Saskatchewan JobFutures

Nature of Work

Elementary school and kindergarten teachers teach reading, writing, arithmetic and other basic subjects in public and private elementary schools. Some in this field of work also teach such specialized subjects as English or French as a second language.

Nature of Work

Elementary school and kindergarten teachers teach reading, writing, arithmetic and other basic subjects in public and private elementary schools. Some in this field of work also teach such specialized subjects as English or French as a second language.

Duties

Although most elementary and kindergarten teachers are generalists, there are increasing opportunities for teachers to specialize at the elementary school level. For example, teachers may specialize in special education, second language instruction, music or other fine arts education. Still, most elementary and kindergarten teachers perform similar teaching duties. They prepare courses for presentation to students according to approved curriculum and teach students using a systematic plan of lessons, discussions, audio-visual presentations and field trips. Other basic teaching duties include assigning and correcting homework; preparing, administering and correcting tests; and leading students in activities to promote their physical, mental and social development and their school readiness.

Elementary and kindergarten teachers are also responsible for evaluating the progress of students and discussing results with students, parents and school officials. They also participate in staff meetings, educational conferences and teacher training workshops. Some teachers also supervise teachers' aides.

Example Titles

• kindergarten teacher
• elementary school teacher
• primary school teacher
• elementary school teacher, english as a second language
• elementary school teacher, french as a second language
• french immersion teacher, elementary school
• librarian, elementary school
• special education teacher, elementary school
• supply teacher, elementary school

Training Paths

In Saskatchewan, the minimum requirement for new teachers is a Bachelor of Education degree. Secondary education programs with various specializations are available at all three Saskatchewan universities. In addition, two off-campus programs exist for prospective teachers. The Northern Teacher Education Program (NORTEP) prepares northerners to teach in elementary and secondary classrooms. NORTEP combines university classes with extensive northern classroom teaching experience.

The Saskatchewan Urban Native Teacher Education Program (SUNTEP), through Garbrieal Dumont Institute, is designed for people of Métis and non-status Indian ancestry who live in urban centres and are interested in teaching in elementary and secondary schools. Northern Professional Access College (NORPAC) provides arts and science courses in La Ronge from the U of R and U of S for secondary education students.

Trends and Outlooks

The employment prospects for this occupation are: limited

The number of elementary school and kindergarten teachers employed in Saskatchewan has dropped steadily for most of the nineties. This trend reversed, however, during the early part of this decade. Between 2000 and 2005, employment for this occupational group increased by more than 800 jobs; a 9% increase in five years, according to Statistics Canada. Whether or not this upward trend continues, young teachers and education students in Saskatchewan can expect numerous job openings over the next few years. For starters, this is a fairly old work force. In 2006, 45% of all Saskatchewan teachers were 45 years of age or older. As many of these older teachers retire in the next decade, numerous employment opportunities will arise.

Elementary school kindergarten teachers are well paid in Saskatchewan. In 2005, the average full-time income in this occupational group was $52,000 per year. This is higher than the 2005 provincial full-time average for all occupations ($42,300 per year). Annual incomes for elementary school kindergarten teachers are generally higher in and around Regina and Saskatoon than elsewhere in the province. These cities and their surrounding areas employed nearly 40% of the province's elementary school kindergarten teachers in 2006.

The range of incomes for elementary school kindergarten teachers is fairly wide. The highest paid Saskatchewan teachers in 2005 earned $66,000. The lowest paid earned $24,200. Employment in this field of work is neither seasonal nor very sensitive to overall economic conditions, and self-employment is non-existent.

Unlike employment for secondary school teachers, employment in this field is not divided equally between men and women; 85% of all elementary school kindergarten teachers in Saskatchewan were female in 2006.

There is often a shortage of teachers in rural areas, offset by surpluses in urban centres. Consequently, new teachers may have more opportunities outside the city. Employment for teachers has diversified in the last decade. An increasing number of teachers are teaching part time or job sharing.

Professional Associations

Related Occupations

• Early Childhood Educator Assistants (6473)
• Early Childhood Educators (4214)
• Elementary and Secondary School Teacher Assistants (6472)
• School Principals and Administrators of Elementaryand secondary Education (0313)
• Teachers teaching life skills to disabled persons (in 4215 Instructors and Teachers of Disabled Persons)