What does an elementary education teacher do?
Elementary education teacher responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real elementary education teacher resumes:
- Lead debates with advance students on topics including globalization, economics, and political history.
- Plan and implement lessons in reading, math, arts and humanities, social studies, science, and health.
- Certify ESL teacher as well.
- Collaborate with preschool autism classroom staff and lead teacher to enhance and encourage social skills with peers.
- Addressed the needs of the student with autism by providing multi-sensory lessons and a variety of manipulatives.
- Assign to various non-public schools to provide remediation (reading, writing, and math basic skills) for special-needs students.
- Implement differentiated instruction in the classroom when identify students have needs instructional needs in writing as identified in their IEP plans.
- Analyze data from formal and informal assessment to determine and develop goals for IEPs, instructional goals and to differentiate instruction.
- Develop and implement IEPs and behavior intervention plans.
- Develop, implement and monitor the progress of Pre-K students, both academically and social emotionally.
- Instruct letter recognition, phonics, phonemic awareness and mathematical concepts.
- Implement a pilot reading program focusing on phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary development and comprehension.
- Tutor students after school for TAKS test and chaperone filed trips.
- Prepare students to take TAKS tests in reading, writing, and mathematics in English and Spanish.
Elementary education teacher skills and personality traits
We calculated that 22% of Elementary Education Teachers are proficient in Elementary Education, Classroom Management, and Professional Development. They’re also known for soft skills such as Interpersonal skills, Communication skills, and Patience.
We break down the percentage of Elementary Education Teachers that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Elementary Education, 22%
Substitute Elementary Education Teacher- Job responsibilities included planning and classroom instruction for absent teachers.
- Classroom Management, 12%
Attended a variety of professional development workshops on learning goals, classroom management and engaging learning activities.
- Professional Development, 7%
Worked cooperatively and creatively with the administration to ensure that all curricula, scheduling and professional development issues were appropriately addressed.
- Math, 5%
Designed innovative math lesson chosen by Superintendent to be featured in district newsletter and promotional booklet.
- Core Curriculum, 4%
Developed and designed core curriculum and lesson plans aligned with the state and district standards.
- Student Performance, 4%
Contributed to a significant increase in student performance on standardized testing.
Most elementary education teachers use their skills in "elementary education," "classroom management," and "professional development" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential elementary education teacher responsibilities here:
Interpersonal skills. The most essential soft skill for an elementary education teacher to carry out their responsibilities is interpersonal skills. This skill is important for the role because "special education teachers work regularly with a team of educators and the student’s parents to develop ieps." Additionally, an elementary education teacher resume shows how their duties depend on interpersonal skills: "prepare lessons that reflect accommodations for difference in student learning styles through organizing information, effective communication and strong interpersonal skills. "
Communication skills. Many elementary education teacher duties rely on communication skills. "special education teachers need to explain concepts in terms that students with learning disabilities can understand," so an elementary education teacher will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways elementary education teacher responsibilities rely on communication skills: "instructed students based on curriculum guidelines promoted student learning established and maintained rapport with students maintained effective communication with parents and community"
Patience. This is an important skill for elementary education teachers to perform their duties. For an example of how elementary education teacher responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "special education teachers must be able to stay calm instructing students with disabilities, who may lack basic skills, present behavioral or other challenges, or require repeated efforts to understand material." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of an elementary education teacher: "exhibit patience & positive attitudes in establishing an encouraging learning environment. ".
The three companies that hire the most elementary education teachers are:
- Buffalo Schools4 elementary education teachers jobs
- Tucson Unified School District4 elementary education teachers jobs
- Educate!2 elementary education teachers jobs
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Compare different elementary education teachers
Elementary education teacher vs. Teacher associate
A teacher associate is responsible for assisting the teacher in classroom operations and providing teaching support for the students. Teacher associates develop learning materials according to the instructions of the headteachers, helping them to track students' progress and observing class behaviors. They also take class responsibility if the teacher is away, ensuring to keep activity records and attendance for reference. A teacher associate must have excellent communication and organizational skills, especially in handling students' difficulties and working with the teacher to develop techniques to address those challenges.
There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, elementary education teacher responsibilities require skills like "elementary education," "professional development," "core curriculum," and "public schools." Meanwhile a typical teacher associate has skills in areas such as "child care," "cpr," "child development," and "cleanliness." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.
Teacher associates tend to make the most money working in the health care industry, where they earn an average salary of $32,745. In contrast, elementary education teachers make the biggest average salary, $50,893, in the government industry.On average, teacher associates reach lower levels of education than elementary education teachers. Teacher associates are 11.5% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and 0.7% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Elementary education teacher vs. Teacher/tutor
A teacher/tutor is primarily in charge of facilitating discussions and other learning activities for students. Their duties typically revolve around developing lesson plans and teaching materials, assessing the progress of students through quizzes and examinations, assisting students in areas they find difficult, and helping them develop their interpersonal and intrapersonal skills. Furthermore, as a teacher/tutor, it is essential to monitor the progress and behavior of students, all while maintaining a healthy and safe learning environment for them.
Each career also uses different skills, according to real elementary education teacher resumes. While elementary education teacher responsibilities can utilize skills like "elementary education," "core curriculum," "learning styles," and "assessment tools," teacher/tutors use skills like "k-12," "kids," "english language," and "study."
On average, teacher/tutors earn a lower salary than elementary education teachers. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, teacher/tutors earn the most pay in the education industry with an average salary of $43,459. Whereas elementary education teachers have higher pay in the government industry, with an average salary of $50,893.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Teacher/tutors tend to reach similar levels of education than elementary education teachers. In fact, they're 2.7% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.7% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for elementary education teachers in the next 3-5 years?
Dr. Diana Jones
Chair, Department of Kinesiology, Anderson University
Elementary education 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.
There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, an elementary education teacher is likely to be skilled in "elementary education," "core curriculum," "assessment tools," and "general education," while a typical teacher is skilled in "handle scheduling," "kids," "cpr," and "curriculum development."
Teachers earn the best pay in the education industry, where they command an average salary of $49,700. Elementary education teachers earn the highest pay from the government industry, with an average salary of $50,893.When it comes to education, teachers tend to earn lower degree levels compared to elementary education teachers. In fact, they're 5.4% less likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.2% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Elementary education teacher vs. Pre-k teacher
Pre-K teachers play an essential role in the lives of young children ages three to five years old by developing and nurturing their interest in subjects appropriate for their age. They promote a creative learning environment and encourage social interactions among students while providing the fundamental educational foundation that will prepare them for a successful start to kindergarten. They are responsible for overseeing children during their mealtimes, reinforcing personal hygiene, and developing children's social skills. Pre-K teachers also plan curriculum and work with other school staff members.
Types of elementary education teacher
Updated January 8, 2025
