Occupation · SOC 25-2012
Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education
Teach academic and social skills to kindergarten students.
Median wage
$61,430
$45,750–$99,360
Projected growth
-1.7%
Declining
Annual openings
-190
per year
Employed (US)
114,410
Job Zone 4
Typical preparation
Considerable preparation
Stackable credential programs
1,293 mapped
Core skills
Social PerceptivenessInstructingMonitoringActive ListeningSpeakingLearning StrategiesReading ComprehensionCoordination
Knowledge areas
Education and TrainingEnglish LanguagePsychologyMathematicsCustomer and Personal Service
Technology & tools
Desktop communications softwareComputer based training softwareSpreadsheet softwareOffice suite softwareElectronic mail software
Representative tasks
Establish and enforce rules for behavior and policies and procedures to maintain order among studentPrepare children for later grades by encouraging them to explore learning opportunities and to perseInstruct students individually and in groups, adapting teaching methods to meet students' varying ne
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Classroom behavior rules — introduce and reinforce under cooperating teacher supervision in a kindergarten setting.Basic literacy and numeracy concepts — deliver scripted lessons on letter and number recognition to small student groups.Read-aloud activities — conduct structured story sessions with whole-class groups using selected picture books.Daily instructional routines — follow established lesson plans to teach color, shape, and personal hygiene skills in a classroom environment.Student observation records — document observable behaviors and developmental milestones using provided checklists.Learning activity demonstrations — model hands-on classroom activities for children under the guidance of a mentor teacher.Social skill development — facilitate simple cooperative activities designed to build peer interaction among kindergarteners.Instructional technology tools — operate presentation software and multimedia educational programs to support lesson delivery.Student needs awareness — recognize signs of learning difficulty or adjustment challenges and report observations to supervising staff.Family communication — draft routine parent updates and notices using word processing and email software under teacher direction.
developing
Classroom management procedures — implement and consistently enforce behavioral policies that maintain a productive kindergarten learning environment.Differentiated instruction — adapt lesson delivery methods to address varying learning needs and interests across a full classroom of kindergarteners.Social-emotional skill building — plan and deliver activities that develop cooperation, empathy, and conflict-resolution skills in five-year-olds.Foundational academic skills — design and execute sequential lessons on letter recognition, phonemic awareness, and basic number concepts.Student progress monitoring — use structured observation and informal assessments to evaluate children's cognitive and social development over a marking period.Guided reading sessions — lead small-group read-alouds and comprehension discussions calibrated to emerging literacy levels.School-to-home communication — compose newsletters and progress reports using office suite software to keep families informed of curriculum goals.Learning challenge support — counsel individual students with mild academic or adjustment difficulties, applying basic guidance strategies.Instructional pacing — manage time effectively to balance direct instruction, center-based learning, and transitions within the school day.Technology-integrated lessons — incorporate computer-based training software and multimedia tools to reinforce key kindergarten learning objectives.
proficient
Comprehensive classroom environment — establish, sustain, and refine behavioral norms and physical space arrangements that maximize learning for a diverse kindergarten cohort.Individualized instructional planning — design differentiated learning experiences that respond to each child's developmental stage, cultural background, and academic readiness.School-readiness curriculum — build a coherent, standards-aligned scope and sequence that prepares children for first-grade academic and behavioral expectations.Complex student assessment — synthesize observational data, portfolio evidence, and developmental benchmarks to produce well-rounded evaluations of each child's growth.Targeted student counseling — guide students with significant adjustment issues or exceptional academic interests using research-informed social-emotional learning strategies.Advanced literacy instruction — apply evidence-based reading strategies during whole-class and small-group instruction to develop comprehension, vocabulary, and print awareness.Family partnership — facilitate parent-teacher conferences and workshops that translate developmental data into actionable home-support strategies.Cross-curricular integration — weave mathematics, science, language arts, and social studies concepts into cohesive thematic units appropriate for kindergarten learners.Professional judgment in student welfare — identify early indicators of health, safety, or developmental concerns and initiate appropriate referral processes independently.Data-informed practice refinement — analyze classroom-level assessment trends to adjust instructional approaches and improve learning outcomes across the school year.
advanced
Early childhood curriculum leadership — design and champion school-wide or district-level kindergarten curriculum frameworks aligned with developmental research and state standards.Instructional coaching — mentor novice and developing kindergarten teachers by modeling best practices, conducting observations, and providing structured feedback.Schoolwide behavior and culture — lead the development of positive behavioral intervention systems that establish a consistent, nurturing environment across all early childhood classrooms.Professional learning community facilitation — guide grade-level and cross-grade teams in collaborative inquiry cycles focused on improving kindergarten student achievement.Strategic family and community engagement — build systemic partnerships with families, community organizations, and early childhood programs to support seamless transitions into kindergarten.Policy and advocacy — inform district and state early childhood education policies by translating classroom-level evidence into professional recommendations and public testimony.Technology integration strategy — lead the evaluation and adoption of educational technology platforms that enhance kindergarten instruction at the program or school level.Equity-centered teaching systems — design structures and professional development initiatives that close opportunity gaps for English learners, students with disabilities, and underserved populations.Program evaluation and continuous improvement — oversee collection and interpretation of school-wide kindergarten outcome data to drive instructional and operational improvements.Emerging professional pipeline — supervise student teachers and practicum candidates, shaping the next generation of early childhood educators through rigorous field-based mentorship.
Also known as
18 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
TeacherLong Term Substitute Kindergarten TeacherTeacher, KindergartenInstructorTransitional Kindergarten TeacherEarly Childhood TeacherPrivate Kindergarten TeacherPhysical Fitness TeacherEducatorBilingual Education TeacherArt TeacherKinder TeacherClassroom TeacherMontessori TeacherTitle One Kindergarten TeacherKindergarten Classroom TeacherBilingual Kindergarten TeacherPhysical Education Teacher (PE Teacher)