Occupation Details
Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education
Teach academic and social skills to kindergarten students.
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Interests
Artistic
Artistic occupations frequently involve working with forms, designs and patterns. They often require self-expression and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules.
Social
Social occupations frequently involve working with, communicating with, and teaching people. These occupations often involve helping or providing service to others.
Work Values
Achievement
Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.
Relationships
Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values and Social Service.
Independence
Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.
Salary & Job Outlook
Starting Salary
$50,840.00
New York StateMedian Salary
$80,970.00
New York StateExperienced Salary
$107,950.00
New York StateNational Average for Comparison
New York State Job Market Outlook
Jobs Right Now (2018)
7,020
professionals in NYFuture Job Growth (2030)
8,230
+121 jobs/yearNew Jobs Every Year
878
new opportunities yearlyGrowth Rate
0.2%
projected increasePreparation: Experience, Training, and Education
The list below outlines the prior educational experience required to perform in this occupation.
Degree Needed - Four-year college
Experience Requirements
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.
Education Requirements
Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
Training Details
Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
Transferrable Skills and Experience
Many of these occupations involve coordinating, supervising, managing, or training others. Examples include real estate brokers, sales managers, database administrators, graphic designers, conservation scientists, art directors, and cost estimators.
School Programs
The following lists school programs which are applicable to this occupation.
Licensing & Certification
New York State requires workers in this occupation to hold a license or certification.
Public School Teacher
Learn MoreSkills
The list below includes the skills required by workers in this occupation; skills are what allow you to learn more quickly and improve your performance.
Social Perceptiveness
Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Active Listening
Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Learning Strategies
Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.
Monitoring
Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Reading Comprehension
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
Skill level is measured on a seven point scale, where one means 'some competence required for this occupation' and seven means 'a high level of expertise required for this occupation'.
Knowledge
The list below includes knowledge items, the principles and facts required by this occupation.
Education and Training
Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
English Language
Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Psychology
Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.
Mathematics
Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
Customer and Personal Service
Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
Administrative
Knowledge of administrative and office procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and workplace terminology.
Knowledge level is measured on a seven point scale, where one means 'some competence required for this occupation' and seven means 'a high level of expertise required for this occupation'.
Work Environment
The list below includes the physical and social factors that influence the nature of work in this occupation.
Hover over or tap each factor to see its description.
Work Styles
Included in the list below are the personal work style characteristics that can affect how well a worker is likely to perform in this occupation.
Adaptability/Flexibility
Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.
Attention to Detail
Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
Concern for Others
Job requires being sensitive to others' needs and feelings and being understanding and helpful on the job.
Cooperation
Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
Dependability
Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
Integrity
Job requires being honest and ethical.
Leadership
Job requires a willingness to lead, take charge, and offer opinions and direction.
Persistence
Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles.
Self-Control
Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.
Stress Tolerance
Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high-stress situations.
Tools & Technology
This list below describes the machines, equipment, tools, software, and information technology that workers in this occupation will use.
Tools
- Audiotape players
- Compact digital cameras
- Compact disk CD players
- Computer laser printers
- Desktop computers
- Educational board games
- Intercom systems
- Laminating machines
- Laptop computers
- Overhead display projectors
- Pegboards
- Personal computers
- Sand tables
- Science activity kits
- Television monitors
- Toy block sets
- Video cassette recorders VCR
Technology
- Bloomz
- Children's educational software
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Word
- Padlet
Duties
Duties are job behaviors describing activities that occur on multiple jobs. The generalized and detailed work activities described in the list below apply to this occupation.
- maintain educational records, reports, or files
- prepare educational reports
- evaluate student performance
- maintain group discipline in an educational setting
- monitor student progress
- communicate student progress
- communicate visually or verbally
- conduct parent conferences
- make education presentations
- recognize student learning levels
- recognize student problems
- record student progress
- resolve behavioral or academic problems
- maintain safe environment for children
- monitor student classroom activities
- monitor children to detect signs of ill health or emotional disturbance
- ensure correct grammar, punctuation, or spelling
- use computers to enter, access or retrieve educational data
- direct and coordinate activities of workers or staff
- mentor co-workers in school or educational setting
- use early childhood education techniques
- use interpersonal communication techniques
- use motivational techniques in education
- use oral or written communication techniques
- use teaching techniques
- use public speaking techniques
- use knowledge of multi-media technology
- use classroom management techniques
- assess educational potential or need of students
- convert information into instructional program
- coordinate educational content
- develop instructional materials
- develop teaching aids
- organize educational material or ideas
- teach correct eating habits
- teach personal hygiene
- select teaching materials to meet student needs
- develop course or training objectives
- establish and maintain relationships with students
- organize esteem building activities for children
- organize social behavior learning activities
- design classroom presentations
Tasks
The list below outlines specific tasks that a worker in this occupation is called upon to do regularly.
- 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.
- Instruct students individually and in groups, adapting teaching methods to meet students' varying needs and interests.
- Teach basic skills, such as color, shape, number and letter recognition, personal hygiene, and social skills.
- Demonstrate activities to children.
- 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.
- Provide a variety of materials and resources for children to explore, manipulate, and use, both in learning activities and in imaginative play.
- Prepare and implement remedial programs for students requiring extra help.
- Identify children showing signs of emotional, developmental, or health-related problems and discuss them with supervisors, parents or guardians, and child development specialists.
- Maintain accurate and complete student records and prepare reports on children and activities as required by laws, district policies, and administrative regulations.
- Establish clear objectives for all lessons, units, and projects and communicate those objectives to children.
- Plan and conduct activities for a balanced program of instruction, demonstration, and work time that provides students with opportunities to observe, question, and investigate.
- Confer with parents or guardians, other teachers, counselors, and administrators to resolve students' behavioral and academic problems.
- Meet with parents and guardians to discuss their children's progress and to determine their priorities for their children and their resource needs.
- Organize and lead activities designed to promote physical, mental, and social development, such as games, arts and crafts, music, and storytelling.
- Provide disabled students with assistive devices, supportive technology, and assistance accessing facilities, such as restrooms.
- Use computers, audio-visual aids, and other equipment and materials to supplement presentations.
- Meet with other professionals to discuss individual students' needs and progress.
- Instruct and monitor students in the use and care of equipment and materials to prevent injuries and damage.
- Prepare objectives and outlines for courses of study, following curriculum guidelines or requirements of states and schools.
- Assimilate arriving children to the school environment by greeting them, helping them remove outerwear, and selecting activities of interest to them.
- Collaborate with other teachers and administrators in the development, evaluation, and revision of kindergarten programs.
- Prepare materials, classrooms, and other indoor and outdoor spaces to facilitate creative play, learning and motor-skill activities, and safety.
- Prepare, administer, and grade tests and assignments to evaluate children's progress.
- Confer with other staff members to plan and schedule lessons promoting learning, following approved curricula.
- Organize and label materials and display children's work in a manner appropriate for their sizes and perceptual skills.
- Prepare for assigned classes and show written evidence of preparation upon request of immediate supervisors.
- Plan and supervise class projects, field trips, visits by guests, or other experiential activities and guide students in learning from those activities.
- Supervise, evaluate, and plan assignments for teacher assistants and volunteers.
- Involve parent volunteers and older students in children's activities to facilitate involvement in focused, complex play.
- Administer standardized ability and achievement tests and interpret results to determine children's developmental levels and needs.
- Attend professional meetings, educational conferences, and teacher training workshops to maintain and improve professional competence.
- Attend staff meetings and serve on committees as required.
- Select, store, order, issue, and inventory classroom equipment, materials, and supplies.
- Perform administrative duties, such as assisting in school libraries, hall and cafeteria monitoring, and bus loading and unloading.
Learning Resources
More information on this occupation may be found in the links provided below.
Teachers-preschool, kindergarten, elementary, middle, and secondary
Visit this link for additional information on this career from the Occupational Outlook Handbook; a publication produced and maintained by the United States Department of Labor.
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