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Elementary School Teacher

Elementary school teachers teach and facilitate the learning of children ranging in age from 4 to 12 years (Kindergarten to Grade 6).

Also Known As

Educator, Instructor, Music Teacher, Primary School Teacher, School Teacher, Teacher

NOC Codes

In Canada, the federal government groups and organizes occupations based on a National Occupational Classification (NOC) system. This alis occupation may not reflect the entire NOC group it is part of. Data for the NOC group can apply across multiple occupations.

The NOC system is updated every 5 years to reflect changes in the labour market. Government forms and labour market data may group and refer to an occupation differently, depending on the system used.

Here is how this occupation has been classified over time.

2006 NOC

  • 4142: Elementary School and Kindergarten Teachers

2006 NOC-S

  • E132: Elementary School and Kindergarten Teachers

2011 NOC

  • 4032: Elementary school and kindergarten teachers

2016 NOC

  • 4032: Elementary school and kindergarten teachers

2021 NOC

  • 41221: Elementary school and kindergarten teachers

2023 OaSIS

  • 41221.00: Elementary school and kindergarten teachers
Duties
Updated May 18, 2021

In general, elementary school teachers:

  • Identify children’s individual and collective learning needs for their age and grade
  • Plan and deliver instruction based on student learning needs and approved curriculums
  • Provide a stimulating learning environment in which each child can experience growth and develop to their potential using course material
  • Help students learn appropriate knowledge, skills and attitudes
  • Facilitate positive social relationships between students and the rest of society
  • Use various assessment tools to evaluate and communicate student progress
  • Serve as role models for students

Elementary classes vary in size and include students who represent a broad range of abilities, interests and needs. A variety of instructional and assessment strategies are required to maintain student interest and maximize individual learning.

In addition, elementary teachers:

  • Meet with parents or guardians regarding their child’s learning status
  • Meet with other professionals to discuss individual student needs and progress
  • Organize and direct the work of teacher assistants and parent volunteers
  • Supervise extracurricular and after-school activities
  • Attend meetings, seminars and professional development sessions
  • Deal with children’s crises such as forgotten lunches, minor scrapes, family emergencies and not being picked up as scheduled

Most elementary teachers are responsible for a homeroom class of 20 to 33 children and teach most subjects. Some teachers “team teach” (work as a group of 2 or more teachers to plan and carry out teaching activities) or teach music, second languages or physical education at multiple grade levels.

Elementary teachers who have specialized in early childhood education are prepared to work with children from kindergarten to Grade 3. Early childhood education programs focus on the development of positive self-concepts in young children. These teachers plan, organize and provide a wide variety of developmentally appropriate experiences that foster understanding and use of language through:

  • Hands-on activities, stories, discussions, songs, art projects, games and other exploratory learning activities
  • Listening experiences
  • Individual and group activities and projects

Most kindergarten teachers in urban areas teach 2 different groups of children each day: 1 in the morning and 1 in the afternoon. In rural areas, kindergarten teachers often work in half-day or alternate full-day programs.

Many schools in Alberta offer language immersion or bilingual programs in Arabic, French, German, Hebrew, Mandarin, Polish, Spanish, Ukrainian, Indigenous and other languages. In addition, the number of non-English speaking immigrant children in the province has created a need for English as a Second Language (ESL) and English Language Learners (ELL) teachers. ESL and ELL classes usually are taught by elementary teachers who have completed related university course work.

Working Conditions
Updated May 18, 2021
  • Strength Required Strength requirements vary

Teaching is a physically and emotionally demanding occupation that requires a high level of energy. Much of the time, teachers are on their feet interacting with children. Teachers are required to maintain a positive learning environment while addressing the intellectual, physical, social and emotional needs of students from diverse backgrounds. A teacher’s day, therefore, is busy and requires careful attention to a wide variety of responsibilities concurrently.

Interests & Abilities

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2006 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.

Elementary School and Kindergarten Teachers

2006 NOC: 4142

Interest Codes

Interest Codes for This NOC Group
SOCIAL

Interest in leading students in activities to promote their physical, mental and social development; in participating in staff meetings, educational conferences and teacher training workshops; and in preparing examinations

INNOVATIVE

Interests in co-ordinating information to prepare courses for presentation to students according to curriculum, to identify children's individual learning needs and to prepare and implement remedial programs for students requiring extra help

DIRECTIVE

Interest in instructing students using a systematic plan of lessons, discussions, audio-visual presentations and field trips; and in assigning and correcting homework and administering and correcting examinations; may supervise teachers' aides and student teachers

Your Interest Codes

To identify or change your interest codes, complete the Interests Exercise in CAREERinsite.

Reading Interest Codes
A Quick Guide

The interest code helps you figure out if you’d like to work in a particular occupation. 

It’s based on the Canadian Work Preference Inventory (CWPI), which measures 5 occupational interests: Directive, Innovative, Methodical, Objective, and Social.

Each set of 3 interest codes for this NOC group is listed in order of importance.

A code in capital letters means it’s a strong fit for the occupation.

A code in all lowercase letters means the fit is weaker.

Learn About Interests

Abilities

Typical ability expectations for this NOC group
Your abilities

To fill in or change the values for your abilities, complete the Abilities Exercise in CAREERinsite.

Mental Abilities

General Learning Ability

Verbal Ability

Numerical Ability

Visual Abilities

Spatial Perception

Form Perception

Clerical Perception

Physical Abilities

Motor Coordination

Finger Dexterity

Manual Dexterity

Understanding Abilities

A Quick Guide

You are born with abilities that help you process certain types of information and turn it into action. These abilities influence which skills you can learn more easily.

The abilities or aptitudes shown for this NOC group come from the General Aptitude Test Battery (GATB). The GATB measures 9 aptitudes. It groups them into 3 categories: mental, visual, and physical.

The abilities scores range from 1 to 5, with 5 being stronger.

Learn About Abilities

Traits & Skills
Updated May 18, 2021

Elementary school teachers need:

  • Genuine interest in children and respect for their individuality
  • Creativity, imagination, patience and high energy
  • Resourcefulness
  • Strong interpersonal and communication skills
  • Strong leadership and teamwork skills
  • A clear speaking voice and the ability to convey confidence
  • Positive conflict resolution skills and the ability to handle stress well
  • Strong organizational skills
  • The ability to establish rapport with children and parents

They should enjoy finding different ways to solve problems and present information, and organizing and coordinating the work of others.

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.

Top 10 Skills Employers Are Looking For

Elementary school and kindergarten teachers

2016 NOC: 4032

This chart shows which job skills are currently in highest demand for this occupational group. It was created using this occupation's 60 most recent Alberta job postings, collected between Nov 11, 2021 and Mar 21, 2024.

Review these skills to learn:

  • Whether or not this occupation matches your skill set
  • What training you may need to get these skills
  • What skills to highlight in your resumé, cover letter, and interview.
Tasks: Identify childrens' individual learning needs
Security and Safety: Criminal record check
Construction Specialization: Team player
Tasks: Prepare, administer and correct tests
Tasks: Develop course content
Tasks: Prepare subject material for presentation according to an approved curriculum
Tasks: Evaluate the progress of students and discuss results with students, parents and school officials
Tasks: Participate in staff meetings, educational conferences and teacher training workshops
Construction Specialization: Excellent oral communication
Tasks: Lead students in activities to promote their physical, mental and social development and their school readiness
Educational Requirements
Updated May 18, 2021
  • Minimum Education 4 years post-secondary

In Alberta, the minimum qualification required to teach in an elementary school is 4 years of post-secondary education leading to a bachelor of education (B.Ed.) degree.

Competition for admission to programs often is keen. Post-secondary schools may give preference to applicants who have experience working with children in a leadership capacity. Valuable experience can be obtained from:

  • Elementary school volunteer work
  • Playground supervision
  • Daycare work
  • Hospital volunteer work
  • Amateur sports coaching
  • Teacher assistant work
  • Work with children in organized groups


Related Education

The following schools offer programs or courses that are related to this occupation but are not required to enter the field.

Northwestern Polytechnic
Simon Fraser University
University of Alberta

To expand or narrow your search for programs related to this occupation, visit Post-Secondary Programs.

Completing a program does not guarantee entrance into an occupation. Before enrolling in an education program, prospective students should look into various sources for education options and employment possibilities. For example, contact associations and employers in this field.

Certification Requirements
Updated May 18, 2021
  • Certification Provincially Regulated

Certain professional titles or duties within this occupation are protected by provincial legislation. Requirements vary if you use these titles or perform these duties.

The related legislation is shown below. If there are multiple related legislations, select a certification heading to learn about each one.

Teacher

In Alberta, teachers in the K to 12 system work at the elementary (Kindergarten to Grade 6), junior high (Grades 7 to 9), or high school (Grades 10 to 12) levels. Elementary and junior high teachers are typically generalists. However, it is preferred that high school teachers have subject area expertise.

Legislation

Under Alberta’s Education Act [pdf] and Certification of Teachers and Teacher Leaders Regulation [pdf], school teachers must be certificated by the Government of Alberta.

For information on what you need and other details, visit the certification profile Teacher.

Employment & Advancement
Updated May 18, 2021

Elementary teachers are employed in:

  • Playgrounds
  • Public schools
  • Private schools
  • Hospitals and other institutions

To find employment, new graduates may relocate to rural or isolated communities or work as supply (substitute) teachers.

With experience and additional training, elementary school teachers may advance to positions such as:

  • Team leader or coordinator of a subject area in a large school or school system
  • Vice-principal, assistant principal or principal
  • Specialist in a department of education, university or school district

Industry Concentration

This section shows the industries where the majority of people in this occupation work. The data is based on the 2016 Census.

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.

In the 4032: Elementary school and kindergarten teachers occupational group, 99.7% of people work in:

Employment Outlook

Employment outlook is influenced by a wide variety of factors including:

  • Time of year (for seasonal jobs)
  • Location in Alberta
  • Employment turnover (when people leave existing positions)
  • Occupational growth (when new positions are created)
  • Size of the occupation
  • Trends and events that affect overall employment, especially in the industry or industries from the previous list

In Alberta, the 4032: Elementary school and kindergarten teachers occupational group is expected to have a below-average annual growth of 1.8% from 2019 to 2023. In addition to job openings created by employment turnover, 754 new positions are forecasted to be created within this occupational group each year.

Note
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For example, only some of the new positions to be created will be for this occupation. It also applies to other data for the NOC group such as number of people employed.

Source: 2019-2023 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook

Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years. The Alberta Teachers’ Association estimates that about 900 teaching positions will become vacant each year due to retirement.

Related Alberta Job Postings
Wage & Salary
Updated May 18, 2021

Salaries vary from one school board to another because wages and benefits are determined by collective agreements between boards and their teachers. Teachers are paid according to a grid system based on the number of years of training and experience. Administrators such as school principals receive an additional allowance.

All teachers employed in Alberta’s publicly supported schools are members of the Alberta Teachers’ Association (ATA) and are automatically included under the Alberta Teachers Pension Plans Act [pdf]. Holidays and pensions are specified by provincial legislation. However, teachers often use the spring, summer or Christmas break periods for professional development or for fulfilling additional professional responsibilities.

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.

Elementary school and kindergarten teachers

2016 NOC: 4032
Average Wage
$44.80
Per Hour
Average Salary
$79,957.00
Per Year
Average Hours
36.3
Per Week
Average Months on Payroll
11.5
Survey Methodology Survey Analysis

Source
2021 Alberta Wage and Salary Survey

NOC 4032 Wage Profile

Unless otherwise noted, the data shown here is for all industries and all regions in Alberta.

All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production), and other forms of compensation.

To see the full survey data for this NOC group, visit the wage profile.

Other wage sources
To make an informed wage and salary decision, research other wage sources [pdf] to supplement this data.

B: Good Reliability
Data Reliability Code Definition

Good Reliability, represents a CV of between 6.01% and 15.00% and/or fewer than 30 survey observations and/or if survey observations represent less than 50% of all estimated employment for the occupation.


Hourly Wage

For full-time and part-time employees
  • Low
  • High
  • Average
  • Median
Starting
Overall
Top

Hourly Wage

For full-time and part-time employees
Wages* Low (5th percentile) High (95th percentile) Average Median
Starting $26.72 $45.53 $32.69 $29.12
Overall $34.83 $56.22 $44.80 $43.11
Top $44.39 $77.66 $56.45 $53.54

Swipe left and right to view all data. Scroll left and right to view all data.

* All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production) and other forms of compensation.

Pay brackets for hourly wages

  • Starting pay: average pay offered for entry-level positions
  • Overall pay: average pay across all employees in this occupation
  • Top pay: average pay offered to top-paid employees

Industry Information

ALL INDUSTRIES
Educational Services
Public Administration

Skills Shortage

Employers that Recruited in the Last 2 Years
70%
70%)
Recruiting Employers that Experienced Hiring Difficulties
18%
18%
Employers with Unfilled Vacancies of over 4 Months
8%
8%
Vacancy Rate
N/A
Related Post-Secondary Field of Study
  • Education and Library Studies
Other Sources of Information
Updated May 18, 2021

Alberta Teachers’ Association (ATA) website: www.teachers.ab.ca

Get information and referrals about career, education, and employment options from Alberta Supports.

Updated Mar 31, 2021. The information contained in this profile is current as of the dates shown. Salary, employment outlook, and educational program information may change without notice. It is advised that you confirm this information before making any career decisions.

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