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
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Compared to: All Education, Law, Government, Social and Community Services
The employment outlook over the next few years for this occupational group is “average”, which indicates the chances of a qualified individual finding work is comparable to the average for all occupations in Nova Scotia. This is a fairly large occupation in Nova Scotia so job opportunities occur fairly regularly. The number employed in this occupation is expected to grow slightly over the next few years, which should provide some additional opportunities for employment. With a moderate percent of workers being 55 years of age and older, retirements are expected to contribute somewhat to employment opportunities over the coming years. Elementary School and Kindergarten Teachers most commonly work full-time hours.
The median employment income for 62% of Elementary School and Kindergarten Teachers who worked full-time, year-round in 2015 was $73,065. Across all occupations in Nova Scotia, 59% of those who worked full-time year round had a median employment income of $43,600.
(Source: 2016 Census)
Hourly Pay
$20.51
Minimum$36.06
Median$45.60
MaximumAnnual Pay
$10,849
Minimum$60,849
Median$82,855
MaximumCompared to: All Education, Law, Government, Social and Community Services
Hourly Pay
$14.74
Minimum$33.28
Median$46.76
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
North Shore
Cape Breton
Annapolis Valley
Southern
Compared 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's degree
$49,435 median annual incomeMaster's degree
$79,961 median annual incomeUniversity advanced certificate or diploma
$60,375 median annual incomeCollege certificate or diploma
$21,926 median annual incomeUniversity certificate or diploma
$36,968 median annual incomeCompared to: All Education, Law, Government, Social and Community Services
Bachelor's degree
$45,929 median annual incomeCollege certificate or diploma
$35,398 median annual incomeMaster's degree
$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
PO Box 5300 1250 Grand Lake Road
Sydney, NS B1P 6L2
(888) 959-9995
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Institutions providing this program
PO Box 5300 1250 Grand Lake Road
Sydney, NS B1P 6L2
(888) 959-9995
Curriculum and instruction
This program may be offered at the college, trades, or university level.This instructional program class includes any program that focuses on the curriculum and related instructional processes and tools, and that prepares individuals to serve as professional curriculum specialists. These programs include courses in curriculum theory, curriculum design and planning, instructional material design and evaluation, curriculum evaluation, and applications to specific subject matter, programs or educational levels.
Institutions providing this program
166 Bedford Highway
Halifax, NS B3M 2J6
(902) 457-6117
PO Box 5300 1250 Grand Lake Road
Sydney, NS B1P 6L2
(888) 959-9995
Education of individuals with multiple disabilities
This program is typically offered at the college or university level.This instructional program class includes any program that focuses on the design of educational services for children or adults with multiple disabilities which adversely affect their educational performance and that prepares individuals to teach such students. These programs include courses in identifying students with multiple disabilities, developing individual education plans, teaching and supervising multiple handicapped students, counselling, and applicable laws and policies.
Institutions providing this program
236 Belcher Street
Kentville, NS B4N 0A6
(902) 678-7341
75 High Street
Bridgewater, NS B4V 1V8
(902) 543-4608
PO Box 1042, 1240 Grand Lake Road
Sydney, NS B1P 6J7
(902) 563-2450
Elementary education and teaching
This program is typically offered at the college or university level.This instructional program class includes any program that prepares individuals to teach students in the elementary grades, which may include kindergarten through grade eight, depending on the school system and applicable regulations. Includes preparation to teach all elementary education subject matter.
Institutions providing this program
166 Bedford Highway
Halifax, NS B3M 2J6
(902) 457-6117
Siège Social: 1695, Route 1
Pointe-de-l'Église, NS B0W 1M0
(902) 769-2114
PO Box 5000
Antigonish, NS B2G 2W5
(902) 867-2219
PO Box 5300 1250 Grand Lake Road
Sydney, NS B1P 6L2
(888) 959-9995
English as a second language (Canada)
This program may be offered at the college, trades, or university level.This instructional program class includes any program that focuses on the development of proficiency in reading, writing, and speaking English for those for whom English is not their mother tongue. These programs include courses in the use of basic communication skills to develop and transmit ideas and thoughts in English as well as specialized programs that focus on the development of proficiency in English sufficient to meet specific occupational or academic demands.
Institutions providing this program
5685 Leeds Street
Halifax, NS B3K 2T3
(902) 491-6722
Mathematics teacher education
This program is typically offered at the college or university level.This instructional program class includes any program that prepares individuals to teach mathematics programs at various educational levels.
Institutions providing this program
923 Robie Street
Halifax, NS B3H 3C3
(902) 420-5400
Physical education teaching and coaching
This program is typically offered at the college or university level.This instructional program class includes any program that prepares individuals to teach physical education programs and/or to coach sports at various educational levels.
Institutions providing this program
PO Box 5000
Antigonish, NS B2G 2W5
(902) 867-2219
Science teacher education
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Institutions providing this program
PO Box 5300 1250 Grand Lake Road
Sydney, NS B1P 6L2
(888) 959-9995
Special education and teaching - General
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Institutions providing this program
Teacher education, multiple levels
This program is typically offered at the college or university level.This instructional program class includes any program that prepares individuals to teach students at more than one educational level, such as a combined program in elementary/secondary, early childhood/elementary, elementary/middle school, or junior high/high school teacher education.
Institutions providing this program
166 Bedford Highway
Halifax, NS B3M 2J6
(902) 457-6117
Siège Social: 1695, Route 1
Pointe-de-l'Église, NS B0W 1M0
(902) 769-2114
PO Box 5000
Antigonish, NS B2G 2W5
(902) 867-2219
Teaching English as a second or foreign language/ESL language instructor
This program is typically offered at the college or university level.This instructional program class includes any program that focuses on the principles and practice of teaching English to students who are not proficient in English or who do not speak, read or write English, and that prepares individuals to function as teachers and administrators in such programs.
Institutions providing this program
Employment requirements & contacts
Regulations
Special Requirements: To work in the public school system Nova Scotia Teacher Certification is required. Certification may be required by other education related employers.