41221 – Elementary school and kindergarten teachers
Lead statement
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.
Main duties
- Prepare courses for presentation to students according to approved curriculum
- Teach students using a systematic plan of lessons, discussions, audio-visual presentations and field trips
- Lead students in activities to promote their physical, mental and social development and their school readiness
- Assign and correct homework
- Prepare, administer and correct tests
- Evaluate the progress of students and discuss results with students, parents and school officials
- Identify children's individual learning needs
- Prepare and implement remedial programs for students requiring extra help
- Participate in staff meetings, educational conferences and teacher training workshops
- May supervise teachers' aides and student teachers.
Employment requirements
- 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.
Example job titles
reading clinician - elementary school · remedial teacher - elementary school · elementary school reading clinician · substitute teacher - elementary school · supply teacher - elementary school · elementary school substitute teacher · elementary school supply teacher · special education teacher - elementary school · English as a second language teacher - elementary school · English as a second language elementary school teacher · French as a second language elementary school teacher · French as a second language teacher - elementary school · French immersion teacher - elementary school · French teacher - elementary school · home economics teacher - elementary school · industrial arts teacher - elementary school · kindergarten teacher · language teacher - elementary school · music teacher - elementary school · physical education teacher - elementary school · special needs teacher - elementary school · visiting teacher - elementary school · sewing teacher - elementary school · cooking teacher - elementary school · nature study teacher - elementary school · Aboriginal school teacher - elementary school · English teacher - elementary school · teacher-librarian - elementary school · special education teacher - primary school · art teacher - elementary school · correspondence teacher - elementary school · crafts teacher - elementary school · early childhood services teacher - elementary school · elementary school teacher · primary school teacher · grade school teacher · teacher - junior kindergarten · junior high school teacher
Wages (per hour)
| Province / territory | Low | Median | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canada | $26.67 | $43.27 | $56.59 |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | $31.25 | $46.15 | $70.00 |
| Nova Scotia | $20.77 | $40.38 | $51.79 |
| New Brunswick | $26.67 | $37.98 | $46.15 |
| Quebec | $27.00 | $44.23 | $55.30 |
| Ontario | $27.50 | $46.15 | $58.79 |
| Manitoba | $26.44 | $42.69 | $57.69 |
| Saskatchewan | $25.96 | $40.38 | $57.69 |
| Alberta | $24.62 | $38.46 | $52.75 |
| British Columbia | $28.85 | $43.27 | $57.69 |
Source: Job Bank wages, 2025 release (ESDC). Low and high are the 10th and 90th percentiles.
Occupation details: ESDC OaSIS 2025, based on NOC 2021.