How to become a kindergarten teacher, except special education
Teach academic and social skills to kindergarten students.
Steps to get there
Most employers expect most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not..A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
What kindergarten teachers, except special education do
- Establish and enforce rules for behavior and policies and procedures to maintain order among students.
- Prepare children for later grades by encouraging them to explore learning opportunities and to persevere with challenging tasks.
- Read books to entire classes or to small groups.
- Guide and counsel students with adjustment or academic problems or special academic interests.
- Observe and evaluate children's performance, behavior, social development, and physical health.
- Identify children showing signs of emotional, developmental, or health-related problems and discuss them with supervisors, parents or guardians, and child development specialists.
Skills that matter most
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Learning Strategies
- Monitoring
- Reading Comprehension
- Writing
- Critical Thinking
- Active Learning
Is kindergarten teacher, except special education a good career?
On the numbers, this job pays above the typical job. Median pay is 23% above the all-occupation median. Whether it fits you depends on the work itself, the schooling you are willing to do and where you want to live.
Where it pays most
- Washington $99,960
- Connecticut $90,030
- Rhode Island $85,470
- Massachusetts $84,100
- California $82,550
Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education salary by state and city
Sources: O*NET® 31.0 (CC BY 4.0, USDOL/ETA) and BLS Employment Projections 2025–35. Pay: BLS OEWS May 2025.