What Do Elementary Teachers Do?
Wondering what the job is really like for elementary teachers?
You've come to the right place.
Keep reading to find detailed information about what elementary teachers do, including the type of work they are tasked with on a daily basis, industries in which they work, and the specific skills needed for a successful career.
Elementary Teachers Overview & Description
Let's get started with the basics about elementary teachers by taking a look at a simple description and popular job titles.
Elementary Teachers this occupation includes the 2018 SOC occupations 25-2055 Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and 25-2056 Special Education Teachers, Elementary School.
Popular Job Titles For Elementary Teachers
Sample of Reported Job Titles
- Elementary Special Education Teachers
- Elementary School Teachers
- Special Education Life Skills Teachers
- Mild/Moderate Special Education Teachers
- Inclusion Teachers
- Elementary Teachers
- Early Childhood Special Educators
- Kindergarten Special Education Teachers
- Elementary Classroom Instructors
- Special Education Autism Teachers
- Special Education Teachers
- Special Education Resource Teachers
Read on for insight into the industries where the highest concentration of jobs for elementary teachers can be found.
Best Industries for Elementary Teachers
Elementary Teachers Jobs By Industry
- Education and Hospitals (Local Government): 91.4%
- Elementary and Secondary Schools: 6.8%
- Education and Hospitals (State Government): 0.6%
- Employment Services: 0.3%
- Local Government, Excluding Education and Hospitals: 0.2%
- Educational Support Services: 0.2%
- Other: 0.49999999999999%
When it comes to jobs in the United States, the largest single category of elementary teachers can be found working in the Education and Hospitals (Local Government) sector. In 2023, about 91.4% of all jobs for elementary teachers were found there.
Other top industries by percentage include Elementary and Secondary Schools (6.8%), Education and Hospitals (State Government) (0.6%), Employment Services (0.3%), Local Government, Excluding Education and Hospitals (0.2%) and Educational Support Services (0.2%).
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- Class Type: Online coursework
- Cost Per Credit: $398
- Class Type: 100% online
- Years To Complete: 3
- Placement Tests: GMAT/GRE not required for admission
What Do Elementary Teachers Do on a Daily Basis?
So you have a high-level understanding of what elementary teachers do and the types of industries in which they work - but what do they really do each day?
A great way to understand the type of work elementary teachers do is to examine actual job postings and focus on the specific skills that employers are seeking. That will help paint a clearer picture of the tasks that elementary teachers tackle each day.
Continue reading for a breakdown of specialized skills found in job postings for elementary teachers, as well as common skills - interpersonal qualities and attributes - that can help you thrive in the workplace.
In-Demand Skills for Today's Elementary Teachers
Based on 3,095 job postings
Top 5 Specialized Skills for Elementary Teachers
| Skills | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Special Education | 2,893 | 93% |
| Individualized Education Programs (IEP) | 1,459 | 47% |
| Lesson Planning | 551 | 18% |
| Disabilities | 528 | 17% |
| Classroom Management | 474 | 15% |
Top 5 Common Skills for Elementary Teachers
| Skills | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Teaching | 1,607 | 52% |
| Communication | 1,342 | 43% |
| Planning | 484 | 16% |
| Writing | 459 | 15% |
| Progress Reporting | 440 | 14% |
Based on 3,095 job postings related to elementary teachers, special education was the top specialized skill sought by employers, with 93% of all postings looking for that skillset. Skills for individualized education programs (iep), lesson planning, disabilities, classroom management and curriculum development were also highly sought.
As for common skills, teaching was the most desired skill found in job postings for elementary teachers, followed by communication, planning, writing, progress reporting and management.
| Skill | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Special Education | 2,893 | 93% |
| Individualized Education Programs (IEP) | 1,459 | 47% |
| Lesson Planning | 551 | 18% |
| Disabilities | 528 | 17% |
| Classroom Management | 474 | 15% |
| Curriculum Development | 468 | 15% |
| Learning Styles | 432 | 14% |
| Instructional Strategies | 361 | 12% |
| Effective Communication | 332 | 11% |
| Educational Assessment | 320 | 10% |
| Behavior Management | 286 | 9% |
| Autism Spectrum Disorders | 284 | 9% |
| Differentiated Instruction | 245 | 8% |
| Learning Strategies | 238 | 8% |
| Student Services | 212 | 7% |
| Data Collection | 199 | 6% |
| Personal Care | 191 | 6% |
| Philosophy Of Education | 180 | 6% |
| Student Engagement | 180 | 6% |
| Pedagogy | 176 | 6% |
| Skill | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Teaching | 1,607 | 52% |
| Communication | 1,342 | 43% |
| Planning | 484 | 16% |
| Writing | 459 | 15% |
| Progress Reporting | 440 | 14% |
| Management | 427 | 14% |
| English Language | 325 | 11% |
| Training And Development | 300 | 10% |
| Mathematics | 296 | 10% |
| Research | 284 | 9% |
| Interpersonal Communications | 280 | 9% |
| Lifting Ability | 261 | 8% |
| Multilingualism | 258 | 8% |
| Leadership | 230 | 7% |
| Problem Solving | 218 | 7% |
| Parent Communication | 200 | 6% |
| Goal Setting | 194 | 6% |
| Verbal Communication Skills | 178 | 6% |
| Spanish Language | 165 | 5% |
| Ethical Standards And Conduct | 162 | 5% |
Most In-Demand Jobs for Elementary Teachers
Top 5 Posted Job Titles
| Job Title | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Elementary Special Education Teachers | 3,682 | 60.2% |
| Elementary School Teachers | 278 | 4.5% |
| Special Education Life Skills Teachers | 144 | 2.4% |
| Mild/Moderate Special Education Teachers | 162 | 2.6% |
| Inclusion Teachers | 281 | 4.6% |
According to job postings that were published between September 2022 and August 2023, the top job sought by employers was elementary special education teachers, with 1,412 unique job postings. Elementary school teachers were second, with 84 postings, followed by special education life skills teachers, mild/moderate special education teachers and inclusion teachers.
Expand the section below to see unique job postings for all occupations related to elementary teachers.
| Job Title | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Elementary Special Education Teachers | 3,682 | 60.2% |
| Elementary School Teachers | 278 | 4.5% |
| Special Education Life Skills Teachers | 144 | 2.4% |
| Mild/Moderate Special Education Teachers | 162 | 2.6% |
| Inclusion Teachers | 281 | 4.6% |
| Elementary Teachers | 163 | 2.7% |
| Early Childhood Special Educators | 97 | 1.6% |
| Kindergarten Special Education Teachers | 178 | 2.9% |
| Elementary Classroom Instructors | 347 | 5.7% |
| Special Education Autism Teachers | 71 | 1.2% |
| Special Education Teachers | 229 | 3.7% |
| Special Education Resource Teachers | 73 | 1.2% |
| Elementary Classroom Teachers | 53 | 0.9% |
| Elementary/Middle School Teachers | 102 | 1.7% |
| Long Term Substitute Special Education Teachers | 47 | 0.8% |
| Self-Contained Special Education Teachers | 76 | 1.2% |
| Autism Teachers | 43 | 0.7% |
| Early Childhood Teachers | 34 | 0.6% |
| Long Term Substitute Elementary Teachers | 30 | 0.5% |
| School Special Education Teachers | 26 | 0.4% |
Additional Links
Ready to dig deeper into career information for elementary teachers? Visit our other pages focused on salary and education for elementary teachers.
How much do elementary teachers make?
Elementary Teachers: How do you become one?
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