Profession primary school teacher

Primary school teachers teach pupils in public or private schools at the elementary level.

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Personality Type

• Social / Investigative

Tasks primary school teacher

• Prepare daily and longer term lesson plans in accordance with curriculum guidelines.
• Prepare class meetings, e.g. by gathering materials and preparing the classroom.
• Instruct children individually and in groups, using various teaching methods and materials (e.g., computers, books, games), adapting to children's varying needs.
• Maintain discipline and good working habits in the classroom.
• Plan and conduct activities with the children, e.g. sporting activities, concerts and excursions.
• Assign and grade class work and homework.
• Prepare, administer, and grade tests and assignments to evaluate children's progress.
• Observe and evaluate children's performance and behavior.
• Supervise children during classes and at other times in the school day, including the playground during breaks.
• Participate in staff meetings and other sessions, and confer with other teachers concerning educational issues.
• Prepare for and attend parent meetings, e.g. to discuss children's progress and problems (if any).

Related professions primary teaching

• Primary school head
• Schoolchildren attendant
• Special needs teacher primary school
• Teacher assistant

Knowledge

• Learning difficulties

  The learning disorders some students face in an academic context, especially Specific Learning Difficulties such as dyslexia, dyscalculia, and concentration deficit disorders.

• Assessment processes

  Various evaluation techniques, theories, and tools applicable in the assessment of students, participants in a programme, and employees. Different assessment strategies such as initial, formative, summative and self- assessment are used for varying purposes.

• Curriculum objectives

  The goals identified in curricula and defined learning outcomes.

• Teamwork principles

  The cooperation between people characterised by a unified commitment to achieving a given goal, participating equally, maintaining open communication, facilitating effective usage of ideas etc.

• Primary school procedures

  The inner workings of a primary school, such as the structure of the relevant education support and management, the policies, and the regulations.

Skills

• Assist students with equipment

  Provide assistance to students when working with (technical) equipment used in practice-based lessons and solve operational problems when necessary.

• Employ pedagogic strategies to facilitate creative engagement

  Communicate to others on devising and facilitating creative processes through the use of a range of tasks and activities appropriate to the target group.

• Perform classroom management

  Maintain discipline and engage students during instruction.

• Prepare youths for adulthood

  Work with children and young people to identify the skills and abilities they will need to become effective citizens and adults and to prepare them for independence.

• Assist students in their learning

  Support and coach students in their work, give learners practical support and encouragement.

• Teach primary education class content

  Instruct primary school students in the theory and practice of a variety of subjects, such as mathematics, languages, and nature studies, building the course content based on students' existing knowledge and encouraging them to deepen their understanding on the subjects they're interested in.

• Assign homework

  Provide additional exercises and assignments that the students will prepare at home, explain them in a clear way, and determine the deadline and evaluation method.

• Prepare lesson content

  Prepare content to be taught in class in accordance with curriculum objectives by drafting exercises, researching up-to-date examples etc.

• Adapt teaching to student's capabilities

  Identify the learning struggles and successes of students. Select teaching and learning strategies that support students’ individual learning needs and goals.

• Manage student relationships

  Manage the relations between students and between student and teacher. Act as a just authority and create an environment of trust and stability.

• Give constructive feedback

  Provide founded feedback through both criticism and praise in a respectful, clear, and consistent manner. Highlight achievements as well as mistakes and set up methods of formative assessment to evaluate work.

• Guarantee students' safety

  Ensure all students falling under an instructor or other person’s supervision are safe and accounted for. Follow safety precautions in the learning situation.

• Apply teaching strategies

  Employ various approaches, learning styles, and channels to instruct students, such as communicating content in terms they can understand, organising talking points for clarity, and repeating arguments when necessary. Use a wide range of teaching devices and methodologies appropriate to the class content, the learners' level, goals, and priorities.

• Facilitate teamwork between students

  Encourage students to cooperate with others in their learning by working in teams, for example through group activities.

• Support the positiveness of youths

  Help children and young people to assess their social, emotional and identity needs and to develop a positive self image, enhance their self esteem and improve their self reliance.

• Encourage students to acknowledge their achievements

  Stimulate students to appreciate their own achievements and actions to nurture confidence and educational growth.

• Maintain students' discipline

  Make sure students follow the rules and code of behaviour established in the school and take the appropriate measures in case of violation or misbehaviour.

• Observe student's progress

  Follow up on students’ learning progress and assess their achievements and needs.

• Demonstrate when teaching

  Present to others examples of your experience, skills, and competences that are appropriate to specific learning content to help students in their learning.

• Apply intercultural teaching strategies

  Ensure that the content, methods, materials and the general learning experience is inclusive for all students and takes into account the expectations and experiences of learners from diverse cultural backgrounds. Explore individual and social stereotypes and develop cross-cultural teaching strategies.

• Maintain relations with children's parents

  Inform children`s parents of the activities planned, program`s expectations and children`s individual progress.

• Manage children's problems

  Promote the prevention, early detection, and management of children`s problems, focusing on developmental delays and disorders, behavioural problems, functional disabilities, social stresses, mental disorders including depression, and anxiety disorders.

• Assess students

  Evaluate the students' (academic) progress, achievements, course knowledge and skills through assignments, tests, and examinations. Diagnose their needs and track their progress, strengths, and weaknesses. Formulate a summative statement of the goals the student achieved.

• Implement care programmes for children

  Perform activities with children according to their physical, emotional, intellectual and social needs by using appropriate tools and equipment that facilitate interaction and learning activities.

Optional knowledge and skills

Source: Sisyphus ODB