Day in the life
A Day in the Life of an Elementary School Teacher
What elementary school teachers actually do from the start of a shift to the end: the tasks, tools, schedule and realities of the job.
Prepare materials and review the day’s lessons. From there, the day usually includes plan and teach lessons in core subjects, assess and grade student work, and manage classroom behavior. Teachers work school-year schedules, often grading and planning in evenings, with summers usually off.
Hour by hour: a typical shift
No two days are identical, but this timeline reflects a realistic day for an elementary school teacher working full time.
- Prepare materials and review the day’s lessons.
- Lead a reading block with small groups.
- Teach a math lesson on fractions.
- Lunch and recess duty.
- Teach a science experiment on circuits.
- Teach social studies and writing.
- Grade papers and call a parent.
Where elementary school teachers work
Teachers work in elementary school classrooms, with time in meetings and duties around the school.
Hours and schedule
Teachers work school-year schedules, often grading and planning in evenings, with summers usually off.
Tasks you’ll do most often
- Plan and teach lessons in core subjects
- Assess and grade student work
- Manage classroom behavior
- Differentiate instruction
- Communicate with families
- Collaborate with grade-level teams and specialists
- Prepare students for state assessments
Tools you’ll use every day
- Curriculum materials
- Interactive whiteboards
- Learning management systems
- Assessment platforms
- Classroom supplies
- Family communication apps
The best and hardest parts of the job
What people like
- Meaningful impact
- Variety of subjects
- Summers off
- Public pensions and benefits
What’s hard
- Heavy workload outside school hours
- Behavior challenges
- Testing pressure
- Pay varies by district
You’ll likely thrive if…
- I want to help children learn
- I enjoy teaching many subjects
- I’m organized
- I’m patient
- I want summers off
- I can work with families
Not sure? Take the free Elementary School Teacher fit quiz or the Career Match Quiz.
Staying safe on the job
- Supervise students closely
- Follow emergency procedures
- Know medical and allergy plans
- Report concerns as a mandated reporter