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Elementary classroom teacher vs student teacher

The differences between elementary classroom teachers and student teachers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a student teacher has an average salary of $59,035, 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 student teacher are classroom management, math, and language arts.

Elementary classroom teacher vs student teacher overview

Elementary Classroom TeacherStudent Teacher
Yearly salary$48,105$59,035
Hourly rate$23.13$28.38
Growth rate4%4%
Number of jobs69,97079,071
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 72%Bachelor's Degree, 75%
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 student teacher do?

A student-teacher is responsible for assisting their supervising instructors in maintaining the class orderliness during lectures and class activities. Student teachers' duties include helping with lesson plans, organizing learning activities, managing student behaviors, observing classroom procedures, preparing visual materials and other educational equipment, providing feedback for students, and keeping students' records for evaluation. A student-teacher must maintain excellent communication and decision-making skills to set goals and make consistent progress to the class while keeping students engaged.

Elementary classroom teacher vs student teacher salary

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

Elementary Classroom TeacherStudent Teacher
Average salary$48,105$59,035
Salary rangeBetween $37,000 And $61,000Between $46,000 And $74,000
Highest paying CityJersey City, NJBoston, MA
Highest paying stateMarylandMaryland
Best paying companyShelby County Board Of EducationGreat Hearts Academies
Best paying industryEducationEducation

Differences between elementary classroom teacher and student teacher education

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

Elementary Classroom TeacherStudent Teacher
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 72%Bachelor's Degree, 75%
Most common majorElementary EducationElementary Education
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaNorthwestern University

Elementary classroom teacher vs student teacher demographics

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

Elementary Classroom TeacherStudent Teacher
Average age4242
Gender ratioMale, 17.1% Female, 82.9%Male, 26.4% Female, 73.6%
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, 9.7% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 12.5% Asian, 3.7% White, 69.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage9%9%

Differences between elementary classroom teacher and student 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

Student teacher example responsibilities.

  • Manage RTI reading groups using both basal materials and literature-base novel units.
  • Lead debates with advance students on topics including globalization, economics, and political history.
  • Develop lessons that integrate technology into mathematics and language arts for various grade-levels.
  • Enhance student engagement for learning math and science through maintaining collaborative learning classroom environment.
  • Used responsive classroom strategies for Pre-K and first grade.
  • Attend workshops on how to access and create IEPS and bill for services.
  • Show more

Elementary classroom teacher vs student 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 student teacher skills
  • Classroom Management, 20%
  • Math, 13%
  • Language Arts, 8%
  • Social Studies, 6%
  • Kindergarten, 5%
  • IEP, 4%

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