supplement your income include coaching, directing clubs, and some leadership roles. Another way to maximize salary potential is to do something that may already appeal to you: serve the underserved. There are specific schools, geographic areas, academic subjects, and student populations that are chronically in need of good teachers. Seek out endorsements in those areas, broaden your ideas about where and who you want to teach, and find opportunities to job-shadow or student teach in a range of settings. You can increase your salary potential and make a huge difference in the lives of kids who need your support.
What will help 1st Grade Teachers increase their earning potential?
Megan Griffin PhD, BCBA-D: My advice would be that this is a marathon, not a sprint. New professionals coming into Education are so needed--bringing their energy and creative ideas for innovation. We need you! Find ways to ensure that you take care of yourself so that you can continue in the field for years to come. It's also important to find both a mentor and a support system within your peer group. A mentor who is more experienced can help you navigate school politics and procedures, as well as offer ideas and resources when you need them. Your support system can provide you with encouragement and understanding from those who are in a similar place in their careers.
Meg Gardner Ph.D.
Senior Lecturer and Director of Teacher PreparationWhat general advice would you give to a 1st Grade Teacher?
Meg Gardner Ph.D.: Advanced degrees such as a Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) that will elevate your starting salary at the time of hire. Continual pursuit of coursework in relevant areas, such as special or bilingual education, will strengthen your capacities in the classroom and are often recognized by districts monetarily. Contributions to the district such as coaching a sport, advising extracurricular activities such as drama club, translate into additional increases in salary as well. Districts also frequently offer summer school teaching opportunities that would provide a means for further income obtainment.
What 1st Grade Teacher skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Meg Gardner Ph.D.: Teaching is a human endeavor and each year is very different with unanticipated celebrations and challenges. Criticality is needed to navigate educational systems that historically promoted inequality. Teachers should call into question practices, such as tracking, that disenfranchise or silence groups of students. Teachers act as advocates who have the ability to promote new inclusive educational possibilities. Adaptability to new contexts and meeting students where they are is a key competency of teachers. Digital technology has great potential to support a wider array of learners. Aptitude with learning management systems, like Google Classroom, is a must. Adaptive software, like text to speech apps, have the ability to support differentiated instruction. Building engagement through computer-based programs, such as interactive virtual field trips and lab experiences, can enhance more traditional formats. Teachers spend more time collaborating with other school staff than ever before. Often a team of adults, ranging from paraprofessionals to school psychologists, will work together to support the individual needs of students. Understanding how to interact professionally with other individuals to work toward a common goal is a learned skill that can be cultivated.
What will help 1st Grade Teachers increase their earning potential?
Meg Gardner Ph.D.: First and foremost, make sure that the district where you plan to teach is a right fit for you. Gather a sense of the culture of the school by asking interview committee members about their own experiences at the district. Prior to accepting a position, conduct some research on the district; for instance, investigate the mission statement and the curricular opportunities available. Be ready with questions for committee members that help you understand the ethos of the school and look for compatibility among your own beliefs about teaching and learning. Once in the classroom, take advantage of early mentoring programs and seek out advice for respected colleagues more informally. Stay up to date with innovative practices through social media outlets and teacher training opportunities offered through your district. Lastly, make time in your busy schedule for activities that you find fulfilling to maintain a healthy and balanced outlook.
What general advice would you give to a 1st Grade Teacher?
Dr. Melissa Tapp PhD: First, I like to tell future special education teachers that teaching is a tough job, but, they are ready for it! Beginning teachers need to use the knowledge they've learned in their program and apply it in their future classrooms. The best advice I can give is to prepare, prepare, prepare! Be intentional about all aspects of the day, from classroom management to academic instruction and try to be proactive and set up systems for students to be successful.
What 1st Grade Teacher skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Melissa Tapp PhD: Teachers must be prepared in the area of classroom management and approach these through an understanding of behavior. Several of my courses have an emphasis on support behavioral needs. If teachers enter the field without this background knowledge, they'll find themselves reacting instead of using a proactive approach. This leads to less time for instruction and as a result has an impact on student outcomes across all domains.
What will help 1st Grade Teachers increase their earning potential?
Dr. Melissa Tapp PhD: As a beginning teacher, individuals can maximize their salary potential by seeking opportunities for professional growth. There are often paid experiences available including participating in research studies, attending paid workshops, and working as a tutor or teaching in a summer school program. Beginning teachers can seek out the opportunities by asking colleagues in their building and across their district and also by reaching out to local university professors.
What general advice would you give to a 1st Grade Teacher?
Raquel Muñiz: The field of education is rapidly changing. We have changing racial demographics where students of color make the majority of k-12 students across school districts, AI is becoming more prevalent, and we continue to face the pandemic and its impact, to name a few issues. At the same time some issues are long lasting, such as the lack of resources and support for students of color and low-income communities. New graduates must be prepared with skills to tackle these long-lasting and new challenges.
What 1st Grade Teacher skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Raquel Muñiz: The ability to adapt quickly to a changing environment (for example, being able to respond to large scale crises similar to COVID), knowing how to teach our students to use AI in a meaningful and ethical way, being able to speak to a multitude of audiences (e.g., families, local advocacy groups, etc.), the ability to create policies and practices that advance the well-being and thriving of students in a sociopolitically hostile environment (e.g., right-wing movement).
What will help 1st Grade Teachers increase their earning potential?
Raquel Muñiz: Have a wide-ranging knowledge of different sectors affecting education, including policy issues.
What general advice would you give to a 1st Grade Teacher?
Jann Pataray-Ching, Ph.D.: General education teachers should take coursework that will help them work with children with disabilities in the general education classroom. Pursue a master’s degree in education, and if interested, pursue a doctoral degree. One’s salary increases when teachers take coursework beyond their credential that are related to their professional careers.
What 1st Grade Teacher skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Jann Pataray-Ching, Ph.D.: In California, even if History/Social Science teachers are identified to teach ethnic studies, teachers should develop skills in teaching ethnic studies within their discipline at all grade levels. Teachers should always be aware of systemic racism that negatively affect BIPOC youth and look for ways to implement anti-racist pedagogy. Look for ways to implement anti-discriminatory pedagogy and processes for those who are marginalized in society like LGBTQIA+ youth, students with disabilities, English Learners, and others. Having Bilingual authorizations in a language needed in the district is also a strength. Develop knowledge and skills to address social and emotional learning in their students.
What will help 1st Grade Teachers increase their earning potential?
Jann Pataray-Ching, Ph.D.: Beginning teachers should compare job benefits and salary scales between districts. They should also consider the district’s stand on BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) and LGBTQIA+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer/Questioning, Intersex, Asexual, and others) youth. In some cases, they might have to weigh between daily job happiness with higher salaries. Clear your credential as soon as possible. Ask questions of your immediate colleagues on how to navigate successfully in the school system.
Dr. Patricia L. Jones Ed.D.
ChairPresbyterian College
Education Department
What general advice would you give to a 1st Grade Teacher?
Dr. Patricia L. Jones Ed.D.: I always give my students the advice to 'be your own type of teacher' and not worry about what everyone else is saying or doing. I also tell them to find their teaching style to impart the necessary curricular material. If you find your path, you will be happy with your job and the students will learn!
What 1st Grade Teacher skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Patricia L. Jones Ed.D.: The best way to maximize your salary potential without breaking the bank is to add certifications in high-need areas. It also creates a pay bump when you go back for a master's or some other type of graduate degree.
What will help 1st Grade Teachers increase their earning potential?
Dr. Patricia L. Jones Ed.D.: To be a reading person, and to be highly trained in teaching reading. South Carolina has taken on extensive training for pre-service and in-service teachers in the field of reading. It's beginning to make an impact on those students who had fallen behind in the pandemic.
What general advice would you give to a 1st Grade Teacher?
Suzanne Kemp Ph.D.: Remember that you are prepared to do the job, you have the skills and even when you feel overwhelmed just breathe and review everything that you know and what you demonstrated in your field experiences. Don’t be afraid to ask questions as you still have a lot to learn and be a good team member.
What 1st Grade Teacher skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Suzanne Kemp Ph.D.: Education is always changing so you will need to stay flexible and adaptable to everything you encounter when you start your career or 3, 5, 10 years from now. Your disposition will be your greatest asset since if you work well with others, they will want to work with you and help you and will support you as you learn the job.
What will help 1st Grade Teachers increase their earning potential?
Suzanne Kemp Ph.D.: Teachers are able to move up the pay scale by taking graduate level classes that potentially lead to earning an advanced degree. Don’t just start taking classes without a goal in mind – learn the job and identify where you want your professional trajectory to take you and then begin advanced coursework that allows you to meet your goals and earn you more money.
What general advice would you give to a 1st Grade Teacher?
Suzanne Tiemann: I think being flexible and being able to pivot quickly to respond to our learners' needs will be ever-evolving. Teachers now more than ever have to be agile. Technology is changing the way we teach and learn, so teachers have to be able to provide students with current and proper information.
What 1st Grade Teacher skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Suzanne Tiemann: I think that learning is on a continuum. By advancing their degrees and graduate credit, teachers can move up the district’s salary schedule while continuing to perfect their craft.
What will help 1st Grade Teachers increase their earning potential?
Suzanne Tiemann: I would advise the new teachers to plan with their teammates. This will help them learn the curriculum quickly and provide scaffolding for their new role. Additionally, by becoming part of the Profession Learning Community (PLC) team, they will plan together, grade together, and evaluate student growth together. This allows for reflection in instruction.