Elementary School Teachers
Formal Description
“Elementary school and kindergarten teachers teach basic subjects such as reading, writing and arithmetic or specialized subjects such as English or French as a second language at public and private elementary schools.” (NOC 2021)
Sample Job Titles
This category includes a variety of job titles that may not necessarily be reflected by the category title. For a full index of job titles, see the category entry on the ESDC site. Example job titles include:
Elementary School Teacher
Nature Study Teacher
Special Education Teacher
Teacher - Librarian
Typical Employment and Education Requirements
The requirements listed for each occupational category will tend to vary across particular roles, job titles, and contexts.
The following typical requirements are listed on the ESDC’s 2021 entry for this occupational category:
- “A bachelor’s degree in education is required.”
- “A bachelor’s degree in child development may be required.”
- “Additional training is required to specialize in special education or second language instruction.”
- “A provincial teaching certificate is required. Additional certification is required to teach English or French as a second language.”
- “Membership in a provincial or territorial teachers’ association or federation is usually required.”
Success with a Social Sciences Undergraduate Degree and Beyond
When reviewing typical requirements, please remember:
- Degree and diploma listings often end with a purposefully open-ended phrase (“or a related field”, “or a similar discipline”) that acknowledges the variety and applicability of social sciences and liberal arts degrees.
- Employers often focus less on the name or title of a candidate’s degree, and more on how they articulate their transferable skills and experiences.
- Many qualifications and certifications are available as post-graduate certificates aimed at recent university graduates; these can make an excellent further education option for a social sciences or liberal arts degree.
Related Sectors
Whereas Economic and Social Development Canada’s ‘occupational’ categories tend to focus more on the duties and functions that people play in specific roles, exploring careers by ‘sectors’ helps us to sort by employer type, industry, or general field of work. Here are just a few of the sectors that may be relevant to this category:
Academic Program Connections
As you select your program of study and the courses you will take, you can chart a path towards success in this sector from any one of our social sciences departments and programs. Here are just a few examples of academic disciplines that have connections with this sector:
Environment & Society Learn More
A degree in Environment and Society can enhance a career as an elementary school teacher by offering essential knowledge and skills to teach environmental education, promote a sense of responsibility towards nature, and integrate sustainability principles into the classroom.
Indigenous Studies Learn More
As many regions require Indigenous perspectives in school curriculums, students will be prepared to integrate Indigenous stories, histories, languages, and knowledge into lessons, enriching their understanding of Canada’s or their own country’s cultural diversity.
Society, Culture and Religion Learn More
Knowledge of diverse cultural and religious practices fosters an inclusive classroom where all students feel valued and respected, regardless of their background.
Social Psychology Learn More
Studying Social Psychology helps to understand how people think, behave, and interact in social settings, improving teaching, classroom management, and student engagement.
