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Elementary classroom teacher vs head teacher

The differences between elementary classroom teachers and head teachers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a head teacher has an average salary of $51,715, which is higher than the $48,105 average annual salary of an elementary classroom teacher.

The top three skills for an elementary classroom teacher include instructional materials, student learning and data analysis. The most important skills for a head teacher are classroom management, child care, and creative curriculum.

Elementary classroom teacher vs head teacher overview

Elementary Classroom TeacherHead Teacher
Yearly salary$48,105$51,715
Hourly rate$23.13$24.86
Growth rate4%4%
Number of jobs69,97073,756
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 72%Bachelor's Degree, 57%
Average age4242
Years of experience--

What does an elementary classroom teacher do?

An Elementary Classroom Teacher is in charge of delivering classroom instruction to help students learn and develop their skills and potentials. Their responsibilities include performing research, preparing lesson plans and learning materials, organizing activities to enhance the students' interpersonal and intrapersonal skills, conducting quizzes and examinations, computing grades, and developing teaching strategies according to the students' needs. Elementary Classroom Teachers monitor the progress and behavior of students, all while maintaining a safe and healthy classroom environment for everyone.

What does a head teacher do?

A headteacher is responsible for monitoring the students' overall learning process, managing and evaluating the performance of school staff, implementing effective learning strategies for the students, encouraging them to reach their maximum potential, and gain self-confidence. Headteachers often lead meetings, especially discussing school activities and the child's performance to their parents, implementing safety policies, and enforcing disciplinary actions for policy violations. A headteacher must have excellent leadership and communication skills to handle the students' needs and support their high-quality performance.

Elementary classroom teacher vs head teacher salary

Elementary classroom teachers and head teachers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Elementary Classroom TeacherHead Teacher
Average salary$48,105$51,715
Salary rangeBetween $37,000 And $61,000Between $32,000 And $83,000
Highest paying CityJersey City, NJBoston, MA
Highest paying stateMarylandMassachusetts
Best paying companyShelby County Board Of EducationGrand View Health
Best paying industryEducationRetail

Differences between elementary classroom teacher and head teacher education

There are a few differences between an elementary classroom teacher and a head teacher in terms of educational background:

Elementary Classroom TeacherHead Teacher
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 72%Bachelor's Degree, 57%
Most common majorElementary EducationEarly Childhood Education
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaNorthwestern University

Elementary classroom teacher vs head teacher demographics

Here are the differences between elementary classroom teachers' and head teachers' demographics:

Elementary Classroom TeacherHead Teacher
Average age4242
Gender ratioMale, 17.1% Female, 82.9%Male, 13.8% Female, 86.2%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 10.0% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 12.9% Asian, 3.7% White, 69.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%Black or African American, 10.0% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 12.9% Asian, 3.7% White, 69.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage9%9%

Differences between elementary classroom teacher and head teacher duties and responsibilities

Elementary classroom teacher example responsibilities.

  • Analyze student achievement data to make decisions regarding early childhood literacy and math goals.
  • Collaborate with special education teacher for students in full-inclusive setting to meet IEP goals.
  • Deliver lessons on elementary reading, writing and mathematics and also introduce basic science concepts to students.
  • Serve on district committees to develop science, math, computer, writing, spelling and handwriting curricula.
  • Provide one-on-one instruction with students advance in mathematics.
  • Excel at developing lessons utilizing non-fiction guide reading books and literature circles to challenge students.
  • Show more

Head teacher example responsibilities.

  • Lead debates with advance students on topics including globalization, economics, and political history.
  • Plan and implement cohesive, age-appropriate curriculum for severely disable children in Pre-K program.
  • Develop and implement age-appropriate curriculum for toddler program, ensuring that appropriate opportunities are provided in order to maximize learning potential.
  • Set up the physical environment to meet the changing needs of infants and toddlers in accordance with ECERS and ITERS-R assessments.

Elementary classroom teacher vs head teacher skills

Common elementary classroom teacher skills
  • Instructional Materials, 11%
  • Student Learning, 11%
  • Data Analysis, 9%
  • English Language, 7%
  • Classroom Environment, 7%
  • Math, 6%
Common head teacher skills
  • Classroom Management, 26%
  • Child Care, 13%
  • Creative Curriculum, 5%
  • Language Arts, 5%
  • Pre-K, 5%
  • Mathematics, 5%

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