Elementary School Teacher

Elementary school teachers teach basic subjects and skills to children such as reading, writing and arithmetic or specialized subjects such as English or French as a second language at public and private elementary schools.

It is a highly competitive field with vast majorities of qualified applicants. Teachers however, remain high in demand - especially in the public school system. Public school teachers must have at least a bachelor's degree, complete an approved teacher education program, and be licensed. Many States offer alternative licensing programs to attract people into teaching, especially for hard-to-fill positions.

Elementary school teachers (local and foreign-trained, qualified, certified, volunteer and/or in-training, supply and/or support teachers), bear responsibility for all of the following duties:

• Prepare courses for presentation to students according to approved curriculum
• Teach students using a systematic plan of lessons, discussions, audio-visual presentations and field trips
• Lead students in activities to promote their physical, mental and social development and their school readiness
• Assign and correct homework
• Prepare, administer and correct tests
• Evaluate the progress of students and discuss results with students, parents and school officials
• Identify children's individual learning needs
• Prepare and implement remedial programs for students requiring extra help
• Participate in staff meetings, educational conferences and teacher training workshops
• May supervise teachers' aides and student teachers.
• Elementary school and kindergarten teachers may specialize in such areas as special education or second language instruction.

Excellent job opportunities are expected as a large number of teachers retire over the next 10 years, particularly at the secondary school level; opportunities will vary somewhat by geographic area and subject taught.

A bachelor's degree in education is required. Additional training is required to specialize in special education or second language instruction. A provincial teaching certificate is required. Additional certification is required to teach English or French as a second language. Progression to education consultant or school principal is possible with experience. This unit group can also include all workers who assist elementary and secondary school teachers and counselors. They are employed in public and private elementary and secondary schools, special schools and treatment centers.

Job opportunities for teachers over the next 10 years will vary from good to excellent, depending on the locality, grade level, and subject taught. Most job openings will be attributable to the expected retirement of a large number of teachers. In addition, relatively high rates of turnover, especially among beginning teachers employed in poor, urban schools, also will lead to numerous job openings for teachers. Competition for qualified teachers among some localities will likely continue, with schools luring teachers from other States and districts with bonuses and higher pay

Information on the teaching profession and on how to become a teacher can be obtained from:

Recruiting New Teachers, Inc., http://www.rnt.org or http://www.recruitingteachers.org

American Federation of Teachers, 555 New Jersey Ave. NW., Washington, DC 20001.

National Education Association, 1201 16th St. NW., Washington, DC 20036.

A list of institutions with accredited teacher education programs can be obtained from:

National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education, 2010 Massachusetts Ave. NW., Suite 500, Washington, DC 20036- 1023. Internet: http://www.ncate.org

Association for Career and Technical Education, 1410 King St., Alexandria, VA 22314. Internet: http://www.acteonline.org

For information on careers in educating children and issues affecting preschool teachers, contact either of the following organizations:

National Association for the Education of Young Children, 1509 16th St. NW., Washington, DC 20036. Internet: http://www.naeyc.org

Council for Professional Recognition, 2460 16th St. NW., Washington, DC 20009-3575. Internet: http://www.cdacouncil.org

For information on teachers and the No Child Left Behind Act, contact:

U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW., Washington, DC, 20202. Internet: http://www.ed.gov

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