| Elementary school teachers are responsible for | | | | elementary education. A typical curriculum for |
| the educational and emotional development of | | | | future elementary school teachers is a |
| children in the beginning of their academic years. | | | | well-rounded one, due to the wide variety of |
| Most elementary school teachers instruct one | | | | course material they will usually need to teach. |
| class of children in several subjects; although | | | | Courses will typically include mathematics, social |
| some of them teach one special subject (usually | | | | science, physical science, art, music, and literature; |
| music, art, reading, science, or physical education) | | | | as well as prescribed professional education |
| to a number of different classes at different | | | | courses, such as teaching methods, philosophy of |
| times. Elementary school teachers can be found | | | | education, and psychology of learning. Some |
| at both the public and private school level. Their | | | | states also require public elementary school |
| wide variety of day-to-day duties include | | | | teachers to earn a master's degree within a |
| preparation of course objectives and outlines; | | | | certain amount of time after starting to teach. |
| preparation and correction of tests; assignment of | | | | Every state, as well as the District of Columbia, |
| lessons; establishment of class rules of conduct; | | | | requires teachers to be licensed in order to teach |
| maintenance of order in the classroom and on the | | | | in public schools in that state, although licensure is |
| playground; and discussion of academic and | | | | not required for teachers in most private schools. |
| behavioral issues with parents. At various times of | | | | In most states, licensure is granted by the State |
| the year, teachers are also asked to coordinate | | | | Board of Education to individuals who have passed |
| class field trips. Most elementary school teachers | | | | all educational requirements (usually a bachelor's |
| enjoy long holiday breaks and summers off; | | | | degree and completion of an approved teacher |
| however they are often required to stay late | | | | training program) and who complete a test based |
| after school and bring work home with them at | | | | on competency in basic reading, writing and |
| night. | | | | teaching skills. Licenses need to be renewed |
| Education, Certification, Licensing | | | | periodically, and most states require teachers to |
| In terms of formal education, an aspiring | | | | complete a minimum number of hours of |
| elementary school teacher needs at least a | | | | continuing education in order to renew them. |
| bachelor's degree. The degree does not | | | | Private schools are generally exempt from |
| necessarily have to be in the field of education, | | | | meeting state licensing standards, although these |
| although most states require a specified number | | | | schools generally prefer candidates who have at |
| of education credits be earned over the course | | | | least a bachelor's degree in childhood education. |
| of study in order to teach in a public school. An | | | | Private schools associated with religious institutions |
| increasing number of colleges and universities are | | | | also desire candidates who share the values that |
| now offering degree programs with majors in | | | | are important to the institution. |