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Lead teacher vs resource teacher

The differences between lead teachers and resource teachers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a resource teacher has an average salary of $43,487, which is higher than the $33,652 average annual salary of a lead teacher.

The top three skills for a lead teacher include CPR, customer service and child care. The most important skills for a resource teacher are classroom management, math, and professional development.

Lead teacher vs resource teacher overview

Lead TeacherResource Teacher
Yearly salary$33,652$43,487
Hourly rate$16.18$20.91
Growth rate5%4%
Number of jobs56,13173,796
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 51%Bachelor's Degree, 64%
Average age4342
Years of experience2-

What does a lead teacher do?

The Lead Teacher works with parents to resolve student issues and train new teachers on effective teaching techniques. A Lead Teacher is a licensed teacher with extensive teaching experience and preferably has a master's in education or related studies. They are an integral part of a school's faculty and the principal's arm in drafting policies for implementation.

What does a resource teacher do?

A Resource Teacher is responsible for providing curriculum support systems for students, teachers, and administrators. Another role of a Resource Teacher is to assist the class teacher and provide additional support for children with moderate learning difficulties.

Lead teacher vs resource teacher salary

Lead teachers and resource teachers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Lead TeacherResource Teacher
Average salary$33,652$43,487
Salary rangeBetween $22,000 And $50,000Between $15,000 And $123,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CASalinas, CA
Highest paying stateCaliforniaCalifornia
Best paying companySuccess Preparatory AcademyBoston Public Schools
Best paying industry-Manufacturing

Differences between lead teacher and resource teacher education

There are a few differences between a lead teacher and a resource teacher in terms of educational background:

Lead TeacherResource Teacher
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 51%Bachelor's Degree, 64%
Most common majorEarly Childhood EducationSpecial Education
Most common collegeSan Diego State UniversityUniversity of Pennsylvania

Lead teacher vs resource teacher demographics

Here are the differences between lead teachers' and resource teachers' demographics:

Lead TeacherResource Teacher
Average age4342
Gender ratioMale, 10.2% Female, 89.8%Male, 18.4% Female, 81.6%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 7.8% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 11.4% Asian, 3.5% White, 72.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%Black or African American, 10.0% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 12.8% Asian, 3.7% White, 69.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage12%9%

Differences between lead teacher and resource teacher duties and responsibilities

Lead teacher example responsibilities.

  • Plan and implement theme and project-base lessons that incorporate math, literacy, science, physical development, and social/emotional skills.
  • Cultivate and foster safe and effective learning environment conducive for Pre-K students.
  • Model positive behavior management techniques through daily contact with children and early childhood staff in the classroom.
  • Develop lesson plans on a bi-weekly basis that comply with early childhood standards and relate to the weekly theme.
  • Require CPR certification and ongoing continuing education.
  • Develop programs that introduce math and literacy concepts.
  • Show more

Resource teacher example responsibilities.

  • Lead the data team with interpreting results, including NWEA and other benchmark assessments.
  • Provide remedial services to students with language impairments and learning disabilities in mathematics.
  • Provide special education support for students grades k-5 who have IEP.
  • Introduce social skills instruction to kindergarten students.
  • Demonstrate effective science and mathematics instructional practices when working with students.
  • Teach reading and math to students requiring remedial work that incorporates district approve curriculum objectives.
  • Show more

Lead teacher vs resource teacher skills

Common lead teacher skills
  • CPR, 19%
  • Customer Service, 18%
  • Child Care, 17%
  • Child Development, 15%
  • Classroom Management, 11%
  • Pre-K, 3%
Common resource teacher skills
  • Classroom Management, 7%
  • Math, 7%
  • Professional Development, 7%
  • Mathematics, 7%
  • Student Learning, 6%
  • Behavior Management, 6%

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