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Through both hands-on teaching and play, kindergarten teachers provide the necessary tools to help students achieve and excel throughout their education—and beyond. The rewards of seeing young children getting excited about learning and discovering new things can be great, though the job itself can be challenging. From information on educational requirements to finding that perfect job, this page will show you how to become a kindergarten teacher.
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Being a Kindergarten Teacher Tips
- Consider volunteering, tutoring or becoming a teacher's aide to get a feel for the classroom
- Pursue a bachelor's degree; public schools and many private schools require this for all teachers
- Think about where you would like to teach kindergarten; certification requirements often vary from state to state
- Many parochial schools require special certification
- Not all teaching licenses are transferable between states
- Prepare a resume: visit Mahalo's How to Write a Resume for tips
- Join professional teaching organizations
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Introduction
Do you love teaching eager, curious young minds? Are you creative, energetic and resourceful? If so, you might want to consider becoming a kindergarten teacher. Teachers who instruct kindergarteners have a unique opportunity to provide an educational foundation for young children; they are often the first to introduce a child to the basics of mathematics, language and science.Teaching kindergarten is somewhat different than teaching older students. Kindergarten teachers often rely on interactive activities, using rhyming games, art projects and role playing to help younger children learn the basics of letters and numbers recognition.
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General Information
Kindergarten teachers typically teach children from four to six years old; most have a bachelor's degree and many are specially trained in early childhood education. Curriculums may vary, but often include literature, science, hygiene, art and music. Many youngsters only attend half-day kindergarten, however, some leading professional teaching organizations have lobbied for full days. Some school districts offer both full and half-day kindergarten.By Request: Full-Day Kindergarten: Exploring an Option for Extended Learning (159.96 KB)
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average annual salary for a kindergarten teacher ranged from $43,580 to $48,690 in 2006.U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2008-09 Edition The American Federation of Teachers puts the range even lower—from $26,988 to $44,523.American Federation of Teachers: Survey and Analysis of Teacher Salary Trends 2007 In general, teachers in private schools typically earn less than those who choose to teach in public schools.
Demand for kindergarten and elementary school teachers in general is expected to increase by about 23% through 2016. Many teachers are expected to retire in coming years, leaving valuable teaching vacancies for potential kindergarten instructors.U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Projections Data
Step 1: Decide If It's Right for You
- Being a kindergarten teacher is not for everybody. The job takes dedication, patience and the willingness to manage your young charges. To get a feel for whether kindergarten teaching is right for you, consider volunteering opportunities at local schools or in other educational settings.
- Try to volunteer at a local community outreach or after-school program. Many programs would likely love the extra help! Volunteering can be an excellent way to gain practical teaching experience.
- Become a tutor. Are you particularly knowledgeable in sciences or languages? Tutoring can be a great way to hone your teaching skills on a one-on-one basis.
- Consider becoming a mentor. Mentoring is beneficial to many students, and is great experience. Check with local community organizations to assess their needs for potential mentors.
- Become a teacher's aide. Contact local school administrators to find out about possible opportunities. Volunteering as a teacher's aide could help you become comfortable in the classroom.
Step 2: Education
- Consider what educational background will be required for the job. Differences in educational requirements and regulations vary from state to state and between public and private schools.
Public Schools
- Most public school systems require a bachelor's degree for all teachers, including kindergarten instructors.
- Public schools also typically require an early childhood education license for kindergarten teachers. For information on specific requirements, check with each state individually. The National Association of State Directors of Teacher Education and Certification (NASDTEC)'s online database is an excellent resource for contact information.
- Some school systems may also require a master's degree in education.
- So-called "alternative route" teaching certificates are available. Usually these types of certificates are available for those who want to teach, but have a bachelor's degree in a field of study other than education.Teacher's Support Network: Becoming Licensed and Attaining Your Teaching...
Private and Parochial Schools
- Bachelor's degrees are almost always a requirement for kindergarten teachers in private schools. The degree does not always have to be in an education-related field, however.
- Many parochial schools require kindergarten teachers to teach children religion. Special certification may be required; contact the school directly to find out the specific requirements.
- According to the Association of Christian Schools International, teachers in private Christian schools at any level, including kindergarten, are required to pass the ACSI certification program.ASCI: Certification Overview
Step 3: Where to Teach
- Where would you like to teach? Begin by researching rules and qualification requirements for kindergarten teachers in your own state. Keep in mind that not all teaching certificates and qualifications are the same between states, so if you think you might want to move, find out ahead of time whether the licenses are transferable.
- Salaries for teachers vary from state to state. According to the American Federation of Teachers, public school teachers nationwide earned an average salary of $51,009 for the 2006-07 school year.American Federation of Teachers: Survey and Analysis of Teacher Salary Trends 2007
- Cost of living vs. salary is an important factor to consider if you are willing to move to secure a position as a kindergarten teacher. For instance, during the 2006-07 school year, teachers in Alabama earned an average of $43,389; teachers in California earned an average annual salary of $63,640.American Federation of Teachers: Alabama Ranks 36th in the Nation for Teacher Pay
- As a new kindergarten teacher, you will likely be paid lower than other, more seasoned teachers. New teachers' salaries for the 2006-07 school year ranged from $26,988 to $44,523, depending on location.American Federation of Teachers: Survey and Analysis of Teacher Salary Trends 2007
Step 4: Find a Job
- Once you have completed a bachelor's degree and obtained the necessary certification and credentials, it is time to begin a job hunt!
- Prepare a resume and list any and all unique qualifications. Did you volunteer as a tutor or a teacher's aide? If so, include all of this information. Check out Mahalo's How to Write a Resume page for great tips on how to make your resume first-rate!
- Begin sending out your resume to prospective employers. Not sure where to send it? Monster.com and Careerbuilder.com can be excellent jumping-off points. Also consider posting your resume to education-specific sites like Education World and K-12jobs.com. A list of job banks for private schools can be found on the Council for American Private School Education's website.
- Networking can be an excellent way to find out about potential job openings for kindergarten teachers. Contact teachers you may know in your area to find potential leads. Join professional teaching organizations like the National Education Association (NEA) or the American Federation of Teachers to make potentially valuable contacts in the teaching profession.
- Keep in mind that job availability will vary by state and region. Of the nearly four million people working as teachers in the U.S. in 2006, approximately 170,000 were kindergarten teachers. By contrast, 1.5 million were elementary school teachers. Jobs teaching kindergarten might not be as plentiful—willingness to be flexible is key.CollegeGrad.com: Teachers: Career, Salary and Education Information
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