Elementary School Teacher

In general, elementary school teachers:

• identify children's individual and collective learning needs
• plan and deliver instruction based on student learning needs
• provide a stimulating learning environment in which each child can experience growth and develop to potential
• help students learn appropriate knowledge, skills and attitudes
• facilitate positive social relationships between students
• 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
• meet with other professionals to discuss individual student needs and progress
• organize and direct the work of teacher assistants and parent volunteers
• supervise extra-curricular and after school activities
• attend meetings, seminars and professional development sessions
• deal with children's crises such as forgotten lunches, minor scrapes, family emergencies or 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 or teach music, second languages or physical education at different grade levels.

Elementary teachers who have specialized in Early Childhood Education are prepared to work with children from kindergarten to Grade 3. These programs focus on the development of positive self-concepts in young children and include planning, organizing and providing a wide variety of developmentally appropriate experiences that foster understanding and use of language through:

• hands on activities, stories, discussions, songs, art, games and other exploratory learning activities
• listening experiences
• individual and group activities and projects.

Most kindergarten teachers in urban areas teach two different groups of children each day (one in the morning, one 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, native 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...

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.

Elementary school teachers need the following characteristics:

• strong interpersonal and communication skills
• a genuine interest in children and respect for their individuality
• the ability to be creative, imaginative, patient, energetic, organized and resourceful
• the ability to establish rapport children and parents
• 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.

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

Below-average occupational growth is expected in Alberta for 2016 to 2020. Job openings are a result of employment turnover and newly created positions.

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 co-ordinator 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.

Elementary school teachers are part of the larger 2011 National Occupational Classification 4032: Elementary school and kindergarten teachers.  In Alberta, 99% of people employed in this classification work in the Educational Services (PDF) industry.

The employment outlook in this occupation will be influenced by a wide variety of factors including:

• trends and events affecting overall employment (especially in the Educational Services industry)
• location in Alberta
• employment turnover (work opportunities generated by people leaving existing positions)
• occupational growth (work opportunities resulting from the creation of new positions that never existed before)
• size of the occupation.

Over 21,300 Albertans are employed in the Elementary school and kindergarten teachers occupational group. This group is expected to have a below-average annual growth of 1.5% from 2016 to 2020. As a result, 320 new positions are forecast to be created each year, in addition to job openings created by employment turnover. Note: As elementary school teachers form only a part of this larger occupational group, only some of these newly created positions will be for elementary school teachers. 

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.

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

For more information on career planning, education and jobs, visit the Alberta Learning Information Service (ALIS) website, call the Alberta Career Information Hotline toll-free at 1-800-661-3753 or 780-422-4266 in Edmonton, or visit an Alberta Works Centre near you.