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Elementary classroom teacher vs science teacher

The differences between elementary classroom teachers and science teachers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a science teacher has an average salary of $59,788, 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 science teacher are classroom management, professional development, and student learning.

Elementary classroom teacher vs science teacher overview

Elementary Classroom TeacherScience Teacher
Yearly salary$48,105$59,788
Hourly rate$23.13$28.74
Growth rate4%5%
Number of jobs69,97071,133
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 72%Bachelor's Degree, 70%
Average age4243
Years of experience-2

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 science teacher do?

A science teacher is responsible for teaching scientific concepts and disciplines, helping learners to understand systems, procedures, and generate ideas using scientific evidence and approaches. Science teachers create engaging lesson plans and activities for the learners, including laboratory works, group research, and field experiments. They also demonstrate methods and present scientific research to support their observations. A science teacher evaluates the students' learning by giving them written or practical exams, including problem-solving and scientific methods.

Elementary classroom teacher vs science teacher salary

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

Elementary Classroom TeacherScience Teacher
Average salary$48,105$59,788
Salary rangeBetween $37,000 And $61,000Between $40,000 And $87,000
Highest paying CityJersey City, NJBoston, MA
Highest paying stateMarylandMassachusetts
Best paying companyShelby County Board Of EducationPace University
Best paying industryEducationEducation

Differences between elementary classroom teacher and science teacher education

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

Elementary Classroom TeacherScience Teacher
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 72%Bachelor's Degree, 70%
Most common majorElementary EducationBiology
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaHarvard University

Elementary classroom teacher vs science teacher demographics

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

Elementary Classroom TeacherScience Teacher
Average age4243
Gender ratioMale, 17.1% Female, 82.9%Male, 42.1% Female, 57.9%
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, 8.2% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 11.9% Asian, 3.6% White, 71.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage9%12%

Differences between elementary classroom teacher and science 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

Science teacher example responsibilities.

  • Create single gender classes in 7th and 8th grade math and language classes to increase student achievement and decrease discipline referrals.
  • Prepare and instruct biology, botany, chemistry, genetics, microbiology and zoology laboratories.
  • Further students' education on math/science including general science and pre-algebra through curriculum development and hands on instruction.
  • Create and implement appropriate science education programs for k-12 youth.
  • Teach kids fun, invigorating science lessons in after school programming .!
  • Challenge and support urban youth and ESL students with hands on projects and activities.
  • Show more

Elementary classroom teacher vs science 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 science teacher skills
  • Classroom Management, 15%
  • Professional Development, 7%
  • Student Learning, 6%
  • Science Curriculum, 5%
  • Learning Environment, 4%
  • Public Schools, 4%

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