Elementary School and Kindergarten Teachers
(NOC 4032)
in All Education, Law, Government, Social and Community ServicesElementary school and kindergarten teachers teach children from ages 4 to 12, or grades primary to six. They work for public and private elementary schools. Elementary school in kindergarten teachers may specialize in areas like special education or second language instruction.
Job Outlook
Average
Read more
Compared to: All Education, Law, Government, Social and Community Services
Growth in the number of positions in the public education system is generally limited by budgetary pressures and declining enrolments. It can still be challenging for many new teachers to secure a permanent position, and it may require being mobile, as there can sometimes be less competition in rural or isolated communities. Shortages of substitute teachers still periodically occur, creating opportunities for new graduates who have not yet secured a full-time position to gain some experience. Enrolment in private schools has been expanding and this is expected to continue, offering additional job opportunities, mostly in the Halifax area.
Hourly Pay
$19.80
Minimum$35.95
Median$47.25
MaximumAnnual Pay
$10,849
Minimum$60,849
Median$82,855
MaximumCompared to: All Education, Law, Government, Social and Community Services
Hourly Pay
$16.30
Minimum$30.00
Median$51.30
MaximumAnnual Pay
$5,616
Minimum$44,335
Median$92,599
MaximumAbout the job
Nature of work
Elementary school and kindergarten teachers teach children from ages 4 to 12, or grades primary to six. They work for public and private elementary schools. Elementary school in kindergarten teachers may specialize in areas like special education or second language instruction.
Job duties
Elementary school and kindergarten teachers:
- Plan goals and designated outcomes for all students and clearly communicate to those learners.
- Use a variety of teaching strategies like group work, lecture, mini-lessons, exploration, questioning, discussion, and other cooperative teaching techniques.
- 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.
- Use a variety of assessment strategies to evaluate student progress and discuss results with students, parents, and school officials.
- Identify children's individual learning needs and adapt curriculum to meet the needs of students.
- Contribute to and manage an individual program plan for students with special needs.
- Maintain records for student attendance, evaluations, report cards, discipline records, and other related documents.
- Plan and implement appropriate classroom management strategies and techniques to ensure productive, interesting, respectful, and safe classrooms.
- Apply appropriate consequences for inappropriate student behavior.
- Communicate effectively with students, staff, parents, community, and outside agencies to better meet with the needs of students.
- Participate in staff meetings, educational conferences, and teacher training workshops.
- May supervise teachers' aides and student teachers.
Sample job titles
- behaviour support teacher
- early literacy teacher
- elementary school teacher
- English as an additional language teacher - elementary school
- French immersion teacher - elementary school
- learning centre teacher
- Reading Recovery® teacher
- resource teacher
- special needs teacher - elementary school
Skills
- You should be patient, imaginative, objective, and resourceful. Leadership skills and the ability to motivate students are important. You must be able to communicate ideas in a clear, concise, and interesting way. Planning and organizational skills are also necessary. You must have the ability to demonstrate fair and ethical judgements and maintain confidentiality as the norm. Teachers must be knowledgeable about their subjects and keep informed of new material and methods of teaching.
Job requirements
- A bachelor's degree in education is required.
- A bachelor's degree in child development may be required.
- Additional training, often at a master's level, is required to specialize in special education or second language instruction.
- Reading Recovery® teachers require current certification as a Trained Reading Recovery® teacher in accordance with the requirements of the Canadian Institute of Reading Recovery®.
- A provincial teaching certificate is required. Additional certification is required to teach English or French as a second language.
- Membership in a provincial teachers' association or union is usually required.
Other considerations
- The work can be demanding and require a great deal of physical, mental, and emotional energy. A teacher’s day is busy and requires careful attention to a wide variety of responsibilities. Progression to education consultant or school principal is possible with experience.
By the numbers
Quick look
employed in 2016
employed full-time
self employed
median age
Compared to: All Education, Law, Government, Social and Community Services
employed in 2016
employed full-time
self employed
median age
Where will I likely work?
Halifax
$58,783 median annual incomeNorth Shore
$66,013 median annual incomeCape Breton
$65,231 median annual incomeAnnapolis Valley
$56,594 median annual incomeSouthern
$63,706 median annual incomeCompared to: All NS Occupations
Halifax
North Shore
Annapolis Valley
Cape Breton
Southern
Top Industries of Employment
Educational services
Public administration
Other services (except public administration)
What is the age of Employment?
35-44
25-34
45-54
55-64
65+
15-24
Compared to: All Education, Law, Government, Social and Community Services
35-44
45-54
25-34
55-64
15-24
Top levels of education
Bachelor
$49,435 median annual incomeMaster
$79,961 median annual incomeDiploma Above Bachelor
$60,375 median annual incomeCollege Diploma
$21,926 median annual incomeDiploma Below Bachelor
$36,968 median annual incomeCompared to: All Education, Law, Government, Social and Community Services
Bachelor
$45,929 median annual incomeCollege Diploma
$35,398 median annual incomeMaster
$71,043 median annual incomeHigh school
$29,055 median annual incomeDoctorate
$100,443 median annual incomeEducation & training
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Institutions providing this program
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Institutions providing this program
Wolfville, NS
Employment requirements & contacts
Regulations
Special Requirements: Nova Scotia Teacher Certification is required to work in the public school system. Certification may be required by other education related employers.