ELEMENTARY SCHOOL TEACHER

COLLEGE DEGREE

• Early childhood development class
• Reading and math instruction class
• Child guidance class
• Student teach
• 4-5 years after college

TEACHING LISCENSE

• Bachelors or masters degree
• Completed approved program of teaching preparation
• Completed additional coursework:
• Early and middle childhood development, intervention specialist
• Completed background check and passed exams

SKILLS

• Reason and problem solve
• Work well with others
• Communicate
• Organize
• Plan ahead

INTERESTS

• Art
• Making patterns
• Making designs
• Relationships important
• Friendly non competitive environment

CLASSES TO TAKE IN HIGH SCHOOL

• Child development
• Computer applications
• Keyboarding
• Public speaking
• Psychology

DAILY ACTIVITIES

• Think creatively
• Organize and plan
• Prioritize work
• Teach others
• Make decisions and solve problems

INTERPERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS

• Lots of interaction
• Face to face communication
• Responsible for kids safety
• Emails, phone, letters, memos
• Part of a team of educators

PHYSICAL WORK CONDITIONS

• Mostly indoors
• Some outdoors on playground
• Close contact with kids
• Exposed to disease
• Loud

WORK PERFORMANCE

• Accurate, complete detailed assignment
• Repeat
• Good decisions
• Set your own tasks
• Set strict weekly or daily deadlines

HOURS/TRAVEL

• 9 months a year
• Summers off
• Some summer school
• Part or full time
• Only school hours

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Stand or walk when teaching
• Speak clearly
• Use fingers
• Can grasp, move or assemble
• Use small objects

KNOWLEDGE

• Meaning, spelling of words
• Math
• Rulers, numbers, arithmetic
• Psychology
• People and their actions

JOB OUTLOOK

• 47,890 people currently teaching
• 9.2% jobs expected in future
• 1,492 jobs open a year

YEARLY INCOME

• Entry: $46,340
• Median:$59,160
• Experienced:$71,230
• Average: $40,281
• High: $434,777

BENEFITS

• Health insurance
• Retirement plan
• Sick leave
• Life insurance
• Some sabbatical leave

RELATED CAREER:

SUMMARY

• Advantage: school hours only
• Disadvantage: doesn't pay well
• Still want to do it, love kids
• Ocis, www.salarylist.com/jobs/Elementary-school-Teacher-salary.htm
• Valuable lesson: want to be a teacher very much