Occupation · SOC 25-2021
Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education
Teach academic and social skills to students at the elementary school level.
Median wage
$62,340
$46,440–$102,010
Projected growth
-2.0%
Declining
Annual openings
-2,790
per year
Employed (US)
1,393,310
Job Zone 4
Typical preparation
Considerable preparation
Stackable credential programs
1,858 mapped
Core skills
Learning StrategiesInstructingSpeakingMonitoringSocial PerceptivenessActive ListeningCritical ThinkingWriting
Knowledge areas
English LanguageEducation and TrainingMathematicsCustomer and Personal ServicePsychology
Technology & tools
Data base user interface and query softwareComputer based training softwareDesktop communications softwareMulti-media educational softwareElectronic mail software
Representative tasks
Instruct students individually and in groups, using teaching methods such as lectures, discussions, and demonstrations.Establish and enforce rules for behavior and procedures for maintaining order among the students.Guide and counsel students with adjustment or academic problems or with special academic interests.Adapt teaching methods and instructional materials to meet students' varying needs and interests.Plan and conduct activities for a balanced program of instruction, demonstration, and work time that provides students with opportunities to observe, question, and investigate.Prepare materials and classrooms for class activities.Confer with parents or guardians, teachers, counselors, and administrators to resolve students' behavioral and academic problems.Observe and evaluate students' performance, behavior, social development, and physical health.Read books to entire classes or small groups.Meet with parents and guardians to discuss their children's progress and to determine priorities for their children and their resource needs.Use computers, audio-visual aids, and other equipment and materials to supplement presentations.Establish clear objectives for all lessons, units, and projects and communicate those objectives to students.Meet with other professionals to discuss individual students' needs and progress.Prepare and implement remedial programs for students requiring extra help.Assign and grade class work and homework.Prepare students for later grades by encouraging them to explore learning opportunities and to persevere with challenging tasks.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.Enforce administration policies and rules governing students.Organize and lead activities designed to promote physical, mental, and social development, such as games, arts and crafts, music, and storytelling.Provide a variety of materials and resources for children to explore, manipulate, and use, both in learning activities and in imaginative play.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.Instruct and monitor students in the use and care of equipment and materials to prevent injuries and damage.Confer with other staff members to plan and schedule lessons promoting learning, following approved curricula.Collaborate with other teachers and administrators in the development, evaluation, and revision of elementary school programs.Attend professional meetings, educational conferences, and teacher training workshops to maintain and improve professional competence.Administer standardized ability and achievement tests, and interpret results to determine student strengths and needs.Plan and supervise class projects, field trips, visits by guest speakers or other experiential activities, and guide students in learning from those activities.Prepare reports on students and activities as required by administration.Supervise, evaluate, and plan assignments for teacher assistants and volunteers.Organize and label materials and display students' work.Perform administrative duties, such as school library assistance, hall and cafeteria monitoring, and bus loading and unloading.Attend staff meetings and serve on committees, as required.Select, store, order, issue, and inventory classroom equipment, materials, and supplies.Involve parent volunteers and older students in children's activities to facilitate involvement in focused, complex play.Provide students with disabilities with assistive devices, supportive technology, and assistance accessing facilities, such as restrooms.Sponsor extracurricular activities, such as clubs, student organizations, and academic contests.
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
A scripted lesson plan — deliver under a mentor teacher's observation in a general-education classroom.Classroom routines and transitions — implement consistently with a co-teacher present.Student work against a rubric — score reliably under a grade-level lead.Whole-group instruction on a single concept — facilitate with a mentor's coaching.Behavior expectations — apply consistently using the school's framework.Small-group reading or math rotations — run with prepared materials and supervision.Student data on common assessments — record accurately into the school's system.Family communication (newsletters, planners) — produce on a regular cadence under review.Accommodations on IEPs and 504s — implement as written with collaborating staff.Safety routines (drills, hallway, recess) — execute reliably as a duty teacher.
developing
Daily and weekly lesson plans — write and deliver across multiple subjects in a single grade.Differentiation for varied readiness levels — apply routinely in core literacy and math blocks.Classroom management — sustain through a typical school day with reduced support.Common formative assessments — design, deliver, and use to adjust instruction.Parent-teacher conferences — run independently across a class roster.Grade-level collaboration — contribute substantively in PLC meetings.Student progress reports and report cards — produce on time and to standard.Reading, writing, and math instruction — execute the school's curriculum with fidelity.Pre-service teachers or student teachers — host in the classroom for a placement.Schoolwide events and field trips — plan and lead within established procedures.
proficient
Year-long curriculum and pacing — design and adjust within standards and the school's framework.Diverse and complex classrooms — manage instruction and culture autonomously.Student data across the year — analyze and translate into instructional decisions.Tier 2 and Tier 3 interventions — design and monitor in collaboration with specialists.Family partnerships in challenging circumstances — build and sustain across the year.Grade-level team — lead PLCs or vertical-team work with substance.Mentorship of newer teachers — provide formally or informally across the school.Curriculum adoptions and pilots — evaluate and provide feedback to school leadership.Equity and inclusion in instructional choices — apply consistently across the classroom.Behavior and SEL across the grade level — coordinate with counselors and families.
advanced
Schoolwide instructional practice — shape as a teacher leader, instructional coach, or department head.Curriculum design and adoption — lead at the school or district level.Teacher development — mentor across grade levels and content areas.School improvement plans — co-design and drive specific instructional strands.Equity, inclusion, and culturally responsive practice — set the standard and build capacity across staff.Family and community engagement — design and lead initiatives with measurable reach.Educator evaluation and observation — conduct with peers as a lead or coach.Data-driven decision-making across grades — facilitate with administrators.Policy and advocacy at district or association level — contribute as a credible practitioner.The profession itself — model and elevate through publication, presentation, or leadership roles.
Also known as
52 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
Education And Training Superintendent (Air Force 3F291)Language Arts TeacherGrade School TeacherElementary PE Teacher (Elementary Physical Education Teacher)Choir TeacherStudent TeacherElementary School TeacherEducation And Training Helper (Air Force 3F211)Band TeacherElementary EducatorBilingual InstructorInstructor (Air Force 81T0)Music InstructorPhysical Fitness TeacherMusician (Navy MU)Education and Training Journeyman (Air Force 3F251)Music EducatorBilingual TeacherLDO - Bandmaster (Navy 643)Upper Elementary TeacherOrchestra TeacherEducation And Training (Air Force 3F2X1)TeacherReading SpecialistResource TeacherElementary Classroom TeacherLanguage InstructorGeneral Education TeacherMath Teacher (Mathematics Teacher)Reading TeacherPrimary TeacherElementary TeacherArt InstructorInstructor (Navy 805A)Gym TeacherElementary Art TeacherMusic TeacherPE Teacher (Physical Education Teacher)Elementary Education TeacherEducator