Which Grade Should I Teach?

By definition, teachers provide instruction. But just what type of instruction they provide depends largely on the grade level they’re teaching.

If teaching first-graders, for example, an educator could spend the day teaching multiple subjects to children who are just beginning to learn skills like reading and writing. If teaching high school seniors, on the other hand, an educator is likely to spend the day focusing on one subject area with students who are mastering the concepts they’ll need to graduate.

Understanding teaching responsibilities for different grades and class populations — and the interests and aptitudes they require — is important. This is especially true when considering a key question about education careers: Which grade should I teach?

Aspiring teachers to seasoned educators should carefully choose education programs, including Master of Education (MEd) degrees that focus on the knowledge and skills to excel in teaching a chosen grade level.

Why Become a Teacher?

Before determining which grade they should teach, those considering pursuing or advancing as an educator should consider the potential benefits of the role. The reasons for becoming a teacher involve not only educators and students, but also the community and society at large. Following are some key reasons to become a teacher.

Shaping students’ futures. Teachers play a significant role in helping students develop the academic and interpersonal skills they will use throughout their education and careers.
Supporting the community. The lessons teachers provide can form the foundation for career success in the future, filling workplace and leadership roles that power local economies and make a difference in the community.
Enjoying varied experiences. While teachers’ schedules typically follow a set structure, the experience they have during the course of those schedules can vary significantly depending on the grade level, lesson plans and the subject being taught.

Additionally, teaching can offer benefits related to job growth, salary and time off. Depending on their school and district, teachers may have extended breaks, such as vacations for holidays and summer months.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects growth in job openings for educators from preschool to high school and special education between 2022 to 2032. In fact, many school districts reported teacher shortages during the 2022-23 and 2023-24 school years.

The National Center of Education Statistics (NCES) notes that 44 percent of public schools had teaching vacancies in October of 2022. During the 2023-24 school year in Georgia, shortages had left openings in a variety of teaching positions, including those focused on special education and elementary education and on subjects ranging from math and science to language arts and social studies, according to the U.S. Department of Education.

Additionally, the median annual pay for teachers exceeded the national average for the U.S. job market as a whole, according to May 2022 data from the BLS.

Choosing Which Grade to Teach

The next step in answering the question “Which grade should I teach?” involves exploring the different levels and specializations that teachers may select when determining their education and career paths. Most educational settings, such as elementary or high schools, contain multiple grades. Details about the different education levels — and the grades that each includes — are as follows.

Preschool

Preschoolers are children who have not started kindergarten and typically are younger than five. Teachers who work with this grade level use play, storytelling and games to help these young students develop basic language, vocabulary and social skills.

To educate preschool children, teachers need skills such as patience and stamina to respond calmly to the demands of working with young children while also matching their energy.

Kindergarten and Elementary School

Teachers who work with kindergarten and elementary school students generally are responsible for children in a specific grade, up through grade five or six. In some school districts, however, elementary school teachers could work with children in grade seven or eight.

Kindergarten and elementary school teachers typically educate their students in a variety of academic subjects. But sometimes these teachers focus on select subjects, such as art or physical education, or with student populations such as English as a Second Language (ESL) learners.

Children in kindergarten and elementary school grades bring a range of knowledge and maturity levels to the classroom. As a result, instruction often is more individualized at this level than in higher grade levels. Teachers must nurture students’ academic and social growth, relying on skills such as patience and creativity.

Middle School

Another education level to consider when evaluating which grade to teach is middle school. This grade level typically designates the beginning of secondary education. Teachers of middle school students generally work with grade six, seven or eight. In some school districts, however, they might teach children as young as fourth or fifth grade or as old as ninth grade.

In many cases, teachers responsible for one of these grades provide instruction in one subject area, such as English or math. In others, middle school teachers focus on one specific class, teaching multiple subjects to its students.

For middle school grades, learning becomes more structured and rigorous than in younger grades as students prepare for high school. Middle school teachers need emotional intelligence to mentor students who face challenges with discovering their identity and fitting in with others. They also rely on resourcefulness to explore approaches that best help students adjust to the stricter schedule and structure of middle school.

High School

Typically working with grades nine through 12, high school teachers’ main focus is on providing the academic rigor to prepare students for postsecondary education and careers. They generally specialize in one subject area, such as chemistry, economics or a foreign language.

As students progress toward graduation, their interaction with high school teachers often becomes less about self-discovery and more about developing the academic acumen and professionalism to progress to the next step in their education or to enter the workforce. High school teachers need skills in organization and communication as they manage and track the more in-depth assessments typically required of high school students and assist learners in preparing for their future.

Special Education

Special education teachers can work with students from preschool through 12th grade who have mental, physical or learning challenges. These teachers adapt general education lessons to accommodate students who have special needs, from requiring the use of a wheelchair to struggling with anxiety.

The work of a special education teacher involves assessing students’ skills and developing lessons accordingly. This work includes assisting with the development of Individualized Education Plans (IEPs), which prescribe the specialized instruction and services for students with disabilities.

To help students with disabilities not only learn academic material but also develop skills for studying and everyday life, special education teachers rely on abilities such as critical thinking and patience. They also need interpersonal skills to work with teams of professionals and family members in developing and implementing plans for education and assistance.

English for Speakers of Other Languages

English for speakers of other languages (ESOL) teachers — sometimes called English as a second language (ESL) teachers — may work with students in kindergarten through grade 12. They provide instruction to non-native English speakers, teaching them how to read, write and speak in English, emphasizing vocabulary that will prepare them for day-to-day life and jobs.

ESOL teachers must be adept at communicating effectively with students and families who have different native languages and who may be from other countries or cultures. They must also have patience and resourcefulness as they teach those who may find it difficult to understand the material and make instructional adjustments as needed to address those challenges.

The Benefits of an Advanced Education Degree

When considering which grade to teach, educators also should think about what degree they’ll pursue to build their career.

A bachelor’s degree typically is among the minimum requirements to become a state licensed public school teacher. But some states require postgraduate education training, such as completion of an MEd degree program.

Meeting professional mandates is just one benefit of earning an advanced education degree. Other benefits include:

The opportunity to build on skills. Advanced education degree programs often emphasize higher-level skills in instruction and classroom management for a grade level or student population, This enables educators to strengthen their knowledge and abilities in working with a specific level or focus of education.
The potential for greater pay. Although salary scales vary by school district, a 2022 report from the National Education Association (NEA) shows teachers with master’s degrees often earn more, on average, than those with bachelor’s degrees.

Build Instructional Skills for the Grade You Teach

If you are a teacher who’s ready to expand your expertise in working with students in your selected grade level, you would do well to explore the Augusta University Online MEd in Instruction program.

The program offers 21 concentrations to help you gain the knowledge that can make an impact on your students — and on your career. The curriculum can help build skills in elementary, general education, middle grades, preschool through 12th grade, secondary education or special education instruction. Additionally, because the program is online, you’ll have the flexibility to continue with your current teaching role and other commitments while earning your degree.

Discover how the AU Online MEd in Instruction program can help you pursue your professional goals.

Sources:
Education Week, “Middle School Students Face a Trifecta of Challenges. Here’s How to Help”
Indeed Career Guide, “Should I Become a Teacher? 20 Reasons to Consider”
National Center for Education Statistics, Forty-Four Percent of Public Schools Operating Without a Full Teaching Staff in October, New NCES Data Show
National Education Association, Teacher Salary Benchmarks
Teacher How, “How to Decide Which Grade to Teach (9 important Points to Consider)”
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Adult Basic and Secondary Education and ESL Teachers
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, High School Teachers
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Kindergarten and Elementary Teachers
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Middle School Teachers
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Preschool Teachers
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Special Education Teachers
U.S. Department of Education Teacher Shortage, Teacher Shortage Areas