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General education teacher vs elementary school teacher

The differences between general education teachers and elementary school teachers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, an elementary school teacher has an average salary of $52,161, which is higher than the $36,253 average annual salary of a general education teacher.

The top three skills for a general education teacher include classroom management, professional development and mathematics. The most important skills for an elementary school teacher are classroom management, math, and professional development.

General education teacher vs elementary school teacher overview

General Education TeacherElementary School Teacher
Yearly salary$36,253$52,161
Hourly rate$17.43$25.08
Growth rate4%4%
Number of jobs101,12484,607
Job satisfaction-2
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 67%Bachelor's Degree, 73%
Average age4342
Years of experience--

What does a general education teacher do?

A general education teacher teaches all students in a general education classroom a primary academic curriculum. They are tasked with the implementation of any modifications that affect a general classroom. They may also be expected to conduct academic assessments for all students to check their progress in the classroom. They may also have to conduct regular consultations with students, families, and specialists.

What does an elementary school teacher do?

Elementary school teachers are trained to provide education to children from kindergarten through fifth grade. The teachers are responsible for children's emotional and educational growth in the classroom. They manage the resources and materials to be used for their education. It is part of their duties to evaluate the students' performance, social development, physical health, and behavior. Also, they adapt to teaching methods and instructions to meet the interests and needs of the children.

General education teacher vs elementary school teacher salary

General education teachers and elementary school teachers have different pay scales, as shown below.

General Education TeacherElementary School Teacher
Average salary$36,253$52,161
Salary rangeBetween $24,000 And $53,000Between $37,000 And $72,000
Highest paying CityDaly City, CABaltimore, MD
Highest paying stateCaliforniaMaryland
Best paying companyShepherd UniversityGerman International School New York
Best paying industryEducationGovernment

Differences between general education teacher and elementary school teacher education

There are a few differences between a general education teacher and an elementary school teacher in terms of educational background:

General Education TeacherElementary School Teacher
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 67%Bachelor's Degree, 73%
Most common majorElementary EducationElementary Education
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

General education teacher vs elementary school teacher demographics

Here are the differences between general education teachers' and elementary school teachers' demographics:

General Education TeacherElementary School Teacher
Average age4342
Gender ratioMale, 22.1% Female, 77.9%Male, 19.5% Female, 80.5%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 9.5% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 11.6% Asian, 3.6% White, 70.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%Black or African American, 9.7% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 12.6% Asian, 3.7% White, 69.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage8%9%

Differences between general education teacher and elementary school teacher duties and responsibilities

General education teacher example responsibilities.

  • Utilize PLC time to meet the needs of struggling and achieving students
  • Design data-driven interventions in reading and math (RTI).
  • Create lesson plans and teach middle school students with specific learning disabilities, emotional disabilities and autism.
  • Develop IEPS base on student's performance.
  • Follow the guidelines for PBIS to create a positive learning environment
  • Deliver instruction in all subject areas to kindergarten and first grade students.
  • Show more

Elementary school teacher example responsibilities.

  • Offer leave of absence for remainder of school yearupon adoption of twin girls from Russia.
  • Help kids expend excess energy so they can sit still in regular classes for the rest of the afternoon.
  • Differentiate lessons to fit the needs of students in the ESL program, students with special needs, and gift students.
  • Create innovative PowerPoint presentation for daily lesson.
  • Create various PowerPoint presentations for multiple projects.
  • Develop innovative approaches to literacy development and mathematics teaching.
  • Show more

General education teacher vs elementary school teacher skills

Common general education teacher skills
  • Classroom Management, 11%
  • Professional Development, 7%
  • Mathematics, 7%
  • Data Analysis, 7%
  • Student Data, 6%
  • Learning Environment, 5%
Common elementary school teacher skills
  • Classroom Management, 18%
  • Math, 9%
  • Professional Development, 9%
  • Mathematics, 8%
  • Social Studies, 4%
  • Instructional Materials, 4%

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