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Degrees and Schools
Obtaining a bachelor's degree or master's degree in elementary education is the standard route to becoming a kindergarten teacher. However, many states allow individuals who have a bachelor's degree in another field to complete graduate level coursework as an alternate path to gaining a teaching license. Elementary education degree programs and graduate coursework are widely available at universities and colleges across the US. Elementary education programs need to be accredited by either the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education or the Teacher Education Accreditation Council. Students should check their state's licensing requirements to find out what program accreditation is required for licensing.
Coursework
Students in an elementary education program will take courses such as those listed below and will complete a school-based internship, also known as student teaching.
- frameworks for teaching
- educational psychology
- child development
- learning process
- teaching elementary reading
- children's literature
- teaching math
- teaching science and health
- teaching social studies
- educational media and technology
- teaching diverse learners
Online Classes and Programs
There are a number of online elementary teacher education programs available with most programs occurring at the master's level. Students considering a distance learning program need to verify that the online program they choose meets the particular requirements for licensing in their state. States have differing accreditation and internship requirements that may or may not be met by a given online program.
Employment Requirements
Kindergarten teachers must be licensed or certified as elementary school teachers in the state where the job is located. Teachers licensed in another state may have to meet additional requirements not required by their existing license. Some positions require student teaching experience of a defined length. Candidates that do not find a kindergarten teacher position are eligible to teach any grade of elementary school.
How to Evaluate Schools and Programs
The below questions should be considered when choosing an elementary teacher education program:
- Internships - Does the length of the internship meet state licensing requirements? Can students expect to intern at the Kindergarten level?
- Accreditation - Is the program accredited by an agency that the student's state requires for licensing? Is the school accredited by a regional accreditation agency?
- Coursework - Does the program incorporate the most recent research on best teaching methods? Does the program include coursework in classroom management?
- Curriculum Focus - Is the curriculum more heavily focused on teaching methods or on subject area preparation? Does the type of curriculum match what the student expects to learn?
- Alternative certification - Is the program designed to meet the requirements for alternative route certification in the student's state? Have prior students had any issues qualifying for alternative certification after completing the program?
Kindergarten Teachers Job Description
The first year of elementary school can be a difficult transitional year for many kindergartners. They have varied experiences leading up to this year with some children experiencing full-day, academically-oriented preschool, while others may have had no preschool experience or have attended a preschool for a few hours a week. Kindergarten teachers are challenged with teaching a classroom full of children with assorted levels of readiness in academic subjects including reading, writing, math, science and social studies. Along with academics, kindergarten teachers also need to help children develop social and emotional skills so they can demonstrate appropriate behavior in school and in life.
The responsibilities of kindergarten teachers usually include the following:
- create lesson plans
- instruct students in academic subjects
- procure and prepare materials for instruction
- teach appropriate classroom behavior
- assess student progress
- review student progress with parents
- direct classroom assistant and/or parent volunteers
Resources
National Board for Professional Teaching Standards - The NBPTS advances the quality of teaching through professional standards and a national teacher certification program.
National Kindergarten Alliance - The NKA is a membership organization of kindergarten teacher who want to share expertise and research among themselves in the pursuit of best practices.
Career Profiles
Job Title: Kindergarten Teacher
Attended: St. Petersburg College • Tarpon Springs, FL
Studied Elementary Ed (completion in 2005)
Highest relevant degree: Bachelor's
• Submitted: 1/20/2012
"I love working with children and feel like I am really good at my job. I wish the pay was better, especially given the steps I've taken to get more experience and education. Also, there is little opportunity for advancement."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| School Rating | 8 | I think SPC had one of the best teaching programs in the area because you were given the most opportunities to work in the classroom. The lesson plan prep they had you do was not realistic though, and felt a lot like busy work. The practical part made the program. |
| Opportunity for Promotion | 3 | There isn't really much room to be promoted in schools. Most times principals are assigned to schools who haven't necessarily been working there. Since our school lost our AP due to low enrollment, there is no opportunity there. While there are few opportunities for advancement, you are accorded respect for your teaching experience, which is appreciated. |
| Job Security | 8 | The school I work at is wonderful. Now that I am not the last hired, I feel very secure. They give feedback quickly when there is a problem and don't seem to let people go unless there is a big problem. They also do all they can to shuffle positions when the enrollment is low so that current teachers can stay at the school if they want too. |
| Earnings Potential | 4 | The starting pay is low for college grads and the pay increases are small but steady. Our school doesn't provide bonuses anymore. You can earn stipends if you choose to do things like the yearbook, athletic director, or various other extra jobs. |
| How Stressful | 7 | The beginning of the year is stressful when introducing the classroom management items. For some, it is their first school experience and it takes some adjustment. Also, parent conferences and back to school night are stressful. I tend to get nervous about these interactions. The deadlines for testing and grades can be stressful, especially when there are computer issues. |
| Task Variety | 2 | Especially with younger children, the less schedule variation the better. Our specials are at different times so that causes a little variation. Aside from special days like field trips, half days, and assemblies, the same tasks are performed each day. |
| How Cool Is The Career | 5 | I enjoy saying that I am a K teacher. People seem to respond nicely too it. It is funny because most other teachers would rather die than teach K unless they have taught it. This is much the same way I feel about teaching middle school. I don't think teaching is super cool to most, but they do seem to reconsider when I am off for two months in the summer. |
| Career Flexibility | 3 | The most important parts of the job require that you be present in the classroom. The schedule is very consistent due to the age of the children and the times of "specials." We do have a remote connect and personal laptops so that we can do report card and grading work at home, although it is unpaid. |
| Social Orientation | 5 | I have wonderful coworkers. There is not lots of interaction because everyone has different schedules and lunch times. Obviously one can't leave their class unattended. Lunch and mutual special and recess times afford time to socialize. |
Job Title: Kindergarten Teacher
Attended: Gwynedd-Mercy College • Gwynedd Valley, PA
Studied Elementary Education (completion in 2007)
Highest relevant degree: Master's
• Submitted: 1/21/2012
"I love being a teacher. Going into my classroom every day is a joy. I love being a learner myself, so facilitating learning for children is the best job for me."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Opportunity for Promotion | 2 | There really is no opportunity to get promoted. I suppose the only position that would be a move up would be as director of the school, which I'm not really qualified for. |
| Job Security | 9 | My job is very secure where I currently am employed. Previously, I worked as a long-term substitute and that had little or no security. Now, I know I can teach at my current school for several years. |
| Earnings Potential | 8 | Teaching, especially in public schools, has the potential for higher earnings. However, it is extremely competitive trying to get a job in a public school. Also, once people are in the system, they rarely leave, so there are few opportunities. But, if you do get into a good district, you can stay there and earn a very nice salary. |
| How Stressful | 8 | Teaching can be a stressful career. We have benchmarks to hit and guidelines to follow. Teaching is a lot of work. We have to have detailed lesson plans with achievable goals. Our curriculum must be rigorous, but also interesting and engaging for the students. |
| Task Variety | 9 | Some of the activities we do are the same every day. We have a routine, which is especially comforting for younger students and those with special needs. However, new learning occurs every day with different projects, assignments, books, and ideas. |
| How Cool Is The Career | 8 | I think being a teacher is "cool" because you can help shape the future. The rewards you get from helping a child learn to read or write or spell or add are amazing. I can't imagine where we would be without teachers. |
| Career Flexibility | 2 | My job isn't really flexible. I can't work from home and I need to be in the classroom every day. There really isn't a lot to deviate from. |
| Social Orientation | 10 | As a teacher, you are always socially interacting, either with your students, assistant teachers, or other teachers. It is essential to have open communication all the time with all of those in the school environment, including parents. |
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