Kindergarten Teacher Job Description
Overview
Kindergarten teachers are responsible for encouraging the intellectual and social development of children in the initial stage of their elementary school or kindergarten. A kindergarten teacher is also responsible for planning, evaluating, and assigning lessons, teaching basic skills and manners, teaching letter recognition, phonics, numbers, and awareness of nature and science, and conducting interactive sessions to motivate and stimulate children’s abilities. They must follow and comply with teaching standards and partner with children, parents and administration in delivering instruction to the children.
Steps to take to start your career as a Kindergarten Teacher and other jobs like it
- Obtain a bachelor's degree in education or in the specific subject area you wish to teach. Many universities offer specific programs designed for future teachers, which include coursework in education theory, classroom management, and teaching methods. Alternatively, you can major in a subject relevant to the grade level and subject you want to teach, and then pursue a teaching certification program.
- Volunteering in different classrooms helps you make connections, experience different teaching styles and gain experience working with students. Most states offer different permits for college students who plan to be teachers or professionals who wish to substitute teach for a duration of time each permit allows. Many permits have a minimum education and skills level requirement which are completed by way of an exam. See your state and desired educational establishment requirements.
- In most places, you'll need to complete a teacher preparation program approved by the state's board of education or a similar authority. These programs typically include a mix of advanced/graduate level coursework and several months of supervised teaching experience (often referred to as student teaching) where you work alongside experienced educators to gain practical skills in the classroom. The program may also prepare you for required licensure exams. Consider completing a program that also provides a masters degree. This will add a few extra classes but will be well worth it in the long run.
- After completing your education and teacher preparation program, you'll need to obtain a teaching license or certification to teach in public schools. Requirements vary by state or country, but typically involve passing exams to demonstrate subject area knowledge and teaching skills. Some states also require background checks and additional coursework. Once completed you will be qualified to apply for a full time teaching position in a school.
- Once you're licensed, gaining classroom experience is crucial. You can start by substitute teaching, working as a teaching assistant, or taking on entry-level teaching positions. Building your experience not only improves your teaching skills but also makes you a more attractive candidate for full-time teaching positions.
- Most public and charter schools require teachers to have a bachelor's degree and state certification for entry level teaching. Earning a Masters degree in a related field will allow for opportunities to advance to an administrative position or into counseling. A masters degree is required to supervise other teachers as well as teach at a college or university level. Some teaching positions may require or prefer a masters degree. Approximately 50% of teachers nationally possess a master's degree.
Why I Choose Teaching
I hated school with a passion. Teachers were mean to me. Then junior year of high school, I was in a class, an American history class, and the teacher of that class was also a track coach and ended up loving running and ended up starting to like school because this teacher just brought it alive and was really passionate about it. And I could tell and made me want to learn more and more. So after my junior year, instead of Ds, Cs, Ds and Fs, I was getting As and As, which was wonderful. And I never thought I'd go to college, but I ended up going to junior college to complete, continue running. And then after that, I had all these units and got transfer agreements to a university. And in that university, I ended up finding out that I loved kids and I loved teaching kids and being with kids and watching them learn and grow and just having a good laugh every day. And I just reflected back, said, you know, I'm going to make school fun and exciting for kids in a way that was not for me.
Early Career Tips
Make sure that you set aside money for retirement every month starting from the beginning, even if it's just a little. I know you don't make as much in the beginning as a veteran long term teacher, but it's really important to be prepared for the end of your career, even though you're just starting. Don't date anyone at work. It's the worst thing. It bites in the butt every time and from personal experience. Ask for help whenever you need it. Make sure that you get in good with your team, your grade level team, and always be nice. The custodian and the staff that work in the office, they work really hard and they pretty much run the school.
Teaching Requirements
You have to obviously have a bachelor's, some sorts of people now have a master's education and then you have to have a teaching credential program. Most universities have them. You have to get fingerprinted, you have to have TB tests. You have to have to have kind of a general like of children, you know, and kind of just asking for education and wanting to pass on your filters of life and how you see the world onto your own mind and what you need to be seeing.
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Education you need to become a Kindergarten Teacher
These are the most common degrees or certificates earned by Jobtrees users prior to becoming a Kindergarten Teacher
There may be other required degrees or certifications needed for this job. The below info shows you the most commonly desired education level from employers when hiring for this job.
- Bachelor of Arts (b.a.) in Liberal Studies
- Master Degree in Early Childhood Education
- Master of Arts (m.a.) in Education
- Bachelor of Arts (b.a.) in Psychology
Annual Pay Estimate for Kindergarten Teacher and Other Important Info
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