Elementary school and kindergarten teachers (NOC 4032)

Elementary and kindergarten teachers:

• prepare courses for presentation to students according to approved curriculum
• teach students using an orderly plan of lessons, discussions, audio-visual presentations and field trips
• lead students in activities to promote their physical, mental and social development assign and correct homework
• prepare, give 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 put in place remedial programs for students needing extra help
• participate in staff meetings, educational conferences and teacher training workshops
• may supervise teachers' aides and student teachers

Special duties

Elementary school and kindergarten teachers may also specialize in areas such as special education, counselling, music or physical education.  They may also teach English as a second language or teach in core French or French immersion programs or in B.C.'s French school system.

Elementary school and kindergarten teachers do the majority of their work in classrooms at schools. They also typically prepare lessons and perform grading and organizational tasks on their own time, often at home.

Most teachers work a standard 10-month school year, with two months off in July and August, as well as a holiday over the Christmas period and at spring break.

Changes in technology mean that teachers are increasingly required to use computers to gather and store data, as well as share lessons and information electronically.

Literacy and numeracy programs within school districts target "best practice" methods that teachers are encouraged to use for lesson development, including more hands-on, practical learning.

Teaching can be a highly rewarding job for those who like to teach and help children. There are also some associated stresses that include standing or bending for a large portion of the day.

Education, training & qualifications

Teachers are required to have a bachelor's degree in education (typically after earning a bachelor's degree in the arts or sciences). Other requirements include:

• a provincial teaching certificate
• extra training for teachers who specialize in special education or second language instruction
• assessment by the employer for those teaching English as a second language or French immersion
• previous experience working with children or youth or volunteering in schools

For more information, consult the BC College of Teachers website at www.bcct.ca.

Skills

• Directive
• Social
• Manual Dexterity
• Detail-Oriented
• Clerical Ability

View skills definitions

Education programs in B.C.

The following program areas are related to this occupation:

For more information about programs offered specifically for this career, visit EducationPlannerBC.

In recent years, the province has experienced a number of elementary school closures due to declining kindergarten and elementary student enrollments. As the size of the 5–12 year age group is expected to continue to decline over the decade, future job creation in this profession will be not be great.

This is a very large occupational group with an older workforce compared to other occupations. Underemployment is common for newcomers to this profession since most new teachers are unable to find full-time work.

New teachers often have to work part-time for two or three years before they are considered for a permanent position. Some new graduates are also choosing to stay in larger cities and act as a teacher on call. This allows them some flexibility in their work schedule while still earning a decent salary.

New graduates may find increased employment opportunities in more rural areas of the province, where employers have more difficulty finding qualified teachers.

Graduates with training in specialized areas may also do better in the job market compared to other new teachers. In particular, there is growing demand for French immersion and Francophone program teachers. Most of these teachers secure contracts within their first year of employment.