Become A 2nd Grade Teacher

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Working As A 2nd Grade Teacher

Training and Teaching Others
Thinking Creatively
Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work
Coaching and Developing Others
Documenting/Recording Information

Deal with People
Make Decisions
Stressful
$47,717
Average Salary

What Does A 2nd Grade Teacher Do

A Second Grade Teacher teaches basic concepts and skills to children in elementary schools. They develop learning materials, answer students’ inquiries, assign homework, and organize classroom activities.

How To Become A 2nd Grade Teacher

Kindergarten and elementary school teachers must have a bachelor’s degree. In addition, public school teachers must have a state-issued certification or license.

Education

All states require public kindergarten and elementary school teachers to have at least a bachelor’s degree in elementary education. Some states also require kindergarten and elementary school teachers to major in a content area, such as math or science. They typically enroll in their college’s teacher preparation program and also take classes in education and child psychology in addition to those required by their major.

In teacher education programs, future teachers learn how to present information to young students and how to work with young students of varying abilities and backgrounds. Programs typically include fieldwork, such as student teaching. For information about teacher preparation programs in your state, visit teach.org.

Some states require all teachers to earn a master’s degree after receiving their teaching certification.

Private schools typically seek kindergarten and elementary school teachers who have a bachelor’s degree in elementary education.

Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations

All states require teachers in public schools to be licensed or certified. Those who teach in private schools are generally not required to be licensed. Most states require teachers to pass a background check.

Kindergarten and elementary school teachers are typically certified to teach early childhood grades, which are usually preschool through third grade, or elementary school grades, which are usually first through sixth grades or first through eighth grades.

Requirements for certification vary by state. In addition to earning a bachelor’s degree, they are required to complete a teacher preparation program and supervised experience in teaching, typically gained through student teaching. Some states require a minimum grade point average. States often require candidates to pass a general teaching certification test, as well as a test that demonstrates their knowledge of the subject they will teach. Although kindergarten and elementary school teachers typically do not teach only a single subject, they may be required to pass a content area test to earn their certification. For information on certification requirements in your state, visit teach.org.

Teachers are frequently required to complete annual professional development classes to keep their license. Some states require teachers to complete a master’s degree after receiving their certification.

All states offer an alternative route to certification 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. After they complete the program, candidates are awarded full certification. Other programs require students to take classes in education before they can teach. Students may be awarded a master’s degree after completing one of these programs.

Training

In order to receive certification, teachers need to undergo a period of fieldwork, commonly referred to as student teaching. During student teaching, they work with a mentor teacher and get experience teaching students in a classroom setting. The amount of time required varies by state.

Important Qualities

Communication skills. Teachers must collaborate with teacher assistants and special education teachers. In addition, they need to discuss students’ needs with parents and administrators.

Creativity. Kindergarten and elementary school teachers must plan lessons that engage young students, adapting the lessons to different learning styles.

Patience. Working with students of different abilities and backgrounds can be difficult. Kindergarten and elementary school teachers must respond with patience when students struggle with material.

Physical stamina. Working with kindergarten and elementary-aged students can be tiring. Teachers need to be able to physically, mentally, and emotionally keep up with the students.

Resourcefulness. Kindergarten and elementary school teachers need to be able to explain difficult concepts in terms that young students can understand. In addition, they must be able to get students engaged in learning and adapt their lessons to meet students’ needs.

Advancement

Experienced teachers can advance to serve as mentors to newer teachers or to become lead teachers. In these roles, they help less experienced teachers to improve their teaching skills.

With additional education or certification, teachers may become school counselors, school librarians, or instructional coordinators. Some become assistant principals or principals, both of which generally require additional schooling in education administration or leadership.

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2nd Grade Teacher jobs

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2nd Grade Teacher Demographic

Gender

Female
81.8%
Male
16.7%
Unknown
1.5%

Ethnicity

White
81.0%
Hispanic or Latino
10.2%
Asian
6.4%
Unknown
1.7%
Black or African American
0.6%

Languages Spoken

Spanish
58.3%
French
12.0%
German
4.2%
Italian
3.2%
Arabic
2.6%
Korean
2.3%
Russian
2.3%
Chinese
2.3%
Portuguese
1.9%
Swedish
1.3%
Mandarin
1.3%
Norwegian
1.3%
Japanese
1.3%
Hebrew
1.0%
Danish
1.0%
Cantonese
1.0%
Polish
1.0%
Icelandic
0.6%
Vietnamese
0.6%
Dutch
0.6%

2nd Grade Teacher

Unfortunately we don’t have enough data for this section.

2nd Grade Teacher Typical Career Paths

Average Length of Employment

2nd Grade Teacher Education

Schools

Grand Canyon University
13.6%
University of Phoenix
12.2%
Walden University
7.6%
Liberty University
6.1%
Northern Arizona University
5.5%
Nova Southeastern University
5.0%
Lesley University
4.7%
Texas A&M University
4.6%
University of Central Florida
4.3%
Arizona State University
4.0%
National Louis University
3.7%
Florida Atlantic University
3.5%
University of Houston
3.4%
Towson University
3.4%
Michigan State University
3.2%
Lamar University
3.2%
Central Connecticut State University
3.1%
Ball State University
3.1%
University of Northern Colorado
2.9%
National University
2.9%

Majors

Degrees

Masters
45.1%
Bachelors
33.0%
Other
13.4%
Certificate
3.6%
Doctorate
2.3%
Associate
1.7%
Diploma
0.4%
License
0.4%

2nd Grade Teacher

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Real 2nd Grade Teacher Salaries

Job Title	Company	Location	Start Date	Salary
10Th Grade Chemisry Teacher	The Latin School of Chicago	Chicago, IL	Sep 08, 2015	$61,300
Grade 1 Mandarin Immersion Teacher	Yu Ming Charter School	Oakland, CA	Jul 15, 2014	$60,160 - $70,219
Bilingual 2Nd Grade Teacher	Jefferson County Public Schools	Arvada, CO	Jan 16, 2014	$57,219
Bilingual 2Nd Grade Teacher	Jefferson County Public Schools	Arvada, CO	Jul 22, 2013	$57,219
Teacher of Biology, Grades	New York City Charter HS for Archit., Eng'g, & Construction Industries	New York, NY	Sep 15, 2016	$55,790
2Nd Grade Teacher	Houston Independent School District	Houston, TX	May 08, 2016	$54,500
Bilingual 2Nd Grade Teacher	Irving Independent School District	Irving, TX	Sep 20, 2010	$54,040
2Nd Grade Bilingual Teacher	Splendora Independent School District	Splendora, TX	Oct 16, 2015	$53,800
Middle Grades OLA Teacher	City of Cambridge	Cambridge, MA	Oct 01, 2014	$53,286
2Nd Grade Bilingual Teacher	Irving Independent School District	Irving, TX	Dec 01, 2010	$53,200
Grade 4 Mandarin Immersion Teacher	Yu Ming Charter School	Oakland, CA	Jan 08, 2016	$52,840 - $63,639
2Nd Grade Bilingual Teacher	Splendora Independent School District	Splendora, TX	Apr 01, 2016	$52,500
2Nd Grade Bilingual Teacher	Houston Independent School District	Houston, TX	Sep 07, 2016	$52,000
Grade 3 Mandarin Immersion Teacher	Yu Ming Charter School	Oakland, CA	Jan 10, 2016	$51,800 - $61,986
Grade 2 Mandarin Immersion Teacher	Yu Ming Charter School	Oakland, CA	Sep 15, 2016	$51,800 - $61,986
Teacher, Grades K	Basis Educational Group	New York, NY	May 09, 2016	$51,020 - $63,149
Associate Teacher, Grade 2, Chinese	Avenues New York LLC	New York, NY	Sep 14, 2016	$51,020
Associate Teacher, Grade 2, Chinese	Avenues New York LLC	New York, NY	Aug 26, 2016	$51,020
Grade 3 Mandarin Immersion Teacher	Yu Ming Charter School	Oakland, CA	Aug 07, 2013	$50,100 - $60,159
Grade 4 Mandarin Immersion Teacher	Yu Ming Charter School	Oakland, CA	Jun 17, 2014	$50,100 - $60,159
Grade 3 Mandarin Immersion Teacher	Yu Ming Charter School	Oakland, CA	Sep 15, 2014	$50,100 - $60,159
Grade ONE Teacher	St. Augustine Parochial School	Union City, NJ	Aug 31, 2011	$45,643
K-2Nd Grade Mandarin Teacher	A Childs Garden Christian Preschool	Berkeley, CA	Oct 01, 2011	$45,163
Grade 2 Mandarin Immersion Teacher	Yu Ming Charter School	Oakland, CA	Oct 01, 2012	$45,001
Grade 2 Mandarin Immersion Teacher	Yu Ming Charter School	Oakland, CA	Jun 13, 2012	$45,001
Teacher, Grade 5	Circle Inc.	Darnestown, MD	Aug 13, 2012	$45,000
Grade ONE Teacher	St. Augustine Parochial School	Union City, NJ	Jul 21, 2009	$44,360

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Top Skills for A 2nd Grade Teacher

Top 2nd Grade Teacher Skills

Classroom Management
Grade Curriculum
Mathematics Skills

You can check out examples of real life uses of top skills on resumes here:

Full responsibility of students, classroom management, and preparing lessons.
Instruct 2nd Grade curriculum, designing and developing programs to meet the academic, intellectual, and social needs of students.
Drafted weekly lesson plans for second grade and third grade team in Math and for a brief time in Social Studies.
Designed lessons and lead direct and indirect instruction to 5-8th-grade reading, language arts, social studies and science students.
Provided math, reading, science, social studies and writing instruction to 1st and 2nd grade students.