How to Become a Kindergarten Teacher

What are the requirements to become a kindergarten teacher?

To teach kindergarten in any state public school, you'll need to be licensed, either in early childhood education (PreK-3) or elementary education (K-5, 6, or 8, depending on the program/state). You'll also need a bachelor's degree, and some states require a master's degree after a pre-determined number of years of teaching.

In addition to coursework, you'll likely be required to complete one or two student teaching experiences. Many schools require two. The first is an observation period, usually part-time, when you'll observe an experienced teacher in his/her classroom. The second is a teaching period when you'll act as the teacher of someone else's classroom under his/her guidance. The latter experience is often full-time for one academic semester.

Between the coursework and the student-teaching, it's a big commitment. Because of this, you should try working in this environment before you enroll in a degree program. Some ways to get involved without the degree include teaching preschool or daycare; volunteering in a kindergarten class, as a mentor, reader, or teacher's assistant; becoming a Paraeducator; or working in a children's day camp. Also, if you already have a bachelor's degree in something else, you might consider applying for jobs in private schools, which often don't require teacher licensure.