Deciding What Grade to Teach as a Career Changer
| by Alex Skov
Starting a teaching career is an exciting journey, especially for career changers. One early decision you’ll need to make is selecting the grade level that you want to teach based on how it aligns with your skills, interests, and goals. Whether you’re drawn to elementary classrooms, middle grades, or high schools, understanding the unique dynamics of each level will help you make a fulfilling choice.
Understanding the Grade Levels
Elementary School (Grades K-5/6)
Teaching at the elementary level means working with younger children, typically between ages 5-11. More than teachers at other levels, elementary educators can be generalists who teach multiple subjects like reading, math, science, and social studies. This role is a great fit for people who enjoy sparking children’s curiosity and helping them build foundational skills. Patience and creativity are two must-have traits for elementary teachers since they help manage students’ developmental milestones, both intellectual and emotional.
Middle School (Grades 6-8)
Middle school teachers specialize in specific subjects and work with students nearing and at the beginning of their teenage years. This can be a rewarding opportunity as students are navigating social, emotional, and academic transitions, so teachers at this level must balance empathy and structure while leading students in more complex topics.
For career changers who want to share deep subject knowledge while helping students through a transformative phase of their lives, middle school is perfect.
High School (Grades 9-12)
High school educators focus on one or two subjects, providing an opportunity to dive deep into specialized content. High school teaching often involves preparing students for college, careers, or and life beyond school — making it an appealing choice for career changers who have strong expertise in fields like science, math, or the arts. High schoolers are often learning about independence and future planning in real-time, so teachers at this level need excellent communication and motivational skills to keep students engaged.

How to Choose the Right Grade Level
Every grade level is not the right fit for every teacher. Knowing your own preferences and skills will help you determine what grade is good for you as you change careers and enter education. Here are some factors to consider that can help you decide:
- Your passion and strengths
If you love variety and creativity, elementary school might be a good fit. Middle school could be the right choice if you enjoy balancing teaching with mentoring. High school is perfect for subject matter experts who want to inspire and challenge students as they become adults. - How you want to make an impact
Elementary teachers lay the foundation for lifelong learning; middle school educators often help students develop critical thinking and social skills; and high school teachers help students realize their potential and can influence their future career paths. - Behavioral challenges you can manage
Younger students may test teachers’ patience with frequent questions and the occasional tantrum while older students may be more likely to challenge authority or disengage with lessons in the classroom. Thoughtfully considering your capacity for managing age-specific behaviors — whether it’s comforting a kindergartner or motivating a distracted high school senior — is an important step on your way to becoming a teacher. - Work-life balance and earnings
Secondary educators working with middle and high school students often earn slightly more than elementary teachers since they tend to have more subject area specialization. However, the level of preparation and grading required may differ across grade levels. For example, secondary teachers may need more time to prepare lesson plans for in-depth assignments than elementary school educators who are helping students develop baseline skills. - Subject specialization
If you’re passionate about a single subject, like social studies or a STEM field, high school teaching might be your calling. If you prefer introducing a variety of concepts and ideas to students, elementary or middle school teaching could be more rewarding.
Grade-Level Tips for Career Changers Aspiring to be Teachers
You might already know what grade level you want to teach, or maybe you’re still deciding between a couple different options. Either way, you’re already considering making a rewarding career change to become a teacher and there are a few ways to jumpstart your journey even before you have all the specifics planned out:
- Gain experience by volunteering or substituting in schools at different grade levels to observe and interact with students of various ages.
- Reflect on your interests and consider whether you’re excited by teaching the basics or engaging with more advanced material.
- Seek guidance by speaking with current educators about the realities of teaching at different levels.
Moreland Supports Teachers at Every Grade Level
Choosing the right grade level is a personal decision that depends on your passions, skills, and professional goals. Knowing the impact you want to make, your behavioral management style, and subject interests will help you find the perfect fit. Remember: no matter the grade level, teaching gives you the opportunity to make a big difference in students’ lives.
Moreland can help career changers earn their professional teaching license in as little as 9 months with our TEACH-NOW Teacher Preparation Certificate Program.
TEACH-NOW is fully accredited and 100% online, with rolling admissions and monthly start dates. We also offer 0% interest monthly payment plans and financing via Sallie Mae.
Complete our no-cost application in less than 15 minutes, and you’ll typically hear back within 2 business days.