An Elementary School Teacher is a professional who plays a crucial role in shaping the education and development of young students. They are responsible for creating a positive and engaging learning environment where children can acquire knowledge and essential skills. In this blog post, we describe the primary responsibilities and the most in-demand hard and soft skills for Elementary School Teachers.

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Main Responsibilities of an Elementary School Teacher

The following list describes the typical responsibilities of an Elementary School Teacher:

Achieve

Achieve Real Life Results for each student.

Adapt

Adapt teaching methods to accommodate students with diverse learning needs.

Administer

Administer and evaluate tests and assignments.Assess

Assess students' progress and provide constructive feedback.

Assign

Assign and correct homework.

Assist in

• Assist in planning and implementing developmentally appropriate activities.

• Assist with classroom inventory.

Attend

• Attend professional development workshops and training sessions.

• Attend training workshops as needed.

Collaborate with

• Collaborate with colleagues to develop and improve teaching methods.

• Collaborate with other teachers and staff to enhance the learning experience.

Communicate

Communicate with parents or guardians regarding students' academic progress and behavior.

Complete

Complete administrative tasks when required.

Conduct

Conduct live Synchronous Teaching – minimum of 15 hours per week.

Create

• Create a safe and inclusive classroom environment.

• Create lesson plans and modify accordingly throughout the year.

• Create positive educational climate for students to learn in.

• Create projects designed to enhance lectures.

Develop

• Develop any additional course content as required based on STEM content.

• Develop incentives to keep participants in class.

• Develop instructional materials, including lesson plans, worksheets, and educational resources.

• Develop professional relationships with other agencies and programs.

Employ

Employ a variety of positive educational techniques.

Encourage

• Encourage creativity and self-expression.

• Encourage student participation and engagement in classroom activities.

Establish

• Establish and communicate clear objectives for all learning activities.

• Establish and enforce classroom rules and procedures.

• Establish rapport and build relationships with students.

Evaluate

Evaluate the progress of students and discuss results with students, parents and school officials.

Find

Find interactive ways to teach online and support a virtual learning environment.

Follow

Follow the student discipline process as set by the school.

Foster

• Foster a positive classroom culture and community.

• Foster character development, sense of justice and sense of civic responsibility.

• Foster students' social and emotional development.

Help

• Help them achieve their full learning potential.

• Help with diagnostic and progress monitoring testing across the school.

Identify

• Identify and address learning gaps and challenges.

• Identify childrens' individual learning needs.

Implement

Implement strategies for classroom management.

Instruct

Instruct students on an as-needed basis.

Integrate

• Integrate competencies, goals, and objectives into lesson plans.

• Integrate technology into the teaching process.

Lead

• Lead a small class of 5 students in their academic studies.

• Lead students in activities to promote their physical, mental and social development.

Maintain

Maintain accurate student records and documentation.

Manage

• Manage a virtual classroom to ensure positive behavior.

• Manage student behavior in the classroom by invoking approved disciplinary procedures.

Meet

Meet course and school-wide student performance goals.

Monitor

• Monitor and manage student behavior and discipline.

• Monitor students during recess and lunch hour.

Nurture

Nurture a love for learning and inspire students to reach their full potential.

Observe

Observe and evaluate student's performance.

Organize

Organize and lead parent-teacher conferences.

Participate in

• Participate in ongoing training sessions.

• Participate in school, departmental and parent meetings.

• Participate in staff meetings, educational conferences and teacher training workshops.

Plan

• Plan and lead curriculum development when needed.

• Plan and organize field trips and educational activities.

• Plan, prepare and deliver instructional activities.

Prepare

• Prepare, administer and correct tests.

• Prepare, administer and correct tests when required.

• Prepare and deliver lessons that align with the curriculum.

• Prepare and distribute required reports.

• Prepare and follow class appropriate Lesson Plans.

• Prepare and implement remedial programs for students requiring extra help.

• Prepare lesson plans according to the guidelines set in the Ontario Curriculum.

• Prepare students for high stakes standardized tests.

• Prepare subject material for presentation according to an approved curriculum.

• Prepare teaching materials when applicable.

Promote

• Promote critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

• Promote enterprising as well as critical thinking.

Provide

• Provide individualized support to students who require extra assistance.

• Provide tutoring assistance.

Read

Read and stay abreast of current topics in education.

Reinforce

Reinforce a firm foundation for all classes and uphold classroom management techniques.

Respond to

Respond to students, parents and colleagues in timely manner.

Stay updated with

Stay updated with educational trends and advancements.

Submit

Submit grades and required student work ensuring student academic honesty and integrity.

Support

• Support current curriculum and instruction provided by virtual classroom.

• Support students' transition from one grade level to another.

Teach

• Teach foundational skills, such as reading, writing, and math.

• Teach students using lessons, discussions, audio-visual presentations and field trips.

Travel

Travel to testing sites to proctor state exams.

Tutor

Tutor students on an individual basis.

Understand

Understand child development and instructional methods and best practice.

Update

Update student performance trackers and use data to help guide your lesson plans.

Use

• Use data to responsively teach to mastery of academic skills.

• Use various instructional strategies to cater to different learning styles.

Utilize

• Utilize positive and fun techniques to make learning a pleasant and enjoyable experience.

• Utilize public library resources.

• Utilize various curriculum resources.

Work with

Work with program coordinators to ensure initiatives are being met.

Write

Write grant proposals to gain funding for further research.

Most In-demand Hard Skills

The following list describes the most required technical skills of an Elementary School Teacher:

1. Proficiency in subject areas such as English, mathematics, science, and social studies.

2. Knowledge of educational technology tools and software.

3. Familiarity with curriculum frameworks and standards.

4. Ability to develop and implement effective lesson plans.

5. Competence in assessing student progress and performance.

6. Strong classroom management skills.

7. Ability to differentiate instruction based on students' needs.

8. Knowledge of special education strategies and accommodations.

9. Proficiency in using educational software and online learning platforms.

10. Ability to integrate technology into lessons for enhanced learning experiences.

11. Knowledge of assessment and evaluation methods.

12. Familiarity with data analysis and interpretation.

13. Ability to design and implement individualized education plans (IEPs).

14. Knowledge of behavior management techniques.

15. Competence in implementing strategies for students with diverse backgrounds and abilities.

16. Proficiency in using audiovisual aids and teaching resources effectively.

17. Ability to create and maintain a supportive and inclusive classroom environment.

18. Knowledge of child development principles and theories.

19. Familiarity with educational research and evidence-based practices.

20. Ability to adapt teaching methods to engage and challenge students effectively.

Most In-demand Soft Skills

The following list describes the most required soft skills of an Elementary School Teacher:

1. Patience and empathy to address students' individual needs and challenges.

2. Strong interpersonal skills to build positive relationships with students and parents.

3. Adaptability to respond to changing classroom dynamics and diverse student needs.

4. Creativity and innovation in developing engaging and interactive lessons.

5. Organizational skills for managing classroom materials, lesson plans, and student records.

6. Problem-solving skills to address academic and behavioral challenges.

7. Leadership abilities to guide and motivate students.

8. Collaboration skills for working with other teachers and staff members.

9. Positive attitude and enthusiasm for teaching and learning.

Conclusion

Becoming an Elementary School Teacher requires a diverse skill set that encompasses both hard technical skills and soft interpersonal skills. By mastering these responsibilities and developing the necessary skills, Elementary School Teachers can make a lasting impact on their students' education and overall development.