Elementary School Teachers

At a Glance

Median Salary
$55,452

Local Jobs
2,650

Entry-Level Education
Bachelor's Degree

Occupation Profile

Establish and enforce rules for behavior and procedures for maintaining order among the students for whom they are responsible. Adapt teaching methods and instructional materials to meet students’ varying needs and interests. Instruct students individually and in groups, using various teaching methods, such as lectures, discussions, and demonstrations. Confer with parents or guardians, teachers, counselors, and administrators to resolve students’ behavioral and academic problems. Prepare materials and classrooms for class activities.

By The Numbers

Median Annual Earnings

$55,452

Median Annual Earnings are the midpoint earned by 50 percent of workers who are the lowest paid and 50 percent of workers who are the highest paid in a particular occupation

Local Jobs

2,650

Jobs are any position in which a worker provides labor in exchange for monetary compensation (note: one individual may hold multiple jobs)

Entry-Level Education

Bachelor's Degree

This is the most common education level requested in entry-level job listings.

Daily Tasks

Establish and enforce rules for behavior and procedures for maintaining order among the students.
Adapt teaching methods and instructional materials to meet students’ varying needs and interests.
Instruct students individually and in groups, using teaching methods such as lectures, discussions, and demonstrations.
Confer with parents or guardians, teachers, counselors, and administrators to resolve students’ behavioral and academic problems.
Prepare materials and classrooms for class activities.
Prepare students for later grades by encouraging them to explore learning opportunities and to persevere with challenging tasks.
Observe and evaluate students’ performance, behavior, social development, and physical health.
Establish clear objectives for all lessons, units, and projects and communicate those objectives to students.
Guide and counsel students with adjustment or academic problems or with special academic interests.
Provide a variety of materials and resources for children to explore, manipulate, and use, both in learning activities and in imaginative play.
Read books to entire classes or small groups.
Enforce administration policies and rules governing students.
Plan and conduct activities for a balanced program of instruction, demonstration, and work time that provides students with opportunities to observe, question, and investigate.
Meet with parents and guardians to discuss their children’s progress and to determine priorities for their children and their resource needs.
Prepare and implement remedial programs for students requiring extra help.
Confer with other staff members to plan and schedule lessons promoting learning, following approved curricula.
Prepare, administer, and grade tests and assignments to evaluate students’ progress.
Maintain accurate and complete student records as required by laws, district policies, and administrative regulations.
Use computers, audio-visual aids, and other equipment and materials to supplement presentations.
Assign and grade class work and homework.
Meet with other professionals to discuss individual students’ needs and progress.
Organize and lead activities designed to promote physical, mental, and social development, such as games, arts and crafts, music, and storytelling.
Instruct and monitor students in the use and care of equipment and materials to prevent injuries and damage.
Prepare objectives and outlines for courses of study, following curriculum guidelines or requirements of states and schools.
Prepare for assigned classes and show written evidence of preparation upon request of immediate supervisors.
Attend professional meetings, educational conferences, and teacher training workshops to maintain and improve professional competence.
Prepare reports on students and activities as required by administration.
Collaborate with other teachers and administrators in the development, evaluation, and revision of elementary school programs.
Organize and label materials and display students’ work.
Supervise, evaluate, and plan assignments for teacher assistants and volunteers.
Plan and supervise class projects, field trips, visits by guest speakers or other experiential activities, and guide students in learning from those activities.
Administer standardized ability and achievement tests, and interpret results to determine student strengths and needs.
Attend staff meetings and serve on committees, as required.
Perform administrative duties, such as school library assistance, hall and cafeteria monitoring, and bus loading and unloading.
Involve parent volunteers and older students in children’s activities to facilitate involvement in focused, complex play.
Select, store, order, issue, and inventory classroom equipment, materials, and supplies.

Occupational Skills

What skills are necessary for Elementary School Teachers?

Hard Skills

Automated External Defibrillator
Classroom Management
Curriculum Development
Educational Assessment
Individualized Education Programs (IEP)
Learning Strategies
Learning Styles
Lesson Planning
Organizational Communications
Physical Education

Soft Skills

Communications
Interpersonal Communications
Management
Mathematics
Operations
Problem Solving
Spreadsheets
Teaching
Training And Development
Writing

Hard skills are specific, learnable, measurable, often industry- or occupation-specific abilities related to a position.

Soft skills can be self-taught and usually do not necessitate a certain completed level of education. They are essential in many industries and occupations.

Education Programs

Del Mar College