ELEMENTARY SCHOOL TEACHERS teach children from Kindergarten to fifth, sixth, or eighth grade (depending on the school system). Many teach a variety of subjects, from history to reading to science. Others specialize in one content area. Most teach in public schools and about 10 percent work in private schools. From coast to coast, rural village to metropolitan hub, there are schools in need of motivated teachers. The best part of being an elementary school teacher is inspiring children and seeing them grow and develop as learners and people. If you enjoy spending time with children you will find this to be a very rewarding career. Every day involves new adventures - some good, some bad. This is a job that will keep you on your toes. You will need to be creative, patient, energetic, and social. Strong communications skills are also a must. The nine-month school year allows teachers a long summer vacation in which to rest and recharge, travel, or work a second job. Their regular workweek also allows some extra time off in comparison to office jobs. The elementary school day typically runs from 8:00 or 9:00 in the morning, to 2:00 or 3:00 in the afternoon. Salaries are modest, but they are improving, and full-time teachers do enjoy good benefits packages. There will be an increase in the number of jobs over the next decade. You can get a teaching job with a bachelor's degree and certification earned through student teaching, and an exam. In college, there are two options. One is to major in elementary education, and the other is to major in a content area such as math and take additional education courses. Some school districts require their teachers to hold a master's degree, but this is not usually the case. However, teachers must take continuing education courses throughout their career to maintain certification. Good elementary school teachers understand that children are the future. As a teacher, you have the opportunity to make an enormous difference in the lives of your students and their families. In fact, you may be one of the most influential people in a child's life. If you are up for the challenges and joys of teaching, read on to learn more about how to become an elementary school teacher!

Read Rafe Esquith's posts on the Penguin Blog. The New York Times bestseller that is revolutionizing the way Americans educate their kids-"Rafe Esquith is a genius and a saint" (The New York Times) Perhaps the most famous fifth-grade teacher in America, Rafe Esquith has won numerous awards and even honorary citizenship in the British Empire for his outstandingly successful methods. In his Los Angeles public school classroom, he helps impoverished immigrant children understand Shakespeare, play Vivaldi, and become happy, self-confident people. This bestseller gives any teacher or parent all the techniques, exercises, and innovations that have made its author an educational icon, from personal codes of behavior to tips on tackling literature and algebra. The result is a powerful book for anyone concerned about the future of our children.

Competition for the best teaching jobs is becoming more intense. Since publication of the first edition, when it was mainly the most desirable schools that were deluged by applications, the economic climate has made the teacher market more competitive across the board, and is changing hiring practices. Now extensively revised, this book maintains its place as the most up-to-date book available on job hunting for teachers. The authors cover changes in the educational marketplace; the new mandates about standardized testing and public reporting of student achievement–and what they mean for applicants; how new certification standards and schools’ requirements affect career changers; the growing acceptance of on-line applications and electronic portfolios; and provide additional advice for teachers applying to change schools or districts.This is also the only guide written by school administrators. Offering the insights and experience of two authors who do the hiring, it details a step-by-step program for taking charge of your teaching career. How to Get the Teaching Job You Want enables you to:* Match your unique talents to the needs of a particular school* Craft effective cover letters and resumes, using models that address the specific needs of college graduates, teachers changing schools, returning teachers and career changers* Make effective on-line applications* Leverage your achievements as an experienced teacher–or, for graduates or career changers, student teaching, substitute teaching, volunteer work or content knowledge–into a job offer* Locate jobs on-line and discover valuable information about schools, including test results, educational philosophy and names of key administrators* Design a portfolio in book or electronic format to showcase your abilities* Practice interview skills using 100 questions taken from real job interviews* Apply proven strategies for a variety of interview formats, including high stress interviews and performance interviews* Address controversial questions during interviewsThis book covers procedures for applying to elementary, middle and high schools; public, independent, and parochial schools; as well as international and boarding schools. Anecdotes recounting the experiences of real candidates looking for jobs illustrate key points. Access to the authors’ web site ensures that you will stay current in a changing job market. This is a vital book for teachers and aspiring teachers who want to achieve their career goals. It will also be invaluable for guidance counselors, psychologists, librarians and other school professionals.