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What does an elementary art teacher do?

Updated January 8, 2025
7 min read
Quoted expert
Greg Hull

Elementary art teachers teach elementary students art. They are professionals and have broad knowledge about art history and different art genres. They must have the ability to communicate to students about concrete and abstract concepts and ideas. They must create an inviting and enhanced environment to help assess and develop each students' learning abilities, skills, and potential. They must also prepare lessons that accommodate each student's learning style and curve.

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Elementary art teacher responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real elementary art teacher resumes:

  • Lead debates with advance students on topics including globalization, economics, and political history.
  • Work with many students that have IEP (individual education plans) and modify lessons to accommodate their needs.
  • Plane, develop, prepare, and implement an effective, collaborative, technology and student base language arts differentiate curriculum.
  • Familiarize students with the history of the costumes.
  • Participate in establishing the American chemistry curriculum base on guidelines provide by the head-quarters office in Lebanon.

Elementary art teacher skills and personality traits

We calculated that 25% of Elementary Art Teachers are proficient in Professional Development, Classroom Management, and Kindergarten. They’re also known for soft skills such as Physical stamina, Communication skills, and Interpersonal skills.

We break down the percentage of Elementary Art Teachers that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • Professional Development, 25%

    Pursued professional development by attending education conferences and teacher training workshops.

  • Classroom Management, 8%

    Honed classroom management techniques for average class sizes of 30 students in addition to inclusion students (without any aides).

  • Kindergarten, 5%

    Developed multicultural curriculum to introduce influential artists and various techniques of art production to students in Kindergarten through fifth grade.

  • Instructional Materials, 4%

    Prepared course work, planned class sessions: Selected/integrated appropriate instructional materials for classroom instruction - Organized/delivered classroom lectures to students.

  • Math, 4%

    Created the first art displays around the school while integrating math, science and history.

  • Student Learning, 4%

    Create an environment that is inviting and enriching, while encouraging student learning communities.

"professional development," "classroom management," and "kindergarten" are among the most common skills that elementary art teachers use at work. You can find even more elementary art teacher responsibilities below, including:

Physical stamina. The most essential soft skill for an elementary art teacher to carry out their responsibilities is physical stamina. This skill is important for the role because "working with kindergarten- and elementary-age students can be tiring." Additionally, an elementary art teacher resume shows how their duties depend on physical stamina: "prepared course objectives and outlines for spanish, math, social science, natural science, geography, history, physical"

Communication skills. Another essential skill to perform elementary art teacher duties is communication skills. Elementary art teachers responsibilities require that "teachers need to discuss students’ needs with parents and administrators." Elementary art teachers also use communication skills in their role according to a real resume snippet: "maintained active communication with colleagues, administrators, students, and parents, and community to create an ideal art program. "

Most common elementary art teacher skills

The three companies that hire the most elementary art teachers are:

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Compare different elementary art teachers

Elementary art teacher vs. Music teacher

A music teacher is an individual who teaches music students about music theory, which includes sight-reading, the importance of scales, and instrumental techniques. Music teachers assist students with their instruments in preparing them for music examinations, auditions, and live performances while updating parents about the progress of their children's musical talents. They can work with a group of music students or direct school bands, choirs, and orchestras. Music teachers may work in organizations such as community centers, music shops, or schools.

The annual salary of music teachers is $12,052 higher than the average salary of elementary art teachers.Even though elementary art teachers and music teachers are distinct careers, a few of the skills required for both jobs are similar. For example, both careers require professional development, classroom management, and kindergarten in the day-to-day roles and responsibilities.

While similarities exist, there are also some differences between elementary art teachers and music teacher. For instance, elementary art teacher responsibilities require skills such as "math," "art program," "learning styles," and "visual arts." Whereas a music teacher is skilled in "music education," "music program," "music history," and "music appreciation." This is part of what separates the two careers.

Music teachers tend to make the most money working in the manufacturing industry, where they earn an average salary of $51,313. In contrast, elementary art teachers make the biggest average salary, $43,693, in the education industry.On average, music teachers reach similar levels of education than elementary art teachers. Music teachers are 0.8% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and 0.2% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Elementary art teacher vs. Language teacher

Language teachers primarily impart knowledge on multidimensional language through classes and activities. The teachers create conditions and develop activities allowing students to practice what they learned with significance. They immerse students in situational learning roles to write, read, converse, and learn different languages. Also, they are considered instrumental in establishing a supportive and positive learning environment. The teachers are also expected to be communicative and well-versed in the language/s they are teaching to their students.

On average, language teachers earn a $11,487 higher salary than elementary art teachers a year.A few skills overlap for elementary art teachers and language teachers. Resumes from both professions show that the duties of each career rely on skills like "professional development," "classroom management," and "instructional materials. "

Each career also uses different skills, according to real elementary art teacher resumes. While elementary art teacher responsibilities can utilize skills like "kindergarten," "math," "art program," and "state standards," language teachers use skills like "mandarin," "grammar," "classroom environment," and "language curriculum."

Language teachers may earn a higher salary than elementary art teachers, but language teachers earn the most pay in the education industry with an average salary of $50,678. On the other hand, elementary art teachers receive higher pay in the education industry, where they earn an average salary of $43,693.In general, language teachers achieve higher levels of education than elementary art teachers. They're 6.0% more likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.2% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for elementary art teachers in the next 3-5 years?

Greg HullGreg Hull LinkedIn profile

Interim Dean, Valerie Eickmeier Professor in Sculpture, Professor, Indiana University - Purdue University Indianapolis - Herron School of Art and Design

We have seen an increase in the use and need for technology to connect and bring people, ideas, and resources together, locally and globally. We have also seen many advances in telematics, data visualization, human/computer interfaces, and digital fabrication, including AR and VR based tools. I believe these advances will continue and increase in the future. I also think that we will see a renaissance, in which the ability to actively bridge traditional and emerging technologies will be highly sought after.

Elementary art teacher vs. Teacher

Being a teacher is one of the most passionate professions, among others. Teachers educate, motivate, and guide every generation of learners to prepare them for the real world. Every teacher is unique and has their own teaching styles and methods depending on the subject they teach and the age of their students. Oftentimes they also function as a parent, counselor, coach, friend, and even a lawmaker. There is essentially no limit to the roles a teacher portrays.

On average scale, teachers bring in higher salaries than elementary art teachers. In fact, they earn a $8,063 higher salary per year.Using the responsibilities included on elementary art teachers and teachers resumes, we found that both professions have similar skill requirements, such as "professional development," "classroom management," and "instructional materials.rdquo;

Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from elementary art teacher resumes include skills like "kindergarten," "art program," "visual arts," and "fine arts," whereas a teacher is more likely to list skills in "handle scheduling," "kids," "cpr," and "curriculum development. "

Teachers make a very good living in the education industry with an average annual salary of $49,700. On the other hand, elementary art teachers are paid the highest salary in the education industry, with average annual pay of $43,693.teachers typically earn similar educational levels compared to elementary art teachers. Specifically, they're 1.4% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.1% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Elementary art teacher vs. Spanish teacher

A Spanish teacher is responsible for teaching the Spanish language, including its history and culture, both written and conversational. Spanish teachers follow the curriculum, depending on the students' expertise level and evaluate their progress through oral and written assessments. A Spanish teacher must develop effective lesson plans, focusing on Spanish grammar and composition, identifying students' improvement areas to adjust lesson outlines. Spanish teachers must have excellent knowledge and expertise with the Spanish language and engaging activities to further students' development.

Spanish teachers typically earn higher pay than elementary art teachers. On average, spanish teachers earn a $12,519 higher salary per year.According to resumes from elementary art teachers and spanish teachers, some of the skills necessary to complete the responsibilities of each role are similar. These skills include "professional development," "classroom management," and "kindergarten. "Each job also requires different skills to carry out their responsibilities. An elementary art teacher uses "math," "art program," "visual arts," and "fine arts." Spanish teachers are more likely to have duties that require skills in "spanish language," "iv," "student achievement," and "classroom environment. "spanish teachers enjoy the best pay in the education industry, with an average salary of $53,431. For comparison, elementary art teachers earn the highest salary in the education industry.The average resume of spanish teachers showed that they earn higher levels of education compared to elementary art teachers. So much so that theyacirc;euro;trade;re 6.8% more likely to earn a Master's Degree and more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree by 0.6%.

Types of elementary art teacher

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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