A kindergarten teacher is someone who is typically employed in a day-to-day capacity to care for small children in an educational setting. They are employed as full-time staff or part-time by a school district, or by a private kindergarten. Most teachers are hired on a trial basis and if they receive rave reviews from students and parents, they may be hired full time. A good kindergarten teacher must have a friendly personality, compassion for their students, and be prepared to teach children without a large quantity of teaching experience.
Generally speaking, it takes four years to complete a Bachelor’s degree program. Some college classes that are considered “pre-requisite” courses for entry into the teaching profession require minimal classroom exposure to the liberal arts. For those who lack this experience, or who have been out of the classroom for more than two years, may find it difficult to enter the teaching profession.
The second requirement for entering the profession is community service, which generally involves a one-year public school internship. Many community service positions require at least a bachelor’s degree. Graduates of accredited college programs may earn a Master of Science or a Doctorate in Education. These advanced degrees not only allow teachers to pursue higher-level teaching positions, but also open new doors in education for graduate students looking to pursue academic careers.
Those with teaching experience should consider the option of earning a Master of Education (EdD) Degree. This degree is not widely recognized by employers, and many schools do not offer accreditation in this field. However, a Master of Education degree is a necessary step in the certification process for entry into the kindergarten teacher profession. A typical curriculum for graduates is a well-rounded one, although some special topics are often required, including human development, instructional design, and mathematics. It is also possible to get a Master of Science (EdD) if you have at least a bachelor’s degree.
The third requirement for kindergarten teachers is classroom management, or supervision. While most kindergarten classes have small group sizes, some require large numbers of children to stay focused on the lesson. A good kindergarten teacher needs to know how to lead a classroom and motivate a group of children while helping them learn and interact with other students. Classroom management includes being able to assist teachers and parents, maintaining a safe and comfortable learning environment, keeping classroom discipline strictly followed and to manage time and activities effectively. For the last point teachers have useful support tools available online like www.nofusstutors.com/worksheets-for-kindergarten which help to make their work more efficient and didactic.
A fourth requirement for entering the workforce as a kindergarten teacher is strong communication skills. Good communication skills are essential in communicating with parents, children, and other teachers in the classroom. Communication also plays a key role in instructing other workers in the workplace such as office workers. Many people think communication skills only apply in the workplace, but it’s actually an important skill to have in all areas of life. To become a successful early childhood teacher, a solid understanding of communication skills is necessary.
