What the job looks like by grade and setting
In US occupational statistics this job is counted as elementary school teachers, except special education, with 1,419,300 jobs. Elementary school typically runs from first through fifth or sixth grade, though some schools continue through eighth grade. Most teachers have one class and teach several subjects all day, escorting students to assemblies, recess and classes such as art or music, and using that time to plan, grade or meet colleagues.
Not every elementary teacher works that way. Some schools use subject specialization teams, where one teacher covers English and social studies and another covers math and science, and students split their time between them. Other teachers specialize in art, music or physical education, or work only with English learners as ESL or ESOL teachers. Students with learning disabilities or behavioral disorders are often taught in regular classes, so classroom teachers work closely with special education teachers and sometimes co-teach.
The employer matters too. Local public school districts employ 84% of elementary school teachers and private schools 14%. Public schools require a state license; private schools typically do not, but they usually want the same bachelor's degree.
How licensing works
All states require public school teachers to be licensed or certified for the grade level they teach. The details vary by state, but the pattern is similar: a bachelor's degree with a minimum grade point average, a student teaching placement with a mentor teacher, a background check, and passing a general teaching certification test plus a test of subject knowledge. Some states use the Praxis Elementary Education: Multiple Subjects (5001) test for this; others use their own exams, such as the TExES in Texas and the FTCE in Florida. Teachers often must complete professional development classes to keep their license, and some states require a master's degree after a teacher is certified and hired.
If you already have a degree in something else, every state offers an alternative route. Some programs put you in front of a class right away under an experienced teacher's supervision; others require education courses first. Check your state education department's requirements before you enroll anywhere, because they vary by state.
Pay depends heavily on the state
The national median annual wage is $63,970, and the middle half of teachers earn between $57,710 and $81,450. But location shifts pay more than almost anything else. Washington has the highest median at $102,350, followed by California ($99,650) and the District of Columbia ($96,580). Among the states with the most teachers, New York (101,410 jobs, median $85,760) and Illinois (61,520 jobs, median $75,320) pay well above the national figure, while Texas (116,260 jobs, median $62,760) and Florida (79,090 jobs, median $58,930) sit below it. Official statistics do not break pay down by years of experience. Check the salary information of the specific district you want to work in.
What principals look for when hiring
A valid license, or clear eligibility for one, is the first filter in public schools. After that, principals look for evidence you can run a classroom: a strong student teaching report, a sample lesson plan, and concrete examples of how you handled behavior, adapted a lesson for a struggling student or worked with parents. Communication, patience, physical stamina and resourcefulness are important qualities. Comfort with classroom technology helps, since teachers use tools such as Google Docs and Microsoft Office and may maintain websites for parents. Experience with English learners or students with disabilities also helps, because those students are usually in regular classrooms.
The honest downsides
The hours are longer than the school day suggests. In a national survey of the occupation, 97% of elementary teachers report working more than 40 hours a week, and they often grade and plan in the evenings and on weekends. Teaching may be stressful: some schools have large classes and lack basic tools such as computers and up-to-date textbooks. The job market is flat. Little or no change in employment is projected over the next decade, partly because public school enrollment is expected to decrease as charter schools, private schools and homeschooling grow, and jobs depend on state and local budgets, which can lead to layoffs. On the other hand, about 87,500 openings are expected each year, so qualified teachers can find work, especially if they are willing to move.