Teacher (Elementary)

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Work Tasks

• Introduce children to the basics of math, language, science, and social studies
• Teach basic skills using games, music, artwork, films, computers, and show students how something is done
• Make lessons for students, give tests, grade papers, and make report cards
• Maintain classroom order, meet with parents, and go to meetings
• Work in classrooms of public, private, or parochial school systems
• Work with students, textbooks and workbooks, reference books, computers, videos, projectors, tests, projects, reports, attendance records, grades, student forms, educational aids, games, community groups, and professional committees

Salary, Size & Growth

• $55,000 average per year ($26.50 per hour)
• A very large occupation (2,140,700 workers in 2010)
• Expected to grow moderately (1.6% per year)

Education/Training

• Minimum for Entry: A 4-year degree from a school with an approved teacher training program, plus a period of student teaching
• Employers Prefer: A master's degree in education
• Skills/Courses: Most states require a 4-year degree in the subject area(s) you will teach, courses on how to teach, and supervised student-teaching. In some states, the teacher training courses are included in the 4-year degree, and in other states a fifth year is required.
• Certification/Licensing: All states require public school elementary teachers to be licensed.