Career Definition for a Kindergarten Teacher
Kindergarten teachers lay the foundation for a child's educational career. They may use building blocks and counting games to teach math concepts, organize group activities to foster social skills, encourage creativity through arts and crafts projects, and develop language skills through storytelling and reading aloud. A kindergarten teacher establishes and enforces rules, leads physical exercise activities, helps disabled students with assistive devices, maintains records of student performance and meets with parents to discuss student progress.
Though the trend is shifting toward all-day kindergarten programs, some students attend half-day programs, and many kindergarten teachers instruct two separate groups of students each day. After three years, teachers in public schools often receive tenure, which can enhance long-term job security.
| Education | Bachelor's degree in teaching education |
| Licensure | State licensure required to work in public schools; voluntary certification available |
| Job Skills | Creativity, organization, work with children, performance evaluation, use classroom technology |
| Median Salary (2021)* | $60,900 |
| Job Growth (2021-2031)* | 4% |
Source: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Certification and Educational Requirements
Most states require kindergarten teachers employed by public schools to have a bachelor's degree in a teacher education program accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) and the Teacher Education Accreditation Council (TEAC), as well as state licensure. A list of accredited schools is available on the NCATE website. Private schools often do not require state licensure, but may have other requirements in addition to a bachelor's degree. Voluntary certification through the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) is also available for experienced teachers and may enhance job prospects.
Skills Needed
Kindergarten teachers must be creative, organized and enjoy working with kids. They must be able to maintain order in the classroom, lead and demonstrate group activities, read aloud to large groups, use audio-visual equipment and computers, operate assistive learning devices for disabled students and communicate with parents and other teachers. Additionally, they must be able to evaluate a student's performance and identify potential learning disabilities.
Financial and Economic Outlook
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicted a 4% job growth for kindergarten teachers from 2021-2031, which was about average. The best job opportunities are predicted in rural and urban areas, rather than the suburbs. The BLS reported median annual earnings of $60,900 for non-special education kindergarten teachers in 2021.
Alternate Career Options
Listed below are some other choices in research and teaching:
Librarian
Usually needing a master's degree in library science, librarians assist others in conducting research and finding information. Average employment growth of 6% was predicted for librarian positions by the BLS from 2021-2031. According to the BLS, librarians earned a median salary of $61,190 per year in 2021.
Preschool Teacher
Often requiring just an associate's degree, preschool teacher positions provide care and education to children younger than kindergarten age. Faster-than-average job growth of 15% was expected by the BLS during the 2021-2031 decade. This profession offered a median salary of $30,210 per year as of 2021.
