CareerGPS

Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education
Summary Occupational Forecast Data for Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education
Employment Employment Change Average Annual Job Openings Wage & Training Levels
2020 2025 Numerical Percent New Jobs Replacement Jobs Total Median Hourly Median Annual Training Levels
10,079 10,828 750 7.44% 150 830 980 $36.59 $76,099 Bachelor's degree
Description: Teach pupils in public or private schools at the elementary level basic academic, social, and other formative skills.
Forecast Data Source: EMSI (4th Quarter 2023)

Occupation Details

The information in this section represents occupational characteristics included in O*NET which defines key features of an occupation as a standardized, measurable set of variables called "descriptors". These distinguishing characteristics of an occupation are described in greater detail in the O*NET Content Model. All items are listed in descending order of importance.

  • Establish and enforce rules for behavior and procedures for maintaining order among the students for whom they are responsible.
  • Observe and evaluate students' performance, behavior, social development, and physical health.
  • Prepare materials and classrooms for class activities.
  • Adapt teaching methods and instructional materials to meet students' varying needs and interests.
  • Plan and conduct activities for a balanced program of instruction, demonstration, and work time that provides students with opportunities to observe, question, and investigate.
  • Instruct students individually and in groups, using various teaching methods such as lectures, discussions, and demonstrations.
  • Establish clear objectives for all lessons, units, and projects and communicate those objectives to students.
  • Assign and grade class work and homework.
  • Read books to entire classes or small groups.
  • Prepare, administer, and grade tests and assignments to evaluate students' progress.
  • Confer with parents or guardians, teachers, counselors, and administrators to resolve students' behavioral and academic problems.
  • Meet with parents and guardians to discuss their children's progress and to determine priorities for their children and their resource needs.
  • Maintain accurate and complete student records as required by laws, district policies, and administrative regulations.
  • Prepare students for later grades by encouraging them to explore learning opportunities and to persevere with challenging tasks.
  • Guide and counsel students with adjustment or academic problems, or special academic interests.
  • Prepare and implement remedial programs for students requiring extra help.
  • Prepare objectives and outlines for courses of study, following curriculum guidelines or requirements of states and schools.
  • Provide a variety of materials and resources for children to explore, manipulate, and use, both in learning activities and in imaginative play.
  • Enforce administration policies and rules governing students.
  • Confer with other staff members to plan and schedule lessons promoting learning, following approved curricula.
  • Meet with other professionals to discuss individual students' needs and progress.
  • Use computers, audio-visual aids, and other equipment and materials to supplement presentations.
  • Prepare for assigned classes and show written evidence of preparation upon request of immediate supervisors.
  • Collaborate with other teachers and administrators in the development, evaluation, and revision of elementary school programs.
  • Prepare reports on students and activities as required by administration.
  • Instruct and monitor students in the use and care of equipment and materials to prevent injuries and damage.
  • Organize and lead activities designed to promote physical, mental, and social development, such as games, arts and crafts, music, and storytelling.
  • Attend professional meetings, educational conferences, and teacher training workshops to maintain and improve professional competence.
  • Plan and supervise class projects, field trips, visits by guest speakers or other experiential activities, and guide students in learning from those activities.
  • Organize and label materials and display students' work.
  • Attend staff meetings and serve on committees, as required.
  • Administer standardized ability and achievement tests and interpret results to determine student strengths and areas of need.
  • Supervise, evaluate, and plan assignments for teacher assistants and volunteers.
  • Involve parent volunteers and older students in children's activities to facilitate involvement in focused, complex play.
  • Select, store, order, issue, and inventory classroom equipment, materials, and supplies.
  • Sponsor extracurricular activities such as clubs, student organizations, and academic contests.

Knowledge

85%
English Language - Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
85%
Education and Training - Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
75%
Psychology - Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.
70%
Mathematics - Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
62%
Sociology and Anthropology - Knowledge of group behavior and dynamics, societal trends and influences, human migrations, ethnicity, cultures and their history and origins.
60%
Computers and Electronics - Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
59%
Geography - Knowledge of principles and methods for describing the features of land, sea, and air masses, including their physical characteristics, locations, interrelationships, and distribution of plant, animal, and human life.
56%
Customer and Personal Service - Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
52%
Philosophy and Theology - Knowledge of different philosophical systems and religions. This includes their basic principles, values, ethics, ways of thinking, customs, practices, and their impact on human culture.
52%
History and Archeology - Knowledge of historical events and their causes, indicators, and effects on civilizations and cultures.
52%
Administration and Management - Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
50%
Therapy and Counseling - Knowledge of principles, methods, and procedures for diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of physical and mental dysfunctions, and for career counseling and guidance.

Skills

81%
Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.
81%
Instructing - Teaching others how to do something.
78%
Learning Strategies - Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.
75%
Active Listening - Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
72%
Social Perceptiveness - Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
72%
Active Learning - Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
72%
Monitoring - Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
69%
Judgment and Decision Making - Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
69%
Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
69%
Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
69%
Writing - Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
65%
Coordination - Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
62%
Time Management - Managing one's own time and the time of others.
60%
Service Orientation - Actively looking for ways to help people.
56%
Complex Problem Solving - Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
53%
Systems Analysis - Determining how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect outcomes.
53%
Systems Evaluation - Identifying measures or indicators of system performance and the actions needed to improve or correct performance, relative to the goals of the system.
50%
Mathematics - Using mathematics to solve problems.
50%
Persuasion - Persuading others to change their minds or behavior.

Abilities

88%
Oral Expression - The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
85%
Oral Comprehension - The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
78%
Speech Recognition - The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.
78%
Speech Clarity - The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
75%
Problem Sensitivity - The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
75%
Written Comprehension - The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
72%
Fluency of Ideas - The ability to come up with a number of ideas about a topic (the number of ideas is important, not their quality, correctness, or creativity).
72%
Deductive Reasoning - The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
72%
Written Expression - The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
69%
Originality - The ability to come up with unusual or clever ideas about a given topic or situation, or to develop creative ways to solve a problem.
69%
Inductive Reasoning - The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
69%
Information Ordering - The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
62%
Near Vision - The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
60%
Category Flexibility - The ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways.
56%
Selective Attention - The ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distracted.
56%
Time Sharing - The ability to shift back and forth between two or more activities or sources of information (such as speech, sounds, touch, or other sources).
53%
Mathematical Reasoning - The ability to choose the right mathematical methods or formulas to solve a problem.
53%
Memorization - The ability to remember information such as words, numbers, pictures, and procedures.
50%
Flexibility of Closure - The ability to identify or detect a known pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in other distracting material.
50%
Far Vision - The ability to see details at a distance.

Work Activities

84%
Training and Teaching Others - Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.
82%
Thinking Creatively - Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
82%
Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work - Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
80%
Coaching and Developing Others - Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.
79%
Documenting/Recording Information - Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
79%
Making Decisions and Solving Problems - Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
77%
Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge - Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
77%
Getting Information - Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
77%
Developing Objectives and Strategies - Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.
76%
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates - Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
74%
Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards - Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
72%
Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships - Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
72%
Scheduling Work and Activities - Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
69%
Analyzing Data or Information - Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
69%
Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings - Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
69%
Interacting With Computers - Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
68%
Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others - Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.
64%
Developing and Building Teams - Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.
63%
Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others - Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
62%
Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others - Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.
62%
Assisting and Caring for Others - Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
61%
Communicating with Persons Outside Organization - Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
60%
Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events - Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
60%
Performing for or Working Directly with the Public - Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
58%
Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People - Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
58%
Processing Information - Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
54%
Performing Administrative Activities - Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.
53%
Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates - Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.
Title Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
Overall Experience A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
Job Training Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
Job Zone Examples Many of these occupations involve coordinating, supervising, managing, or training others. Examples include accountants, sales managers, database administrators, teachers, chemists, environmental engineers, criminal investigators, and special agents.
Education Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.

Interests

Social - Social occupations frequently involve working with, communicating with, and teaching people. These occupations often involve helping or providing service to others.
Artistic - Artistic occupations frequently involve working with forms, designs and patterns. They often require self-expression and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules.
Conventional - Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.
Investigative - Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.

Work Styles

Self Control - Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.
Cooperation - Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
Concern for Others - Job requires being sensitive to others' needs and feelings and being understanding and helpful on the job.
Dependability - Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
Stress Tolerance - Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high stress situations.
Adaptability/Flexibility - Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.
Integrity - Job requires being honest and ethical.
Leadership - Job requires a willingness to lead, take charge, and offer opinions and direction.
Initiative - Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
Achievement/Effort - Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks.
Social Orientation - Job requires preferring to work with others rather than alone, and being personally connected with others on the job.
Persistence - Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles.
Attention to Detail - Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
Innovation - Job requires creativity and alternative thinking to develop new ideas for and answers to work-related problems.
Independence - Job requires developing one's own ways of doing things, guiding oneself with little or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done.

Work Values

Relationships - Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values and Social Service.
Achievement - Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.
Independence - Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.
Working Conditions - Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions.
Support - Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical.