The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates employment of kindergarten and elementary school teachers to grow by 13 percent between 2008 and 2018. The median annual salary of an elementary and secondary school teacher ranges from $47,000 to $51,000. The American Federation of Teachers estimates the starting salary of an elementary teacher with a bachelor's degree earns an average of $33,000 annually.
College programs traditionally prepare individuals for elementary school teaching through courses designed specifically for early childhood education. Most colleges require a student to complete a student-teaching internship before graduation. While graduation from an accredited teaching program is not required for a professional license, the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education recommends it. Alternative licensing paths for students with a completed bachelor's degree in areas other than childhood education. Many school systems are now basing their hiring and tenure systems on performance-based evaluations. Currently licensed teachers are usually required to complete continuing education required by their licensing state.
The National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) believes an elementary school science teacher should focus on science inquiry on a daily basis for every grade level. The NSTA believes problem-solving skills empower a student to participate in an increasingly scientific and technological world. In addition to teaching problem-solving and experimentation skills, expectations of an elementary science teacher are to foster positive attitudes toward science, society and self.
Early elementary science focuses on simple investigations, using measurement tools such as rulers, clocks and puzzles. Introductions of marine life, bodies of water, organisms, planets and constellations should be included. Exercise, nutrition and the importance of both to a healthy body are introduced during second grade science. In third grade, teachers begin instructing science process and concepts including classifying, observing and advanced measuring. By fourth grade, a teacher is expected to instruct a student regarding hypothesis, graphs, charts and simple experiments. By the end of elementary school, teachers are expected to focus on teaching a student how to make a proper hypothesis and defend it with experiment conclusions.