Elementary school teachers work with kids, helping them grow and teaching them core concepts that will influence the rest of their education.
To become an elementary school teacher, you need to have the right training and meet certain requirements. We've broken down everything you need to know about becoming an elementary school teacher below.
What Does an Elementary School Teacher Do?
An elementary school teacher is a teacher that typically teaches children in kindergarten through fifth grade, from about age five to eleven.
These teachers are responsible for teaching students necessary foundational knowledge, such as how to read and write and how to do basic algebra.
The job duties of an elementary school teacher may include:
- creating engaging lesson plans
- encouraging the social development of students
- establishing and enforcing classroom rules
- evaluating students on their strengths and weaknesses and monitoring their progress
- preparing students for standardized testing
- supervising children both in and out of the classroom, such as at recess or lunch
- teaching lessons
- updating parents and guardians on their child's successes and struggles
Elementary school teachers work in schools. The majority work in public schools, but about 12% work in private schools.
Most of the time, elementary school teachers specialize in a specific grade level or a specialty subject such as art, music, or physical education.
The requirements for elementary school teachers can vary by state but are overall generally similar.
It's important to check the teacher requirements for the state you want to work in to ensure you're meeting your state standards.
Below, we've outlined the basic path to becoming an elementary school teacher in the United States.
Step 1: Earn a Bachelor's Degree
To become an elementary school teacher, you'll need at least a bachelor's degree, although some schools may require a master's degree.
You'll also need to complete a teacher preparation program. As the name suggests, these programs prepare teachers to pass their licensure exams and become successful teachers.
Often, bachelor's degree programs in education or teaching are also state-approved teacher preparation programs. This means they cover everything needed for licensure.
Many colleges and universities offer these programs. If you're interested in becoming an elementary school teacher, look for ones that offer concentrations in elementary teaching or education.
As noted above, requirements can vary from state to state. Some states may require you to major in a specific content area, while others may require you to eventually earn a master's degree.
Step 2: Fulfill Student Teaching Experience
If you're earning a bachelor's degree in teaching or education, there will likely be a student-teaching aspect.
Student teaching is essentially the internship or field experience part of your degree program. You'll likely do it in the final year of your program.
Throughout your student-teaching experience, you'll be supervised by a licensed and experienced teacher in your area of focus.
You may start by doing assistant-type tasks, like grading papers and monitoring students, before leading your own lessons and activities.
Step 3: Complete Teacher Preparation Requirements
If you earned your degree in another field or if your degree program is not an approved teacher education program, you can still become a teacher by fulfilling the teacher preparation programs established by your state.
For example, a bachelor's program in a field outside of education or teaching is likely not going to have the student-teaching aspect.
You can find a full list of teacher training programs, including those for students without a degree in teaching or education, at teach.org.
Step 4: Earn Your Teaching License
Before you can begin teaching, you'll need to obtain your teaching license from your state. Each state has specific requirements you must meet in order to qualify for your license.
This may include obtaining a certain level of education and passing a background check. Additionally, nearly all states require passing a general teaching certification test.
While some states have their own test that teachers must pass, many states use the Praxis tests from the Educational Testing Service (ETS).
The ETS offers Praxis tests in the core areas of mathematics, reading, and writing, as well as subject tests. Multiple tests are available for elementary school teachers including:
- Elementary Education Assessment
- Elementary Education: Content Knowledge
- Elementary Education: Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment
In some states, you may take a specific state general test but then take the Praxis tests that cover your area of study, such as the elementary education tests listed above.
Once you've earned your teaching license, you may need to renew it periodically. This may require taking a certain amount of continuing education credits.
FAQs About Becoming an Elementary School Teacher
Find the answers to frequently asked questions about becoming an elementary school teacher below.
What Subjects Do Elementary School Teachers Teach?
While subjects vary depending on the grade, elementary school teachers usually cover topics like reading and writing, mathematics, basic science, and basic history.
Some elementary school teachers don't teach a specific grade level but instead teach a specialty subject, like art, music, PE, or computer science.
What's the Job Outlook for Elementary School Teachers?
The Bureau of Labor Statistics expects jobs for elementary school teachers to grow about 4% by 2031, which is about average. This is an increase of about 60,200 jobs by 2031.
Do I Need a Master's Degree to Become an Elementary School Teacher?
While the answer varies between states, generally you do not need a master's degree to become an elementary school teacher.
However, some states may require you to eventually earn a master's degree or to have a master's degree to reach a specific level of teacher licensure.
Become an Elementary School Teacher Today
Working as an elementary school teacher can be extremely rewarding. While it's important to check your state requirements, by following the steps above, you can make this career your own.
