OVERVIEW
What is a Kindergarten Teacher?
Being a kindergarten teacher means instructing younger children who are in a school environment for the first time in their lives. Usually, the age range of kids in kindergarten can span from four to six, so it’s important for these teachers to have emotional intelligence, helping them to determine how to deal with a variety of young personalities and how to connect them to their schoolwork.
Those who are interested in education and seeking a teaching degree may want to consider finding their specialization and the age range they wish to work with. Working as a kindergarten teacher can be a wonderful experience, but you’ll want to make sure you’re ready for the challenges associated with teaching younger students before taking on this role. It can require a lot of patience and kindness, time and effort, but the results are well worth it.
RESPONSIBILITIES
What Does a Kindergarten Teacher Do?
Kindergarten teachers are tasked with helping their students learn the basics of schooling and preparing them for first grade. While no two days are ever the same, kindergarten teachers are generally expected to:
- Prepare materials, lessons, and projects.
- Keep lessons fresh, engaging, and interesting.
- Teach basic skills in academics and behavior.
- Use a variety of approaches and tools to impart lessons.
- Observe and assess performance, skill, behavior, and social development.
- Look for potential issues such as health, developmental, or emotional concerns.
- Create goals for students to reach on an individual and group level.
- Tailor lessons as needed to meet a variety of needs and learning capabilities.
- Be highly communicative and inspire trust in their students.
- Meet with parents of children periodically to discuss progress and concerns.
EDUCATION & BEST DEGREES
What Education Does a Kindergarten Teacher Need?
The most important educational requirements for a kindergarten teacher is a bachelor’s degree either in early childhood education or elementary education. A bachelor's degree is required to teach any grade in every state. There are some states where you can have a generic bachelor's degree and then get your license in another way, but this is less common.
Once they obtain their degree, prospective teachers are usually expected to participate in an in-classroom internship through a state-approved program. This gives teachers the opportunity to gain hands-on experience before taking on a class of their own. When the internship is completed, the next step is to take the required licensure tests, which will vary by state. It’s important to check state requirements with the state board of education to ensure all test requirements are met. Finally, it’ll be time to apply for a teaching license. Again, this process will vary by state, so check with the board of education in the state where you’d like to teach for specifics. After licensing, the job hunt can begin.
Additionally, some schools may require a master’s degree in elementary education. Teachers who know which schools they may work with can always check educational requirements just to be sure; however, there’s always the option of obtaining a bachelor’s degree to get a foot in the door with one school and then take online courses to earn a master’s degree while teaching.
Depending on a teacher’s educational focus, other unique certifications may be required. For example, programs that are dedicated to special education students may require teachers to have a specific certification.
Best Degrees For Kindergarten Teachers
Education
Elementary Education – B.A.
An online teacher certification program for aspiring elementary teachers....
An online teacher certification program for aspiring elementary teachers.
Leads to teacher licensure. Specific grade levels will vary depending on teaching certification in your state.
- Time: 68% of students finish this degree within 36 months.
- Tuition: $3,825 per 6-month term.
- Courses: 37 total courses in this program (38 for Washington residents)
Skills for your résumé included in this program:
- Elementary Reading Methods
- Language Arts Instruction
- Elementary Mathematics Methods
- Elementary Disciplinary Literacy
- Children’s Literature
This elementary education degree program requires in-classroom observation and a term of full-time student teaching. This online teaching degree program helps you to be eligible for teaching certification in any of the 50 states.
Education
Teaching, Elementary Education – M.A.
An online master's of arts in education degree and teacher certification...
An online master's of arts in education degree and teacher certification program for aspiring elementary school teachers who already have a bachelor's degree in a non-teaching field.
Leads to a teaching license. Specific grade levels will vary depending on teaching certification in your state.
- Time: 64% of students finish within 24 months.
- Tuition: $4,125 per 6-month term.
- Courses: 28 total courses in this program (29 for Washington residents)
Skills for your résumé included in this program:
- Lesson Planning
- Ethics
- Behavioral Support Strategies
- Educational Psychology & Development
- Classroom Management
This online teacher's degree requires in-classroom observation and a term of full-time student teaching.
Education
Special Ed and Elementary Ed (Dual Licensure) – B.A.
An online teaching degree and teacher certification program for aspiring...
An online teaching degree and teacher certification program for aspiring K–12 special education teachers. Leads to dual licensure—elementary education teaching license and special education teaching license.
- Time: 60% of students finish this degree within 38 months.
- Tuition: $3,825 per 6-month term.
- Courses: 45 total courses in this program (46 for Washington residents).
(Specific grade levels will vary depending on licensure in your state.) If your state offers a single K–12 special education teaching license and you are interested in focusing on teaching students with mild to moderate exceptionalities, consider the B.A. Special Education (Mild to Moderate) online teaching degree.
Skills for your résumé included in this program:
- Elementary Reading Methods
- Elementary Mathematics Methods
- Elementary Social Studies Methods
- Elementary Science Methods
- Language Arts Instruction and Intervention
This special education teaching online degree program requires in-classroom observation and a term of full-time student teaching.
How much does a kindergarten teacher make?
$55,850
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, kindergarten teachers average an annual wage of $56,850 (not including special education). Depending on where you live and your level of experience, your earning potential will change. For example, teacher's with a master's degree will likely earn more than those with a bachelor's degree.
What Is the Projected Job Growth?
4%
This professional sector shows a rate of growth on par with any other occupation, with a projection of 4% growth from 2019 to 2029. Granted, that growth will vary depending on the region, state, and various other factors related to school districts. But with rising student enrollment, demand is expected to increase accordingly.
SKILLS
What Skills Does a Kindergarten Teacher Need?
As the first official role model for students outside their own families, kindergarten teachers need to draw on a variety of personal and professional skill sets to put them ahead of the crowd. Some of these skills include:
- Communication skills
- Flexibility and adaptability
- Patience
- Organizational skills
- Creativity
- Leadership skills
- A passion for teaching
- High energy
- Up to date on teaching trends and best practices
- A good sense of humor
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