Teacher, Elementary School

What Is a Teacher?

A teacher instructs students at the preschool, kindergarten, elementary or secondary school level. They teach classes in specific subject areas, such as history, English, mathematics, art and science. Some teachers instruct students in a variety of different subjects, while others focus on one or two subject areas.

Teachers strive to not only teach concepts in an academic subject
, but also to nurture their students’ character and personal development
, as well as their critical thinking, problem-solving and communication skills
. A teacher can serve as a guide, mentor and source of inspiration for children. As children work to develop their self-identity and prepare for their future, teachers can empower students by nurturing their self-confidence and encouraging their interests.

Teachers may specialize in different grade levels and subject areas, but their core responsibilities generally remain the same. Their job is to instruct students in various academic concepts and applied skills, and in doing so, prepare students to ascend to the next grade level and pursue higher education, vocational training or careers after graduating from secondary school.

Teaching responsibilities include:

• Planning:
  Developing lesson plans, creating assignments and planning class activities
• Teaching:
  Delivering class lectures and facilitating class discussions, and working with students individually and in small groups
• Assessing:
  Grading students’ assignments and assessing their progress, including participation in classroom discussions
• Managing:
  Managing student behavior, enforcing classroom rules and fostering a supportive, positive learning environment
• Communicating:
  Reaching out to parents and guardians to share information about their student’s academic progress and behavior at school
• Faculty Development:
  Participating in faculty meetings, handling other administrative tasks, and working on professional development initiatives

All teachers need deep subject area knowledge, as well as pedagogy competencies.

High School Diploma

Your journey toward becoming a teacher starts with earning a high school diploma. While there are no specific classes required in high school, it is important to maintain good grades and develop strong relationships with teachers.

College Degree

Public school teachers in every state are required to have at least a bachelor’s degree. Aspiring teachers are typically expected to earn an education degree and major in the subject area they wish to teach.

Student Teaching Experience

Programs that lead to initial teacher licensure include a student teaching experience. This hands‑on experience is conducted under the supervision of an experienced teacher.

Licensure

All public school teachers must be licensed or certified. Requirements vary by state but commonly include a minimum GPA, completion of a student teaching program, passing a licensure test and a subject‑area test. Continuing-education classes are often required for license renewal.

Graduate Degrees

In some states, teachers are required to earn a master’s degree within a set period after beginning work. A non‑education bachelor’s can also be followed by a master’s that leads to initial licensure.

Degrees that combine subject-area knowledge with pedagogy and instructional methods are most beneficial.

• Learning theories
• Child development
• Curriculum and instruction design
• Student assessment
• Literacy and language development
• Classroom management

After gaining classroom experience, teachers may extend their career by mentoring new teachers or student teachers, or by stepping into roles such as school librarian, school counselor, instructional coordinator, or education administrator. Further degrees and certifications may be required for administrative positions.