In an elementary school, music teachers are responsible to teach all the kids their music lessons. They teach them about music, choir, band, special chorus and orchestra. The music teachers are also in charge of extracurricular activities such as musical performances and school plays. Some music teachers also offer private lessons. Music teachers at the elementary level may also take students on field trips.
If you love exercise and sports, consider becoming a physical education program. Most elementary programs involve teaching health, nutrition, exercise, sports and games. You will work with all of the children in the school, including special needs kids. Physical education teachers lead children to live healthy, active lives. Pay for physical education teachers ranges from $47,000 to $82,000 as of 2011, and offers health and dental benefits.
Librarians, also know as school media specialists, in elementary schools do more than check books out and in. Librarians assist teachers by teaching classes how to find information for research projects and papers using various library resources. They teach students how to find materials in the library. They also help teachers find the information they need for classroom instruction. Twenty of the fifty states require school librarians to have a Masters of Library Science Degree, but a librarian also has to meet the requirements for a teaching degree.
The role of a special education teacher varies from district to district. In one district, they may have their own classroom and only work with students who fall under the district's guidelines for special education. Others work in small spaces or other classrooms and work with individuals or small groups of children having difficulty with particular subjects, such as reading and math. Special education teachers require extra course work to prepare for their positions. They are required to have a license in all fifty states.
Elementary school classroom teachers generally work with students from kindergarten through fifth or sixth grade, but that can go as high as eighth grade in some locations. They either teach all of the core subjects, or specialize in one section, such as math for all of the fourth grade classes. Teachers are required to earn a Bachelor's Degree in education. Some teachers have other degrees and take additional classes to prepare them to teach.