12 Elementary Ed Teacher
What is it Like Being an Elementary Ed Teacher
On this episode of the Unboxing Careers Podcast, we unbox the career of an elementary ed teacher with Lauren Farrow.
Guest: Lauren Farrow is an elementary education teacher and founder of Teacher to Techie, an organization that bridges the gap between traditional teaching methods and modern technological advancements. With a concentration on AI Literacy, Lauren empowers educators to harness the latest in AI technology to enrich their teaching methods and engage students in innovative ways.
Connect with Lauren:
Listen: Spotify | Apple Podcasts | Amazon Music
What Is It Really Like to Be an Elementary School Teacher?
If you choose elementary education, your days will not be quiet, slow, or predictable.
You will manage 20 to 25 young students for six to seven hours a day. You will teach reading, writing, math, science, and social studies. You will break up arguments at recess, respond to emotional outbursts, answer parent emails, differentiate lessons for multiple learning levels, and still try to make learning joyful.
Teaching content is only a small slice of the job. The majority of your time is spent managing behavior, adjusting instruction in real time, communicating with families, and solving problems that walk through your classroom door each morning.
If you are considering becoming an elementary teacher, the question is not “Do you like kids?” The question is: Can you lead a room full of developing humans through structure, emotion, and learning at the same time?
What Does an Elementary School Teacher’s Daily Schedule Actually Look Like?
Your contract may say 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., but your day starts earlier.
Most teachers arrive 30 to 60 minutes before students to prep materials, organize the day’s schedule, and print what they need. When the bell rings, students unpack, settle in, and the morning meeting begins. This sets the tone for the day. You review expectations, preview lessons, and create emotional stability before academics begin.
In second grade, for example, you typically teach two core subjects before lunch and two after. You are not lecturing for 30 minutes at a time. With seven- and eight-year-olds, direct instruction might last 10 to 15 focused minutes before transitioning into guided practice or small groups.
Lunch is about 20 minutes total. That includes walking students to the cafeteria and back. Recess is supervision time, not a break. You are monitoring safety, resolving conflicts, and responding to minor injuries.
You usually get one 40-minute elective block while students attend art, music, or PE. On paper, that is prep time. In reality, that block may include meetings, parent calls, grading, planning, or coordinating with your grade-level team.
After dismissal, many teachers stay an additional hour. Others take work home. A typical week often reaches 50 to 55 hours when lesson planning and grading are included. If you choose this career, your “off hours” are rarely fully off.
How Much of Teaching Is Actually Teaching Content?
Content delivery is a smaller percentage than most students expect.
In early elementary grades, direct instruction might account for roughly 20 percent of your effort. The remaining 80 percent involves adjusting lessons, managing transitions, solving behavioral issues, differentiating assignments, and responding to student needs in real time.
You are constantly shifting gears. A math lesson might pause because two students are arguing. A reading block might slow down because several students are below grade level and need small-group support. You pull groups to your back table, reteach skills, and then rejoin the larger class flow.
If you enjoy dynamic environments and thinking on your feet, this can feel energizing. If you prefer structured, uninterrupted workflows, this will feel chaotic.
What Is Classroom Management Really Like in Elementary Education?
Classrooms reflect the broader community. You will teach students from different home environments, income levels, and emotional experiences.
In Title I schools, you may see more emotional volatility tied to instability at home. In higher-income communities, behavior challenges still exist, especially post-COVID, but they may present differently. Across settings, teachers report increased social-emotional gaps among students.
When students act out, it is often frustration, insecurity, or unmet needs underneath the behavior. You are not just correcting actions. You are identifying root causes while keeping 24 other students learning.
You must:
Differentiate instruction for multiple learning levels.
Build a safe classroom culture.
Praise positive behavior consistently.
Provide extra support without stigmatizing students.
Maintain authority without escalating situations.
You are leading academics and emotional development simultaneously.
What Is It Like to Work With Parents as an Elementary Teacher?
Parents are part of your job. Weekly communication often includes emails outlining what students are learning and upcoming expectations. Phone calls are typically reserved for more serious behavioral or academic concerns. Most parents want their child to succeed. Some are highly involved. Some are overwhelmed and stretched thin. You will encounter a range of communication styles and expectations.
You also collaborate with your grade-level team to place students for the following year. Classroom dynamics, peer relationships, and learning styles are all considered. If you dislike frequent communication and negotiation, this part of the job may drain you. If you value partnership and long-term growth conversations, it can feel meaningful.
How Has Technology and AI Changed Elementary Teaching?
Education has shifted significantly in the past 15 years. Classrooms moved from primarily pencil-and-paper instruction to one-to-one student devices. Many schools now operate in hybrid environments that blend digital tools with direct instruction.
AI is emerging as another shift. Teachers who learn to leverage AI tools can reduce administrative workload and personalize instruction more efficiently. If you resist technological change, the job will become harder. If you stay current with tools and legislation, you gain efficiency and adaptability.
What Are the Hardest Parts of Being an Elementary Teacher Right Now?
Many teachers describe a broader educational strain. Students may enter kindergarten with vastly different readiness levels. Some arrive reading fluently. Others arrive without foundational literacy support.
Families are often balancing full-time work schedules, limiting time for academic reinforcement at home. Teachers must navigate:
Behavioral challenges.
Funding disparities between schools.
High expectations with limited resources.
Emotional fatigue.
The profession can feel undervalued. Recognition is inconsistent. If you require consistent external validation, this can be difficult. If your motivation is internal and purpose-driven, you may sustain longer.
What Is the Most Rewarding Part of Elementary Teaching?
You witness visible growth. A student who struggles to read in September may read a full sentence independently by spring. That moment is immediate and tangible.
You see students encourage each other, recover from mistakes, and build confidence. Small daily wins accumulate over time. If you value long-term human development more than short-term metrics, this work can feel deeply meaningful.
Career Snapshot: Elementary School Teacher
You may thrive if:
You are highly adaptable and comfortable with constant change.
You can manage multiple emotional dynamics at once.
You are internally motivated and do not rely on praise.
You are willing to work beyond contract hours.
You enjoy building systems but can operate within controlled chaos.
You may struggle if:
You need quiet, uninterrupted work time.
You dislike conflict resolution.
You are uncomfortable with public speaking and group leadership.
You expect teaching to be primarily content delivery.
You want predictable, low-emotion environments.
Core Tradeoffs:
Purpose and visible growth vs. emotional fatigue.
Schedule flexibility in summers vs. long weeks during the school year.
Community impact vs. inconsistent pay across states.
Autonomy in your classroom vs. district and legislative oversight.
Elementary School Teacher Career FAQs
What does an elementary school teacher do all day?
An elementary teacher manages academic instruction across multiple subjects while supervising behavior, leading transitions, running small groups, communicating with families, and preparing materials. Teaching content is only a portion of the work. A large percentage of time is spent adjusting instruction, solving problems, and supporting emotional development.
How many hours do elementary teachers actually work per week?
While contracts may reflect a 40-hour work week, many teachers work closer to 50 to 55 hours when lesson planning, grading, and preparation are included. Additional time may occur before school, after dismissal, or on weekends.
Is classroom management harder than lesson planning?
Classroom management is often more demanding than lesson delivery. Teachers must differentiate instruction, respond to behavioral challenges, and maintain a productive learning environment across diverse student needs.
Do elementary teachers communicate with parents often?
Yes. Weekly updates are common, and phone calls occur when behavioral or academic concerns arise. Parent collaboration is an ongoing part of the role.
How has technology changed elementary teaching?
Education has shifted from paper-based learning to device-supported and hybrid instruction. Teachers who integrate digital tools and AI effectively can improve efficiency and personalize learning, but ongoing adaptation is required.
Education & Youth Development Careers
Listen on: Spotify | Apple Podcasts | YouTube | Amazon Music
If you are interested in being a part of the program, media inquiries, or advertising, please contact us.