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What is a first grade teacher and how to become one
First-grade teachers assist children in taking their first steps in formal education. They work with children aged six and seven, introducing them to various subjects such as reading, writing, and mathematics. Most importantly, though, they impart curiosity and impart a passion for learning and discovering new things.
Being a first-grade teacher is a full-time job that will keep you busy for about seven hours a day from Monday to Friday, and often taking up some of your time at home preparing classes or correcting exercises. Keeping in contact with the parents providing progress reports on the children is also an important part of the job, and you will have administrative duties as a member of the school staff.
If you want to become a teacher, you will have to invest in obtaining appropriate education and gaining practice on the job. Apart from gaining a bachelor's degree, you will need to get familiar with child development and psychology, teaching methods, lesson planning, and classroom management. You will have to get certified to teach as well, but if you love children, none of these will be serious obstacles.
What general advice would you give to a first grade teacher?
Dr. Diana Jones
Chair, Department of Kinesiology, Anderson University
Avg. Salary $49,757
Avg. Salary $59,228
Growth rate 4%
Growth rate 0.3%
American Indian and Alaska Native 0.52%
Asian 3.69%
Black or African American 10.02%
Hispanic or Latino 12.84%
Unknown 3.92%
White 69.00%
Genderfemale 92.52%
male 7.48%
Age - 42American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%
Asian 7.00%
Black or African American 14.00%
Hispanic or Latino 19.00%
White 57.00%
Genderfemale 47.00%
male 53.00%
Age - 42Stress level is high
7.1 - high
Complexity level is advanced
7 - challenging
Work life balance is poor
6.4 - fair
First grade teacher career paths
Key steps to become a first grade teacher
Explore first grade teacher education requirements
Start to develop specific first grade teacher skills
Skills Percentages Classroom Management 29.50% Math 13.41% Social Studies 5.34% Professional Development 4.21% Classroom Environment 3.86% Research first grade teacher duties and responsibilities
- Used technology such as scanning documents, creating hyperlinks and PowerPoint to document student progress for student lead conferences.
- Prepare and plan literacy and math centers daily to encourage student achievement and socialization skills.
- Develop standards-based curricula including a balance literacy program, math and writers' workshops and after school intervention program.
- Implement the PBIS social emotional development program.
Prepare your first grade teacher resume
When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your first grade teacher resume.
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Apply for first grade teacher jobs
Now it's time to start searching for a first grade teacher job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:
- Browse job boards for relevant postings
- Consult your professional network
- Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
- Watch out for job scams
How did you land your first first grade teacher job
Are you a first grade teacher?
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Average first grade teacher salary
The average first grade teacher salary in the United States is $49,757 per year or $24 per hour. First grade teacher salaries range between $37,000 and $65,000 per year.
What am I worth?
How do first grade teachers rate their job?
First grade teacher reviews
The kids light up my days.
The demand and low pay. Teachers have families, too.
You got to work with learners who will love you unconditionally. It gives a great satisfaction to be able to help them. I love learners with Special Needs and I am a Mom of one.
I can't say, maybe because there is none.
Kids, teaching lessons, co-teachers, hours, weekends off, salary, holidays off, summers off, paid sick and personal days
Administration, observations, being told what to teach and HOW to teach it, expecting us to participate in things we might not want to or have the time for, staff meetings with no substance
Updated January 8, 2025
