Post job
zippia ai icon

Automatically apply for jobs with Zippia

Upload your resume to get started.

Elementary school teacher skills for your resume and career

Updated January 8, 2025
2 min read
Quoted experts
Dr. Peg Hughes Ph.D.,
Amber Gentile
Elementary school teacher example skills
Below we've compiled a list of the most critical elementary school teacher skills. We ranked the top skills for elementary school teachers based on the percentage of resumes they appeared on. For example, 18.3% of elementary school teacher resumes contained classroom management as a skill. Continue reading to find out what skills an elementary school teacher needs to be successful in the workplace.

15 elementary school teacher skills for your resume and career

1. Classroom Management

Here's how elementary school teachers use classroom management:
  • Create lesson plans based on long term curricular goals Develop classroom management system and procedures Participate in professional development workshops and discussions
  • Used and implemented classroom management techniques to maintain organization, orderliness, student safety, and a productive learning environment.

2. Math

Here's how elementary school teachers use math:
  • Participated in weekly principal lead data clusters and professional development as well as Literacy and Math Professional Developments.
  • Implemented various student-centered learning methodologies including developing daily math lessons using alternative teaching models.

3. Professional Development

Professional development means to have the essential training certification or education with the purpose of earning and having a successful career. Every job requires a different set of skills. However, new skills may be needed in the future. Professional development, in this regard, helps people to develop and polish the skills and become efficient workers.

Here's how elementary school teachers use professional development:
  • Differentiated instruction for students in a multicultural setting -Conducted professional development in Developmental Spelling -Fostered a community within the classroom.
  • Prepare and present various materials for professional development seminars; Attend professional development seminars; and other duties as assigned.

4. Mathematics

Here's how elementary school teachers use mathematics:
  • Developed curriculum for a 32 student classroom that fostered independence and encouraged social development while teaching reading, writing and mathematics.
  • Developed and implemented curriculum and assessment materials in all subject areas, including OCR and EnVision Mathematics

5. Social Studies

Social studies is a subject in school that teaches about society and its sciences. Sociology, political science, and economics are all examples of social studies.

Here's how elementary school teachers use social studies:
  • Facilitated Turn-and-Talk whereby students engage in discussion with a partner about different social studies concepts being presented.
  • Employed cooperative learning techniques in social studies where students worked collaboratively on projects.

6. Instructional Materials

Here's how elementary school teachers use instructional materials:
  • Prepared instructional materials and develop homework assignments based on individual assessment of student needs and academic progress.
  • Helped students with activities Graded assignments Prepare instructional materials and classroom displays Carry out supportive and clerical tasks

Choose from 10+ customizable elementary school teacher resume templates

Build a professional elementary school teacher resume in minutes. Our AI resume writing assistant will guide you through every step of the process, and you can choose from 10+ resume templates to create your elementary school teacher resume.

7. Classroom Environment

Here's how elementary school teachers use classroom environment:
  • Enhanced the classroom environment by acting as a facilitator to promote student leadership in initiating and creating positive learning opportunities.
  • Foster a positive classroom environment that promotes student responsibility, accountability, and problem solving skills through specific lessons.

8. Student Learning

Here's how elementary school teachers use student learning:
  • Modified general education curriculum for regular and special-needs students based upon a variety of assessments to enhance student learning and success.
  • Utilized the behavior management program, Love and Logic Employed game-based activities and techniques to encourage student learning and classroom community

9. Student Achievement

Here's how elementary school teachers use student achievement:
  • Participate in educational management teams to collect and evaluate student achievement - recommending strategies and solutions to increase overall performance.
  • Maintained frequent communication with coworkers and parents, ensuring best practices were utilized to maximize student achievement.

10. Language Arts

Language art refers to the ability to master a language.

Here's how elementary school teachers use language arts:
  • Enhance student engagement for learning Language Arts through maintaining a collaborative classroom learning environment.
  • Contributed to curriculum development and enhanced Balanced Literacy Approach to Language Arts instruction.

11. Public Schools

Public schools are available for everyone. They are funded and controlled by the government. With state guidance, each school board determines the curricula, finances, and jobs for schools within its borders. The government also decides on academic standards and standardised tests.

Here's how elementary school teachers use public schools:
  • Provide content-related, engaging and appropriate instruction based on Atlanta Public Schools curriculum.
  • Work as Teacher or Para Pro as needed by public schools in central cluster of Gwinnett County.

12. Student Performance

Here's how elementary school teachers use student performance:
  • Worked closely with the Reading/Instructional Coaches to ensure student literacy improvement and increase student performance levels using instructional strategies and methods.
  • Monitored student performance, focusing on academic excellence while mentoring them to ensure achievement of educational goals for furthering education.

13. State Standards

State Standards refer to the educational standards within each state. These standards are set by the Department of Education of each state and outline what students must learn within each grade and subject. The teachers' training and standardized testing is also based on what the standards outline.

Here's how elementary school teachers use state standards:
  • Developed rigorous grade level appropriate curriculum following the New Jersey Model Curriculum and Common Core State Standards.
  • Develop innovative and effective lesson plans ensuring compliance with California state standards.

14. Curriculum Development

Here's how elementary school teachers use curriculum development:
  • Served as a consultant to the instructional teaching staff in matters concerning identification of learning needs and curriculum development.
  • Developed and installed two grant-approved Yamaha Music in Education Keyboard Labs for student use; oversaw lab curriculum development.

15. Blended Learning

Here's how elementary school teachers use blended learning:
  • Implement and practice new teaching strategies using the blended learning model.
  • Incorporated Blended Learning and ELD strategies into classroom activities.
top-skills

What skills help Elementary School Teachers find jobs?

Tell us what job you are looking for, we’ll show you what skills employers want.

What skills stand out on elementary school teacher resumes?

Dr. Peg Hughes Ph.D.Dr. Peg Hughes Ph.D. LinkedIn profile

Chair, Department of Special Education. Coordinator of ECSE Programs, San Jose State University

-Transformative educators who are skilled in addressing racial and social inequities in their programs
-Educators who are fullly qualified and trained to work with students with disabilities who are also English-language learners
-Educators who are trained to work collaboratively with general educators on planning, teaching, and assessing those students with disabilities in gen-ed classrooms, i.e., co-teaching in inclusive settings
-Fluent in other languages besides English due to the diverse language backgrounds of students and families (at least in California)
-Any evidence of leadership work on the job, e.g., trainings for general educators on inclusion, diversity, families, and more
-Strong technology skills for communication with all stakeholders and for teaching students virtually
-Trained to teach using UDL approaches to address diversity of student learning styles

What soft skills should all elementary school teachers possess?

Amber Gentile

Graduate Secondary Education Program Coordinator, Middle Level Program Coordinator, Assistant Professor of Teacher Education, Cabrini University

Elementary teachers need to have the skills (communication, advocacy, interpersonal, collaboration) to build healthy relationships with their students and create communities conducive to learning (organization, creativity, patience, and problem-solving).

What hard/technical skills are most important for elementary school teachers?

Amber Gentile

Graduate Secondary Education Program Coordinator, Middle Level Program Coordinator, Assistant Professor of Teacher Education, Cabrini University

Teachers must be knowledgeable about child development to understand their students' experiences, feelings, and perspectives. Being skilled in research-based best practices in teaching and learning and utilizing them in designing and implementing instruction is also key! Staying current and continuing to attend professional development opportunities is very important to their career as an educator. We must be lifelong learners!

What elementary school teacher skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?

Suzanne TiemannSuzanne Tiemann LinkedIn profile

Professor, Park University

I think that learning is on a continuum. By advancing their degrees and graduate credit, teachers can move up the district’s salary schedule while continuing to perfect their craft.

What type of skills will young elementary school teachers need?

Michelle Sobolak Ph.D.Michelle Sobolak Ph.D. LinkedIn profile

Director of Teacher and Professional Education, University of Pittsburgh

All teachers need a myriad of skills to be effective educators. In addition to the traditional skills required of teachers, new graduates also need an understanding of anti-racist and culturally relevant and sustaining educational practices to improve schooling for all students, a deep understanding of child and adolescent development to guide instruction and engagement, the ability to connect with students and build strong relationships with both students and families, the ability to manage their own online presence and time online, and strong technological skills. Not only do new graduates need these skills, but current teachers also need to develop or strengthen their skill set in these areas to best support all learners and improve our school systems.

What technical skills for an elementary school teacher stand out to employers?

Brian KayeBrian Kaye LinkedIn profile

Assistant Superintendent for Personnel & Planning, Arlington Heights School District 25

The technical skills that I believe will serve incoming teachers will be the ability to engage students in multiple formats for communication and delivery of instruction. There are many platforms for delivering instruction and being able to adapt to new platforms will be helpful. I believe getting comfortable making quick video tutorials for students and parents will also be necessary.

List of elementary school teacher skills to add to your resume

Elementary school teacher skills

The most important skills for an elementary school teacher resume and required skills for an elementary school teacher to have include:

  • Classroom Management
  • Math
  • Professional Development
  • Mathematics
  • Social Studies
  • Instructional Materials
  • Classroom Environment
  • Student Learning
  • Student Achievement
  • Language Arts
  • Public Schools
  • Student Performance
  • State Standards
  • Curriculum Development
  • Blended Learning
  • Instructional Strategies
  • Learning Styles
  • Remainder
  • Physical Education
  • Learning Process
  • ESL
  • IEP
  • Grade Curriculum
  • Social Growth
  • PowerPoint
  • K-5
  • Parent-Teacher Conferences
  • Physical Health
  • Instructional Techniques
  • Social Development
  • Student Data
  • Progress Monitoring
  • Report Cards
  • Academic Performance
  • School Administration
  • Test Scores
  • RTI
  • Child Left Behind
  • Cooperative Learning
  • Learning Environment
  • Core Curriculum
  • Student Engagement
  • ESOL
  • Grade Class
  • Team Planning
  • Curriculum Guidelines
  • Teaching Methodologies
  • Social Justice
  • PBIS
  • Academic Growth

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.

Browse education, training, and library jobs