Elementary Education Jobs

Elementary education jobs and candidates can be found at iHireElementaryTeachers.  Offering careers and job seekers at many different levels of experience, we use a unique system in order to match candidates to an employers’ job description.  The following are a list of teaching job titles along with short descriptions that are listed on our site:

Preschool
Children obtain the majority of their knowledge through personal interaction and play, which are the primary tools used in preschool education.  Educators use a variety of methods such as games, stories, or art to teach the basics that are necessary for later education.  Teachers introduce the very basics of science and math, primarily focusing on interpersonal skills, language, and vocabulary.

Kindergarten
Kindergarten teachers use many of the same learning methods as preschool teachers, but begin introducing academics to their students.  Learning environments are relaxed, and teachers begin introducing basic science and nature, as well as number and letter recognition.  Phonetic knowledge begins as children are able to fully grasp letters and basic words.

Elementary Primary
As the first structured education that children come into contact with, primary educators are responsible for the education from kindergarten or first grade to third grade.  Primary school curriculum prepares children for more in-depth learning by equipping them with a basic knowledge of numerous subjects.  Education practices are often very relaxed, and introduce children to discipline, academics, and a relatively structured system.

Elementary Intermediate
Generally considered the education that children receive in grades 4-6, intermediate educators begin providing daily routines for children.  Teachers commonly instruct the majority of subjects within their classroom, but may also work in conjunction with professionals who specialize in areas such as art, physical education, or music.  Curriculum is not yet standardized for these ages.   

Elementary Junior
Delivering a more structured curriculum, junior education includes grades 6-8.  During these years, instructors specialize in a specific topic, and teach multiple classes within a given day.  Students are able to begin selecting courses during these years.  Teachers are more regulated on the information that must be taught to students.

Music
Music instructors commonly focus only on musical education, and teach students ranging in grades k-8.  These classes are used to teach children listening, concentration, counting, recollection, and language understanding.  Children may be taught to play simple instruments such as recorders, or sing in a choir. 

Substitute
Employed to fill in for instructors during planned or unscheduled absences, substitute teachers are often knowledgeable in a variety of subjects.  Professionals must be available on short notice, and take over the teaching duties of a classroom in the teacher’s absence.  Candidates follow pre established lesson plans, improvising as necessary.  Substitutes must be able to think fast in order to accommodate lessons as needed.  

Teaching Assistant
Teaching assistants work together with teachers to assist them with daily activities.  They are often required to attend the same functions as teachers, and are relied upon to offer creative ideas for delivering necessary course materials.  Assistants may fill in during teacher absences, or meet with students and parents when required.  Assistants assume many of the same roles as teachers, but experience more flexibility.

Special Education
Designed to efficiently deliver knowledge to special needs children, special education programs are often much more labor intensive for instructors.  Children may suffer from developmental, behavioral, or physical ailments that decrease their ability to learn, retain, or recall information.  Special education teachers must be creative, knowledgeable, and patient.

Special Education-Autistic
These instructors specialize in the education of children suffering from autism, a disorder which causes abnormal social interaction.  These professionals develop lesson plans that include necessary information, and relay it in a way that students are able to effectively learn it.  Instructors may deliver individualized or group presentations and assist with any difficulties that arise.  Teachers wishing to specialize in autism must have a thorough understanding of autism, and continue education to keep abreast of all new developments for this disorder.

Special Education-Emotionally Impaired
Special education teachers that choose to work with emotionally impaired students work with a number of children individually to discover the extent and effects of their impairment.  Lessons must be adapted adequately so that each child is able to acquire an adequate amount of knowledge.  Professionals must be dedicated, caring, and innovative in order to achieve success in the positions. 

Special Education-Blind or Partially Sighted
Students within these classes do not all possess the same amount of vision acuity, so instructors must develop methods for delivering information that allows each student effective learning.  Techniques are varied, but commonly include “hands on” learning.  Teachers are required to develop a number of lessons that allow students to obtain information necessary to continue their education.

Special Education-Deaf or Hearing Impaired
Hearing impaired instructors are required to work with children individually to determine the amount of hearing loss each child possesses.  Instructors adapt strategies to develop students’ abilities and skills to better gain necessary knowledge.  Sign language may be required to communicate with children, and instructors may have the responsibility to teach this form of speech to their students.

Special Education-Gifted Students
These classes are meant to be challenging, due to the advanced IQ children possess.  Teachers must strive to challenge their students in an attempt to keep their attention.  Many assignments come easily to these children, so they are more apt to become bored or disruptive.  Teachers may use more individualized projects, or create competitions in order to keep students interested.  Instructors must always be seeking new ideas and methods to challenge their students.

Special Education-Learning Disabled
The severities of student learning disabilities are vast, which makes group teaching difficult for instructors.  Children that are unable to learn, recall, or retain necessary information are commonly enrolled in learning disabled, or LD, classes, in order to attempt to develop skills needed to transition back into general education classes.  Students may suffer from extreme retardation, or issues in studying.

Special Education-Speech and Hearing
Speech and hearing impaired students often possess difficulty communicating with instructors or classmates.  Disorders may be caused by conditions such as cerebral palsy, stuttering, dysphasia, or any other problems that lead to inefficient articulation of thoughts.  These teachers enlist a variety of techniques depending on the child’s specific impairment in order to increase their ability to speak, hear, or communicate thoughts effectively. 

Special Education Assistant
Special education assistants work alongside more highly trained instructors to aide with a variety of special needs children.  Associates assume many of the same duties as instructors, and spend a great deal of time interacting with children in the classroom.  They help develop a number of creative methods in order to deliver necessary information to and from children.

For more information on jobs in elementary education, please visit the following sites:

• AVKO Educational Research Foundation
• Dyslexia Teacher
• Education Guys
• Elementary Teacher Resources
• Erikson Institute