Elementary School Teachers teach pupils a wide range of academic, social, emotional, and motor skills. They teach at kindergarten through sixth grade or, in some cases, through eighth grade. They plan and present programs of instruction using methods and materials designed to meet the needs of students.

JOB DUTIES 

Elementary School Teachers may:

Establish and enforce rules for behavior and procedures to maintain order in the classroom

Adapt teaching methods and instructional materials to meet students' needs and interest

Attend staff meetings

Serve on committees

Attend workshops or in-service training activities

Supervise outdoor and indoor play activities

Prepare bulletin boards

Correct papers and tests

Keep records and make reports

Evaluate student performance

Counsel pupils with academic and adjustment problems

Discuss pupils' progress and performance with parents

Prepare appropriate lesson plans that allow for varying ability levels among students

Supervise field trips

Operate audio-visual and duplicating machines

Maintain discipline and a suitable learning environment

Use the computer as an instructional tool

Click  here  to Elementary School Teachers at work!

Tools and equipment used may include:

OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTIES

Elementary School Teachers may specialize in these areas:

092.227-010 ELEMENTARY SCHOOL TEACHERS teach pupils at kindergarten through sixth grade or, in some cases, through eighth grade a wide range of academic, social, emotional, and motor skills. They plan and present programs of instruction using methods and materials designed to meet the needs of students.

092.227-014 KINDERGARTEN TEACHERS instruct children from four to six years old in group play, music, art, stories, poetry, elementary natural and social sciences, readiness activities for reading and math, and personal health habits. They help advance children's physical, intellectual, social, and emotional development.

092.227-018 PRESCHOOL TEACHERS work at the kindergarten level. They instruct children, ages 3 to 5 in activities designed to promote social, physical, and intellectual growth in preparation for primary school. They plan and conduct individual and group activities to stimulate learning according to the ages and levels of development of the children. Other Elementary School Teachers specialize in teaching specific subjects such as art, music, reading, or physical education that require specialized training.

Some Teachers may specialize in teaching gifted children or children with special needs. These two specializations may also require specialized training.

In addition to learning about these specialties, you may also wish to explore the following Career Exploration Scripts:

WORKING CONDITIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

Although many teachers usually work alone in a class with a group of students, an increasing number of schools are now providing teacher aides who are supervised by the teacher, assist with clerical tasks, lunch and playground activities. Teachers are supervised by school administrators. About one public Elementary School Teacher in six is a member of a teaching team in which two or more teachers work closely together. Each teacher is responsible for part of a group of students or for a particular subject area.

Most teachers work in well lighted, heated, and ventilated schools.

Public Elementary Teachers spend an average of 36 1/2 hours per week in the classroom and additional 9 1/2 or more hours grading papers, attending meetings, keeping records, making reports, and supervising after school activities.

Elementary School Teachers usually work 5 days a week for approximately 9 1/2 months each year. They average 181 days of classroom teaching each year and are required to attend up to 4 other days of in-service or workshop training. Although few elementary teachers continue to teach during the summer months, most take additional courses, spend time with families, travel, or work at other jobs.

Most teachers belong to the Michigan Education Association or the Michigan Federation of Teachers. Union or association membership may be required in some school districts. Teachers who are association or union members must pay dues. In some districts non members are required to pay equivalent fees depending on the contract.

You Should Prefer:

• Activities which require helping/working closely with young people

• Activities concerned with the communication of information

• Activities which require a creative imagination
• Activities which require decision and problem solving

You Should Be Able To:

• Reason logically, use logical step-by-step procedures in teaching

• Understand the meanings of words

• Understand the relationships of words and use language effectively

• Coordinate and perform two or more activities simultaneously

• Perceive detail in written material or tables

• Make decisions based on your own judgment

• Have agreeable working relations with others

• Perform a variety of duties which may change often

• Use arithmetic quickly and accurately

• Direct, control, and plan the activities of others

Math Problem You Should Be Able to Solve:

Make up some examples of quadratic equations of the form axý+bx+c = 0 that can be solved by factoring and some that cannot.< /FONT >

Reading Example You Should Be Able to Read and Comprehend:

Exponential decay gets its name from the decay of elements in nature called radioactive decay. Radioactive decay is used to approximate the age of archaeological objects that were once alive.

Writing Example You Should Be Able to Produce:

Prepare a lesson plan for multiplication in algebra.

Thinking Skill You Should Be Able to Demonstrate:

Excellent analytical skills, organizational skills, and be detail oriented in assessing and teaching students.

The State of Michigan requires a license for this occupation.  Click  here  for "Michigan Licensed Occupations," see Teacher, Elementary and Secondary for specific licensing information.  Teachers must take periodic TB tests.

EDUCATION AND PREPARATION OPPORTUNITIES

NOTE: A Bachelor's Degree (four years of study beyond high school) or a Master's Degree (five to six years of study beyond high school) or a Professional Degree or Doctorate (seven to ten years of study beyond high school) may qualify a person for this occupation.

The following education and preparation opportunities are helpful in preparing for occupations in this Career Exploration Script:

***SCHOOL SUBJECTS***

  0200 ART , 0700 CAREERS , 0800 CHOIR , 0900 COMMUNICATIONS , 1000 COMPUTERS , 1100 ECONOMICS , 1300 ENGLISH , 1600 FOREIGN LANGUAGE , 1700 GOVERNMENT , 1900 HISTORY , 2000 LIFE MANAGEMENT , 2100 LITERATURE , 2200 MATH , 2300 METALS , 2400 MUSIC , 2700 PHYSICAL EDUCATION , 2800 PUBLIC SPEAKING , 2900 SCIENCE , 3000 SOCIAL STUDIES , 3100 STUDY & WORK OPTIONS , 3300 TECHNOLOGY

  ***VOCATIONAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS***

There are no Vocational Education Programs related to this Career Exploration Script.

***POSTSECONDARY PROGRAMS***

  055 ELEMENTARY EDUCATION

Programs in Elementary Education provide opportunities to gain the knowledge and skills needed to teach a large variety of subjects from kindergarten through eighth grade and specialized subjects in ninth grade. To be certified in Michigan at the elementary level, teachers are required to have either a major and a minor area of subject specialization or three minor areas. They are also required to complete an approved teacher training program with a bachelor's degree.

Courses within this program vary according to major and minor areas of study. In addition, a sequence of professional education courses and student teaching are common to all programs. Courses may include:

  Search for a College and/or Instructional Program

   ***APPRENTICESHIP OPPORTUNITIES***

There are no Apprenticeships related to this Career Exploration Script.

***MILITARY TRAINING PROGRAMS***

There are no Military Programs related to this Career Exploration Script.

E-Learning Courses and Programs                  

OPPORTUNITIES FOR EXPERIENCE AND METHODS OF ENTRY

Students can observe first hand the nature of a teaching career in their own schools. They may explore this occupation by working as camp counselors, teacher aides, and as park, recreation, or scouting program helpers. In addition, experience can be gained in the Peace Corps.

            School-to-Work opportunities include:

informal apprenticeships

mentorships

job shadowing experiences

touring a local Elementary School Teacher employer

internships

volunteer work with a Elementary School Teacher employer

community service work with an agency

The most common method of entry is direct application to school systems. For help locating a position, consult college and university placement offices, college instructors and others in the field, newspaper want ads and professional publications. In addition, you should access and search the Internet's on-line employment services sites such as:

            You should also enter an electronic resume on these on-line services.

EARNINGS AND ADVANCEMENT

Salaries for Elementary Teachers depend on their education and teaching experience, school district budgets, unionization, supply and demand factors, geographic location. Teachers working in urban areas usually have higher wages than do those in rural areas. Teachers generally earn less in private schools than in public schools. 

According to a recent nationwide survey, the average of the highest salaries (2005-2006) for public classroom teachers was $65,899; average of the lowest salaries was $32,462; and the average of the mean salaries was $48,160.  The median yearly earnings of "all" workers in the U.S. were $33,852 in 2005.

Annual salaries (2006-2007) for public school teachers employed in various Michigan school districts were:

 * Salaries vary depending on 42-, 46-, or 52-week schedules.  

Some school districts may also pay allowances for cost-of-living, additional education, and longevity. Supervising extra-curricular activities may add to the earnings of some teachers. Some are employed by their school districts during the summer.  Rising health care costs, a reduction in employee pension plans and health care benefits will have an effect on the starting salaries that are being offered to new teachers.  

Most public school teachers have paid sick leave (10-15 days per year); paid holidays; and winter, spring, and summer vacations. Most receive paid group life, hospital, medical, and surgical insurance. Some also have dental, vision care, and prescription drug coverage. Most employers provide income protection insurance, professional liability insurance, and paid retirement plans. Many also offer contributory tax-sheltered annuity plans. Sabbatical leave is available in some districts, usually providing for leave up to one year at half pay.

After a working probationary period, usually 2 to 3 years, an Elementary School Teacher usually receives tenure. Experience and additional education are the most important factors in advancement. A possible career ladder may be: Elementary Teacher; lead or senior Teacher; education supervisor; assistant principal; principal.

EMPLOYMENT AND OUTLOOK

Nationally, there were about 1,457,000 Elementary Teachers and 601,300 Preschool and Kindergarten Teachers employed in 2004. More than 10% of the Elementary and Kindergarten Teachers worked part-time.

Employment of Elementary Teachers is expected to increase faster than the average for all occupations through the year 2014. About 1.8% of the Preschool and Kindergarten teachers were self-employed. The industry distribution for Elementary School Teachers looked like this:

According to a recent study, elementary school enrollments are rising and will continue to do so in the near term. Because of greater population growth in the South and West, enrollment in kindergarten and elementary schools should increase in these regions, causing a greater demand for Elementary Teachers in these areas. Teachers who have expertise in integrating personal computer technology with classroom instruction will be strongly demanded by school districts. Subject areas demanded include mathematics, science, special education, bilingual education, and elementary education.

There are approximately 56,225 Elementary School Teachers employed in schools throughout Michigan, including Preschool and Kindergarten Teachers. Most Elementary School Teachers were employed in public schools. Others worked for various private and parochial schools. About two-thirds of all Elementary School Teachers were employed in urban areas.

The employment of Elementary School Teachers in Michigan is expected to increase about as fast as the average for all occupations through the year 2012. The employment of Preschool or Kindergarten teachers is projected to increase about as fast as the average for all occupations. An average of 1,570 annual openings is expected for Elementary Teachers, including Preschool and Kindergarten Teachers, with 440 due to growth and 1,130 due to replacement of workers who retire, die or leave the labor force. Additional openings will occur as teachers change jobs or occupations.

New teachers face stiff competition for teaching jobs due to the many school districts' massive layoffs and budget deficits, which will have a negative effect on supplying schools districts with teachers to instruct a growing class load.

SOURCES OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Printed Occupational information is available upon written request from sources below.

        Copyright © 2007 Michigan Department of Labor & Economic Growth