What are the Different Elementary School Teacher Jobs?

There are a wide variety of elementary school teacher jobs that cater to different abilities and levels of education. This range of jobs includes teachers, teacher’s aides, principals, and librarians, among other positions. They may require a master's, bachelor's, or associate's degree.

The teacher is one of the more obvious elementary school teacher jobs. Elementary teachers are usually responsible for teaching a classroom several academic and sometimes non-academic subjects, which may include reading, writing, mathematics, science, and social studies. Some teachers, however, may choose to specialize in one subject. Elementary school teachers typically have a bachelor’s degree or higher in education, as well as a teaching credential or license, though these requirements are sometimes waived at private institutions.

Teachers who specialize in physical education, art education, or music education have separate courses of study, but usually pursue a bachelor’s degree or higher in their specialty. Oftentimes, the physical education teacher jobs are combined with teaching health. This can include early hygiene, communication skills, and early sex education. In addition to writing lesson plans and doing clerical work, all people serving in these elementary school teacher jobs are charged with the duty of overseeing children’s academic and emotional development. This includes fostering healthy social relationships between students.

Teacher’s aides, sometimes called paraprofessionals, are another option for elementary school teacher jobs that require less education. Teacher’s aides help the teacher by doing paperwork, such as grading, helping students with learning activities, monitoring the playground and cafeteria during lunch and recess, and managing behavior in the classroom, amongst other duties. This job typically requires a minimum of a two-year degree or completion of a certificate program, depending on the applicable laws.

Education administrators, such as superintendents or principals, are usually more highly paid elementary school teacher jobs with a greater amount of responsibility and a higher education requirement. Elementary school principals often have a master’s or doctoral degree and a certain amount of experience in teaching and administration. They are responsible for meeting education standards, observing teachers, preparing a budget, interfacing with parents, disciplining students, and developing school policies.

Librarians typically have a degree or license in their field. They help students in the school library, filing reading materials and teaching children how to find books and conduct research. Other elementary school jobs include, but are not limited to, secretaries, nurses, and custodial officers. Secretaries are responsible for clerical work, including recording student attendance and making phone calls on behalf of the principal. The school nurse must have a license in nursing and is responsible for treating students’ ailments. A custodial officer, sometimes called a janitor, cleans the building and performs maintenance.