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What Does it Take to Be a Kindergarten Teacher?

Kindergarten Teacher Job Description Teach elemental natural and social science, personal hygiene, music, art, and literature to kindergarten students. Promote physical, mental, and social development. May be required to hold State certification.

Kindergarten Teacher Responsibilities

  • Guide and counsel students with adjustment or academic problems or special academic interests.
  • Prepare for assigned classes and show written evidence of preparation upon request of immediate supervisors.
  • Maintain accurate and complete student records and prepare reports on children and activities as required by laws, district policies, and administrative regulations.
  • Attend staff meetings and serve on committees as required.
  • Organize and lead activities designed to promote physical, mental, and social development, such as games, arts and crafts, music, and storytelling.
  • Confer with other staff members to plan and schedule lessons promoting learning, following approved curricula.

Skills Needed to be a Kindergarten Teacher

When polled, Kindergarten Teachers say the following skills are most frequently used in their jobs:

Instructing: Teaching others how to do something.

Social Perceptiveness: Being aware of others’ reactions and understanding why they react as they do.

Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Learning Strategies: Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.

Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

Other Kindergarten Teacher Job Titles

  • Title One Kindergarten Teacher
  • Educator
  • Lead Teacher
  • Kindergarten Classroom Teacher
  • Physical Education Teacher (PE Teacher)

Are There Job Opportunities for Kindergarten Teachers?

There were about 154,400 jobs for Kindergarten Teacher in 2016 (in the United States). New jobs are being produced at a rate of 8% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 12,300 new jobs for Kindergarten Teacher by 2026. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 16,700 job openings in this field each year.

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The states with the most job growth for Kindergarten Teacher are Utah, Colorado, and Nevada. Watch out if you plan on working in Connecticut, Vermont, or Maine. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.

Do Kindergarten Teachers Make A Lot Of Money?

The salary for Kindergarten Teachers ranges between about $35,680 and $86,310 a year.

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Kindergarten Teachers who work in Connecticut, New York, or Massachusetts, make the highest salaries.

How much do Kindergarten Teachers make in different U.S. states?

State Annual Mean Salary
Alabama $44,790
Alaska $62,660
Arizona $44,670
Arkansas $46,180
California $69,690
Colorado $50,020
Connecticut $77,220
Delaware $60,140
District of Columbia $54,940
Florida $50,400
Georgia $54,080
Hawaii $36,170
Idaho $50,790
Illinois $55,660
Indiana $51,290
Iowa $53,200
Kansas $51,230
Kentucky $54,510
Louisiana $50,540
Maine $52,710
Maryland $67,170
Massachusetts $75,510
Michigan $59,140
Minnesota $60,580
Mississippi $43,110
Missouri $51,630
Montana $52,730
Nebraska $59,490
Nevada $56,280
New Hampshire $56,710
New Jersey $67,400
New Mexico $53,780
New York $79,410
North Carolina $46,490
North Dakota $53,440
Ohio $59,750
Oklahoma $40,120
Oregon $72,830
Pennsylvania $62,510
Rhode Island $65,530
South Carolina $52,540
South Dakota $41,900
Tennessee $50,160
Texas $54,780
Utah $48,320
Vermont $59,560
Virginia $65,550
Washington $62,330
West Virginia $47,370
Wisconsin $57,340
Wyoming $57,390

What Tools do Kindergarten Teachers Use?

Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Kindergarten Teachers:

  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Word
  • Microsoft Office
  • Microsoft PowerPoint
  • Microsoft Outlook
  • Children’s educational software

How to Become a Kindergarten Teacher

Individuals working as a Kindergarten Teacher have obtained the following education levels:

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What work experience do I need to become a Kindergarten Teacher?

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Kindergarten Teachers Sector

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The table below shows the approximate number of Kindergarten Teachers employed by various industries.

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You May Also Be Interested In…

Those interested in being a Kindergarten Teacher may also be interested in:

Career changers with experience as a Kindergarten Teacher sometimes find work in one of the following fields:

References:

Image Credit: Vgrigas via Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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