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Kindergarten Teacher Job Description
Do you have a passion for education and a love of children? If so, a new career as a kindergarten teacher is perfect for you. The kindergarten teacher job description is so broad and varied that it will hold the interest of even the most restless individual. It is also one of the most rewarding and satisfying jobs in the world. After all, what could be better than knowing that you helped provide for the emotional, educational, and behavioral needs of small children? If you would like to make a new career of helping children grow and learn, go back to college today for your career training as a kindergarten teacher.
Kindergarten Teacher Job Description
The kindergarten teacher job description involves teaching elemental, natural, and social sciences, music, art, literature, and personal hygiene to children between the ages of 4 and 6. It also involves promoting the physical, social, and mental development of students from a variety of backgrounds.
While many people mistakenly think that kindergarten teachers are mere babysitters, nothing could be further from the truth. In fact, the kindergarten teacher job description includes a wide variety of duties that keep teachers busy throughout the day and often into extra hours. Kindergarten teachers must perform a variety of administrative duties, including hall and cafeteria monitoring, bus loading and unloading, and assisting in school libraries. They must attend regular staff meetings and often serve on a variety of school committees. Kindergarten teachers select, order, store, issue, and inventory classroom materials, supplies, and equipment.
In addition to the administrative tasks, the work kindergarten teachers do for students is monumental. They often must provide disabled students with supportive technology, assistive devices, and assistance in using facilities, including restrooms. For all students, they must teach basic skills, personal hygiene, and social skills. This often involves establishing and enforcing rules, policies, and procedures for keeping order in the classroom. Since children attain much of their basic knowledge during kindergarten, these dedicated teachers spend a great deal of time observing and evaluating children’s behavior, physical health, academic performance, and social development. They must be able to instruct students in groups or individually while monitoring and managing the rest of the class.
Kindergarten teachers are often performers, as well. They read books to children, sing songs, demonstrate activities, and lead organized play. They must plan effectively in order to fit a balance of instruction, demonstration, work, play, and activity into a relatively short class day. After class, they often have conferences with parents, other teachers, counselors, and administrators to help resolve any student issues.
Anyone who wishes to become a kindergarten teacher must be flexible. Teachers may prepare remedial instruction for struggling students, provide a band-aid and soothing words for an injured child, and direct a school program. Since kindergarten students are so young, teachers must be a fine balance of stand-in parent, authority figure, and friend. They must do so while maintaining complete and accurate records of student performance and activities.
Education and Training for Kindergarten Teachers
The minimum educational requirement for a kindergarten teacher job description is a bachelor’s degree in education. These programs cover the multitude of teaching styles and techniques. They also teach students how to develop a child’s ability to learn, as well as methods for delivering education effectively. Coursework may vary depending on your particular degree program, but it technically includes technology in education, child development, curriculum planning, educational psychology, and teaching methods.
Many colleges and universities offer early childhood education degrees, but students who already hold a bachelor’s degree in another field may enter this profession through a supplementary teacher training program. You may be able to take a portion of your program through online courses, but you will also have to complete teaching practicums in a classroom, under the supervision of a licensed teacher.
Before you can go to work and fulfill the duties of a kindergarten teacher job description, you will be required to obtain licensing through your state board of education. Many states provide licensure depending on the grade taught, while others offer a general educator license that allows you to teach any level. You may also choose to attain an endorsement in a particular area, such as reading or special education. In most states, the licensure requirements include a bachelor’s degree in education, a background check, successful passing of licensing exams, and supervised teaching practice. Some states also require technology training and a minimum GPA.
When you train to meet the requirements of the kindergarten teacher job description, you are preparing to enter one of the most rewarding careers in the world. Find a great, accredited school and get started on your training for this great profession.
