JOB REPORT / 25-2021 · 38 TASKS

Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education.

Can AI do the work of Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Educations?

Mostly it works alongside you. Here is what shifts, task by task.

YOUR EXPERIENCE MATTERS

How does this fit your work?

How many tasks do you use AI to assist with at work?

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The mark shows what’s typical for this job.

The parts of your job AI can already do most of:

Establish clear objectives for all lessons, units, and projects…
Prepare for assigned classes and show written evidence…
Assign and grade class work and homework

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A guided certificate program in AI-assisted Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education work. It covers the 34 AI-affected parts of your job and ends in a capstone a person reviews.

WHAT WE LOOKED AT

Your job, task by task.

34 of 38 tasks reviewed

This job has 38 core tasks. We went through 34 of them, one at a time.

Task by task, from the work Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Educations actually do. How we describe AI use in each task is our own read of it, not a measurement of whether AI can replace the job.

TASK 01
Establish clear objectives for all lessons, units, and projects and communicate those objectives to students.
AI DOES
Drafts learning objectives and suggests kid-friendly ways to explain them
YOU DO
Read your students and decide what goals fit this class right now
TASK 02
Prepare for assigned classes and show written evidence of preparation upon request of immediate supervisors.
AI DOES
Drafts lesson plans, outlines activities, and suggests resources aligned to grade-level standards
YOU DO
Adapt every plan to your actual students, their needs, and your school's expectations
TASK 03
Assign and grade class work and homework.
AI DOES
Grades multiple-choice work, flags common mistakes, and suggests assignment ideas
YOU DO
Judge each child's effort, progress, and emotional state before marking their work
TASK 04SOURCE-BACKED TASK
Observe and evaluate students' performance, behavior, social development, and physical health.
AI DOES
Tracks attendance, grades, and behavioral patterns automatically
YOU DO
Notice what the data misses
About this analysis
79% · Methodology: exposure-v1 · Analysis date: unavailable · Confidence: medium
TASK 05
Maintain accurate and complete student records as required by laws, district policies, and administrative regulations.
AI DOES
Auto-fills templates, flags missing fields, and organizes record data
YOU DO
Verify each child's details and apply knowledge of laws and school policy
TASK 06
Confer with other staff members to plan and schedule lessons promoting learning, following approved curricula.
AI DOES
Drafts lesson plan outlines, suggests activity ideas, and aligns content to curriculum standards
YOU DO
Bring your knowledge of your students and colleagues into the room to make real decisions together
TASK 07
Administer standardized ability and achievement tests, and interpret results to determine student strengths and needs.
AI DOES
Scores tests instantly, spots patterns across students, and summarizes strengths and gaps
YOU DO
Sit with each child, build the relationship, and turn data into caring next steps
TASK 08SOURCE-BACKED TASK
Meet with parents and guardians to discuss their children's progress and to determine priorities for their children and their resource needs.
AI DOES
Generates progress summaries and resource recommendations
YOU DO
Build trust and guide tough conversations
About this analysis
65% · Methodology: exposure-v1 · Analysis date: unavailable · Confidence: medium
TASK 09
Collaborate with other teachers and administrators in the development, evaluation, and revision of elementary school programs.
AI DOES
Drafts program proposals, summarizes research, and creates evaluation templates
YOU DO
Lead the conversations, build trust, and make final decisions with your team
TASK 10
Plan and supervise class projects, field trips, visits by guest speakers or other experiential activities, and guide students in learning from those activities.
AI DOES
Drafts project plans, suggests field trip ideas, creates activity guides, and builds reflection questions
YOU DO
Show up, supervise safely, and connect with each child in the moment
TASK 11
Select, store, order, issue, and inventory classroom equipment, materials, and supplies.
AI DOES
Generates inventory checklists, drafts supply orders, and tracks what's running low using spreadsheet or app data
YOU DO
Walk the room, judge what kids truly need, and handle all the physical storing and issuing yourself
TASK 12SOURCE-BACKED TASK
Prepare, administer, and grade tests and assignments to evaluate students' progress.
AI DOES
Generates questions and auto-scores most answers
YOU DO
Design what to test and why
About this analysis
62% · Methodology: exposure-v1 · Analysis date: unavailable · Confidence: medium
TASK 13
Instruct students individually and in groups, using teaching methods such as lectures, discussions, and demonstrations.
AI DOES
Suggests lesson plans, discussion questions, and demo ideas
YOU DO
Read each child's mood, adjust on the fly, and build trust in the room
TASK 14
Establish and enforce rules for behavior and procedures for maintaining order among the students.
AI DOES
Drafts classroom rules, behavior charts, and procedure guides tailored by grade level
YOU DO
Read each child's needs and enforce rules with warmth and real-time judgment
TASK 15
Confer with parents or guardians, teachers, counselors, and administrators to resolve students' behavioral and academic problems.
AI DOES
Summarizes student progress data and suggests conversation strategies or intervention ideas
YOU DO
Read the room, build trust with families, and make judgment calls about a child's unique situation
TASK 16
Provide a variety of materials and resources for children to explore, manipulate, and use, both in learning activities and in imaginative play.
AI DOES
Suggests activity ideas, material lists, and play-based learning resources matched to age and theme
YOU DO
Choose what fits your students, set it up, and watch how kids actually interact with it
TASK 17SOURCE-BACKED TASK
Prepare objectives and outlines for courses of study, following curriculum guidelines or requirements of states and schools.
AI DOES
Generates course outlines from curriculum standards
YOU DO
Shape learning for your specific students
About this analysis
57% · Methodology: exposure-v1 · Analysis date: unavailable · Confidence: medium
TASK 18SOURCE-BACKED TASK
Prepare and implement remedial programs for students requiring extra help.
AI DOES
Creates personalized lesson plans and tracks progress
YOU DO
Build trust and adapt to each child
About this analysis
51% · Methodology: exposure-v1 · Analysis date: unavailable · Confidence: medium
TASK 19SOURCE-BACKED TASK
Prepare reports on students and activities as required by administration.
AI DOES
Pulls data and generates report templates
YOU DO
Add context and protect student privacy
About this analysis
51% · Methodology: exposure-v1 · Analysis date: unavailable · Confidence: medium
TASK 20
Guide and counsel students with adjustment or academic problems or with special academic interests.
AI DOES
Flags struggling students using grade data and suggests research-backed support strategies
YOU DO
Build the real trust and read the emotional cues only a present adult can sense
TASK 21
Supervise, evaluate, and plan assignments for teacher assistants and volunteers.
AI DOES
Drafts assignment schedules, evaluation rubrics, and feedback templates for assistants and volunteers
YOU DO
Watch, coach, and build trust with real people in the room
TASK 22SOURCE-BACKED TASK
Organize and label materials and display students' work.
AI DOES
Suggests groupings and generates display labels
YOU DO
Choose what showcases each student best
About this analysis
50% · Methodology: exposure-v1 · Analysis date: unavailable · Confidence: medium
TASK 23
Prepare students for later grades by encouraging them to explore learning opportunities and to persevere with challenging tasks.
AI DOES
Suggests activities, lesson plans, and growth-mindset strategies tailored to different student levels
YOU DO
Build the real human bonds and emotional connection that motivate kids to keep trying
TASK 24SOURCE-BACKED TASK
Prepare materials and classrooms for class activities.
AI DOES
Generates lesson plans and activity templates
YOU DO
Shape the room for your students
About this analysis
45% · Methodology: exposure-v1 · Analysis date: unavailable · Confidence: medium
TASK 25
Attend professional meetings, educational conferences, and teacher training workshops to maintain and improve professional competence.
AI DOES
Summarizes conference materials, takes notes, and suggests how to apply new ideas in the classroom
YOU DO
Show up, build relationships, and decide what ideas are worth bringing back to your students
TASK 26
Sponsor extracurricular activities, such as clubs, student organizations, and academic contests.
AI DOES
Drafts schedules, permission slips, activity plans, and communication to parents
YOU DO
Show up, mentor students, and build the human connections that make activities meaningful
TASK 27SOURCE-BACKED TASK
Use computers, audio-visual aids, and other equipment and materials to supplement presentations.
AI DOES
Generates slides, finds images, and formats presentations
YOU DO
Choose what connects with your audience
About this analysis
43% · Methodology: exposure-v1 · Analysis date: unavailable · Confidence: medium
TASK 28
Involve parent volunteers and older students in children's activities to facilitate involvement in focused, complex play.
AI DOES
Drafts volunteer schedules, activity guides, and communication templates for parents and older students
YOU DO
Read the room and guide real people through messy, unpredictable group play
TASK 29SOURCE-BACKED TASK
Organize and lead activities designed to promote physical, mental, and social development, such as games, arts and crafts, music, and storytelling.
AI DOES
Generates activity ideas and preparation checklists
YOU DO
Read the group and adapt in real time
About this analysis
39% · Methodology: exposure-v1 · Analysis date: unavailable · Confidence: medium
TASK 30
Enforce administration policies and rules governing students.
AI DOES
Drafts policy summaries, tracks behavior logs, or suggests de-escalation strategies
YOU DO
Read the room, build trust, and make fair calls with real kids in real time
TASK 31SOURCE-BACKED TASK
Plan and conduct activities for a balanced program of instruction, demonstration, and work time that provides students with opportunities to observe, question, and investigate.
AI DOES
Generates lesson plans and activity ideas
YOU DO
Read student needs and adapt in real time
About this analysis
33% · Methodology: exposure-v1 · Analysis date: unavailable · Confidence: medium
TASK 32SOURCE-BACKED TASK
Adapt teaching methods and instructional materials to meet students' varying needs and interests.
AI DOES
Suggests materials and methods based on student data
YOU DO
Read each student and adapt in real time
About this analysis
29% · Methodology: exposure-v1 · Analysis date: unavailable · Confidence: medium
TASK 33
Meet with other professionals to discuss individual students' needs and progress.
AI DOES
Summarizes student data and progress notes before the meeting
YOU DO
Listen, read the room, and make decisions together with colleagues who know the child
TASK 34
Attend staff meetings and serve on committees, as required.
AI DOES
Summarizes meeting notes or drafts agenda items beforehand
YOU DO
Show up, listen, and collaborate in person with colleagues

START LEARNING AI

Practice AI.
Use your judgment.

There are 34 short lessons for this job, about 15 minutes each. Each one starts from a task above and teaches the part that stays with you.

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AT A GLANCE

Occupation: Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education
SOC code: 25-2021
Tasks reviewed: 34 of 38

How we assess

PAY & OUTLOOK

Compare pay by state

Median pay (national): $63,970 · BLS OEWS 2025
Median pay (Colorado): $63,410 · BLS OEWS 2025
Employed (national): 1,388,390
Employed in Colorado: 24,860
Job outlook: −2% by 2034 · ~91,000 openings/yr

Wages from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics. National figures cover the United States. Job outlook is national.

How does this fit your work?

Earn a certificate in your job

Your job, task by task.

Establish clear objectives for all lessons, units, and projects and communicate those objectives to students.

Prepare for assigned classes and show written evidence of preparation upon request of immediate supervisors.

Assign and grade class work and homework.

Observe and evaluate students' performance, behavior, social development, and physical health.

Maintain accurate and complete student records as required by laws, district policies, and administrative regulations.

Confer with other staff members to plan and schedule lessons promoting learning, following approved curricula.

Administer standardized ability and achievement tests, and interpret results to determine student strengths and needs.

Meet with parents and guardians to discuss their children's progress and to determine priorities for their children and their resource needs.

Collaborate with other teachers and administrators in the development, evaluation, and revision of elementary school programs.

Plan and supervise class projects, field trips, visits by guest speakers or other experiential activities, and guide students in learning from those activities.

Select, store, order, issue, and inventory classroom equipment, materials, and supplies.

Prepare, administer, and grade tests and assignments to evaluate students' progress.

Instruct students individually and in groups, using teaching methods such as lectures, discussions, and demonstrations.

Establish and enforce rules for behavior and procedures for maintaining order among the students.

Confer with parents or guardians, teachers, counselors, and administrators to resolve students' behavioral and academic problems.

Provide a variety of materials and resources for children to explore, manipulate, and use, both in learning activities and in imaginative play.

Prepare objectives and outlines for courses of study, following curriculum guidelines or requirements of states and schools.

Prepare and implement remedial programs for students requiring extra help.

Prepare reports on students and activities as required by administration.

Guide and counsel students with adjustment or academic problems or with special academic interests.

Supervise, evaluate, and plan assignments for teacher assistants and volunteers.

Organize and label materials and display students' work.

Prepare students for later grades by encouraging them to explore learning opportunities and to persevere with challenging tasks.

Prepare materials and classrooms for class activities.

Attend professional meetings, educational conferences, and teacher training workshops to maintain and improve professional competence.

Sponsor extracurricular activities, such as clubs, student organizations, and academic contests.

Use computers, audio-visual aids, and other equipment and materials to supplement presentations.

Involve parent volunteers and older students in children's activities to facilitate involvement in focused, complex play.

Organize and lead activities designed to promote physical, mental, and social development, such as games, arts and crafts, music, and storytelling.

Enforce administration policies and rules governing students.

Plan and conduct activities for a balanced program of instruction, demonstration, and work time that provides students with opportunities to observe, question, and investigate.

Adapt teaching methods and instructional materials to meet students' varying needs and interests.

Meet with other professionals to discuss individual students' needs and progress.

Attend staff meetings and serve on committees, as required.

Practice AI.Use your judgment.

Practice AI.
Use your judgment.