4032 – Elementary school and kindergarten teachers

Elementary school and kindergarten teachers teach basic subjects such as reading, writing and arithmetic or specialized subjects such as English or French as a second language at public and private elementary schools.

Profile

Index of titles

Example titles

• Aboriginal school teacher – elementary school
• Art teacher – elementary school
• Cooking teacher – elementary school
• Correspondence teacher – elementary school
• Crafts teacher – elementary school
• Early childhood services teacher – elementary school
• Elementary school reading clinician
• Elementary school substitute teacher
• Elementary school supply teacher
• Elementary school teacher
• English as a second language elementary school teacher
• English as a second language teacher – elementary school
• English teacher – elementary school
• French as a second language elementary school teacher
• French as a second language teacher – elementary school
• French immersion teacher – elementary school
• French teacher – elementary school
• Grade school teacher
• Home economics teacher – elementary school
• Industrial arts teacher – elementary school
• Junior high school teacher
• Kindergarten teacher
• Language teacher – elementary school
• Music teacher – elementary school
• Nature study teacher – elementary school
• Physical education teacher – elementary school
• Primary school teacher
• Reading clinician – elementary school
• Remedial teacher – elementary school
• Sewing teacher – elementary school
• Special education teacher – elementary school
• Special education teacher – primary school
• Special needs teacher – elementary school
• Substitute teacher – elementary school
• Supply teacher – elementary school
• Teacher – junior kindergarten
• Teacher-librarian – elementary school
• Visiting teacher – elementary school

Main duties

This group performs some or all of the following duties:

• Prepare courses for presentation to students according to approved curriculum
• Teach students using a systematic plan of lessons, discussions, audio-visual presentations and field trips
• Lead students in activities to promote their physical, mental and social development and their school readiness
• Assign and correct homework
• Prepare, administer and correct tests
• Evaluate the progress of students and discuss results with students, parents and school officials
• Identify children’s individual learning needs
• Prepare and implement remedial programs for students requiring extra help
• Participate in staff meetings, educational conferences and teacher training workshops
• May supervise teachers’ aides and student teachers.

Elementary school and kindergarten teachers may specialize in such areas as special education or second language instruction.

Employment requirements

• A bachelor’s degree in education is required.
• A bachelor’s degree in child development may be required.
• Additional training is required to specialize in special education or second language instruction.
• A provincial teaching certificate is required. Additional certification is required to teach English or French as a second language.
• Membership in a provincial or territorial teachers’ association or federation is usually required.

Additional information

• Progression to education consultant or school principal is possible with experience.

Exclusions

• Early childhood educators and assistants (4214)
• Elementary and secondary school teacher assistants (4413)
• Elementary school librarians (in 5211 Library and public archive technicians)
• Psychoeducators (in 4153 Family, marriage and other related counsellors)
• School principals and administrators of elementary and secondary education (0422)
• Secondary school teachers (4031)
• Teachers of persons with developmental disabilities (in 4215 Instructors of persons with disabilities)