To work as an elementary school teacher, patience is a requirement. You should be able to use audiovisual aids in order to help teach lessons and lectures. Duties include preparation and correction and grading of assignments and tests, ability to counsel students when there are classroom issues, keep up with attendance as is required by the school, coordinate educational field trips, and maintain order of a large group of children in and outside of the classroom while on school property. Minimum requirements include certification from the state in elementary education and a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education. Elementary school teachers are required to be able to listen and speak for long periods of time and spend hours walking, standing and occasionally sitting. This is a physical and mental job. Most company will include a classroom of students grades 6 or below and on occasion other teachers or school principal. This job is 5 days a week in the classroom from morning to mid afternoon and requires time spent at home to be focused on work, grading, and creating outlines of study plans as well. Elementary school teachers may be employed in elementary schools only and should have prior experience in dealing with children, especially for long periods of time. Special knowledge in certain subjects such as English and early education mathematics is also necessary for this job. Teachers are also expected to keep track of grades and have open communication with both students and their parents and be able to maturely address any issues that may arise with behavioral problems or grades.
Elementary School Teacher Tasks
- Maintain accurate student records as required by laws and administrative regulations.
- Instruct elementary students individually and in groups.
- Maintain classroom discipline.
- Evaluate students and communicate progress with parents, guardians, and administrators.
- Plan, assign, and evaluate lessons, projects and tests.