Making a Difference by Teaching Fourth GradeINTRODUCTION Most people have had that one teacher they will never forget, the teacher who pushed them to be better and to strive for more, the 'the teacher who sat with them for hours after school giving them math and science lessons, or the teacher who simply took an interest in them and their well-being. Many of these memorable teachers are fourth grade teachers. Fourth grade teachers hold a bachelor's degree in elementary education, as well as master certain skills and abilities to be able to teach basic educational fundamentals and perform other crucial tasks. Teaching fourth grade is an exciting career, as this is the time when it is extremely crucial for teachers to care about the successes, outcomes, and well-being of their students. In the fourth grade, children begin to face a more difficult curriculum than they experienced in previous grades. The fourth phase of Erik Erikson's psychosocial theory is industry versus inferiority and takes place during the school years, from approximately age six to 11. During this stage, “children either actively learn to be competent and productive in mastering new skills or feel inferior, incapable of doing so.” do anything as well as they wish” (Berger 24). For children who may struggle in subjects or learn at a slower pace than others, this can lead to feelings of frustration or hopelessness. This is the period when children begin to dislike school and their grades begin to reflect their dislike. For this reason, it is important for fourth grade teachers to be patient, understanding, and kind. Seeing firsthand a child struggling in school can be heartbreaking, but there's nothing better than seeing a child's face when they figure out how to do a math equation, get an A on a spelling test, or win first place in science. Right. The enthusiasm of those students is reason enough to become fourth grade educators. Being able to make a difference in one student's life is amazing, but being able to reach many is amazing. It is important for fourth grade teachers to be role models for students, because during the fourth grade, students begin to become individuals and are