Teacher (Kindergarten)

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Work Tasks

• Introduce children to numbers, science, language, and social studies during their first year of school
• Use games, music, artwork, computers, and other tools to teach social skills, behavior, and basic skills
• Plan and assign lessons, grade papers, and fill out report cards
• Keep classroom order, meet with parents, and go to meetings
• Work in classrooms for public and private schools, parochial schools, day-care centers, and child-care centers
• Work with textbooks, reference books, computers, audiovisual equipment, tests, projects, reports, student records, educational aids, and parent volunteers

Salary, Size & Growth

• $55,500 average per year ($26.75 per hour)
• A large occupation (173,300 workers in 2010)
• Expected to grow moderately (1.5% per year)

Education/Training

• Minimum for Entry: : A 4-year degree and completion of an approved teacher training program
• Employers Prefer: A master's degree in teacher education
• Skills/Courses: Most states require a 4-year degree in the subject area(s) you will teach, courses on how to teach, and supervised student-teaching. In some states, the teacher training courses are included in the 4-year degree, and in other states a fifth year is required.
• Certification/Licensing: A certificate or license is required.